Shop Local, Live Local: Why East Hants Feels Like Home

When people ask me what makes East Hants such a good place to live, I rarely start with square footage or lot size. I start with people. It’s the person at the counter who remembers your order, the mechanic who tells you straight whether a repair can wait, and the neighbour who already knows a good plumber when your pipes act up in January.

After years of helping families buy and sell in Enfield, Elmsdale, Lantz, Shubenacadie and the surrounding communities, I’ve come to believe that local businesses are a big part of what you’re really buying when you buy a home here. So this week, instead of numbers, I want to talk about community.

Portraits in the Park: A Thank-You, Done Locally

This fall, The McCooeye Group held our first annual Portraits in the Park client event at Stewiacke River Park. Nearly 20 families joined us for an afternoon of family photos, a simple way of saying thank you to the clients who have trusted us with some of life’s biggest moments.

We could have hired anyone to take those photos. Instead, we partnered with Melissa Kew Photography, a fellow East Hants business owner and Chamber member, and she did a wonderful job capturing each family. That choice was deliberate. When local businesses work together, the benefit doesn’t stop with the two businesses involved. It stays in the community.

Why Local Businesses Matter When You Choose a Community

When you’re house hunting, it’s easy to focus on bedrooms, bathrooms and the drive to work. Those matter. But the businesses around a home shape your day-to-day life just as much. Here’s what I encourage clients to think about:

• The services you’ll use every week. Groceries, coffee, a pharmacy, a hairdresser, a hardware store. Having them close by saves time and fuel, and it’s a big part of why small-town living feels easier.
• The tradespeople you’ll rely on. Many East Hants homes have wells, septic systems, oil or heat pump heating, and long driveways that need plowing. Knowing reliable local contractors is worth a lot, and local businesses tend to live and die by their reputation.
• Money that stays close to home. Local businesses are often the ones sponsoring minor hockey, school fundraisers and community events. When you spend locally, part of that money comes back to your own neighbourhood.
• The character of the place. Independent shops and restaurants give a community its personality. They’re a big reason a town feels like somewhere, not just anywhere.

What I Tell Buyers Looking at East Hants

If you’re considering a move to Enfield, Elmsdale, Lantz, Shubenacadie or nearby, here’s my practical advice for getting a real feel for a community before you buy:

• Visit on a Saturday morning. Grab a coffee, run an errand, and see who’s out and about. You’ll learn more in an hour than from any listing description.
• Ask locals for recommendations. Ask who they call for snow removal, heating service or well and septic work. The answers tell you a lot about how connected the community is.
• Check what’s on. The Municipality of East Hants posts community events and seasonal recreation guides on easthants.ca, with programs for kids, adults and seniors.
• Look at the amenities. The East Hants Aquatic Centre in Elmsdale and the East Hants Sportsplex in Lantz are hubs for families, and the Lantz interchange on Highway 102, which opened in December 2021, made getting around the corridor much easier.

Shopping Local This Holiday Season

With the holidays coming, it’s a great time to put a few dollars back into the community. A few easy ways to do it:

• Give gift cards from local restaurants, cafés and shops.
• Book local services (photographers, cleaners, trades) for gifts or for getting your home ready for guests.
• Get out to local craft fairs and holiday events.
• Leave a review or share a post for a local business you love. It costs nothing and it helps more than you’d think.
• Browse the East Hants Chamber of Commerce member list when you need a product or service.

For Sellers: Your Community Is Part of Your Listing

When we market a home, we’re not just selling the house. We’re selling the life that comes with it: the coffee shop down the road, the rink, the trails, the friendly faces. If you’re thinking of selling, I’d love to hear about your favourite local spots. Buyers relocating from the city or from out of province often want to know exactly that, and it helps them picture themselves living there.

Let’s Talk

Whether you’re thinking about buying in East Hants, selling a home in HRM, or just want to know which community might suit your family best, I’m always happy to talk it through, no pressure. Give me a call at (902) 225-0892 or reach out to The McCooeye Group. And if you were one of the families who came to Portraits in the Park, thank you. You’re the reason we do this.

By Don McCooeye, CD, BA, MA, SRES, CIPS | Royal LePage Atlantic

Helpful links: East Hants neighbourhood guide · Municipality of East Hants