Halifax....questions, questions, questions

[Debbie]

My DD has been accepted into Dalhousie for September in marine biology. With the AC/WJ deals, I am considering flying down for move in weekend. I've never been to Halifax at all, in fact haven't a clue about population, shopping (Dollarama? Walmart? Zellers?), fast food places, transportation, hotels etc.

My thought is to fly and rent a car (another topic, since I've never done it, haven't a clue where to get one-ground transportation at the airport?, which company-expedia.ca has a full size (with 4-6 suitcases, we'll need that) from Budget for $150-is that reasonable for a long weekend? Basically, I don't know what I don't know-and that's dangerous! We'd have 2 or 3 days to tour, pick up the things she'll need that won't fit in 2...no 4 suitcases, and just get her acclimatized.

Thought I'd stay in the Holiday Inn Express in Bedford. It gets good reviews and is close to the airport (I think).

Here it comes....I'd like any advice, any information, any thoughts that you might have. I'd like to book next week, once we find out WHEN move in day IS! Thanks for any help that you can give to a beleaguered mom, dreading the loss of the fourth one out of the nest.

 

[LSmith]

The Holiday Inn Express is not close to the airport. It's 31 km's away. The area is barely what I consider Bedford. There is nothing around within walking distance. Lot's of big box stores though.

Personally, I think a better place would be somewhere like Cambridge Suites Hotel which is downtown and 2 km's from Dalhousie. Downtown Halifax is very easy to walk around because it's quite small.

Look at Costco for rental car deals. Keep checking until you find a really good one. Even if you book a car you can easily cancel it if you find a better deal. Shop around.

It's a beautiful city and Dalhousie is an excellent university.

 

[highland3]

Halifax-Dartmouth is a biggg city. It has everything and it's got lots of historical areas and parks.

As mentioned, the airport is fairly far from the main part of the city.

Just google Halifax, Nova Scotia (even add tourism) and you will find more info than you could ever use.

Marine Biology!!! That's what my DD is hoping to study too!

 

[Northstar]

Yep, rent a car and stay near Dalhousie. The city's pretty easy to drive in.

What level of hotel are you looking for? The Lord Nelson, Westin, and Holiday Inn Select Halifax are in the South End, right near Dalhousie. There's also various B and Bs in the area. Check about parking with your hotel to be sure it's included.

If you're looking for set-up-a-student type shopping, there's a Walmart about 5 km from Dal. A Sears and Sears Outlet, right near the Walmart (Halifax Shopping Centre and West End Mall complex). Canadian Tire, even closer (Quinpool Road, easy walking distance to campus)

 

[mc2]

Hello,
Funny you should post this question - I am staying at the HI Express as we speak! Got a rate for $102 for the night, and that includes parking, internet, and breakfast. The hotel may not be right at the airport, but it's very easy to find coming from the airport - it's right off of the highway. Cambridge Suites and other hotels downtown are ok too, but you would have to navigate your way around downtown (not sure where you're from - that might not intimidate you, but does for some people who live in more rural areas). Dal is actually a semi-direct route from the HI -not too many turns, etc.., and depending on the time of day/traffic, it's about a 20 minute drive.

If you're anything like us when we went to university for the first time, I'm guessing you're going to want the Walmarts, Dollaramas, etc... close by for stocking up? If that is the case, I definitely wouldn't recommend staying right downtown, because there isn't really anything along those lines within the downtown core (with the exception of some grocery stores) - not the big box stores, anyway. There is a place called Bayers Lake about a 5 minute drive from HI Express that has lots of "university-prep shopping"

The other option is to stay out of the downtown core for a few nights until your daughter moves in, and then switch to a hotel downtown for a few days and use that as your home base for exploring the downtown area? Might give you the "best of both worlds" - just a thought.

