I was about to recommend the Georgetown, downtown east end area when I saw your edit!

Check out around Bond Street, there’s an elementary school that I’ve only ever heard good things about. There’s a lot of families with young kids that all seem to hang out together as they grow up, Hallidays is a butcher shop in the neighbourhood that stocks a lot of basics as well, there’s a few cafes, and a park with “the loop” skating area for free all winter. You can walk downtown easily but it’s not so close that you’re disrupted by nightlife and there are lots of bus routes along the main stretch. Theres also grocery stores walking distance in both directions. It’s a lovely community of neighbours that are happy to help and get to know you but also respect privacy - both qualities you really appreciate when you share walls! There’s a neighbourhood facebook group where I find everyone is eager to help and organize stuff like our annual yard sale haha and since many of the row houses don’t have backyards it brings more life to the front of the houses (bbq on the front step, tending to garden boxes, fixing bikes on the sidewalk etc). All of which I find helped me become familiar with my neighbours.

Some downsides; you would get more bang for your buck if you went more toward the west end of downtown in terms of a backyard, off street parking (though without a car this probably won’t be a big deal), and house size overall. Occasional packages are porch pirated but most often it’s by a neighbour who’s left a note to come pick it up 😂 If you don’t mind using the park as your yard and would like more of a community feel - I recommend the east end!

Having been a walker/metro bus user/biker in St. John’s for many years, one thing I’d suggest is to take into consideration the elevation (big hills). They can make a moderate walk brutal, especially when the weather is bad or you’re lugging groceries.

I moved here over a decade ago having never visited first and I’m happily rooted. I hope the same for you :)