Moving to St. John’s, NL in 2025

Welcome! If you’re planning a move to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2025 — whether you’re relocating from Ontario, British Columbia, or anywhere else in Canada — this guide is for you. St. John’s is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, and it’s actually the most easterly city in North America​. It’s a place known for colorful houses, ocean views, and a warm community. Let’s explore what life here is like – from housing and costs to weather, jobs, schools, and getting around – with helpful links and tips along the way.

Housing in St. John's

Colorful “Jellybean” row houses in downtown St. John’s. Many homes here are painted bright colors, giving the city a charming character.

• Finding a Home: St. John’s offers a mix of housing options, from historic row houses downtown to modern suburban homes. The great news is that housing is more affordable here than in many other Canadian cities​. Whether you plan to rent or buy, you can find something that fits your budget.

• Renting: You can rent apartments, houses, or condos. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about $900 per month, and around $1,300 for a two-bedroom​. This is quite affordable compared to cities like Toronto or Vancouver. Renting a whole house costs more (around $1,600/month on average​). Be sure to check online listings on sites like the Canada Job Bank Housing section or local classifieds for current rental listings. Often, rentals in St. John’s include heating in the rent due to the chilly climate – a nice bonus!

Browse Rentals in St. John’s: Explore comfortable and affordable apartments, condos, and houses available right now.

• Buying: If you’re looking to buy a home, St. John’s is also very reasonably priced. As of late 2024, a typical single-family home costs around $380,000​ (that’s the benchmark price in the metro area). Prices did rise about 8% from the previous year, as the market has been quite active​. Even so, St. John’s remains one of the most affordable housing markets in Canada​. Many first-time buyers are able to find houses within the $300k–$400k range. Our real estate team can help you navigate the market – feel free to reach out if you need guidance in finding the perfect home to rent or buy.

View all Houses for Sale St. John’s: Check out the latest listings to find the perfect place for you and your family.

• Neighborhoods: Each area in St. John’s has its own vibe. Downtown is full of character with its iconic Jellybean Row houses and walking distance to shops and pubs. In the east end and west end, you’ll find newer subdivisions, shopping centers, and schools – great for families. The city’s neighbourhood profiles can help you explore which area might suit you best​.

Cost of Living

Moving to a new city, you probably wonder about the cost of living. The good news is that overall costs in St. John’s are moderate. In fact, an average single person who rents spends about $2,800 per month on living expenses here​. This includes things like housing, food, transportation, and entertainment.

Let’s break down some typical costs (in Canadian dollars) to give you an idea:

• Housing: As mentioned, rent for a 1-bedroom is roughly $900. If you buy a home, mortgage payments will depend on your down payment and interest rate, but house prices are lower than many cities.

• Utilities: Expect to pay around $300 per month for heating, electricity, gas in a family home (this can be less for an apartment)​. St. John’s can be cold in winter, so heating is a significant cost – sometimes included in rent.

• Groceries: Grocery prices are a bit higher than mainland Canada (since many items are shipped to the island). For example, a loaf of bread might be $2.50–$3.00​. A family of four might spend around $800–$1000 a month on groceries, depending on their habits.

• Transportation: Gasoline costs about $1.70 per liter at recent prices​. A monthly city bus pass is $72.5​. We’ll talk more about getting around in a later section.

• Internet/Phone: Internet service might cost around $60–$100 per month​, and mobile phone plans can range from $34–$80 monthly depending on data needs.

Tip: It’s always good to budget a little extra for the first few months of settling in. St. John’s is often cheaper to live in than Canada’s big cities. Housing and insurance tend to be less expensive, while some goods (like produce in winter) might be a bit more due to transportation costs. There may be one-time expenses (house furnishings, winter clothing, vehicle registration, etc.).

Weather in St. John’s

One thing everyone talks about in Newfoundland is the weather – it’s full of surprises! St. John’s has a temperate marine climate, which means mild winters and cool summers compared to inland Canada​. You won’t get the extreme deep-freeze winters like the prairies, but you will get plenty of wind, rain, and snow. Locals jokingly say, “Don’t like the weather? Wait five minutes!”​

Here’s what to expect in each season:

Winter (December – March): Winters are relatively mild by Canadian standards. The average temperature in January is around 0°C (32°F)​, but it can dip below freezing. Snowfall is heavy – about 322 cm of snow per year on average in St. John’s​. That means you’ll see plenty of snowstorms and the occasional “snow day.” Roads and driveways need shoveling, and the city has crews for snow clearing. It’s also quite windy, with a wind-chill that can make it feel like -20°C on some days​. Make sure to bring a warm coat, boots, and gloves. The upside? Winters here are the third mildest in Canada (only Vancouver and Victoria are warmer)​, and the snow creates a beautiful winter wonderland. Many folks enjoy winter activities like skating or skiing at nearby parks.

