Should I Move to Halifax?

[kcr]

This is not about politics! I am not considering this because I hate the USA or want to give up. I don't. But my wife and I are not happy where we are, and opportunities to move to progressive cities that are good to raise kids in don't come along all that often. So, please, no flame wars over the issue of leaving or staying -- this really isn't about that. If someone offered me a position in, say, Chicago I would be there in a heartbeat. (Anyone have the need for a good lead programmer with .NET, perl, C, and Java in Chicago? :) ) This is about my wife and I trying to give our children the best lives we can.


I have an opportunity to interview for a position that I am a good fit for in Halifax. My wife (Pithlet) and I want to move out of Memphis and go to a larger, more progressive city. We want to go somewhere where there are more cultural amenities than in Memphis: zoos and museums for the kids (3 and 5) that are large enough for them to enjoy for years, outdoor activities (both my wife and I have gotten back into running in recent months), and decent cultural/lifestyle activities (regular theater, good shopping, regular concerts of all kinds) for my wife and me. Is Halifax that kind of place? For those in the know, is it closer to a Hartford/Memphis/Little Rock/Oklahoma City or closer to a Boston/Philly/Portland or closer ot a Chicago/New York/Atlanta kind of place?

Finally, my oldest so is in special education pre-school. He has Aspergers Syndrome, and gets special help with the goal of mainstreaming him into regular classes as soon as possible. Does the Canadian school system have the equivalent of Individual Education Plans for students? Do they attempt to mainstream their special ed kids?

Thanks

kcr

[yvr girl]

1. I've never been to Halifax, but I hear it's lovely

My guess is that it would be more like a Boston type of place. The Maritimes are a more traditional part of Canada, but I wouldn't compare it to the South in the USA.

There's a lot of history there. It's also somewhat of a centre for Canadian comedy.

There is no such thing as a "Canadian School System." Education falls within provincial jurisdiction. The area is known to have very good universities though.

[Gormy Cuss]

5. I've been there, and I agree with this read on Halifax.

Many New Englanders view NS and NB as the more similar parts of Canada in terms of general attitudes and lifestyle.

[brook]

2. a quick google

of "asperger's halifax, n.s." turned up a number of sites. Looked at the regional school board page as well and there's a section on their program for learning disabilities.

I like 'maritime' cities like Halifax. Seems to have a happy mix of culture, commerce and nature. Just my opinion, but it seems worth a look-see -especially if the prospective employer will spring for it. Good Luck!

[Bossy Monkey]

3. Memphis is two or three times larger than Halifax

assuming that you're referring to the ones in Tennessee and Nova Scotia, respectively. Not that that's a counter-argument-- if you can handle the weather, I'd say jump on the Halifax opportunity with both feet.:)

[kcr]

4. Thanks for the info, everyone n/t