Our Communities: Bedford - Halifax Real Estate Remax Nova
Bedford Basin is a large enclosed bay, forming the northwestern end of Halifax Harbour on Canada's Atlantic coast.
Geographically, the basin is situated entirely within the Halifax Regional Municipality and is oriented northwest-southeast, measuring approximately 8 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide, surrounded by low hills measuring up to 160 metres (525 feet) in elevation, although most elevations range up to 30-60 m (100-200 ft).
The basin is quite deep with some areas measuring several dozen metres in depth; the good holding ground (mud) on the basin floor make it an ideal protected anchorage. The basin's geologic history can be traced to the Wisconsin Glaciation when it, along with "The Narrows", formed part of the pre-historic Sackville River valley.
Bedford on the northwestern corner takes its name from the basin, while Dartmouth sits on its eastern shore and Rockingham occupies the majority of the western shore. Africville (now Seaview Park) is situated on the southern shore near the entrance into The Narrows. Bedford (2006 pop.: 16,589[1]) is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour. Bedford is located at the junctions of Trunks 1, 2, and 7.
The history of Bedford began when Governor Edward Cornwallis organised his men and began the construction of a road leading to Minas Basin on the Bay of Fundy after establishing the garrison at Halifax. To protect it, he hired John Gorham (military officer) and his Rangers to erect a fort on the shore of Bedford Basin. It was named Fort Sackville after Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset.[4] The area around the fort became known as Sackville until the mid-1850s when it became Bedford.
In 1752, among the first to receive a large land grant was military officer George Scott in the Fort Sackville area. George Scott later participated in the Expulsion of the Acadians, specifically the St. John River Campaign (1758). George Scott's brother Joseph, was paymaster at the Halifax Garrison in the 1760s received two grants in 1759 and 1765. He built Scott Manor House in 1770.
There is a popular walkway along much of the Bedford Basin waterfront that begins at DeWolf park, and continues as the Bedford-Sackville Connector Greenway, a crushed gravel covered trail that meanders along the Sackville River. There is an outdoor 25m pool and smaller splash pool located at the Lions Park on Shore Drive. In the summer there are numerous lakes suitable for swimming. The topography of the area limits the possible locations for soccer and football fields. However, there are fields at Basinview Drive School, Sunnyside Elementary (Eaglewood location), Bedford Junior High, Charles P. Allen High School,Bedford South and Range Park. The community is currently home to six ice surfaces, at the Lebrun Centre, Gary Martin Bubble Dome and the BMO Centre. Bedford is a well-established sailing community, and is home to the Bedford Basin Yacht Club and Marina. Its also home of the Basinview Bedford Street Hockey League/Championship. There is also a system of trails in the Ravines where many families enjoy walking their dogs.
Bedford Days has occurred annually at the end of June and beginning of July for over 30 years. Currently, most events take place at Dewolf Park. There is an Opening Celebration, Rubber Duck Dash, Free pancake breakfast, Dog show, Scott Manor House Tea Party, Kids' Extravaganza, Kids' Triathlon, Movies in the Park and a Canada Day Celebration.[5]
The Light Up Bedford Parade is an annual parade that goes along the Bedford Highway from Bedford Place Mall and ends at DeWolf Park. At the park there is a hot chocolate stand, Christmas carol singing and contests and prizes. At the conclusion of the parade, a Christmas Tree is lit. In addition to bringing the community together to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season, the parade serves as a fundraiser for the Turkey Club Society, which raises funds to ensure all residents of HRM are able to provide a Christmas dinner for their families. The parade takes place on the Sunday following the Light Up Halifax Parade, which is usually mid-November.
Schools
Depending on where they live, students may attend the following schools in the Bedford area:
Bedford area also has two private schools :
The Bedford School System is considered one of the best school systems in Nova Scotia. It has two smaller elementary schools and two larger elementary schools a Primary to nine school a junior high (7-9) and a senior high (10-12) a FLEC school a 100% French school and two private schools. For more information on the individual schools & to check the schools your child would attend by home address, please visit http://www.hrsb.ns.ca/ .
Bedford is alo home to Mount Saint Vincent University http://www.msvu.ca/en/home/default.aspx .
Transportation
Bedford is served by Halifax Regional Municipality's transit authority, Metro Transit. Routes 66, 81, 82, 86, 88 and 89 directly serve Bedford while many more routes serve the nearby Cobequid terminal in Lower Sackville.