Re: dates, for what it's worth, Dal, St.FX, and MUN have all started the first Thursday after the Labor Day holiday last year. I know that X is starting on September 10th this year (or so the registrar's office told me earlier this week), so there is a good chance Dal may be doing the same - they could probably confirm this for you if you give the registrar's office a call on Monday. Frosh week/move-in day for first year students usually starts on the Sunday before classes start (so the 6th?), but the registrar's office can probably confirm that for you as well. The number is (902) 494-2450.

Dal is a great university - but hubby and I are both Dal Biology grads, so we may be a bit biased! My sister and I both moved to Halifax for university, and loved our time here. Your daughter will be just fine (and so will you!! ).

Feel free to PM me if there is anything we can answer - don't live in Halifax anymore, but are within NS and are in the city fairly often for business. DH is also still affiliated with Dal, so we still have a fairly strong connection to the university.

Good luck!


PS Our experience has been that the downtown hotels tend to be a bit overpriced in peak season, and definitely on a holiday weekend with +++ occupancy (might run anywhere from $149-189 or more/night). They often do not include parking/breakfast unless you get a package (or stay somewhere like Cambridge Suites where some/all of it is included). Parking can range anywhere from $10 to $20 per night. If price is a factor, you will almost always get better rates the further out you are from the downtown core. Shop around, and definitely ask if the price includes parking/breakfast - I once got a hotel "deal" on hotwire for a hotel downtown where the "extras" (parking, breakfast) added up to about 1/2 of the price of the actual room rate!

 

[Applemomma]

May I suggest downloading Google Earth and selecting the places of interest and narrowing it down to hotels, shopping and what ever else might interest you. I'm doing that for our Quebec trip this summer and it's giving me a good idea of what is close to where I want to be.

Also I suggest that you might want to stay somewhere around Lacewood Drive/ Bayers Lake Industrial Park area. There's lots of shopping there including Winners, Walmart, Dollar Store etc. and it would be easy to find from the highway.

I lived for a number of years in the city and for the most part you would probably only find downtown difficult if you aren't aware that there are some one way streets so be sure to follow signs. The Willow Tree intersection near Quinpool Road has the Holiday Inn select I think (or maybe its a Howard Johnsons....I've been away for awhile .... I'll have to look it up). The intersection is a little confusing but pretty well marked with signs. The nice part of that is that it's not that far away from the university that you couldn't walk and explore the area on foot so she can get her bearings....and don't miss Tony's Pizza one block north on Robie Street.....yummy!

 

[OntFamily]

I am a former resident of the Halifax area.

Regardless of any other needs (ie shopping, etc), you will want to stay close to Dal. This will help your DD so you can help her find her way around the Halifax area, that is close to Dal.

The Holiday Inn Express in Halifax/Bedford is in the outskirts of Halifax, and far from the area your DD will probably ever visit. Also, all of your shopping needs (ie WalMart, Dollarama, etc) can be found close to downtown (and you can show your DD these locations as well, so she can find them on her own after you leave).

As some posters have suggested Bed&Breakfast's (there are many in south end Halifax) are a good option. Otherwise, any of the downtown hotels would suffice.

I did quick check of hotel rates for Labour Day weekend. The rates for many of the downtown hotels are the same (if not less) than the Holiday Inn Express in Bedford.

Have a great visit to Halifax !

 

[mc2]

Hello!
HI Express tends to have much cheaper rates than what is listed on their website now -we have never paid more than $119 no matter what time of year we have stayed here (and it included parking/breakfast). The hotels will all come out with packages for that time period as the time gets closer.

Looks like there is some mixed opinion on where to stay - I guess all we can do is give you our opinions on what we do/would do.

In the event that you decide you would perfer to be downtown, I thought I would mention that there is the Residence Inn (Marriott) downtown as well now too - parking is $19/night, but it has 1 bedroom suites with full kitchens (fridge, microwave, stovetop, dishwasher, pots, cutlery, etc...). Several of our friends have stayed there for long-term (e.g. week long) stays while moving children in to university, graduation week, etc..., and really enjoyed their stay. The full kitchen was the selling point for them, which I don't think is anywhere else downtown (? someone else might be able to confirm that).
The rates have tended to be average/reasonable there, especially when you factor in the kitchen.

