Nestled on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, this cosmopolitan port city offers the best of two worlds - a rich history with a close connection to the sea and a vibrant, young culture. As Nova Scotia's capital, Halifax is the major centre of the Maritimes and is the largest city east of Quebec City and north of Boston. With its steep streets, stunning habour, and the famous Citadel overlooking the city, Halifax is renowned for its beauty and character.

The Halifax Regional Municipality includes more than just Halifax; it includes Dartmouth, Bedford, Lower Sackville, and a number of smaller surrounding counties. Haliax was buit for its economic base on knowledge industries. Quick facts:

• 81.1 post-secondary students per 1000 people, three times the national average
• the highest rate in Canadad of a working population with post-secondary education - over 60%
• Halifax is accessible only a few hours by plane to Boston, New York or London

This portion of the site is intended to give you more information on the culture of Halifax, and Nova Scotia. It includes some of the following:

• Links (Businesses/Restaurants/Services/Etc.)
• FAQ
• Maps
• Local Laws

These links are provided not as an advertisement, but for your convenience, to learn more about Halifax, surrounding areas, the Tenancy Board, and the University. Many of these links are also featured throughout the Website.

• Greater Halifax Partnership
• Nova Scotia Tenancy Board
• Saint Mary's University
• Nova Scotia Department of Tourism and Culture
• Government of Nova Scotia
• Desination Halifax

So, you've chosen Halifax as your destination for a Post-Secondary education - now what?

Every city has a series of unique laws and by-laws, which we have outlined on the by-laws page, but how do they apply to you? Here are a few frequently asked questions your guidance councillor may not have thought to answer for you...

Where I live, people only have to be 18 to get into bars, or buy liquor. How old must I be to do that in Halifax?

The Age of Majority in Nova Scotia is 19. That means you must be 19 to enter bars/clubs/discos/clubhouses/etc, buy liquor, and also purchase or smoke cigarettes. If you are not yet 19, don't despair, the Campus Pub will often host "Wet/Dry Events" open to both legal and under-age students. For more information, see the Student Association's Website.

Every Fall HRM becomes the home for approximately 30,000 students, 25,000 of whom attend Saint Mary's University, Dalhousie University, and King's College. This by-law is intended to allow residence to enjoy their properties. This by-law is in effect 24 hours a day and if the noise is unreasonable, tickets will be issued. This includes but not limited to:

• loud parties
• music which can include the volume and/or bass level
• loud televisions
• loud voices, yelling/screaming from a house or pedestrians

Sec 3(1): Engaging in activity that unreasonably disturbs neighbourhood

• 1st offence - $445
• 2nd offence - $905
• 3rd offence - $1250

You do not have to be intoxicated to be charged for illegally possessing liquor or underage drinking. If you are intoxicated, you can be chargned and/or held until sober. Actions such as tipping over mailboxes/garbage cans, urinating in public, ripping out plants, yelling and screaming and/or running in and out of traffic increase the chances of being arrested and being held and/or charged.

• Sec 78(2): Illegally posessing liquor. (Possessing it underage or having open liquor in public. This includes going next door/across the street. The fine: $445
• Sec 78(3): Underage drinking. The fine: $445
• Sec 87(1): Being intoxicated in a public place. The fine: $111.50
• Sec 95(a): Permitting drunkenness to take place in any house or any premises of which he/she is the owner, tenant or occupant. The fine: NIL (must attend court).

The following Maps are provided by MapQuest.com via their free service, LinkFree(TM). They are the sole property of MapQuest.com, and are used with permission. Click on the icon below to view their site. You can also view area maps from each listing on our site.

Maps will open in a new window. To return to Off Campus Housing, simply close the window. Please allow time for the maps to load.

Halifax

• South Halifax - SMU is located here.
• Central/West Halifax
• Clayton Park/Fairview
• Downtown Halifax
• North Halifax

Dartmouth

• South Dartmouth
• North Dartmouth

Bedford

• Bedford

Sackville

• Lower Sackville

The following are Acts and Statutes that may or may not apply to students of Saint Mary's University. It is intended to be a reference and a guide to better inform you of living in Nova Scotia. You can view any of the following at the Consolidated Public Statutes Website. The following are provided to give you an example of what can be found on the afore-mentioned site. We'll add more as time alows.

Of special note: The Noise Bylaw!! Read the Bylaw | What does it mean?

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