OVERVIEW OF HAMMONDS PLAINS, NOVA SCOTIA

Hammonds Plains is located between 25 and 30 Kms from downtown Halifax. It is a an area of large lots, trees and many lakes surrounded by beautiful homes. Lots that are typically an acre or bigger so there is a great feeling of space.The area is a mixture of residents who have lived there for many years and those who have just discovered Hammonds Plains. Houses range from smaller older homes to rambling executive homes. The area is probably the fastest growing area in the outskirts of Halifax. The population of Hammonds Plains has doubled over the past few years .Kingswood, the largest subdivision in Hammonds Plains, now has almost 1000 homes and is possibly the fastest subdivision to ever sell on the outskirts of the city. The Hammonds Plains area is popular so resale is excellent. Prices have risen steadily over the last number of years so the area is traditionally a safe investment.
There is no municipal sewer anywhere in the area. All homes in the area have septic systems. Most houses have no municipal water with the exception of Kingswood where much of the subdivision, but not all, has municipal water. The newest section of Kingswood which is Kingswood North, does not have any municipal water. All homes are on well and septic.
Hammonds Plains has some amenities but not as many as you would find in the more urban core of HRM. There is some local shopping and some medical services available. To see some of the shopping and services available click here Hammonds Plains Shopping
Schooling in Hammonds Plains can best be described as excellent but ever changing. There are currently 6 schools in the area. An elementary school (grade primary to grade 6)opened in September of 2005 in Kingswood behind Brenda Drive. A new Sir John A MacDonald High School (grade 10-12) opened in Sept 2006 at the corner of Hammonds Plains Rd and exit Hwy #103 near Haliburton Hills and Westwood subdivisions. As of SEpt. 2008 only the children in Westwood Hills and Haliburton Hills will go to Sir John A MacDonald High School. Children in the other areas will continue to go to CP Allen in Bedford. Keep in mind that boundaries are always subject to change so you should check with the either the school directly or the school board office. One of great features of the Hammonds Plains school system is the availability of french immersion. Early immersion, grades primary to 6, is available in all elementary schools in the area. Late immersion is offered at all junior and senior high schools. For more detailed info on schools in the area go to my Hammonds Plains Schools page.
There is limited bus service in Hammonds Plains. There is a few busses in the peak morning times and in the late afternoon, during the week. These busses do go from one end of Hammonds Plains to the other but only go to downtown Halifax. Most people drive their cars to commute to work. Getting to Halifax by car from Hammonds Plains is a breeze. The city is about 15 miles away and will take 20-25 minutes on off peak times and 30-45 on peak traffic times.
There are several options to travel to Halifax. Residents who live closer to Bedford in Kingswood, White Hills, Glen Arbour and Voyageur Estates usually take the Hammonds Plains Road, which is a two lane secondary highway, to the Kearney Lake Road which has an exit to the Hwy#102 about 3 miles in and also connects to a more scenic drive along the Bedford Basin along the Bedford Highway to Halifax. A second option for residents on this end of Hammonds Plains is to travel the Hammonds Plains Road towards Bedford to Hwy.#102 (or the Bi-centennial as it is called here) which is a divided four lane highway that takes you to Halifax. If you live on the Tantallon end of Hammonds Plains in Highland Park, Haliburton Hills or Westwood Hills you would take the Hwy#103 to Halifax. There is an exit very close to Haliburton Hills and Westwood and about 3 miles from Highland Park. With three options to get to Halifax you have choices in the case of an accident or problem on one of the routes.
There are three golf courses in Hammonds Plains. Glen Arbour Golf Course is rated by many as the best 18 hole golf course in Nova Scotia. It is the most expensive to play. Green fees in 2008 were as high as $150 in summer. To become a member of the course you must buy a house in Glen Arbour Subdivision. When you buy a home you will receive one or two memberships to the golf course. When you sell the memberships stay with the house. Glen Arbour also has an public executive par 3 course which has short but high quality holes. Pin Hi par 3 golf course is also located in Hammonds Plains.
If you you want space and the feeling of being in the country you should consider Hammonds Plains. It is a wonderful place to live and is not far from Halifax. For more information email me at sandy@sandyhines.com or phone 902-877-4668 or 902-489-4663.