Moving to Canada is exciting, but choosing where to live can be overwhelming. Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick, offers newcomers affordability, safety, and a welcoming community. This guide helps you understand life, work, and recreation in Fredericton and the surrounding Capital Region.
Why Newcomers Choose Fredericton
Affordable, accessible, and community-focused
Located in Eastern Canada’s Atlantic Region, Fredericton is in the heart of the Capital Region. It offers a unique blend of natural beauty, career potential, and community support, making it a great place for newcomers to settle. Picture a place with less noise, less traffic and more trees, more nature and more connections with plenty of room to roam and grow!
The Capital Region is peaceful and family friendly. The region includes the City of Fredericton, Oromocto, Fredericton Junction, Central York, Nashwaak, Nackawic-Millville, Arcadia, New Maryland, Harvey, Grand Lake, Hanwell, Sunbury-York South, Tracy, and the vast rural area throughout the region itself. Learn more about the Capital Region.
About Fredericton: History, Culture, and Language
It’s a quaint city rich in culture and history, with the comfort of a small town and world-class facilities.
Rich heritage and bilingual advantage
Culturally, New Brunswick was first inhabited by Indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples have lived in the region for thousands of years, the Mi’gmaq in northern and eastern New Brunswick, the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) along the Saint John River Valley, and the Peskotomuhkatiyik (Passamaquoddy) in the St. Croix River watershed.
These three Nations are part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, which also includes the Penobscot and Abenaki of Maine. Wabanaki, meaning “Land of the Dawn, ” refers to a vast area spanning Maine and the Maritimes.
The province of New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province. While most Fredericton residents speak English, knowing both English and French can give you an advantage in the job market.
Located nearby is Oromocto, home to Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. This is Canada’s second-largest military base, and it plays a key role in the region’s economy and history.
Living in Fredericton: Community & Lifestyle
Year-round outdoor adventure and fun
New Brunswick’s Capital Region offers outdoor activities, festivals, and community events year-round, as each season offers new ways to explore, connect, and enjoy life. Experience a place that creates a welcoming place where nature and community meet. Whether it’s skiing snowy trails, paddling the Wolastoq River, or joining a local festival, every day brings opportunities for lasting memories.
Winter transforms the Capital Region into a hub for outdoor fun and community gatherings. Crabbe Mountain in Upper Kingsclear offers skiing and snowboarding with Atlantic Canada’s highest vertical drop, catering to all skill levels.
Visit Fredericton Capital Region Tourism site for seasonal activities and family-friendly events.
- Winter: Ski at Crabbe Mountain, snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, fat biking, snowmobile adventures, sleigh rides
- Summer: Kayaking, canoeing, hiking over 120 km of trails, cycling, golfing, picnics, orchard visits
- Spring & Autumn: Visit Fredericton Botanic Garden, join seasonal festivals like Nashwaak Music Festival or Big Axe Craft Beer Fest
Finding a Job in Fredericton
Fredericton is Atlantic Canada’s Knowledge Capital
Fredericton is where innovation, research, and talent come together in the Knowledge Industry. Home to thousands of knowledge-based businesses, leading research institutions, and a pipeline of skilled graduates, Fredericton drives growth across sectors like healthcare, defence, and tech. With a uniquely collaborative ecosystem, this city isn’t just keeping up, it’s shaping Canada’s future.
Ignite, a key regional economic driver, fuels innovation and growth, making the Capital Region a place where businesses thrive and communities flourish.
Forging Careers in the Capital Region
The Capital Region’s job market blends innovation with work-life balance, evolving from a public sector base to a leader in clean technology, cybersecurity, and agritech.
With New Brunswick’s highest percentage of post-secondary-educated residents and Canada’s highest per-capita engineer concentration, the region drives growth in IT, engineering, and export services. Industries like biotech, aerospace, financial services, agriculture, and hospitality offer diverse career paths across Fredericton, Oromocto, and beyond.
Empowering Entrepreneurs
The Capital Region, led by Fredericton’s top-15 global startup ecosystem (StartupBlink), is a launchpad for entrepreneurs. Ignite, a cornerstone of economic development since 2013, plays a pivotal role by:
- Supporting entrepreneurs with tailored programs, mentorship, and funding.
- Attracting and retaining talent to boost workforce growth.
- Building a resilient business ecosystem through partnerships.
- Encouraging expansion of established businesses.
- Creating investment-ready communities across the region.
Startups in energy, health tech, and software thrive, with Ignite and Planet Hatch led programs, such as Merge, fostering success across the region. Boost Fredericton, and City of Fredericton led initiative, empowers entrepreneurs to solve municipal challenges, testing solutions in a civic innovation lab.
Finding Your Career Path
The region’s supportive business community helps newcomers and permanent residents find careers.
Reach out to Ignite workforce team at workforce@myignite.ca to kickstart your job search.
Resources for Newcomers to Fredericton
Housing: Ignite – Welcome Guide for all you need to know about housing, amenities, recreation, and newcomer services.
Job Search: Ignite Active Jobs List, NBJobs.ca, Opportunities NB (ONB)
Entrepreneurship: Ignite, Planet Hatch, Boost Fredericton
Settlement services: The Multicultural Association of Fredericton provides settlement help, employment services, language classes, and connections to community services
Learn more about services in Canada to help newcomers settle.
FAQs About Fredericton for Newcomers
1. Is Fredericton affordable for newcomers?
Yes. The average rent for all bedroom types and properties in Fredericton is $1,850 (as of August 2025). This is approximately 40 – 60% less than Toronto or Vancouver.
2. What jobs are available?
Tech, engineering, healthcare, education, and public sector positions.
3. Do I need to speak French?
English is dominant, but nearly 34% of New Brunswickers are bilingual, the highest in Canada, so French can help with career opportunities.
4. What is the weather like in Fredericton?
Fredericton is located inland from the Atlantic Ocean. So it has higher summer temperatures and lower winter temperatures than coastal locations in New Brunswick. It has a sunny climate and averages about 2,000 hours of sunshine a year.
Final Thoughts
Fredericton offers newcomers a unique mix of affordability, career opportunities, and quality of life. Whether you’re a student, skilled worker, or entrepreneur, the Capital Region is a safe and welcoming place to build your future in Canada.