The river
The Saint John River (Wolastoq) runs through the middle of the city, and locals describe most places by which bank they're on. The south side holds downtown, the Legislature and the university campuses. The north side is largely residential, with its own shopping areas. A long riverside trail network follows both banks and is well used year round.
The bridges
Two road bridges link the banks: the Westmorland Street Bridge, closer to downtown, and the Princess Margaret Bridge further downriver. There is also a former railway bridge, now the walking bridge, used by people on foot and on bikes. At rush hour the road bridges are where traffic backs up, so it's worth knowing which one suits your commute.
Downtown versus the northside
- Downtown is compact and walkable, centred on Queen and King streets, with most of the city's restaurants, pubs and cafés. The long-running Saturday farmers market is here too.
- Uptown, further up the hill on the south side, is where the big-box stores and malls are.
- The northside includes older neighbourhoods such as Nashwaaksis and Marysville, newer subdivisions, and its own retail strips. Housing there is often a little more affordable than near downtown, though that varies.
Nearby: Oromocto, Hanwell and New Maryland
Oromocto is a separate town a short drive down the river, next to the large Canadian Armed Forces base at Gagetown. Many military families live in Oromocto or commute to it from Fredericton. Hanwell and New Maryland sit just outside the city on the south side and are popular with people who want a bit more space while staying close to town.
Winter
Winters are cold and snowy, and freezing rain is common. Most drivers switch to winter tires, and it's worth lining up snow clearing for your driveway before the first storm. The City sets winter parking rules for snow removal, so check the current rules for your street. If you're buying or renting an older home, ask about the heating system and recent costs; many homes now use heat pumps.
Getting settled
Details like transit routes, garbage collection and parking rules change, so check the City of Fredericton and the Province of New Brunswick for current information. For finding a family doctor, New Brunswick runs a provincial patient registry; call 811 for non-emergency health advice.