Welcome Home

 

Congratulations on making the South Shore your new home!

 

This page is here as a support for you before, during, and after your move. From links to resources to testimonials from doctors who have gone through the move themselves, we hope to make your transition as smooth as possible.

Resources

Moving to a new community (or country) is hard, we are here to help! Below is a summary of information and resources you may need moving to the South Shore in one convenient location. But if you have any further needs or questions, please reach out!

Finding Housing
Utilities and Waste Collection
Government Offices
Healthcare
Schools and Child Care
Pets
Recreation
Family Recreation
The Great Outdoors
Local Food
Local Shopping
Arts and Culture
Community Engagement
Local Support Resources and Societies
Safety, First Responders, Emergency

Finding Housing

If you need additional support finding housing, please reach out. We often have connections with local realtors and unique renting opportunities.

Buying:

A great place to start when looking to buy a home is to find a local realtor. One place to find realtors in the South Shore is Realtor.ca.

Places to find listings:

Renting:

Places to find listings:

    • Point2 Homes (Renting)
    • Facebook Marketplace (an online marketplace but you will find listings directly from owners/property managers for rentals, also a great place to find secondhand furniture, do be careful of occasional scammers though)
    • Kijiji (same as Facebook Marketplace)

Utilities and Waste Collection

Electric

  • All electrical is supplied by Nova Scotia Power, request a power connection online here or by calling 1-800-428-6230

Home Internet and Cellular

Tip: Get recommendations from locals/next door neighbors to avoid service dead spots

Waste Collection

  • For all Communities (besides Hubbards in the HRM): South Shore – Region 6 (link for collection schedule, just scroll all the way down)
  • For the half of Hubbards in the HRM: Halifax Regional Municipality (link for collection schedule and sorting guides bellow it)

Government Offices

Service Canada

Closest in Bridgewater

Services: Social Insurance Number (SIN) Application, Passport, access Job Bank, Employment Insurance, Benefits Finder, Canada Child Benefit, and more

Access Nova Scotia 

Closest in Bridgewater

Services: Driver Examination & Testing, Identification Card, Land Registration, Marriage License, Registry of Joint Stock Companies, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Residential Tenancies

Health Care

MSI

From Nova Scotia’s MSI Home Page: “Nova Scotia’s Health Insurance Programs are designed to provide eligible residents with coverage for medically required hospital, medical, dental and optometric services with some restrictions. Please carry your signed Nova Scotia Health Card with you at all times. You must present it each time you need insured hospital or physician services.”

 

 

To register for a health card in Nova Scotia, you must contact the MSI Registration and Inquiry Department at 902-496-7008 or at 1-800-563-8880 (toll free within Canada), to start the application process.

For more information on the application process and required documents visit their website here.

 

Doctors NS

From Doctors Nova Scotia’s Health and Dental Plan page: “Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) offers its members a comprehensive health and dental plan administered by Canada Life.” For more information on this plan, see the Get to Know Your Health and Dental Plan booklet.

Other Noteworthy Benefits and Services: Physician Wellness which includes the Professional Support Program

Schools and Child Care

Tip: For public schools, reach out to the South Shore Regional Centre for Education, they are extremely helpful!

To figure out which public school catchment area you live in, you can look at the Catchment Area Map or enter your specific address in the school board website here.

Lunenburg

Schools

Childcare

Bridgewater

Schools

Child Care

Chester

Schools

Child Care

Hubbards

Schools

Child Care

Mahone Bay

Schools

New Germany

Schools

Pets

Vet’s offices

24hr EMERGENCY Vets

Other info needed for owning pets

Recreation

Clubs and activities change all the time, so make sure to double check websites if information here is no longer up to date.

