In Nova Scotia, the tide does not simply roll in; it makes a grand entrance. Think soft pink sunrises, salty breezes, and spectacular sea air that make visitors feel they have wandered onto the set of their best lives. In the province's seaside communities, this is not just a weekend escape fantasy; it is an everyday reality.
New Show Celebrates Small-Town Life
Colin and Justin, the well-known design duo, are back with a new HGTV series titled 'Small Town Escapes with Colin and Justin', premiering Wednesday, May 6, on HGTV and City TV+. The show aims to introduce homebuyers to the joys of living in Nova Scotia, highlighting three houses per episode in the hope that contributors will choose to buy one.
The duo brings a wealth of experience to this format, having themselves invested in the region. They own and operate the North Star resort in Louisbourg, a 22-bedroom property with two restaurants, where they spend summers and falls. Their balanced duality between Toronto (November to June) and the Atlantic town of Louisbourg gives them unique insight into the appeal of swapping traffic jams for tidal rhythms.
Landscape and Community
The landscape is a star of the show: clapboard houses in cheerful tones, fishing boats bobbing in harbors, and winding lanes that invite evening strolls. The Atlantic Ocean serves drama and serenity in equal measure, sometimes glass-like and reflective, other times a moody masterpiece. But it is not just there to be admired; it is part of daily life, influencing the rhythm and color palette of the region.
Beyond visual appeal, the Nova Scotian community truly delivers. Unlike anonymous condo corridors and awkward elevator silences, in the Maritimes, people chat, wave, and remember your name. The warmth is immediate and unforced, wrapping around you like a favorite sweater on a breezy evening.
Unique Show Format
What sets 'Small Town Escapes' apart from other 'three house' formats is the time spent showcasing community. Each episode features local activities such as Rappie pie cooking classes, community suppers that turn into full-blown celebrations, artisan markets brimming with local talent, and festivals that foster shared joy. Many of the featured home seekers are artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives who chose the Maritimes as a backdrop to launch new businesses like pottery studios, photography labs, and gymnasiums.
Lifestyle and Affordability
The lifestyle shift is perhaps the most palpable upgrade. Life out east invites a slower pace: morning coffee tastes better with an ocean view, afternoons stretch luxuriously for beachcombing or kayaking, and evenings feature sunset cocktails on the deck with spectacular horizons. For those working remotely or seeking a flexible pace, Nova Scotia offers a blend of practicality and pleasure. Many cross-provincial home searchers keep their careers on track while trading concrete for coastline, citing a creative spark from living somewhere visually and emotionally rich.
Property price points in Nova Scotia's coastal communities offer remarkable value, with character homes, generous land plots, and dreamy waterfronts for significantly less than in many parts of Canada. Beyond aesthetics and affordability, living in a small community reconnects people with nature and each other, a gentle recalibration where the highlight of the day might be spotting seals offshore or sharing a laugh with a neighbor at the local store.
If you have been craving a life that is beautiful, grounded, and connected, Nova Scotia—the backdrop for the new show—is calling. The province delivers a full-hearted invitation to live differently, and in today's world, that is hard to resist.
Watch 'Small Town Escapes with Colin and Justin' on HGTV starting May 6. Discover the 'Colin+Justin Home Collection' at Homesense and Winners, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
