The real life of Canadian immigrants

The local residents in Hafa are mostly white, and the Chinese population (including about 20,000 international students) is less than that in Toronto and Vancouver, and the language environment is better.

The local people are very friendly, helpful and highly educated. More than 60% of them are high-quality government, navy or university employees.

Hafa has concentrated local educational resources. Five universities in the urban area: St. Mary's College of Dahlhaus (ranked 7th in medicine), NSCAD (the top three art colleges in North America) and Saint Vincent and NSCC are considered as university towns, and the number of international students in China continues to increase this year.

Real estate prices are stable and the cost of home ownership is low. The price of the house is about 300,000-500,000 Canadian dollars (there are many other options to settle down within 300,000 or/kloc-0,000,000).

The city is small and the traffic is good (compared with the traffic jam in Toronto);

The natural environment is pleasant, close to the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by lakes.

Children's facilities are complete and evenly distributed, and they can basically be reached on foot. They are very friendly to children and suitable for raising the next generation.

There is a strong sense of humanities and art, and local people love handicrafts and music. There are jazz festivals and Atlantic film festivals every summer, and many craftsmen sell their products at the farmers' market on weekends.

Compared with other big cities in Canada, the commercial lease price is slightly lower, suitable for starting a business, and the cost of trial and error is lower;

Developing cities, with the second GDP growth rate, have the potential and opportunities to be tapped.

The following is what I personally think needs to be improved:

There are no Chinese supermarkets in the local area, only a few Asian grocery stores (of course, there are necessities in supermarkets), but Toronto and Vancouver have no choice and the prices are relatively high;

Unlike the legendary second warmest climate in Canada (about five months of winter in a year), the climate in Hafa is often extremely windy and snowy. Although it is not a maritime climate, it is often windy and rainy, and sunny days last about 100 days a year.

On the whole, the local economy is relatively conservative and can't accept new things with an open mind. It is true that the population in the Atlantic region is aging seriously and its economy lags behind other provinces.

Without a mature Chinese community, it is difficult to speak English. Unlike Toronto and Vancouver, there are complete Chinese facilities (supermarkets, newspapers, televisions, etc.). ), and it may be difficult for the elderly at home to adapt.

Limited employment opportunities, small social circle, many introductions and recommendations from acquaintances, low income, and a local job with an hourly wage of 20 yuan is not bad, and there is little hope of making a fortune;

Public transportation is general, so you can walk in the city without a car. Going further by car is slow, and there is no Uber. There is now a local taxi App.

Shopping options are limited. There is a Halifax shopping center opposite the bridge in the city center. Dartmouth has mic mac, the largest shopping mall in the Atlantic Ocean. That's it. Friends who love shopping may be disappointed.

The level of catering is average, there is no decent Chinese restaurant, and the level of western food is just like that. Eating the sea by the sea is just a legend. Hafa is a lobster producing area near the Atlantic Ocean. The local marine fishery is well developed, but it is a pity that there is no decent seafood and the price is not advantageous. There are no other live fish and shrimp for sale in the supermarket except live lobsters. I feel that Canadians don't care much about eating, most of them are in the state of eating, so there is no requirement;

Except for the house price, other consumption is not low. Because NS is located in the easternmost part of Canada, most products needed for daily life need to be imported from inland or Mexico, and the transportation cost plus local tax is 15%, so the material richness and price advantage are naturally not as good as those of big cities.

The geographical location is far away and the accessibility is average. At present, you can only transfer to Hafa in Toronto or Montreal. It takes a day to drive further to Montreal. Not many people know NS, and local people don't attach importance to city promotion. When introducing people, you have to do a lot of preparation.