There is a fast ferry service planned for the Mill Cove area that would connect to the Ferry Terminal in Downtown Halifax. However, this proposed service is controversial due to disputes over projected costs and ridership levels.
Bedford is well serviced by taxis, buses, roads, highways, and sidewalks/walking paths.
Some of the top 10 most popular restaurants to be enjoyed in Bedford, accordin to the UrbanSpoon include:
1
$ Bedford-Burgers, Fast Food, Chicken1531 Bedford Hwy
2
$$$ Bedford-Italian 1595 Bedford Hwy
3
$$$ Bedford-International 1516 Bedford Highway
4
$$$ Bedford-Japanese, Sushi 1475 Bedford Highway Suite 111
5
$$ Bedford-Fish and Chips 766 Bedford Highway
6
$$ Bedford-Burgers, Family Fare, Diner1658 Bedford Highway, Bedford Place Mall
7
$$ Bedford-Pizza 961 Bedford Highway
8
$$ Bedford-International, Pub Food 1595 Bedford Highway
9
$$ Bedford-Family Fare, Breakfast/brunch, Canadian772 Bedford Hwy
10
$$ Bedford-Middle Eastern1225 B Bedford Highway
Shopping
Most of the Shopping alternatives can be found along the Bedford Highway. There are several malls to choose from and many small businesses and specialty boutiques. The main alternatives are:
The Sunnyside Mall and The Bedford Place mall:
Located across the street from each other, there are well over 100 shops to choose from.
Sobey’s plaza:
Not as large as the other malls in metro, however; it offers both dining and movie theatre choices.
From May-October, on the first Thursday of each month, a group of Classic air-cooled Volkswagon enthusiasts meet at the Tim Horton's. If you love Bugs, feel free to drop by & admire the collection. The owners are always eager to discuss their vehicles.
Housing StylesAll housing types can be found in Bedford. Some areas are densely populated, while others offer large spread out lots with large executive homes. There are some older areas of Bedford, but many areas have been built within the last 20 years.
Ravines/Bedford South: A new subdivision offering luxury apartment condominiums, Executive townhouses, and upscale single family homes.
Crestview: A more affordable area of Bedford with typically smaller homes built on small lots. Higher density than other areas of Bedford. Some Upscale condominium and apartments as well.
Paper mill Lake: An upscale neighborhood adjacent to Crestview.
Offers an Elegant array of housing types. Many lake front homes available as well. Often larger lots.
Basinview: Around 30 years old, this subdivision is often more affordable than other areas of Bedford. The homes tend to be a little older, but are usually well maintained. All styles of houses and condominiums are available here.
Nottingham: A newer subdivision featuring a wide variety of housing types. Nottingham was built on the side of a steep slope, so many homes offer great views of the Bedford Basin but have very little yard.
Shore Drive: One of the oldest areas in Bedford, it is also one of the most desirable. Many waterfront homes are available along the Bedford Basin. Homes in this area vary greatly in age. This is a result of large estate lots being subdivided into smaller lots. New homes are often built on these subdivided lots. The most recent homes being built a mere 2 years ago. Almost All the homes are large and the lots vary in size.
Eaglewood: A rare find in metro. Building in this subdivision began around 1985 and it is one of the few areas in metro that is zoned residential only. You won’t find any apartments or condominiums in here. The lots tend to be fairly large (some over ½ an acre), and the homes tend to be large. Unlike most other subdivision in Metro.
Ridgevale: Started about 20 years ago, this subdivision is also zoned residential only and is located next to Eaglewood. The lots and homes tend to be smaller than there neighbor, but it still offers that suburban charm while remaining inside the urban core.
Oakmount: This subdivision is around 30 years old, and is a fairly affordable area of Bedford. The housing types vary and the lots tend to be larger than their newer counterparts in Bedford.
Commuting
To get from most parts of Bedford to the downtown core will take on average between 20 and 30 min. The traffic on the Bedford highway has become more congested over the last several years due to the staggering amount of residential building. This trend will likely continue for the next several years. There is an alternate route via highway # 102 and the HRM is currently planning for alternate routes into the city core. Metro transit is available from all areas of Bedford.
For more information on homes in the Bedford area, please visit our website at http://www.MervEdinger.com