Safety, Halifax

Halifax is a very safe city overall. Areas to stay clear of include Gottingen (only at night...during day is not horrible at all and there is a major police detachment right there), Uniacke Square (off of Gottingen), and some streets slightly outside the city around Dutch Village has been experiencing more crime.

On the Dartmouth side, the neighbourhood between the two major bridges can be a little shady, so if you are looking to get a hotel here I wouldn't recommend it. It will be cheaper...but there's a reason.

Most of Halifax is really safe and friendly. Like any larger city, if you look for trouble, you'll find it. Most hotels are in the downtown core and streets such as Grafton, Spring Garden and Quinpool all offer shops, restaurants and bars that are enjoyable. Halifax is also really friendly as alot of residents from the city are pretty great and those who move in are mostly from small Nova Scotian towns, and are often willing to help.

Although reports show crime is up, alot of it is related to areas in Dartmouth (such as North Preston). Be aware that over the last year, North End Halifax has been subject to swarmings by punk kids. Not smart to walk around there...even cases of 2 guys getting jumped at 5pm on a weekday.

NOVA.SCOTIA (CBC) - Talk about a quick dip.


One day after a city-sponsored party, two Halifax harbour beaches were closed to swimmers pending the results of new water quality tests.

Municipal officials shut down Black Rock Beach and Dingle Tower Beach on Sunday because of heavy rains and fears that bacteria levels had risen.

Officials said this was a precautionary move after Saturday night's rain, not a result of unsatisfactory water tests, even though a sign posted at Black Rock in Point Pleasant Park cites high bacteria counts.

Today, July 31st, 2008, the Mayor of Halifax, Peter Kelly, jumped into the Halifax Harbour amidst taunts from the general populous to "prove" that the water, after some $300,000,000. worth of cleaning up, was actually safe to swim in after three decades of poop, condoms, tampons, medical waste, etc., floating on its surface. It wasn't proof enough for most people who say it will take them another 30 years to enter into it despite what the politicians regard as "safe." Haligonians are not overly cautious but they are fairly saavy & when in Rome & all that...Unfortunately Canada has not had a good reputation recently for being forth coming about environmental wrongs so caution is the word on this one, for sure.

Halifax is a small city, but it's not immune to crime. Don't get too drunk and don't walk alone at night (especially if you're a girl). Pickpocketing and theft are not common, so you don't really have to use extreme safety precautions. Though you should definitely keep your eye on your money and not leave your purse lying around somewhere, you don't need to use a money belt or pin your fanny pack to your clothes. Some neighbourhoods are a little more dangerous, but in general, Halifax is safe compared to other cities I've visited.

Like any city, be careful especially at night. Halifax is not considered a dangerous city but it does have its share of criminal activities. Just use common sense and avoid walking alone at night, especially if you are female.

Halifax is a very safe city, so you have little to worry about. Some of the streets around Gottigen in the North End may be a tad rough, but there's a very small chance something'll happen to you while in Halifax.

When out at night in the bars and pubs, be a little careful about your belongings. Things can get easily stolen. Also, unless you are staying right downtown do not walk home alone. Close to the downtown area are some seedy parts of the city which can be dangerous to both men and women.