As a permanent resident of Canada or a foreign national considering moving to Nunavut, there are a lot of factors you should take into consideration.
Nunavut is the newest province in Canada and the largest territory in Canada. It is also the northernmost territory in Canada. Nunavut was officially separated from the Northwest territories in April 1999 and it is the least populated among Canada’s provinces and territories according to the 2016 census.
The province of Nunavut is one of the most sparsely settled regions and the total land area occupied by the people of Nunavut is about 1,877,787 km square. Languages spoken in Nunavut includes French, English and Innuit also known as Inuktut.
If moving to Nunavut is a decision you have made up your mind to carry out, then you should be familiar with the best neighborhoods in Nunavut and how much it would cost to live there.
Things to Note Before Moving to Nunavut
Here are some factors you should consider before moving to Nunavut.
The Climate
Nunavut lies within the Artic Zone so freezing winters and cool to cold summers should be expected. It snows almost all the time and as a result of this, the entire territory is covered in permafrost. if you cannot survive in the harsh weathers as such then moving to Nunavut is not a good idea.
Population
As stated earlier, the province of Nunavut is sparsely populated and it is the least populated among the others. During the last conducted census in 2016, the total population amounted to 35,944 persons habiting Nunavut.
This is another factor to consider before moving to Nunavut if you are one to like populated areas.
Transportation
The availability of road transport in Nunavut is limited. In the province, the major means of transportation are boats, Ski-Doos and all-terrain vehicles. The non-availability of road transportation is due to the harsh climate.
Healthcare
Healthcare services are free for every Nunavut resident who meets the eligibility criteria. Nunavut has one of the best healthcare plan as it cover for extended health benefits to pay for medical travel expenses and prescription.
Education
If you plan on moving to Nunavut and raising a family, then you should be familiar with their educational sector. The regions of Qikiqtani and Kitikmeot have well equipped and quality primary and secondary school.
The province has only one tertiary institution which is the Artic College and they offer only a limited range of degree courses.
Security
The province of Nunavut is a relatively safe place to reside. There are security officials put in place to ensure the safety of protect the residents. If you are moving to Nunavut and are worried about security, you have little or nothing to fear.
Economy
The province of Nunavut is rich in mineral resources like precious metals and Diamonds, iron, petroleum and natural gas and a few others hence mining is the major means of generating revenue for Nunavut. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of production and transportation issues, it is difficult to fully exploit these resources.
Agencies owned by the government are the major source of employment of the residents odd Nunavut. Other sources of income include fishing and hunting.
Cost of Living in Nunavut
Before moving to Nunavut, you should consider what it would cost to live in Nunavut. The cost of living in Nunavut is quite high, and this is why it has less population. Basic amenities are hardly affordable.
Housing in Nunavut is quite expensive, a standard public housing unit costs about $400,000 to $600,000. Most times this takes up more than 60% of your income.
Food items are another aspect to worry about as the prices of basic food ingredients are exorbitantly high.
After weighing all these factors and having an idea of what it costs to live in Nunavut, you can now comfortably make a decision on moving to Nunavut.