There are so many opportunities that there is no way we could cover them all, so here are some places to check for more: South Shore Connect – Recreation Guide

Lunenburg

Gyms/Yoga studios

  • Bluezone Wellness & Fitness – Gym, Personal Training, Strength Training, Cardio, Various Fitness Classes, Yoga
  • Lincoln Street Studio – Yoga and Other Classes, Online Classes through Ely Health, Drop-In Availability, Free Running Club, Boutique
  • Blockhouse Yoga and Wellness – In-person and Online Yoga Classes, Drop-In Availability, Occasional Community Classes and Events
  • emOcean Wellness Center – Indoor Heated Saltwater Pool (Lane Swimming, Family Swim, Aqua Fit and Aqua Yoga Classes), Spa, Massage Therapy, Physiotherapy, Hair Studio, Infrared Sauna, and more
  • Lunenburg Community Center  – Weight Room, Climbing Wall, Open Gym (for Basketball, Pickleball, etc.), Studio Space with Various Privately Run Classes

 

Sports Clubs and Activities

 

Other Activities

 

For more:  Town of Lunenburg – Community Organizations

Bridgewater

Gyms/Yoga studios

  • Lunenburg County Fitness Center -Weight Room, Cardio, Group Exercise Room, Shake Bar, Classes (Zumba, Barre, Yoga, Spin, Pump, Sweat, CRT and more)
  • YMCA – Gym, Basketball Court, Classes
  • 902 Athletics – Gym, CrossFit, Personal Training, Classes (CrossFit, Sweat, Pump, 60+, Kids and Teens, and more), Online Training, Massage Therapists, Physiotherapists, Chiropractor, Nutrition

 

Sports Clubs and Activities

 

Other Activities

Chester

Gyms/Yoga studios

 

Sports Clubs and Activities

  • Chester Golf Club – Various Membership Options, Lessons, Clubhouse Restaurant, Tournaments
  • The Chester Curling Club – Various Leagues ( Social, Ladies’, Men’s, Mixed, and more), Learn to Curl Sessions
  • Chester Yacht Club – Clubhouse, Various Marine Services, Membership Options, Keelboat Racing, Dinghy Racing
  • Chester Tennis Club – Outdoor Courts, Multiple Membership Options, Social and Competitive Programming

 

Other Activities

Hubbards

Gyms/Yoga studios

 

Sports Clubs and Activities

 

Other Activities

Mahone Bay

Gyms/Yoga studios

  • Blockhouse Yoga and Wellness – In-person and Online Yoga Classes, Drop-In Availability, Occasional Community Classes and Events
  • CentreFit (Inside Mahone Bay Centre) – Gym, Classes, Personal Training, Cardio Room, Weight Room

 

Sports Clubs and Activities

 

Other Activities

New Germany

Gyms/Yoga studios

 

Sports Clubs and Activities

 

Family Recreation

Clubs and activities change all the time, so make sure to double check websites if information here is no longer up to date.

There are so many opportunities that there is no way we could cover them all, so here are some places to check for more: South Shore Connect – Recreation Guide

Lunenburg

Kids Activities / Sports

For more: South Shore Connect – Recreation Guide, Town of Lunenburg – Community Organizations

 

Local Playgrounds

For more: Town of Lunenburg – Parks, Playgrounds and Trails

 

Other Activities / Locations

Bridgewater

Kids Activities / Sports

Other Activities / Locations

Chester

Kids Activities / Sports

Other Activities / Locations

Hubbards

Kids Activities / Sports

Other Activities / Locations

Mahone Bay

Kids Activities / Sports

 

Other Activities / Locations

  • Mahone Bay Centre – Community Center, Rentable Spaces, Community Events and Programing
New Germany

Kids Activities / Sports

The Great Outdoors

There is so much natural beauty to the South Shore, we could never cover it all. So here are a few recommendations to get you started, but there is so much more to explore!

Lunenburg

Beaches

    • Bachman’s (2nd Peninsula, 10 minutes from Lunenburg) Small, Not Usually Crowed, Some Parking, Dog-Friendly, Sand / Small Pebble Mix, Little to No Waves, Beach Glass (at low tide)
    • Hirtle’s (Kingsburg, 20 minutes from Lunenburg) Long, Popular But Not Often Overcrowded, Parking, Bathrooms (2 Outhouses), Dogs on Leash, Sand and Sand / Small Pebble Mix, Rolling Ocean Surf, Lakeside Beach
    • Sand Dollar (Rose Bay, 15-20 minutes from Lunenburg) Small, Not Usually Crowed, Little Parking, Dogs on Leash, Sandy, Calm Waters, Shallow, Best at Low Tide, Beachcombing, Lots of Sea Creatures