Spring (April – June): Spring in Newfoundland is cool and sometimes late to bloom. April can still feel chilly 5°C (41°F) average in April​. By May and June, temperatures rise to the low teens (°C). You’ll experience a mix of rain and the last bits of snow melt. It’s a shorter spring season, but by late June, the trees and gardens become green and flowers start to pop up. Pack a rain jacket for spring, as showers are common.

Summer (July – August): Summers are comfortable and mild. The average high in July is around 20–23°C (68–73°F)​, though sometimes it can reach the mid-20s°C (68°F) on a hot day. Nights are cooler. Summer is also when St. John’s has a lot of festivals and events outdoors. You’ll get long daylight hours. However, fog is common along the coast – it’s not unusual for the city to be socked in with fog especially in June and July. Bring a mix of t-shirts and sweaters for summer, since the weather can change quickly if a cold breeze blows in off the North Atlantic. On sunny days, places like Signal Hill and Cape Spear are gorgeous for hiking with clear blue skies and ocean views.

Autumn (September – November): Early fall is beautiful. September often has mild weather (teens °C) and is a great time to enjoy hiking and fall foliage. By October, temperatures cool to single digits and you’ll see spectacular colors as the leaves change. November gets chilly and windy, and by end of fall the first snowflakes usually appear. Fall can be rainy, so keep that umbrella handy.

What to Prepare: No matter the season, layers are your friend. The saying that you can experience “four seasons in one day” in St. John’s can feel true​. A day might start sunny, then turn windy and foggy, then rain, then clear up again! Pack a waterproof jacket, good boots (for rain and snow), and dress in layers you can add or remove. Homes in St. John’s usually have electric or oil heating, so indoors it stays cozy in winter.

Sunrise and Sunset: Being so far east, St. John’s gets early sunrise. In summer, the sun can rise as early as 5 am and set around 9 pm. In winter, daylight is shorter (sunrise ~7:30 am, sunset ~4:30 pm in December). The benefit: if you’re an early bird, you could be the first in North America to see the sunrise at places like Cape Spear!

Lifestyle and Community

What’s life like in St. John’s? In a word: friendly. Newfoundland and Labrador is famous for its warm, welcoming people. Visitors often comment on the “warm, friendly hospitality” that is a way of life here​. As a newcomer, you’ll likely find neighbors ready to chat, help, or share a cup of tea. There’s a real sense of community and people look out for each other.

Culture and Entertainment: St. John’s may be a smaller city (~110,000 people in the city; about 200,000 in the metro area), but it’s rich in culture. The city blends old and new – you’ll see historic sites like Signal Hill and the Basilica of St. John’s, alongside modern restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The downtown area is the cultural heart, with George Street being famous for its nightlife. George Street has the most bars and pubs per capita in Canada, and you can often hear live music (especially traditional Irish-Newfoundland folk music) pouring out of the pubs on weekends. Don’t be shy to join a “kitchen party” or go to a pub for a screech-in (a fun ceremony to become an honorary Newfoundlander – it involves a bit of rum and a playful kiss on a cod fish!).

Beyond nightlife, St. John’s has theaters, art galleries, and museums. The Rooms is a must-visit museum and art gallery that also offers a stunning view of the city and the harbour. There are festivals throughout the year, like the George Street Festival (music festival), Regatta Day (a historic rowing race and civic holiday in August), and folk festivals celebrating Newfoundland’s heritage.

Nature and Recreation: If you love the outdoors, you’ll love St. John’s. The city is surrounded by nature. You can hike the East Coast Trail, a series of coastal hiking paths with breathtaking ocean views, cliffs, and even icebergs in spring. A short drive from the city takes you to places like Cape Spear National Historic Site – the easternmost point in North America, with a historic lighthouse and walking trails. In late spring and early summer, you might spot icebergs floating by or whales along the coast. Within the city, there are many parks (like Bowring Park and Pippy Park) where families enjoy walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic spots.

Join In! Newcomers are welcomed, and there are groups to help you settle. The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership and organizations like YMCA Newcomer Services host events or programs where you can meet other newcomers and locals. Volunteering or joining a local club (like a hiking group, art class, or sports team) is a great way to make friends. Don’t worry if you’re moving from far away – nearly everyone speaks English (over 94% have English as their first language here​), although you might notice the unique Newfoundland accent and slang! It may take a little time to catch phrases like “how’s she goin’?” (meaning how are you), but locals will happily teach you. Embrace the community spirit, and soon you’ll feel right at home.

