The beautiful wilderness of New Brunswick has long attracted expats looking for scenic solitude and a more relaxed lifestyle. The spectacular landscape of this Maritime Province is the perfect backdrop for hiking, fishing or cycling. The main urban areas retain a strong sense of history, culture and community yet have modern infrastructures and amenities. With a stable economy based on natural resources and manufacturing, this is one of the best places in the Maritime Provinces to seek new opportunities. Above all, with its calm, friendly atmosphere and stunning scenery, moving to New Brunswick could help you achieve that perfect work-life balance.
Moving to New Brunswick, Canada: City and Town Profiles
Saint John
The only city on the Bay of Fundy, Saint John is the largest and oldest city in New Brunswick and has a bustling port and an array of top class shops and restaurants. The city has a long tradition of fishing and ship building, but these days higher education, research science and IT drive the economy.
Moncton
Its location at the heart of the Maritime Provinces has given Moncton the nickname ‘the Hub City’, a title it lives up to as an important centre of business and culture. The bustling city has a strong French influence and is home to a diverse range of attractions from its idyllic beaches and waterpark to the charming theatre and fascinating Acadian Museum.
Fredericton
Built around the curves of the St John River, New Brunswick’s picturesque Capital City will charm you with its traditional tree lined streets and pristine parks and green. While it has maintained a quaint small town feel, the thriving universities and booming IT sector have reinvigorated the Fredericton’s economy.
Miramichi
As the largest town in the north of the province, Miramichi is ideal for those moving to New Brunswick for the quiet, rural beauty of Atlantic Canada. The city is proud of its heritage and embraces both the First Nations culture and the influence of the many Irish immigrants who made the area their home. The Miramichi River also boasts some of the best salmon fishing in the world.
Transport and Getting Around in New Brunswick
There are several well maintained highways running through the province, with the Trans-Canada highway running through its centre linking Moncton and Fredericton. Via Rail offer an intercity service six days a week between most of New Brunswick’s larger towns and there are a handful of bus companies offering travel across the province. There are three major airports in New Brunswick located in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton.
Leisure Activities and Things to Do in New Brunswick
As a Maritime Province, New Brunswick has an abundance of water based activities to keep its residents busy. The province boasts some of the best river and sea fishing in the country with the northern rivers in particular teeming with Atlantic salmon. There are regular whale watching trips from Grand Manan Island and St Andrews from which you can see some of the 15 species of whale found in the Bay of Fundy. The Fundy Trail has driving, cycling and hiking trails around the dramatic cliffs and dense forests of this stunning part of the coastline. Irving Nature Park is another great place to explore the provinces scenic landscape and maybe catch a glimpse of chipmunk or seal. The spectacular Kouchibouguac National Park is home to the warmest saltwater beaches north of Virginia making it a popular summer destination. Discover New Brunswick’s cultural heritage at Kings Landing Historical Settlement, a living history museum recreating life in the province in the 19th Century. For a more modern New Brunswick experience, head to St John City Market and sample some of the region’s best food from the huge array of restaurants and stalls.
Interesting Facts about New Brunswick
- – As the home of the McCain empire, the small town of Florenceville-Bristol has become North America’s ‘French Fry Capital’. More than one third of the World’s chips come from New Brunswick.
- – The Old Sow whirlpool, which can be seen from Deer Island, is the second largest in the world after the Maelstrom whirlpool in Norway.
- – New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada. Around 30% of the population speak French, particularly those of Acadian descent.
- – At 1282 feet long, the Hartland Bridge is the longest covered bridge in the world. It was built in 1901 and in a National Historic Site.
