St. John's City Guide
Image by CyberDetroit via wikipedia

Canada

St. John's City Guide

Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a charming Canadian city with colorful houses and rugged coastlines. It's rich in maritime history and offers a unique small-town vibe that travelers and remote workers often appreciate.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Good mix of local and international food, with options for various diets. Late-night eats are limited.

Local Dishes:
Jiggs Dinner, Toutons, Fish and Brewis
International Cuisine:
Various options downtown
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

George Street offers vibrant nightlife with pubs and live music.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Growing scene with many cafes and specialty roasters.

💰
Tipping
Required
15%

Tipping is common in Canada for good service; 15-20% in restaurants.

Top Attractions
Signal Hill National Historic Site
Top in-city sights
Offers panoramic views and historical insights.
The Rooms
Top in-city sights
Provincial museum and art gallery.
Jellybean Row Houses
Top in-city sights
Famous for their colorful and picturesque streets.
Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site
Nearby highlights
Easternmost point in North America.
Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove
Nearby highlights
Scenic fishing village near the city.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are available at stores like Bell and Rogers. ID might be needed for activation.

Available at:
Bell
Rogers
Telus
Virgin Mobile
Koodo
Recommended Apps
Metrobus(Transit)
Uber(Ride-sharing)
SkipTheDishes(Food delivery)
The Weather Network(Weather)
Google Maps(Mapping)
AllTrails(Outdoor activities)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
8

City is generally clean, with effective waste management services.

24/7 Services
Poor
3

Few locations operate 24/7, with limited late-night services otherwise.

Groceries
Sobeys
Dominion
Colemans

International and local products are available in supermarkets like Sobeys and Dominion. Stores typically open early and close late.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Canada is highly cashless-ready; expect most places to accept credit and debit cards.

ATMs

ATMs are abundant from major banks like Scotiabank, RBC, and BMO. Expect transaction fees if using other banks' machines.

Schools
Local only

Memorial University is a major institution. Public schools mainly teach in English.

Available Schools:
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
3
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Fixed Coffee and Baking
Offers good coffee and Wi-Fi, a popular work spot.
Rocket Bakery & Fresh Food
Known for a friendly atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
A.C. Hunter Public Library
Quiet space with Wi-Fi available.
Memorial University of Newfoundland campus libraries
Provide additional quiet areas for work.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
3

Small but growing; community is not as developed as in larger cities.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Ample parks like Bowring Park and Pippy Park offer good access to nature.

Running
Excellent
8

Numerous trails and routes, generally safe for runners with groups available.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms and fitness centers are easily available.

Available Gyms:
GoodLife Fitness
Orangetheory Fitness
MUN Aquarena
Tennis
Limited
5

Some public courts available; membership required for others.

Padel
Poor
2

Padel is not commonly offered.

Yoga
Good
7

Various studios available, offering drop-in classes and English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Various martial arts disciplines are taught across several facilities.

Skiing
Limited
4

Ski resorts are a bit distant, with White Hills being 2 hours away. Marble Mountain is further.

Water Sports
Good
6

Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular in summer.

Surfing
Poor
3

Cold water surfing available, but not a prime destination. Limited equipment rentals.

Diving
Limited
5

Cold-water dives explore shipwrecks. Suitable gear essential.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Quality healthcare available with English-speaking staff at places like the Health Sciences Centre.

Hospitals:
Health Sciences Centre
St. Clare's Mercy Hospital
Pharmacies:
Shoppers Drug Mart
Lawtons Drugs
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water in St. John's is safe to drink.

Common Scams
Online phishing, Grandparent scams, Tax scams, Lottery scams

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Family-friendly with parks, attractions, and easily accessible supplies.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
8

Accepting community with annual pride events. Legal protections are in place.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Good veterinary care and parks are available. Follows Canadian pet import rules.

Communities
r/newfoundland (Online)
St. John's Community Events (Online)

Quick Facts

Population
110,525
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is generally stable, though outages can occur during severe weather.

Beach Access
Available

Beaches like Middle Cove are for scenic walks, not swimming, due to cold waters.

Mountains
Available

Nearby coastal cliffs and trails provide hiking spots, not large mountains.

Languages
English(99%)
Emergency
911
Emergency Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
2

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Fog
April, May, June
Foggy weather is frequent in spring and early summer.
Snow
December, January, February, March, April
Heavy snowfall in winter months.
Wind
Year-round
Can be very windy, especially near coastlines.
Extreme Cold
December, January, February
Winter temperatures can dip very low.

No reviews yet

Be the first to share your experience at this place

💬 Feedback & Bugs