Jobs and Economy

If you’re moving to St. John’s for work (or will be job-hunting when you arrive), here’s an overview of the job market and how to find opportunities:

Key Industries: As the provincial capital, St. John’s has a diverse economy with a mix of public and private sector jobs. The top industries for employment in the metro area include healthcare, retail, public administration, education, and professional services​. In 2023, about 20,500 people worked in healthcare and social services, 17,700 in wholesale/retail trade, 14,300 in government (public administration), 9,000 in education, and 8,800 in professional/scientific roles​. This means hospitals, schools, and government offices are major employers – not to mention Memorial University, which itself employs many staff.

 St. John’s is also the center of Newfoundland’s offshore oil and gas industry. The city has been called a hub for the energy sector and even is part of the World Energy Cities organization. Companies involved in offshore oil (like those working on the Hibernia and Hebron oil fields) have offices here, so engineering and technical jobs are present. In recent years, the economy has seen growth in sectors like construction and ocean technology​.

Job Hunting: There are plenty of resources to find jobs:

• Online Job Boards
• Networking
• Local Newspapers
• Career Events

Education and Schools

If you’re moving with family or planning to study in St. John’s, the city has excellent education options from kindergarten to university.

K-12 Schools: St. John’s has a range of public schools operated by the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD). There are many neighborhood elementary schools (K-5), a number of junior high schools (Grades 6-8), and high schools (Grades 9-12) in the city. Education is publicly funded and generally of good quality, with English as the language of instruction. A small number of schools offer French immersion programs if you want your child to learn Canada’s other official language. To find out which school your child will attend, you can use the district’s school catchment maps or ask the school board – it usually depends on which neighborhood you live in. The city’s newcomer resources include an Education and Childcare guide ​to help you navigate registering your kids for school, finding daycare, etc.

 There are also some private and alternative schooling options. For instance, St. Bonaventure’s College is a private Catholic school (K-12). The city even has specialized education centers like the Murphy Centre which provides alternative high school programs for youth​. Homeschooling is less common but legally permitted if you follow provincial guidelines.

Post-Secondary Education: St. John’s is home to Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), which is the largest university in Atlantic Canada​. MUN has a main campus in St. John’s offering a wide array of programs – from arts and business to engineering and medicine. It’s known for its research (especially in areas like ocean technology, given our marine environment).

Getting Around (Transportation)

St. John’s is a city where you can get around by car, bus, bike, or on foot depending on where you live. Here’s what you need to know about transportation:

• Driving: Many residents rely on cars for day-to-day transportation. The city is spread out in parts, and if you live in a suburban area or want to explore outside the city, a car is very handy. Traffic in St. John’s is not heavy compared to big cities – rush hour might add a few extra minutes to your drive, but generally it’s easy to drive around. Parking is free or cheap in most places except some downtown streets which have meters. 
• Public Transit: St. John’s has a public bus system called Metrobus. Buses can get you to most major areas in the city (especially within St. John’s and neighboring Mount Pearl). If you live downtown or near a bus route, you could manage without a car by using Metrobus. A single ride costs a few dollars (about $2.50), and a monthly pass is roughly $72.5 for an adult.
• Taxis and Ride-share: Taxis are available and commonly used for getting around if you don’t drive. You can call local cab companies; a typical ride across town might cost $15–$25. As of 2025, ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft have started operating in St. John’s in a limited capacity, which is convenient for quick trips without cash (check your Uber/Lyft app to see availability).
• Walking: In the older parts of St. John’s (downtown, central), walking can be a lovely way to get around – you can enjoy the historic streets and avoid finding parking. The downtown is compact with many shops and restaurants close together. 
• Cycling: Biking is growing slowly in popularity. There are a few dedicated bike lanes and more in planning​. Cycling downtown is doable, though the hills are a workout!
• Regional Travel: St. John’s is a bit isolated from other cities (the next largest city, Halifax, is a 16+ hour drive including a ferry!). However, you can fly or take a ferry to get away. St. John’s International Airport (YYT) is just a 15-minute drive from downtown and has regular flights to Toronto, Montreal, etc.

Ready to Move? We’re Here to Help!

Looking to rent a cozy apartment or buy your perfect home in St. John’s? We’re here to make your move smooth and stress-free! 
Our local team knows the city inside and out — from hidden rental gems to the best neighborhoods for families, students, and newcomers.

Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you find it — no pressure, just friendly guidance.

Call us at +1 (709) 728-1169 or email us at info@larryhann.com
Let’s find your new home together!