Each year, few hundreds of people consider moving to Nunavut and less than a hundred actually make the move to Nunavut from within Canada and from overseas.
If you’re considering moving to Nunavut, you might be curious to know what the Nunavut Neighborhood looks like. This article will give you a perfect picture of the Nunavut Neighborhood. It will also help you create a realistic estimate of what it costs to live comfortably in Nunavut.
Nunavut is a sparsely populated territory of northern Canada, with a population of 39,536 (2021). It is one of the world’s most remote regions with tracts of tundra, rugged mountains, and remote villages.
If you’re planning on moving to Nunavut, it’s paramount you know that Nunavut is accessible only by plane or boat. Over 80% of Nunavut’s population are Inuits (Eskimos).
This northernmost part of Canada recorded the lowest number of immigrants in the year 2020, with just 25 immigrants. A greater percentage of these immigrants are from India, UK, and U.S.
Key Facts About Nunavut You Didn’t Know
1: There are no roads in Nunavut
This might be surprising to many but Nunavut is only accessible by air and sea. The only way to get from place to place is to board a plane or embark on a boat. Although roads are available in a few regions, such as the area surrounding Whitehorse, most communities are not linked by road.
2: Nunavut is the newest Province in Canada
Nunavut was created from Northwest territories on April 1, 1999. This makes it one of the youngest Provinces in Canada.
3: Nunavut has four official languages
Nunavut’s four official languages are Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English, and French. However, Inuktitut and English are the most commonly spoken languages in Nunavut.
4: There are no trees in Nunavut
Nunavut’s tundra is completely free of trees. Few trees can only be seen in the southernmost parts of Nunavut, close to Manitoba borders.
5 Things You Should Know Before Moving To Nunavut
Here are the 5 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Nunavut.
1. Cost of Living In Nunavut
When considering moving to Nunavut, the cost of living should be the first thing you should consider. We hate to break this to you but the cost of living in Nunavut is very high. Nunavut is highly isolated and because of this, the cost of most basic amenities is high.
Below is the cost analysis of some basic amenities in Nunavut.
Housing in Nunavut
Nunavut housing and rental prices are among the highest in Canada and can eat up to 60% of your after-tax income. A standard public housing unit could cost you between $400,000 and $ 600,000
Cost of food items in Nunavut
Most food items are gotten from Nunavut’s capital, Iqaluit, or other provinces in Canada. If you intend to live in Iqaluit, you can get peppers, kale, tomatoes, and other vegetables at good prices. Aside from that, the cost of food items in Nunavut is very high.
The cheapest places to buy food items in Nunavut are local markets and groceries as opposed to E-commerce stores.
“It is more costly buying groceries on Amazon because of shipping costs. To save some money here, I would advise you to make your purchases at local groceries”
Those were the exact words from an Inuit resident we spoke with during our research visit to Nunavut Neighborhood.
Transportation in Nunavut
Road transport services are almost unavailable in Nunavut due to the harsh climate. Therefore, Residents of Nunavut rely more on other modes of transportation such as marine and aviation. Expenditures on boats, ski-Doos, and all-terrain vehicles are all higher in Nunavut than the Canadian average.
Healthcare in Nunavut
Healthcare facilities are free for every Nunavut resident – they are all covered under The Nunavut Health Care Plan when they meet the eligibility criteria. The Nunavut Health Care Plan also offers Extended Health Benefits which can assist in paying for prescriptions and medical travel expenses.
2. Minimum Wage in Nunavut
Fortunately, the minimum wage in Nunavut is the highest in the country with a minimum wage of $16 CAD per hour. The Nunavut government ensures that its residents are properly taken care of by providing subsidies. Residents are also entitled to an allowance varying from $15,000 to $34,455 annually, so moving to Nunavut isn’t a bad financial decision.
3. Weather Conditions in Nunavut
The weather conditions in Nunavut are harsh and very unfriendly. Nunavut lies fully within the Arctic climatic zone, with extremely cold winters and even cold summers, so when if you are moving to Nunavut, you’ve to consider this aspect.
Here are some average weather facts we compiled from our climate data:
- January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December are the coldest seasons in Nunavut with an average maximum temperature of -22°C (-7°F).
- With an average maximum temperature of 11°C (51°F), July is the warmest month in Nunavut.
- It rains the most in August.
4. Education in Nunavut
There is only one college in Nunavut; Arctic College, which offers a limited range of degree courses. Aside from the Qikiqtani Region and Kitikmeot, other regions lack quality and well-equipped Primary and Secondary schools.
5. Security situation in Nunavut
Although Nunavut might not be the safest territory in Canada, it is safe. There are well-equipped security agencies in Nunavut that ensure the safety of lives and properties.
3 Best Places To Live In Nunavut
The general cost of living within Nunavut after finally moving to Nunavut might be high but some regions have more employment opportunities, lower crime rates, and access to basic amenities than others. We put these factors into consideration and made a list of the 3 Best Places you can live comfortably in Nunavut.
1. Iqaluit
Iqaluit is the territorial capital of Nunavut. It has a greenhouse that produces nutritious meals every day for those who cannot afford one. There are a host of job opportunities in this city as well.
In fact, the community greenhouse is currently looking for farmworkers. Most of the best Museums are located at Iqaluit which attracts tourists to the city. Iqaluit is one town you should consider settling in.
2. Qikiqtani
With a population of 18,988, this region is the most populated in Nunavut. You can find well-equipped Primary and Secondary schools in Qikiqtani (which is not common in Nunavut). Qikiqtani Inuits are mostly young people.
However, adequate free care services are made available for Inuit Elders in Qikiqtani. If you’re moving to Nunavut with your family, Qikiqtani is a perfect option for you.
3. Kitikmeot
Just like Qikiqtani, Kitikmeot has well-equipped Primary and Secondary Schools. Kitikmeot is another region in Nunavut that is not just liveable but has a lot of job openings.
Community Nurses, Shelter service workers, child, and youth care counselors are some of the high in-demand jobs in Kitikmeot. If you’re Career Oriented, you should consider settling in Kitikmeot.
Best Places To Visit In Nunavut
So you never get bored in Nunavut, we put together the Top 7 places you can visit in Nunavut.
1. Baffin Island
2. Auyuittuq National Park
3. Ellesmere Island
4. Belcher Islands
5. Qaummaarviit Territorial Park
6. Naujaat (Repulse Bay)
7. Quttinirpaaq National Park
If the Standard of moving to Nunavut would be challenging for you, below your taste, or out of your budget, you should check out our post on the Best Cities to live in Canada, for better options.
