St. John's, NL Area Guide

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Family friendly Public transit is accessible Walkable to grocery stores Yards are well-kept Lots of parks Walkable to restaurants Friendly neighbors Safe at night Pet friendly Streets have sidewalks A quiet area Sense of community

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St. John's, NL

The capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s sits on Newfoundland Island at the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula. It is the easterly most city in North America and the second largest in Atlantic Canada. Still, St. John’s is only the 20th largest city in the country. The city has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century. In fact, it is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. Today, St. John’s is a driving force in the oil and gas industry, as well as having a strong hold on tourism.

When it comes to living in St. John’s, it is a stunning city that includes both historic and modern architecture. St. John’s is home to a total of 21 National Historic Sites of Canada, which are ranked high on the list of things to see by any St. John’s city resident. Many of these are in Downtown St. John’s along with the central business district, some of the best shopping the city has to offer and its trendiest nightlife scene. Places like the renowned George Street, the Mile One Centre and The Rooms are all located here. Around 10 percent of the population live in the downtown area, most of which are under the age of 35. Unfortunately, St. John’s is not the safest city, as it is pegged as having the twelfth highest crime rate in the country. But it wasn’t always like this. The city was once one of the safest in the country.

St. John’s is home to the largest university in Atlantic Canada; the Memorial University of Newfoundland. It is also home to the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and the College of the North Atlantic, as well as a few private colleges. There are also a plethora of primary, elementary and secondary schools in the city, a couple of which are Francophone schools. In short, St. John’s is a highly educated city. Over 96 percent of the population uses English as its mother tongue, although there is a small percentage of visible minorities.

Living in St. John’s can be a lovely experience thanks to its beauty and its infrastructure. Public buses run throughout the entire city, but it is also quite a driver-friendly place, with lots of parking and very few traffic jams. St. John’s is known to have a hilly terrain, making cycling not the best option. The same guide will also say that getting to places like the Avalon Mall, The Fluvarium, Fort Amherst and Bannerman Park can be done by public transportation.