Quick facts about living in Saint John NB

Quick facts about living in Saint John NB grab attention because this Bay of Fundy hub offers strong value for newcomers. Centennial Moving Canada helps many families reach the port safely through trusted Canadian moving services. Saint John stands as New Brunswick’s oldest incorporated city, yet it keeps growing thanks to energy, tech, and a busy seaport. The 2021 census lists 130,613 people in the metro area, with English and French spoken daily. Annual events such as Area 506 draw music fans to the waterfront, while Irving Nature Park gives hikers sea views within city limits. Many residents praise the short commute and friendly spirit that greets anyone arriving after long distance move.

Is Saint John a good place to live?

Most newcomers search for safety data first. Statistics Canada’s 2023 Crime Severity Index rates Saint John at 52.7, well below the national score of 80.5. Residents credit strong community ties and visible policing for that record. The heritage core blends restored brick warehouses with new brewpubs, creating a walkable social scene. Trails link the Inner Harbour to Rockwood Park’s lakes, giving weekend campers quick escapes. Hockey and junior basketball thrive at TD Station, which hosts Maritime league games year-round. Families enjoy public schools that offer French immersion from grade one, plus programs at the University of New Brunswick Saint John campus. Because metro roads stay uncongested, morning drives average twenty-one minutes, shorter than many Canadian centers.

Saint John, a port city great for people who love living on the oceanfront.

These comforts explain why long distance moving requests into the city keep climbing. If you want fresh air, ocean views, and neighborly help during storms, Saint John deserves a close look.

Cost of living: Affordable by Canadian standards

Money stretches further here than in most East Coast cities. EREI’s spring 2025 index shows Saint John costs one percent less than the national average once housing, food, and transit are tallied.

Rent tops the savings list. CMHC reports an average two-bedroom price of $982, compared with $1,365 in Moncton and $1,140 in Fredericton. Apartment hunters also enjoy a 4 percent vacancy rate, giving them a rare choice in today’s tight market. Utility bills stay moderate thanks to New Brunswick Power’s stable residential rates. Grocery totals run slightly higher than inland towns because seafood dominates local demand; however, farmers’ markets at City Market and Kingston Peninsula offset supermarket costs for produce. Many households set aside extra cash for weekend drives to Fundy National Park or events in Halifax. Movers Halifax to Saint John quote lower trucking fees as well, since the trip covers only 400 kilometers along Highway 102. Budget-minded families see these numbers and realize the city lets them save without giving up coastal fun.

Housing: Where people are moving in

Homebuyers still find detached houses below Canada’s mainstream price. The New Brunswick Real Estate Board lists a May 2025 benchmark of $325,000, up 6 percent yet far under Toronto or Halifax levels.

The most important of all the facts about living in Saint John NB is that you will love how friendly the people are.

Neighborhoods west of the Reversing Falls Bridge attract first-time owners with mid-century bungalows and quick highway access. Uptown condos lure young professionals who work at the tech cluster in Peel Plaza. Development hotspots include Millidgeville, where vacant waterfront lots fill fast as builders target remote workers seeking ocean sunsets. City planners fast-track permits to ease supply, aiming to hold down prices for essential staff. Investors tracking Canadian moving services note steady demand from shipyard workers and health-care recruits. When offers close, buyers often request flexible closings so province-to-province movers can coordinate storage while renovations finish. If you plan to house-hunt soon, secure preapproval early; listings under $400,000 sometimes sell within a week.

Weather: Get ready for all four seasons

Saint John’s Gulf Stream influence tempers extremes, yet residents still face sharp seasonal shifts. Environment Canada normals show average July highs of 22.6 °C and January lows near –7.9 °C.

Summer brings cool sea breezes that curb humidity, pleasing runners on Harbour Passage. Autumn paints the Fundy coast with bright maples and crisp 10 °C afternoons perfect for apple picking at Kingston Peninsula orchards. Winter storms can dump up to 240 cm of snow per season, so crews spread salt quickly on hills above Prince William Street. Spring thaws arrive later than inland centers, keeping river ice until April. Homeowners install efficient heat pumps to cut heating costs, helped by provincial rebates. Outdoor lovers own layered gear rather than bulky parkas, which eases packing during moving from Ontario to New Brunswick adventures. Weather-wise, the region rewards those who enjoy seasonal contrast and ocean fog rolling through city streets at dawn.

Work, commute & day-to-day life

Energy, logistics, and health science anchor the job scene. Port Saint John handles record container traffic bound for U.S. markets, adding warehouse roles each quarter. Irving Oil’s refinery hires tradespeople, while Cooke Aquaculture expands seafood processing across the bay. The Fredericton-Moncton-Saint John labor region lists a 7.5 percent unemployment rate in mid-2025, close to Atlantic averages. Tech startups cluster at ConnexionWorks, offering programmers salaries that rival larger centers without big-city rent. Daily travel stays easy; over 60 percent of workers reach offices in under thirty minutes.

Take pride in the good work you do.

Metrobus routes now link west-side suburbs to uptown every fifteen minutes, slashing parking stress. Grocery runs finish fast thanks to compact block grids, and evening traffic rarely stalls past six o’clock. Many residents join recreation leagues instead of long gym commutes, enjoying city-funded rinks and pools set among Victorian streets. Province to province movers report steady inflows of skilled trades from Alberta, drawn by lower housing costs and coastal scenery.

Quick facts about living in Saint John NB

These quick facts about living in Saint John NB, confirm why newcomers keep loading trucks bound for this historic port. Costs stay friendly, housing supply grows, and paychecks stretch because commutes remain short. Crime numbers are well below most metro centers, and four-season recreation starts minutes from uptown cafés. If you want seaside air without Toronto prices, place Saint John on your shortlist now. Contact professional movers for a detailed plan that fits your timeline, whether you need long-distance moving or specialty hauling after a career switch. Their crew coordinates Canadian moving services across every province. Request your free quote today, compare dates, and secure your spot before summer weekends fill. Smart planning turns research into reality; trust proven partners and settle into a community known for genuine kindness, scenic shoreline, and a future that feels bright.