 

[Debbie]

Look at Costco for rental car deals. Keep checking until you find a really good one. Even if you book a car you can easily cancel it if you find a better deal. Shop around.

It's a beautiful city and Dalhousie is an excellent university.

Thanks LSmith. Great idea about Costco for the car rental! And good to know that I can cancel without penalty.

Halifax-Dartmouth is a big city. It has everything and it's got lots of historical areas and parks.

Yeah, I didn't even know that Halifax-Dartmouth is one big city. We're from the London area, so I'm guessing about the same?

Check about parking with your hotel to be sure it's included.

If you're looking for set-up-a-student type shopping, there's a Walmart about 5 km from Dal. A Sears and Sears Outlet, right near the Walmart (Halifax Shopping Centre and West End Mall complex). Canadian Tire, even closer (Quinpool Road, easy walking distance to campus)

Ooooh. Good point about the parking if we were to stay downtown. We googled Walmart and came up with nothing, so thanks for the information!

Hello,
Funny you should post this question - I am staying at the HI Express as we speak! Got a rate for $102 for the night, and that includes parking, internet, and breakfast. The hotel may not be right at the airport, but it's very easy to find coming from the airport - it's right off of the highway. Cambridge Suites and other hotels downtown are ok too, but you would have to navigate your way around downtown (not sure where you're from - that might not intimidate you, but does for some people who live in more rural areas). Dal is actually a semi-direct route from the HI -not too many turns, etc.., and depending on the time of day/traffic, it's about a 20 minute drive.

If you're anything like us when we went to university for the first time, I'm guessing you're going to want the Walmarts, Dollaramas, etc... close by for stocking up? If that is the case, I definitely wouldn't recommend staying right downtown, because there isn't really anything along those lines within the downtown core (with the exception of some grocery stores) - not the big box stores, anyway. There is a place called Bayers Lake about a 5 minute drive from HI Express that has lots of "university-prep shopping"

The other option is to stay out of the downtown core for a few nights until your daughter moves in, and then switch to a hotel downtown for a few days and use that as your home base for exploring the downtown area? Might give you the "best of both worlds" - just a thought.

Re: dates, for what it's worth, Dal, St.FX, and MUN have all started the first Thursday after the Labor Day holiday last year. I know that X is starting on September 10th this year (or so the registrar's office told me earlier this week), so there is a good chance Dal may be doing the same - they could probably confirm this for you if you give the registrar's office a call on Monday. Frosh week/move-in day for first year students usually starts on the Sunday before classes start (so the 6th?), but the registrar's office can probably confirm that for you as well. The number is (902) 494-2450.

Dal is a great university - but hubby and I are both Dal Biology grads, so we may be a bit biased! My sister and I both moved to Halifax for university, and loved our time here. Your daughter will be just fine (and so will you!! ).

Feel free to PM me if there is anything we can answer - don't live in Halifax anymore, but are within NS and are in the city fairly often for business. DH is also still affiliated with Dal, so we still have a fairly strong connection to the university.

Good luck!


PS Our experience has been that the downtown hotels tend to be a bit overpriced in peak season, and definitely on a holiday weekend with +++ occupancy (might run anywhere from $149-189 or more/night). They often do not include parking/breakfast unless you get a package (or stay somewhere like Cambridge Suites where some/all of it is included). Parking can range anywhere from $10 to $20 per night. If price is a factor, you will almost always get better rates the further out you are from the downtown core. Shop around, and definitely ask if the price includes parking/breakfast - I once got a hotel "deal" on hotwire for a hotel downtown where the "extras" (parking, breakfast) added up to about 1/2 of the price of the actual room rate!

mc2, you have given me a lot of great information. I'm guessing that you are a lot like me. We actually live on the outskirts of the city, so a 20-30 minute drive is a daily occurrence for us. We had guessed that the 6th would be move in day, and that would work for me, since I teach and will be receiving kids on the 8th. I'll have DD call the registrar's office on Monday. Dal is in Oakville on Tuesday, so barring any weather, we'll be there.

