Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the most extraordinary provinces in Canada. Its captivating landscape is defined by its dramatic, rugged coastlines, stunning, majestic fjords, and peaceful, serene lakes. Nestled at the most easterly point in North America, the capital city of St. John’s not only acts as a vital gateway to major European markets and Canada’s Arctic. When considering well-being and safety as top priorities for everyone, Newfoundland and Labrador are excellent choices for a high-quality life. Here are five reasons why it’s Canada’s best-kept secret.
Newfoundland’s Geographic Edge
During the COVID-19 pandemic, while the rest of the world faced severe challenges and disruptions, Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a unique advantage simply due to its geography.
“Situated on an island in the North Atlantic, Newfoundland was one of the safest places on Earth during that time, second only to perhaps the Arctic and Antarctic regions,” says eXp Realty Agent Jason Piercy.
This safety and relative isolation attracted significant attention from international businesses. For example, Piercey says Disney chose Newfoundland to film a feature motion picture. Meanwhile, Hallmark filmed several Christmas movies here, taking advantage of the safety that life on a remote island brings.
“As the world adapts to ongoing health challenges, it’s widely understood that pandemics like COVID-19 will not disappear entirely but will continue to evolve. Ensuring safety involves choosing locations that inherently offer protection,” Piercy explains.
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East Coast Hospitality
Canadians have long recognized the unique warmth of East Coast hospitality. From “screeching in” visitors at a local bar to dancing at a neighbor’s kitchen party, Newfoundlanders are known to be some of the friendliest people in Canada.
However, this was never more evident than on September 11, 2001. As American airspace closed in response to the terrorist attacks, hundreds of flights were suddenly diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland. The small town, with roughly 10,000 people at the time, unexpectedly hosted nearly 7,000 passengers from 38 international flights. On that day, the number of guests almost equaled the number of residents. Despite the sudden influx, the town exemplified extraordinary hospitality, opening homes and facilities to accommodate the stranded travelers. The heartwarming story of this historic event is memorialized in the award-winning Broadway musical Come From Away.
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Life by the Ocean
Living in St. John offers a unique connection to the North Atlantic Ocean. The city, nestled around a cozy harbour, provides a distinct and intimate relationship with the sea. Even without taking a dip for a swim, simply being near saltwater can have numerous positive effects on your mental and physical well-being.
Research from 2021 shows that saltwater, rich in essential minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium, offers many natural health benefits. Being in close proximity to saltwater can promote relaxation, reduce inflammation, and improve skin. After all, who hasn’t felt better after spending a day by the water?
Outdoor Fun
St. John’s is a capital city for nature lovers, making spending time in the great outdoors easy. The majesty of Gros Morne and its fjords in the national park is nearby, along with many hiking trails, coastal trails, and breathtaking lookout points on nearby hills by the seaside. For this reason, it’s no surprise that 73 percent of Newfoundlanders reported participating in outdoor activities close to home.
Local Eats
You can’t help but feel a sense of inherent security knowing that fresh local food is abundant nearby. As the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial website explains, “The cold, clean waters around Newfoundland and Labrador are legendary for their abundance and quality of finfish and shellfish, wild-caught and farmed. The waters surrounding the province, where the warm Gulf Stream meets the Labrador Current, have created the perfect environment for delicious seafood for hundreds of years.” Local seafood includes lobster, shrimp, Atlantic salmon, scallops, mackerel, halibut, and snow crab; over 90% of its seafood is exported to over 40 countries worldwide.
Inspired to learn more about island life in Newfoundland and Labrador? Give us a call today! One of the experienced real estate agents at Zoocasa will be more than happy to help you through the exciting home-buying process.
