r/halifax

Just a heads-up for anyone heading to Chocolate Lake with kids.

Yesterday, the lifeguards found a syringe buried under the sand before anyone stepped on it. Huge credit to them—they probably prevented a serious injury.

This is getting ridiculous. Kids should be able to play in the sand without the risk of finding used needles. The addiction crisis is real, but the public shouldn’t have to accept dangerous waste being left in parks and beaches as normal.

Please keep an eye on your kids and watch where they’re playing.

About five years ago I came to this forum asking for information and advice about moving to Halifax temporarily with my family. A few people were dismissive and one or two were a bit rude, but the overwhelming majority were incredibly kind and helpful.

You told me about the noon gun which I'm incredibly grateful for. You saved me from being terribly startled every day when I started working downtown. You kind people helped me retain a little dignity in those first awkward weeks in the office. Now the sound just means lunch and I'm pretty sure the sound of a cannon will forever induce a pavlovian response.

The grocery selection was pretty dismal in 2021 and I did, in fact, get used to it. I can say for certain that it has gotten better over the last few years with fresher produce and more variety. The prices are still terrible and going up every week. Folks *didn't* tell me about Gateway Market & Dave's. Those are two enterprises are absolute treasures in Dartmouth.

Several people filled me in about the many petty annoyances and headaches of Halifax. The traffic, and transit (not nearly as bad as advretised), and recycling scheme. I was not prepared for the horrors of an improperly managed green bin. I learned that one the hard way. Shout out to the folks who come around and clean them - you are so appreciated.

Housing is still expensive and hard to find, taxes are still high, but hey HST is down a whole 1% which is sooooo helpful /s. It took all 5 years to get a family doctor, but that is settled for now, or at least until they move or retire.

Nobody could have prepared us for the regional differences in pizza, Chinese and Thai food. It took some trial and error but we eventually found new favorites. Some of them are places suggested here. The selection of Mexican options is still a bit slim but has definitely improved over the past 5 years

A couple of people warned us that we wouldn't want to leave. You were right. Five years and reams of paperwork later we have made our way to permanent status and plan to stay. Halifax is a special and incredible city. My family has found a beautiful vibrant community and new friends that have become family. Our kids are thriving and succeeding in ways we couldn't have predicted. Moving here felt like coming home. We might be from away, but we landed in exactly the right spot. I'm so grateful for every bit of advice offered.

Tl;Dr - 5 years ago a bunch of folks gave a lot of really helpful advice on moving here and it was really appreciated.

make sure to watch what they are charging you and what change you get. Camp 31 tried to short change my buddy when he paid cash, and they charged me $76.84 for a $68 purchase (which i didn't notice until i got home).

i selected no tip (i was tipping in cash for anyone who cares) and 11.5% is not tax 13%, so that is an awful steep fee to use visa. other venders did not charge this fee and the prices were as totaled on the pricing board.

just be vigilant, I'm hoping they were mistakes and not the business being dishonest.

My partner has a problem with their temper, though there hasn't been any physical violence, things escalate. There's a lot of emotional and mental abuse, a severe financial imbalance for years now. For years I thought that I was the problem, but I've been doing a lot of work in therapy and its becoming clear to me that it's not me. I live basically under the constant threat of being kicked out or being left with nothing and its taken a toll on me. I've done everything I can honestly to try and get them to go to therapy and work on the problem but it never changes and I'm tired. The excuse is that I'm the issue, because they don't have these issues at work (of course) but nothing I've ever done has been "good enough".

My mental health has suffered severely in this relationship over the years, I can't seem to get ahead of it because of the constant stress I'm under. I'm constantly in a fragile state because my environment is just not healthy.

I've been looking to find supports and see what's available to me.

I know of Bryony house, do they have decent resources for housing? Are they nice? Are there any others? I'm looking for some affordable housing for myself and my dog while I get on my feet, it doesn't have to be in the city.

Please let me know

I was there earlier today and there was bear spray used. I overheard someone say they had pinned someone down, I'm guessing pinned down whoever had used the Spray.

Anyone have details on that?

I also saw a jeep or similar looking vehicle on fire after leaving the crossing. What a day!

Most evenings I'm at home as I have a young child that I can't leave alone, or so I'm told anyway.

I find myself in a position now where I have every Friday and/or Saturday evening free where I'm able to venture out into the forgotten world. Unfortunately the 'forgotten' part is more literal than I would like and it's been about 20 years since my 20's.

My friends circle has shrunk to almost nonexistent, so looking for suggestions on the better places to go and grab a drink by yourself while also finding people open to chatting. I'm on the Dartmouth side so that would be preferable but Halifax is doable as well.

I know there's a few threads like this but the focus tended to just be "places to go solo" and not necessarily where to go solo and also be social. I've also never gone to a bar on my own trying to be social in general so the entire idea is a bit intimidating.

Thanks for reading my insecure rant/request.

As the title states, I’m in need of a bag piper for maybe 5 minutes for next Saturday morning probably around 7am.

It’s for the beginning of a bachelor party and my friend does not enjoy bagpipes OR waking up early.

I will pay, just name your price!

I live in my car. Let me tell you, yesterday was HARD. But I was able to drive to the ocean for the day. What about the seniors? What about people without air conditioning??
What about the people who lost power yesterday??!!
What can they do??
Where is the Nova Scotia government right now? Sitting in their air conditioned houses I guess.
This is only going to get worse as global warming accelerates. Is there a plan?
Shameful

***** sorry I forgot to add, I have a dog. As I am sure a lot of people do

Phewwww, it's hot. It's too hot outside for me and the 'pad' is not much better, so much so I have every electrical device turned off (since they all make heat) except the fridge and fans. Oh the boredom! Can only eat so many popsicles, and take cold showers.

Is there a really good place, where there is always shade and a breeze, but not 1000 people going to the same spot? I really don't want to go to a mall, or swimming pool, or the beach, or almost anything really. Too hot to nap, reading a book is not enough of a distraction, and I don't have all sort of apps on my phone, just one (Environment Canada Weather) reminding me how hot it is.

If I bought one of those radio scanners, is there much to listen? Do people have fun with the modern day walkie talkies in the city? Actually that could be kind of fun with all the high rises now, friendly chatting with fellow city dwellers..... yeah it's that kind of muggy melancholy. :-)

If you feel like me, what do you do to chase away the dog days of summer?

Are any of your restaurants offering limited menus to avoid turning the ovens on?

Honestly I think we need to start requiring hazard pay and mandating extra breaks for cooling in workplaces where the temperature gets too high

As a general rule, do servers split their tips with you in Halifax? If not, if we give a separate tip for the kitchen in the heatwave, will you actually receive it?

If your restaurants offering limited is taking care of you, I’d love to know where so I have a shortlist of places I want to support