After 28 years of living in and around Toronto, she felt ready for a change. She was tired of taking three different subway lines just to get to work, tired of tiny run-down houses selling for more than $600K, and tired of working 10-12 hours a day.

She briefly passed through Truro, Nova Scotia, on a business trip 10 years ago. One of her clients gave her a tour of the area, and thought it seemed like a nice place to live. When that same client called her up five years later with a job offer, she accepted immediately.

The average two-storey, three-bedroom home in Truro costs around $190,000, so Amina was thrilled to be able to purchase a lovely house in downtown Truro, where she can walk anywhere she wants — shops, restaurants, the grocery store, yoga classes, the library, the theatre, the farmers’ market.

“It’s a different pace here — a slower pace. Even the way we work is different here,” says Amina. “Everyone is very laid-back and friendly, and there’s so much to do.”

“Moving to Truro has been life-changing. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Her position with MacLellan Moffatt Health Insurance means she regularly speaks with clients back in Ontario. When she tells them she’s in Truro, she says they assume Truro is a tiny town with nothing but dirt roads. She happily assures them that while Truro is technically a small town, it’s a thriving, vibrant place with “everything you could ever want.” Truro has access to world-class facilities you would expect in a big city — a $7.8M library, a $50M recreational centre, and a $185M hospital — but you won’t find smog, traffic and high real estate prices. It’s a friendly community with dependable neighbours, excellent schools, and plenty of wide-open space to explore and enjoy, like 2,000+ acre Victoria Park right in downtown Truro. (And if newcomers ever miss the big-city feel, Truro is less than an hour from the bustling capital city of Halifax.)

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Canada back in March, Atlantic Canada quickly introduced safety measures to keep the virus at bay — and everyone’s diligence has paid off. Even though schools, restaurants, and businesses are open and people can move about freely, the province still goes weeks at a time with zero active cases.

“We’re doing so well, and it’s because of the hard work we’ve done. We wear our masks, and we’re free to live our lives,” says Amina. “I’m very proud to be living in one of the safest places in the world.” Now that many companies are offering employees the ability to work from home permanently, Amina says she expects to see many Ontario residents moving to Truro, Nova Scotia — where it’s less expensive to live, there isn’t any traffic, and the quality of life is excellent.

“If somebody is looking for a lifestyle change, Truro is the best place to do it. It has everything to offer.”