Central Zone

With the bustling capital city of Halifax at its core, the central zone is ideal for someone looking for an exciting and cosmopolitan urban lifestyle. But with beautiful towns and villages both inland and on the coast, it’s also the perfect home for outdoor enthusiasts craving a slower pace, a tight-knit community, and a warm, welcoming spirit.

Founded in 1749, Halifax is an historic port city with a sophisticated allure. Its high student population keeps the culture young and vibrant, and its thriving tech, creative, and health sectors position the city as dynamic and competitive. The city’s once-industrial waterfront has, over the decades, been transformed into a stunning 4-km long public square for dining, shopping, or simply people-watching.

Just outside of the city of Halifax, you’ll discover charming and tight-knit communities with bustling main streets, engaged residents, and a lifestyle that’s deeply connected to nature. Residents enjoy a seaside playground with pristine wilderness, authentic fishing communities, sandy beaches stretching as far as you care to stroll, and even conditions that are just right for incredible surfing.

As the academic and professional centre of the province, Halifax is home to the largest adult academic health sciences centre in Atlantic Canada. The QEII Health Science Centre is a collection of 10 buildings on several sites. This is the region’s specialized care centre for heart health, cancer care, neurosurgery, and organ transplantation. Also in the Central Zone is the Dartmouth General Hospital, the East Coast Forensic Hospital, three community hospitals, and two Collaborative Emergency Centres.