Moving Here

Welcome to Westwood Hills. You've chosen a neighbourhood that backs onto forests, sits close to lakes, and feels genuinely removed from the city, even though Halifax is only twenty minutes away.

This guide covers the practical things you'll want to know when you arrive: garbage collection, utilities, schools, and how the community works. The Residents Association is here to help you settle in.

Location
Upper Tantallon, NS
~20 minutes from downtown Halifax
Community size
720+ homes
Established residential neighbourhood
Water & sewer
Private wells & septic
Most properties are not on municipal water
Association contact
secretary@wwhra.com
For questions about the community

Westwood Hills is served by Halifax Regional Municipality for waste collection. You'll have weekly garbage and recycling pickup, with bi-weekly green cart collection for organics. Yard waste collection runs seasonally.

Collection days vary by street. Check the HRM website for your specific pickup schedule using your civic address. Bins need to be out by 7:00 AM on collection day.

One important note: Westwood Hills properties are not on municipal water or sewer. You're on a private well and septic system. This affects what you can put down drains and how you maintain your property.

Electricity is provided by Nova Scotia Power. Set up your account before you move in at nspower.ca. Power outages are not uncommon during storm season. Bookmark the NS Power outage map so you can check status quickly.

Internet and cable services are available through several providers in the area. Options include Eastlink and Bell. Coverage and speeds vary by street, so confirm availability at your civic address before committing to a provider.

Snow plowing on Westwood Hills roads is handled by HRM. Private driveways are your responsibility. The community experiences significant snowfall most winters, so a good plow service or snowblower is worth having sorted before December.

Heads up
Westwood Hills is designated a FireSmart community. The neighbourhood borders forested land, and wildfire risk is taken seriously here. We strongly encourage new residents to read the FireSmart information in the Resources section.
Read the FireSmart information →

Westwood Hills is served by Tantallon Junior High and Bay View High School for secondary students, and Five Bridges Junior High is also in the area. Elementary students attend Tantallon Elementary. School bussing is provided by HRCE and routes are available on the board's website.

The nearest commercial area is Sobey's Plaza in Tantallon, which has a grocery store, pharmacy, and a range of services. Bayer's Lake is about fifteen minutes away for larger retail. The St. Margarets Bay area has a strong community feel with local shops, restaurants, and recreation.

For recreation, the area has excellent hiking and trail access, Wright's Lake for swimming and kayaking, and various sports programs through HRM and local clubs.

The Westwood Hills Residents Association is a volunteer organization that represents all residents. We hold regular board meetings, which are open to everyone. You don't need to be a member to attend or to have your voice heard.

Most community communication happens through this website and a private Facebook group for residents. To join the Facebook group, contact the association at secretary@wwhra.com and we'll add you.

Westwood Hills also has a community letterboard sign at the entrance to the neighbourhood. Residents can request space for local announcements, garage sales, and community notices.

Wildlife reminder
Black bears are occasionally seen in the area, particularly in spring and summer. Secure your garbage bins, compost, and bird feeders. Never leave food outside. Report sightings to Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.
Wildlife resources →

Questions about settling in?

The board is happy to hear from new residents. Whether you have a question about the neighbourhood, want to know about upcoming events, or just want to introduce yourself, reach out any time.