May I suggest downloading Google Earth and selecting the places of interest and narrowing it down to hotels, shopping and what ever else might interest you.

Also I suggest that you might want to stay somewhere around Lacewood Drive/ Bayers Lake Industrial Park area. There's lots of shopping there including Winners, Walmart, Dollar Store etc. and it would be easy to find from the highway.

I lived for a number of years in the city and for the most part you would probably only find downtown difficult if you aren't aware that there are some one way streets so be sure to follow signs. The Willow Tree intersection near Quinpool Road has the Holiday Inn select I think (or maybe its a Howard Johnsons....I've been away for awhile .... I'll have to look it up). The intersection is a little confusing but pretty well marked with signs. The nice part of that is that it's not that far away from the university that you couldn't walk and explore the area on foot so she can get her bearings....and don't miss Tony's Pizza one block north on Robie Street.....yummy!

Good idea about Google Earth. Thanks. We have a Tony's in London, too.

Regardless of any other needs (ie shopping, etc), you will want to stay close to Dal. This will help your DD so you can help her find her way around the Halifax area, that is close to Dal.

The Holiday Inn Express in Halifax/Bedford is in the outskirts of Halifax, and far from the area your DD will probably ever visit. Also, all of your shopping needs (ie WalMart, Dollarama, etc) can be found close to downtown (and you can show your DD these locations as well, so she can find them on her own after you leave).
Have a great visit to Halifax !

Yes, that will be the point. She's really good with directions and such, so that's the plan.

Thank you everyone for the advice and information. It is much appreciated. I'm one of those who likes to know exactly what she is up against, long before it happens.....SO....keep adding the information. Especially anything you can tell me about picking up/dropping off a rental.

 

[mc2]

Especially anything you can tell me about picking up/dropping off a rental.

Lots of rental agencies with outlets right at the Halifax airport:
Rental car facilities are conveniently located in the domestic arrivals area.
AvisCar Inc. - 902.429.0963
Reservations - Canada: 1.800.879.2847
Reservations - USA: 1.800.331.1212

Car Rentals from Budget - 902.492.7551
Reservations: 1.800.268.8900

Enterprise Rent-A-Car - 902.873.4700
Reservations: 1.800.261.7331


Thrifty / Dollar Automotive Group - 902.873.3527
Reservations - Dollar Rent A Car: 1.800.800.4000
Reservations - Thrifty Car Rental: 1.800.847.4389

Hertz Canada Limited - 902.873.2273
Reservations: 1.800.263.0600

National / Alamo - 902.873.3505
Reservations - National: 1.800.227.7368
Reservations - Alamo: 1.800.522.9696

Got that info from the airport website (www.hiaa.com). You should also go to www.novascotia.com (provincial toursim website - order yourself a "Doers and Dreamers" guide for 2009 - you'll probably find it to be helpful).

 

[Applemomma]

Thank you everyone for the advice and information. It is much appreciated. I'm one of those who likes to know exactly what she is up against, long before it happens.....SO....keep adding the information. Especially anything you can tell me about picking up/dropping off a rental.

I've never rented a car at the Halifax Airport but there are a number of them right at the airport and you can do pick up and drop off there. Go to the airport's home page www.hiaa.com and follow the links to Travelers Information and then Transportation information.

Check out the Transportation board here on the DIs and you might find a code to use for a better rate or I know that some of them drop the rate 10% if you use and American Express card. Check out the different size cars too...smaller isn't always cheaper.

Here's a link to the map the Holiday Inn Select has on their web page. Zoom out and you'll have Dalhousie on the map too.

http://www.holidaycity.com/holidayinn-select-halifax-centre/map.html

Apart from the map I'm not sure how good that particular web site is since they have Robie street spelled wrong so I'd go direct to the Holiday Inn web site for more info....just thought the map would be handy.