For more: Visit South Shore – Beaches, District of Lunenburg – Municipal Parks and Trails

 

Hikes

    • Gaffe Point (at Hirtle’s beach) 6 km, Out and Back, Moderate, Hiking, Ocean Views, Forest, Beach, Suitable for Older Children, Dogs on leash
    • Blue Rocks (a small fishing town 6 min drive away) 9 km, Out and Back, Easy, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Wildlife Views, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash, Not Busy
    • Rails to Trails system (the entirety of South Shore), Bay to Bay Trail (the Mahone Bay/Lunenburg section of the trail) Point to Point, Easy, Partially Paved, Biking, Walking, Cross-County Skiing, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash, Stroller Friendly

For more: AllTrails – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Region – Hiking, District of Lunenburg – Municipal Parks and Trails

 

Other

Bridgewater

Beaches

  • Crescent Beach (West Dublin, 25 min from Bridgewater) Very Long, Popular But Not Overcrowded, Parking, Dog-Friendly, Sandy, Can Be Wavy and Windy, Drive on Beach, Shellfish Harvesting
  • Rissers Beach Provincial Park (Petite Rivière, 25 min from Bridgewater) Long, Lots of Parking, Bathrooms and Changing Rooms, Food Truck, Boardwalk, Dogs on Leash, Sandy, Trails, Lifeguard, Camping
  • Cherry Hill Beach (Broad Cove, 30 min from Bridgewater) Very Long, Not Usually Crowed, Some Parking, Dogs on Leash, Sandy Water, Pebble Shore, Larger Waves, Surfing,
  • Mush a Mush (Sweetland, 15 min from Bridgewater) Lake Beach, Parking, Outhouses, Shallow Water, Quiet, Swing Set, Picnic Tables, No Pets

For more: Visit South Shore – Beaches

 

Hikes

  • Indian Garden Trail (Hebbville, 5 min from Bridgewater) 1 km, Loop, Easy, Forest, Mountain Biking, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash
  • Miller Point Peace Park (Dayspring, 5 min from Bridgewater) 5 km, Loop, Parking, Bathrooms, Multiple Trails, Easy, Forest, River Views, Picnic, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash, Wheelchair Accessible and Stroller Friendly
  • Rails to Trails system (the entirety of The South Shore), Adventure Trail (the Mahone Bay/Bridgewater section of the trail), Bull Run Trail (the Bridgewater/Queens section of the trail) Point to Point, Easy, Groomed Gravel, Biking, Walking, Cross-County Skiing, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash

For more: AllTrails – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Region – Hiking, District of Lunenburg – Municipal Parks and Trails

 

Other Activities / Locations

  • M.A.R.C. (Municipal Activity and Recreation Complex) Open Fields, Picnicking, Softball Fields, Hiking and Biking Trails, Ponds for Fishing and Canoeing, Disc Golf Course, BMX/Mountain Bike Skills Park, Skating, Toboggan runs, Skiing and Snowshoe Trails, Equipment for Loan
  • Golf: Osprey Ridge Golf Course
  • Kayaking: Cape LaHave Adventures (Dublin Shore)
Chester

Beaches

  • Meisners Beach (East River, 25 min from Bridgewater) Small, Parking, Dog-Friendly, Sandy, Not Busy

For more: Visit South Shore – Beaches, District of Lunenburg – Municipal Parks and Trails

 

Hikes

  • Haughn Estate and Natural Area (Chester, 5 min from downtown Chester) Map, 5 km, Out and Back, Multiple Trails, Easy to Moderate, Parking, Washrooms, Biking and Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing
  • Graves Island Provincial Park (east Chester, 5 min from Chester) 4 km, Loop, Parking Bathrooms, Beach Views, Forest, Camping, Picnic, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash, Stroller Friendly
  • Rails to Trails system (the entirety of The South Shore) Point to Point, Easy, Partially Paved, Biking, Walking, Cross-County Skiing, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash, Stroller Friendly

For more: AllTrails – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Region – Hiking, District of Lunenburg – Municipal Parks and Trails

