Arviat, Canada

Arviat sits on the western shore of Hudson Bay in Nunavut, Canada, a community of about 3 thousand people at an elevation of just 8 meters above sea level. The climate here is extreme Arctic: winters can plunge to -42°C, summers barely reach 26°C, and humidity stays high year-round, with long stretches of winter darkness. Expats who do settle here tend to cluster in the Arviat Town Center or the broader Kivalliq area, though the expat community itself is very few in number.

Living costs are modest compared to southern Canada, but they add up. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center rents for $552/mo, while the same unit outside the center goes for $532/mo. A single adult on a budget tier spends about $863/mo total with rent included; the mid-range tier runs $1,215/mo, and the comfortable tier sits at $1,318/mo. Beyond rent, a single person's monthly costs excluding rent come to $1,020/mo, with utilities at $108/mo, internet at $78/mo, and a mobile phone plan at $82/mo. Eating out is relatively affordable: an inexpensive restaurant meal costs $21, a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $46, and a cappuccino runs $3.

Safety is a strong point here. The safety index is 70/100, and the crime index is 30/100, where lower is safer. Healthcare quality is rated as fair, which is worth considering for anyone with ongoing medical needs, as services may be limited in a community this size.

For those looking to stay long-term, the Canada Super Visa (Parents & Grandparents) is the retirement visa program available, and the Canada Digital Nomad Visa covers remote workers. The nearest airport is YEK, which connects the community to the outside world. With an average internet speed of 25 Mbps, a digital nomad score of 46/100, and an overall expat score of 59/100, Arviat suits travelers who are drawn to remote Arctic life, who value safety and low costs, and who are comfortable with limited English proficiency and a very small expat presence.