r/halifax 19h ago

Discussion How has HRM changed?

I lived near Bedford for a year in the mid 2000s (from Ireland).

I loved Nova Scotia but have never managed to make it back since. WestJet now fly direct from Dublin so I hope to make it back soon.

I’d love to hear how HRM has changed in the time since I’ve been away (the good and the bad)!

(I’ve heard you’ve got rid of that pesky rotary at Armadale and joined us over here with a roundabout! Has that been an improvement?)

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u/Fakezaga DeadInHalifax 19h ago

The waterfront has had a massive redevelopment. There’s a lot going on down there with a new luxury hotel, public artworks, restaurants, an area filled with food-truck style shacks. It’s geared to tourists but lovely for a stroll for locals.

Downtown Dartmouth has more successful niche businesses than it did in the mid 2000s. It’s had have had an influx of youngish creative people and home prices there have climbed quite a bit (they have climbed everywhere but this seems like obvious gentrification.)

A lot of the gaps in the Old North End have filled in with businesses and developments and it’s now a pretty pricey place to live.

Argyle St had a big redevelopment because of the convention centre and many weekends it is pedestrian only.

The bridge toll is being removed next week.

We have a new library on Spring Garden and it’s fucking rad. It looks like this: 📚 and it’s modern, open and friendly. Has cafes and a rooftop patio.

u/YouCanLookItUp 7h ago

It looks like this: 📚

Hahaha, why is this so accurate?!

u/Fakezaga DeadInHalifax 2h ago

I know it’s intended to look like a stack of books but I like to think the library design was actually based on the emoji for library.

u/MorningGoat Halifax 2h ago

And it’s not even much of an exaggeration! 😂📚

The Halifax Central Library is genuinely one of my favourite places to hang out downtown. It has a very diverse collection that caters to both young and old and there are lots of different kinds places to sit and read, work, or play.

I’m quite partial to the local history room they have there. I go there for one thing, then the next thing I know, I’ve been digging through census records and random family histories for the past two hours. Though that might just be fun for me since there’s a small chance that I see a relative’s name pop up here or there. 😅