Overview
About Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's most easterly province — the island of Newfoundland sits in the North Atlantic, and Labrador is the mainland portion on the Labrador Peninsula. "The Rock" as Newfoundland is affectionately known, has a distinct culture, dialect, and identity that sets it apart from all other Canadian provinces.
St. John's, the capital, is one of North America's oldest cities and has a colourful downtown (the famous "Jellybean Row" houses), a vibrant music and arts scene, and some of Canada's most affordable urban housing. The province's economy has been transformed by offshore oil and gas discoveries, though diversification into tourism, fisheries, and tech is ongoing.
Best Cities in Newfoundland & Labrador
St. John's
Capital & LargestColourful harbour city — oldest city in North America
Pop: 114KHomes: $320K
Mount Pearl
SuburbSt. John's suburb — families, affordable, safe
Pop: 23KHomes: $290K
Corner Brook
West NLWestern NL hub — skiing at Marble Mountain, paper mill
Pop: 18KHomes: $220K
Pros & Cons of Living in Newfoundland & Labrador
✓ Pros
- Canada's most affordable major city housing
- Incredibly friendly and welcoming people
- Stunning natural scenery — fjords, icebergs, whales
- Strong cultural identity — music, humour, dialect
- No land transfer tax
- Growing oil and gas economy
- Excellent seafood — cod, crab, shrimp
- Unique and strong sense of community
✗ Cons
- Limited job market outside oil, government, fisheries
- Challenging weather — fog, wind, heavy snow
- Expensive flights to mainland Canada
- Economy dependent on oil prices
- Limited cultural diversity
- Healthcare access in rural areas poor
- Young people leaving for mainland
- High cost of consumer goods
FAQ
Newfoundland & Labrador Living Questions
Yes — Newfoundland has some of Canada's most affordable housing. St. John's averages around $320,000 for a home, and smaller communities are even cheaper. There is no land transfer tax. The challenge is the job market and high costs for consumer goods due to the island's remote location.
Newfoundlanders are famous for being the friendliest, most hospitable people in Canada — a reputation they consistently earn. The province has a unique dialect (Newfoundland English), a rich tradition of storytelling, music (kitchen parties), and an irreverent sense of humour. Icebergs, whales, puffins, and the Gros Morne UNESCO World Heritage Site are world-class attractions.