The pandemic has taken some of the charm away from city life, as COVID-19 has closed the bistros, cultural events and nightlife that make Montreal unique.

At the same time, remote work has become the new normal even as rent and home prices are going through a messy divorce with reality. This is provoking some young people to consider moving to smaller, quieter, more affordable places. Now, New Brunswick wants in on the action.

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That's right, New Brunswick.

For more than 200 years, this lovely maritime province has been quietly doing its thing, a venture that has produced mountains of McCain fries (founded there in 1957), the world's longest covered bridge, and the biggest lobster (statue) on the planet — not to mention some of the cheapest housing east of the Main.

That's why the province is launching the Live for the Moment NB marketing campaign to lure Canadian city dwellers to the Picture Province.

"We understand that by attracting new people to our province, we open new doors to incredible opportunities for economic, social, and cultural growth; opportunities that will make our province an even greater place to work, live and grow," stated campaign spokesperson Susy Campos in an email.

'In New Brunswick, your money goes further'

New Brunswick has been going through something of a demographic crisis — it is the only province in Canada with a declining population, according to the 2016 census — and there's some amazingly affordable real estate there as a result.

While the average sale price for a Montreal home is $441,979, according to the campaign, it's only $196,551 in the Greater Fredericton Region.

Near bustling Saint John it's $212,578, near Moncton it's $225,200, and in the predominantly French-speaking Acadian region in the northeast, it's a very reasonable $135,313.

"In New Brunswick, your money goes further," said Campos. 

Quebecers should feel at home

New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in the country, said Campos, so Quebecers should feel right at home.

"We celebrate the duality across all corners of our province," she said. "There are francophone and anglophone communities throughout the province, so it is possible to live and work in French, in English or both!"

Campos also pointed to the Conference Board of Canada, which in recent years has given New Brunswick top marks for life satisfaction and social performance.

Despite this, underestimating New Brunswick has become a basic part of the Canadian psyche — as shown in this satirical article by The Beaverton — but Campos said this is unwarranted.

"Being the subject of jokes like this just drives us to show people what they're missing," she said.

"We know it's all in good fun but it also does reinforce that Canadians outside this region don't know enough about New Brunswick and all the amazing things it has to offer. That's what this campaign is about." 

New Brunswick wants to ride the remote work revolution

The place has some undeniably amazing things going for it, not the least of which are "the warmest salt-water beaches north of the Carolinas, an abundance of freshwater lakes, extensive parks and wide-open natural spaces," said Campos.

So, if the high costs and high stress of city living have you wishing for a different life, New Brunswick could be for you — especially if you're a part of the "growing 'work from anywhere (WFA)' movement," said Campos.

"New Brunswick offers a place where remote workers can really have it all — a thriving career and an amazing lifestyle," she said.