 

[Sillyminny40]

http://www.canadianbandbguide.ca/nova-scotia-bed-and-breakfast-citytown.asp?NearCityTown=Halifax

You should consider a lovely Bed and Breakfast. Do peruse the website above, check all of them.

Often for the same price or less than a hotel it should include breakfast. Incredible experience.

I LOVE Halifax.

 

[hockeymom3]

Hi there! I live in Halifax and am a real estate agent, so I know the area well I have had clients stay downtown Halifax and others stay near the airport. I can tell you there is no sense in staying near the airport. Staying in the Kearney Lake (Holiday Inn Express) area has its benefits that downtown doesn't - it has free parking at its hotel and it is extremely close to Bayers Lake (for shopping) and only 15 minutes from Dal. If you want to be as close to Dal as possible - the closest hotel would be The Lord Nelson Hotel on South Park Street. Hotels in downtown Halifax, particularly this one, is probably more expensive - but I can't say for sure.

FYI - for comparision purposes the Quality Inn (Parkland Drive) is right across the street from the Holiday Inn.

If you have any other hotel ideas and you're wondering my opinion on where they are, by all means let me know!!

Will your dd be staying on campus at Dal? I spent much of my teen time in Sheriff Hall.

I actually had a client from Edmonton who bought a house in Dartmouth and travels to Dal each day - but he's got a family so the downtown life wasn't for him.

Enjoy your trip here!!!

 

[hockeymomNS]

I live in a burb of Halifax, born and raised.
I have a son who actually went to Dal for his first year and switched to St. Mary's University because he changed his career choice.

......so I have a university student with knowledge and I have lived here all of my life and would love to help. I am recovering from a mastectomy and the site seems to want to continually drain.....therefore I am typing with one hand (my left), but will be ok tomorrow after I see the doc, so feel free to ask any questions - I will be in better typing/response condition tomorrow.

 

[SplashMom]

I lived in Halifax for a few years and we visit often. My son is currently a student at Dal so I can totally relate. The most important thing to do is find out when move in day is because most of the hotels close by are totally booked that weekend. We always stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Bedford and love the place. It is about 15 minutes away but most of the places we need to visit (box stores, grocery stores, etc.) are closer and the free parking/free breakfast are great. We are comfortable driving around the city so it is not a concern for us to be a 15 minute drive away. Most of the downtown hotels are considerably more expensive, and we have CAA rates. The other problem is downtown parking is difficult to get or expensive.

I would also caution you about purchasing larger items when you arrive. It makes sense for travel but sometimes, you can't get what you need. When my son started a few years back, several of his friends were not able to get fridges, TVs, microwaves, etc. because they were sold out everywhere. Keep in mind that Halifax has a huge number of students arriving in September for the several universities that are located there. If you arrive even a day early, you would have much better opportunities to get what you need. If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to help you!

 

[Debbie]

Thank you everyone for your continued replies. I already feel better with all of the information that I have received. I know that it is a matter of figuring out the unknowns, which are everyday occurrences for all of you.

Lots of rental agencies with outlets right at the Halifax airport:
Rental car facilities are conveniently located in the domestic arrivals area. . . You should also go to www.novascotia.com (provincial toursim website - order yourself a "Doers and Dreamers" guide for 2009 - you'll probably find it to be helpful).

Thanks for the car rental information. Did go on the NS website, and saw the guide. All ordered.

I've never rented a car at the Halifax Airport but there are a number of them right at the airport and you can do pick up and drop off there. Go to the airport's home page www.hiaa.com and follow the links to Travelers Information and then Transportation information.

Check out the Transportation board here on the DIs and you might find a code to use for a better rate or I know that some of them drop the rate 10% if you use and American Express card. Check out the different size cars too...smaller isn't always cheaper.

GREAT idea about checking for codes on the transportation board.

