What's it like to live in Nunavut?

Question

compared to southern Ontario

Answer 1

I have lived in the North on and off for a period of over 4 years. I have to go now, but I will come back and edit my answer to this question.

EDIT: Northern Canada is a place of extremes: the extreme isolation and distance is beset by the extreme beauty and grandeur. You are far from the city, so getting resources is more costly than it is in the more populated South, but you can usually obtain everything you need, even it is costs more. If you are an outsider going to work there, the wages are higher, to offset the higher living costs. Most people living there do quite well financially, drive nice vehicles and enjoy a prosperous lifestyle. What you are losing is convenience. For  example, if you want a particular living room set, it is possible to get it, but you will have to either fly it in, or transport on your truck, or someone else's, or pay for it through the "Northern," the very expensive "department store" of the North.

Food is more expensive, especially if you are not in one of the few cities. For clothing and household goods, most people wait to go to the city, and do their shopping there.

In the North, people work together a lot more, and are generally more community-minded. When there is a community event, most people go, and know everyone. They help each other out more, sharing rides. Dropping by is common: it is a more relaxed, informal lifestyle.

In the North, the majority of locals are Aboriginal, and many are still in tune with the traditional lifestyle, hunting and fishing and going into the bush. There is a striking mix of modern lifestyle alongside the traditional one. For example, the man of a couple might live by fishing, while his wife works as a nurse at the nursing station.

Music and entertainment are all available by satellite and are the same as anywhere, although there does seem to be a preference for country music. The availability of satellite TV and Internet, though, has really made these communities similiar to communities anywhere in the world.

What stands out most about the North is the beauty. You cannot believe how beautiful it is: untouched wilderness surrounds you. It really is peaceful and serene. During the Summer, you never really see dark, because the sun never really goes down. It is very warm in the summer, and plants grow to an amazing size because of the 24-hour sunlight. It is very easy to go and see wildlife, and the fauna is everywhere. Summers are amazing in the North.

Of course, winters are long, and cold, and difficult to endure. The days in the winter are short: usually 5 hours or less of sunlight.

Like I said, it is truly the land of extremes. But it is an amazing place.

Answer 2

Basically living in Northern Canada is like living in h**l if you're used to all the conveniences available in towns and cities.

Answer 3

i dont live there but......canada is cold all over!!! there isnt on place where you can say......its warm here - in th winter time!