I’m really sick of seeing hundreds of online groups, such as “Let’s bring Ikea to Halifax, Let’s bring Val Halen to Halifax, Let’s bring Chucky Cheese to Dartmouth Crossing!” Stop defining this city based upon what it lacks and start enjoying the many qualities it possesses. Did you know that our music and bar scenes are the envy of the country? Affordable housing, peace and quiet, mild summers, pedestrian-friendly communities…the list is endless. Get on a plane if you really want to see Led Zepplin. Don’t start a facebook group!
This article appears in Jan 3-9, 2008.
Damn, Halifax needs IKEA! You have 2 choices in Halifax- buy shitty, somewhat reasonably priced furniture at Walmart or slightly “high-end” stuff marked up far higher than it is in other parts of this country. That stuff you see at UpCountry and Backyard and Veranda is a lot cheaper elsewhere and Umbra is not a luxury brand, despite what they’d like you to think. But, these retailers have a niche and very little competition so they charge outrageous prices. At least IKEA will offer people a good, nicely designed alternative to what’s available.Now Chucky Cheese to Dartmouth?!?!?! That’s nasty!
Geeeze, I’d be happy to see an Arby’s in Halifax, not way the hell out in Bedford. Chuckie Artery Clogger Cheese? Retcharoonie. IKEA? Would love to see it back but won’t hold my breath on that one. The best quality furniture I’ve found in these parts has been at Value Village and Sally Ann. At least some of their offerings are genuine wood and cheap to boot.
That’s the problems with halifax, I agree with lynn, nothing to buy! And honostly, I don’t know if i wanna be proud to say that there’s nothing to do in halifax but eat and drink, and truely, there isn’t. What do you do on a friday or a saturday night? Even better. What do you do in the summer? Jet skis are illegal to rent. Can’t do parasailing due to restrictions. There’s nothing called Hang gliding due to restrictions. Can’t rent scooters due to restrictions, even though everywhere else in canada and the world outside the maritimes, all you need is a driver’s lisence. I’d love to hear what people do on the weekends here? whatever it is, spit it out:)
This is a little off topic from the original post but I would like to offer up some summer suggestions to Coyotex…If you want outdoor stuff to do, HRM is rife with hiking and biking trails. From Point Pleasant Park to Shubie Park in Dartmouth, there are some great trails nearby. How about Shakespeare in the Park? There are also several beaches nearby. How about geocaching…sort of like a hiking treasure hunt? If you want something on par to parasailing or hang gliding, how about trying surfing or kayaking? There are a few places that will rent kayaks and a few places toward Lawrencetown that give surfing lessons. I took up surfing last year and had a blast! Sure, oftentimes you require a car and some cash but it would be the same with parasailing or hang gliding. How about taking sailing lessons? Friends of mine took sailing lessons last summer and they’re totally addicted. There’s frequently sailing tournaments during the summer and boats are often looking for knowledgeable crew.Spend a weekend hiking, biking, sailing, surfing, etc and the only thing you’ll worry about Saturday or Sunday night is why the bed isn’t made when you collapse into it.Indoor stuff is available too. Try a museum, art gallery, paint a sculpture at the Clay Café. Sorry I’m not up on much indoor stuff as I’m usually on a surfboard during the summer.Frankly if you can’t find anything to do in HRM during the summer, you’re just not looking.See ya at the beach!
The best thing about Halifax is being able to leave- which I guess is your point Katz. The beach, hiking in Shubie, Lawrencetown are all great. So is hiking along the Purcell’s Cove lookout, going for long Sunday drives to the Valley and visiting the South Sore. Too bad you need a car for all of these great adventures because Halifax has very little to offer and if you want a great time, you have to leave the city. Nova Scotia is amazingly beautiful- Halifax is pathetically boring and restrictive (with a patronizing government) as Coyotex pointed out. If I wanted to live in the country year round I would. What’s the point of living in a city if all it has to offer is the beauty that is outside of it-which is pretty hard to bear in the freezing winter.The HRM pretty much just sucks!