Hi there! I live in Halifax and am a real estate agent, so I know the area well I have had clients stay downtown Halifax and others stay near the airport. I can tell you there is no sense in staying near the airport. Staying in the Kearney Lake (Holiday Inn Express) area has its benefits that downtown doesn't - it has free parking at its hotel and it is extremely close to Bayers Lake (for shopping) and only 15 minutes from Dal. If you want to be as close to Dal as possible - the closest hotel would be The Lord Nelson Hotel on South Park Street. Hotels in downtown Halifax, particularly this one, is probably more expensive - but I can't say for sure.

FYI - for comparision purposes the Quality Inn (Parkland Drive) is right across the street from the Holiday Inn.

If you have any other hotel ideas and you're wondering my opinion on where they are, by all means let me know!!

Will your dd be staying on campus at Dal? I spent much of my teen time in Sheriff Hall.

I actually had a client from Edmonton who bought a house in Dartmouth and travels to Dal each day - but he's got a family so the downtown life wasn't for him.

Enjoy your trip here!!!

Thank you! Your thoughts on the hotel are where my mind is at. and for the info on the Quality Inn. DEFINITELY a consideration!

DD WILL be staying in residence. I'm not sure whether she can choose one, or whether it is the luck of the draw. Being in sciences, she'll want to be relatively close to whatever buildings might be close, but I'm sure that it really doesn't matter.

I live in a burb of Halifax, born and raised.
I have a son who actually went to Dal for his first year and switched to St. Mary's University because he changed his career choice.

......so I have a university student with knowledge and I have lived here all of my life and would love to help. I am recovering from a mastectomy and the site seems to want to continually drain.....therefore I am typing with one hand (my left), but will be ok tomorrow after I see the doc, so feel free to ask any questions - I will be in better typing/response condition tomorrow.

Feel better, soon. I'm sure that DD and I will have oodles of questions!

We always stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Bedford and love the place. It is about 15 minutes away but most of the places we need to visit (box stores, grocery stores, etc.) are closer and the free parking/free breakfast are great. We are comfortable driving around the city so it is not a concern for us to be a 15 minute drive away.

I would also caution you about purchasing larger items when you arrive. It makes sense for travel but sometimes, you can't get what you need. When my son started a few years back, several of his friends were not able to get fridges, TVs, microwaves, etc. because they were sold out everywhere. Keep in mind that Halifax has a huge number of students arriving in September for the several universities that are located there. If you arrive even a day early, you would have much better opportunities to get what you need. If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to help you!

Super! I guess the first thing to do when we get there is get that shopping over with....and the quick tours come after. Thanks for the heads up!

I've told DD about the friendly people from Halifax and area, so she is gathering some questions, and we'll be back. BTW, what do you call someone from Halifax. [Haligonian comes to mind, but. . . ]

 

[SplashMom]

Haligonian it is!!

 

[spethstation]

I have lived here for the last eight years and Halifax has really grown on me. My sister is currently in her second year at Dalhousie studying Marine Biology; it's a lot of work but she finds it very rewarding. I'm sure your daughter will have a similar experience!

I would not recommend a hotel in Bedford; it is not close to Dal at all and in fact is a little out of the way of everything. There are plenty of hotels in downtown Halifax, like the Lord Nelson, Prince George, and there is also a Holiday Inn on Robie Street, not too far at all from Dal. You can find some pretty nice stores downtown, too. Not to mention, if your daughter needs things for school, the Dal Bookstore is really awesome!

In terms of renting a car, I would recommend Avis. They have very reasonable prices and huge discounts.

And yes, we have Dollarama/Walmart/Zellers! Halifax Shopping Centre and it's annex across the street is a great shopping area, and Zellers is located in Bayers Lake Industrial Park, not far by car.

Hope this helps!

 

[hockeymom3]

The "Bedford" hotel she is talking about is a 3 minute drive to Bayers Lake - not out of the way at all.

 

[LSmith]

Well, it's out of the way of the airport and Dal.