 

Other Activities / Locations

Hubbards

Beaches

  • Queensland Beach (Hubbards) Long, Parking, Bathrooms, Change Rooms, Popular and Sometimes Crowded, Small Waves, Sandy, Life Guards, Lake and Ocean Sides
  • Hubbards Beach (Hubbards) Popular and Often Crowded, Parking (with fee), Sandy, Outhouses, Change Rooms, Showers, Food available, Swim-out Dock, Not Dog-Friendly during busy times, Camping Nearby

For more: Visit South Shore – Beaches

 

Hikes

  • Rails to Trails system (the entirety of The South Shore) Point to Point, Easy, Partially Paved, Biking, Walking, Cross-County Skiing, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash, Stroller Friendly

For more: AllTrails – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Region – Hiking, District of Lunenburg – Municipal Parks and Trails

 

Other Activities / Locations

Mahone Bay

Beaches

  • Westhaver’s Beach (Mahone Bay) Street Parking, Quiet, Rocky, Sea Glass, Very Dog-Friendly, Little Waves

For more: Visit South Shore – Beaches

 

Hikes

  • Oakland Lake (3 min away from Mahone Bay) 5 km, Loop, Easy, Forest, Lake Views, Mountain Biking, Running, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash
  • Rails to Trails system (the entirety of The South Shore), Adventure Trail (the Mahone Bay/Bridgewater section of the trail), Point to Point, Easy, Partially Paved, Biking, Walking, Cross-County Skiing, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash, Stroller Friendly

For more: AllTrails – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Region – Hiking, District of Lunenburg – Municipal Parks and Trails

 

Other Activities / Locations

New Germany

Hikes

  • Indian Falls (Newburne, 20 min from New Germany) Short, Out and Back, Waterfall, Picnic, Swimming (Carefully), Dogs on leash
  • Rails to Trails system (the entirety of The South Shore), LaHave River Trail Association (the New Germany/Bridgewater section of the trail), Point to Point, Easy, Partially Paved, Biking, Walking, Cross-County Skiing, Kid-Friendly, Dogs on leash, Stroller Friendly

For more: AllTrails – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Region – Hiking, District of Lunenburg – Municipal Parks and Trails

 

Other Activities / Locations

  • Ridge River Common Park (Pinehurst, 3 min from New Germany) Hiking, Walking, Playground, Picnic Tables, Art, Mountain Biking Trails, Waterfall, Many Trail Options, Restrooms, Wheelchair Accessible and Stroller Friendly Path

Local Food

The South Shore is lucky to have some of the best restaurants outside of Halifax, and new places are constantly popping up, we could never keep up! So here are a few local recommendations just to get you started.

Lunenburg
Bridgewater
Chester
Hubbards
Mahone Bay
New Germany

Local Shopping

Local businesses are great places to find anything from unique art and jewelry to new-to-you clothing and collectables. There are so many great local shops in the South Shore and the downtown areas of many communities are welcoming new shops every year. Here are just a few cool or unique places to check out, but remember, there is so much more!

Lunenburg

And so many more!

Bridgewater
Chester
Hubbards
Mahone Bay

And many more!

New Germany

Arts and Culture

The South Shore boasts a vibrant cultural scene, attracting many artists who call this area home. Please note that this list is not comprehensive; here are just a few highlights.

 

Culture Centers / Organizations

Performances / Theaters

Relevant Regular / Annual Events

    Museums

     

    For more see Visit South Shore – Heritage & Culture

    Communty Engagement

    Connect with your new community by attending local farmers markets, listening to local radio stations, or joining community Facebook pages.

    For a calendar of events in all of Lunenburg County, go to Visit South Shore. Or check out the events calendar from The Lunenburg Barnacle.

    For events, local stories, and new openings, check out the Facebook groups Upbeat News for Lunenburg County and Lunenburg County Community Board.

    Lunenburg

    Where to get local news and announcements for events etc.

    Farmers markets and other regular community events

    Shared spaces like community gardens

    Community Facebook groups or other forums

    Bridgewater

    Where to get local news and announcements for events etc.

