Yellowknife, NT 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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Yellowknife, NT

Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories is a city with a deep heritage rooted in Canadian history that today is a vibrant mix of ethnicities and cultures. The city and the surrounding water bodies were named after the local Dene tribe known as the “Copper Indians” or “Yellowknife Indians”. The languages most commonly spoken include English, French and regional aboriginal dialects. The extreme weather and large distances usually dissuade people from moving to the region but this Yellowknife Livability guide will show you why it’s an increasingly popular option to relocate to.

Traditionally, Yellowknife was a centre for gold mining but in recent years, diamond mining, transportation services, education, tourism and government activities have taken over. Because of the nature of industries that are active in the region, those with specialised and technical skills are in demand and the pay is more than generous. However, living in the Northwest Territories is expensive, including housing and utilities. This is because of the high cost of transportation from the mainland and slow pace of development. However within the city the transportation system is efficient and modern, including an international airport and public transport provided by Yellowknife transit, which make it easy to get around.

You may have to battle sub-zero temperatures and long periods with little sunshine but you’ll find a warm and harmonious community. You’ll find that Yellowknife is quite ethnically diverse for its small population. First Nation residents and recent migrants from the Philippines, Ghana, Vietnam and China make up the visible minorities of the city. To experience the best of this tight knit and diverse community, visit The Snow King Winter Festival, a resident favourite. A snow castle is built on the Great Slave Lake and cultural activities are planned through the month. No Yellowknife visit would be complete without mentioning the Northern Lights. The best way to enjoy the magnetic displays is by taking a canoe out into the water in the early autumn months and laying right underneath the magnificent Aurora Borealis.