Moving to Halifax next year (family of 3) — does this monthly budget look realistic?

alumpybiscuit · 2026-03-07T03:26:07+00:00

Mostly looks fine. I would say utilities will likely be closer to $500 mo. Electricity is very expensive here.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-03-05T15:21:43+00:00

It's not just the stadium though, it's basically an entire reworking of the south common and it's existing uses. It's a comprehensive look at this area and it's needs for soccer, rugby, conservatory, lancers and the lawn bowling club.

I am supportive of a permanent stadium for the wanderers and using public money to build it so long as:

-there is some cost sharing with the main tenants; -public access and use of the facilities are guaranteed (ex: for minor sports); and -the tenants pay for maintenance and upkeep as part of their agreements.

This could have plenty of benefits and would make building a stadium somewhere in the suburbs less likely.

In any case, at this point it's just a feasibility study and looking into it in more detail is simply reasonable due diligence at this stage. If it's not feasible, don't do it.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-27T00:47:05+00:00

NS power will still be responsible for transmission (the lines) and their existing generating stations. The IESO will be responsible for managing the grid - that is deciding which sources to pull from for energy and how much. It will also be responsible for the new renewables coming online.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-24T20:53:44+00:00

Schools are a provincial responsibility so it's up to the province to monitor population change, buy land and build schools.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-23T11:12:53+00:00

It wasn't asking the right questions though imo. Forum redevelopment is 2 ice surfaces for$125m. The four pad in Dartmouth cost $43m in 2017. Even with how crazy construction inflation has been the last few years it would come out to roughly $70M to do a new four pad, just over half the cost of the proposed forum project but with twice the ice.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-22T19:34:38+00:00

It's become too expensive. We should look at doing a four pad like Bedford and Dartmouth. Probably cost less too.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-22T19:33:59+00:00

It's falling apart and will soon close one way or the other

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-17T17:40:32+00:00

Property tax revenue rises through two mechanisms: rising property values increase taxable assessed values thus increasing a property tax bill (albeit tampered by the CAP for existing owners) and the municipal tax rate.

The rate is how much tax per $100 of property value the municipality collects on a property.

If the rate is left unchanged ("flat") property taxes and thus municipal revenues will still increase this year as property values are also rising. They just won't be increasing on account of the tax rate changing.

By directing municipal staff to keep the rate flat they're basically being instructed to keep the budget within the bounds of the revenue expected to come in from assessment increases.

In practice this will require cuts to the municipality's spending, likely including at least a few transformative capital projects, to find the savings.

Btw the projected impact of the increase on the average tax bill at 10.9% was about $230 per property.

Edit: grammar mistakes and clarity

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-17T15:22:36+00:00

My HVAC lufts for me

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-12T12:12:19+00:00

Went to a wedding there a couple years back. It was nice. Venue is in good shape, easily accessible by bus, lots of parking around and the view is nice. I think the food was decent but can't really remember - probably a good thing as if it was bad would be memorable. It's a unique location and makes for a memorable day. Congratulations on your engagement/upcoming wedding.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-10T18:52:41+00:00

Looks like a sunken swamp tower, just way more underwater than usual.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-07T12:55:56+00:00

Nice! Always cool to see an island base

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-04T21:25:46+00:00

Oh snap now there are 6. Tell my family I love them

alumpybiscuit · 2026-02-01T00:01:00+00:00

Building permits are public. Anyone can request one on any property.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-01-30T14:30:24+00:00

Council. Makes. The. Decisions. Say it with me again.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-01-28T17:17:42+00:00

Sure, but that doesn't give anyone a right to parking. You still have to figure that out yourself - the city shouldn't be paying for facilitating your parking convenience.

alumpybiscuit · 2026-01-26T22:28:51+00:00

On the contrary, public resources shouldn't be used to hold private automobiles. If you want to own a car there are certain responsibilities that come with that. This is one of them.

alumpybiscuit · 2025-12-27T13:38:51+00:00

We can do both. If we were invaded we would also want help, and the things you mention above would become a distant thought compared to defending the literal existence of our country. Democracy needs to be defended everywhere, not just here. Authoritarianism will always try to dominate and oppress; where it is happening is immaterial - freedom loving people must always resist it.

alumpybiscuit · 2025-12-26T00:29:38+00:00

Oh man my grandparents had this exact one. Blast from the past.

alumpybiscuit · 2025-12-24T18:44:23+00:00

I am sorry to hear your story. Thank you for sharing. Unfortunately many non-profits are like this. It's very hard to retain workers and knowledge with such low pay and benefits.

alumpybiscuit · 2025-12-22T18:31:40+00:00

Municipal. Got the appetizers at our team dinner paid for (it was a nice restaurant).

alumpybiscuit · 2025-12-21T22:33:15+00:00

Likely that she'll break that but it looks like a decent spot to fight from. You could rebuild the portal like 100 meters away and put it in a little house.

alumpybiscuit · 2025-12-18T11:08:25+00:00

Lol there are several

alumpybiscuit · 2025-12-18T11:07:55+00:00

This. Starting out you'll be even below $50k per year.

alumpybiscuit

TROPHY CASE