    Farmers markets and other regular community events

    Shared spaces like community gardens

    Community Facebook groups or other forums

    Chester

    Where to get local news and announcements for events etc.

    Farmers markets and other regular community events

    Shared spaces like community gardens

    Community Facebook groups or other forums

    Hubbards

    Where to get local news and announcements for events etc.

    Farmers markets and other regular community events

    Shared spaces like community gardens

    Community Facebook groups or other forums

    Mahone Bay

    Where to get local news and announcements for events etc.

    Farmers markets and other regular community events

    Shared spaces like community gardens

    Community Facebook groups or other forums

    New Germany

    Where to get local news and announcements for events etc.

    Farmers markets and other regular community events

    Shared spaces like community gardens

    Community Facebook groups or other forums

    Local Support Resources and Societies

    Women’s Resources

    Youth Centers

    2SLGBTQIA+ Resources

     Foodbanks

    Other

    For more Community Resources –  South Shore Connect, or Call 211 (online at ns.211.ca) for Provincial Services & Programs

     

    Safety, First Responders, Emergency

    Phone Services:

    Emergency, Call 911

      • If your health, safety or property is threatened and you need help right away, call 911. The 911 operator will notify emergency responders, like fire, police or ambulance.

    Health Care Questions, Call 811

      • Registered nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide reassurance and information for non-urgent, health related issues and questions, and can help with advice on everything from bee stings and frostbite to coughs and flu.

    Weather Updates and Road Conditions, Call 511 (or online at novascotia.ca)

      • For up-to-date road conditions in Nova Scotia

    Provincial Services & Programs, Call 211 (or online at 211.ca)

      • An information and referral service that can connect you to thousands of programs and services offered by local community groups, non-profits and government departments across Nova Scotia.
    Lunenburg

    Fire Department:

    Police Station:

     Closest Emergency Rooms:

    Tip: check the yourhealthns app (on Google and Apple app stores) for wait times

     

    Other Emergency Resources, see Town of Lunenburg Website – Emergency Management

    Bridgewater

    Fire Department:

    Police Station:

     Closest Emergency Rooms:

    Tip: check the yourhealthns app (on Google and Apple app stores) for wait times

    Chester

    Fire Department:

    Police Station:

     Closest Emergency Rooms:

    Tip: check the yourhealthns app (on Google and Apple app stores) for wait times

    Hubbards

    Fire Department:

    Police Station:

     Closest Emergency Rooms:

    Tip: check the yourhealthns app (on Google and Apple app stores) for wait times

    Mahone Bay

    Fire Department:

    Police Station:

     Closest Emergency Rooms:

    Tip: check the yourhealthns app (on Google and Apple app stores) for wait times

    New Germany

    Fire Department:

    Police Station:

     Closest Emergency Rooms:

    Tip: check the yourhealthns app (on Google and Apple app stores) for wait times

    Not Too Far

    Some of the resources on this page are separated out by communities where each of our medical centers are located, but all are located within Lunenburg County.  As you can see from the map below, all of the communities are close together and easily accessible, so please feel free to explore other community sections if you don’t find what you are looking for. 

    Advice from your fellow doctors

    Moving to Nova Scotia from the US has been the best decision we ever made. While we were initially a little worried about how locals might feel about a “Come From Away” family we found we were immediately welcomed into the community and now it feels as if we’ve been here all along! The best advice we can give is: strike up conversations with everyone.  Just about anyone you’ll come across will be happy to engage and point you in whatever direction you want/need (especially if you tell them you’re a new doctor in town). One of the best resources will be your local farmers’ market as they tend to be equally social and delicious. Don’t be afraid to settle in a “rural” town or village- while you might not have a movie theater, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the richness of culture even in the smallest of hamlets. Also, be sure to dust off that old FaceBook account and join every local group/page you can find: you’ll get 99% of your news and events through them.  Lastly, a good attitude will get you everywhere up here – Nova Scotians are some of the warmest, most welcoming people on the planet!

    Dr. Russ Incatasciato
    Sara Graves-Incatasciato

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    PracticeHereNow.ca recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment to promote our community’s culture and resources to healthcare workers.