Community Guide
Moving to Gander, Newfoundland
The Crossroads of the World. A town built on aviation history, known globally for its heart, and growing into one of central Newfoundland's most sought-after places to live, invest, and raise a family.
A Town That Punches Above Its Weight
Gander is more than a dot on the Trans-Canada. It's a regional hub serving over 80,000 people across 130 communities — with a regional hospital, international airport, college campus, and a growing economy fueled by aerospace and a district-scale gold discovery.
This is the town that welcomed 7,000 stranded passengers on September 11, 2001 — doubling its population overnight. That story became the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Come From Away, and it tells you everything you need to know about the kind of community Gander is.
International Airport
Gander International Airport (YQX) — once the busiest in the world — handled 115,000+ passengers in 2024 (up 6.5% year over year). Daily Air Canada flights to Halifax, PAL Airlines service to St. John's and Goose Bay, and Sunwing Vacations direct winter flights to Cuba, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Home to NAV Canada's Gander FIR, which managed 500,000 flights through North Atlantic airspace in 2024. Also home to 9 Wing CFB Gander and 103 Search and Rescue Squadron.
Regional Healthcare
James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre — 85 acute care beds, 24/7 emergency, and over 30 services including surgery, oncology, dialysis, cardiovascular and stroke care, labour and delivery, mental health, orthopedics, and pediatrics. Free parking, fully accessible. Plus Lakeside Homes with 102 long-term care beds.
Schools & Education
Gander Academy (K-3), Gander Elementary (4-6), St. Paul's Intermediate (7-9), and Gander Collegiate (10-12). Multiple licensed childcare centres (Peter Pan, New Fun Land) and 10+ registered home-based daycares. Post-secondary includes the College of the North Atlantic (aviation, practical nursing, ECE, automotive), Keyin College (software development, digital office admin, healthcare programs), Gander Flight Training, and Memorial University's Faculty of Nursing.
Growing Economy
Aerospace hub with NAV Canada, IMP Aerospace, and CFB Gander as anchor employers. Roughly 40 mineral exploration companies are active in the region, led by New Found Gold Corp advancing the Queensway Gold Project — a district-scale discovery backed by a US$75M term sheet and moving toward production. The airport is fostering growth with 158 acres for lease, the Crossroads Business Park, and a $10M Cold Storage and Live Holding Facility under construction — 125-tonne capacity with seawater tanks and blast freezers for live seafood export. Central MinEx — the region's annual mining industry conference — draws exhibitors and explorers from across the country.
Outdoor Living, Year Round
Gander sits in the heart of some of the best outdoor recreation in Atlantic Canada. World-class salmon fishing, extensive trail systems, and proximity to Terra Nova National Park make this a four-season destination.
Gander River — World-Class Salmon Fishing
25,000 Atlantic salmon return each spring. Peak season runs July through August with mid-summer and fall runs. Gander River Outfitters is recognized as one of Canada's 17 best classic fishing lodges.
Trails for Every Level
Cobb's Pond Walking Trail (4.5km, wheelchair accessible), Thomas Howe Demonstration Forest (0.4km-5km options), Edgar Baird Lakeside Trail, and the Gander Heritage Trail with WWII-era storyboards. Year-round access for hiking, biking, snowshoeing.
Gander Lake
Newfoundland's third-largest lake — 35 miles long, up to 945 feet deep, and the source of the cleanest drinking water in the province. Two public boat launches (Silent Witness Memorial and Little Harbour), plus kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. This is your backyard.
Hunting & ATV
Moose and caribou hunting through Area 22 — season runs September through December. Guided hunts available through Gander River Outfitters. Extensive ATV trail network connects to the Provincial T'Railway with ride-around-the-lake access, plus Mount Peyton groomed snowmobile trails.
Winter Sports
Airport Nordic Ski Club with 16km of groomed ski and snowshoe trails. Plus snowmobiling on the Cobb's Corridor multi-use trail connecting Gander to Glenwood, Appleton, and Benton.
Recreation Facilities
18-hole golf course, Olympic-size indoor swimming pool, hockey arena, 4-sheet curling club with lounge, gymnastics facilities, baseball diamonds, new $6.7M FIFA-regulation soccer field with 8-lane rubberized 400m track, skateboard park, new pickleball court, disc golf course, a $4.06M outdoor ice rink on the way, off-leash dog park at Cobb's Pond, and a Lions Club splash pad for the kids. The 9 Wing Rec Centre adds a second pool, gym, squash court, and sauna — open to associate members.
Festivals & Events Year-Round
Festival of Flight — central Newfoundland's largest annual festival. Gander Day (first Monday in August) with one of the province's biggest fireworks shows. SnoBreak winter festival every February. Quad-A-Palooza — Newfoundland's premier ATV event every September. Concert in the Park at Cobb's Pond Rotary Park every week all summer long.
Everything You Need, All Right Here
Gander is the commercial hub for central Newfoundland — with 350+ storefront businesses, 80+ home-based businesses, and retail sales approaching $500 million annually (2.5x the national average). The Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce — established 61 years and the largest outside St. John's — represents 300+ members. The Tourist Information Centre welcomes over 22,000 visitors a year.
Shopping & Services
Five shopping districts: Town Square, Downtown, Fraser Mall, Gander Mall, and Roe Avenue Business Park. Grocery stores including Dominion and Co-op, five pharmacies, seven banks, plus all the national chains and local shops you'd expect.
Dining & Nightlife
Over 20 restaurants from family dining to pubs and cafes — plus pizza shops, bakeries, and takeout. Gander punches well above its weight for food options in a town this size.
Arts & Entertainment
The JR Smallwood Arts & Culture Centre hosts Come From Away live every summer — performed right where the story happened. Plus Beyond the Overpass Theatre Company, Globe Theatre, Andy's Alleys bowling, Xheight Zone trampoline park, and the 400-seat proscenium theatre at Steele Community Centre.
Quality of Life
Gander Lake supplies the cleanest drinking water in the province. Clean air, low crime, short commutes, and a cost of living well below most Canadian cities. General user fees are unchanged for 2026. The town is investing $1M in a new Event and Active Living Facility, planning a public transit system, and the Cobb's Pond market by Gander Grow Co. brings fresh local food to the community. This is what livability looks like.
Library & Learning
Gander Public Library — 30,000+ books, free WiFi, public computers, children's programs, and open six days a week. A quiet anchor for families, students, and newcomers settling into the community.
Family & Youth
Boys and Girls Club of Gander with youth leadership, academic support, and substance awareness programs. Combined with licensed daycares, school-age programming, and summer camps — this is a town that invests in its kids.
Steele Community Centre
The heart of recreation and events in central Newfoundland. The Steele Community Centre is a world-class facility that anchors community life in Gander.
Arena & Events
1,078 theatre-style seats plus 400 standing room capacity. 85' × 200' ice surface with 6 dressing rooms. Hosts hockey, figure skating, concerts, trade shows, and community events year-round.
Theatre & Meetings
Attached 400-seat proscenium theatre for live performances, film screenings, and conferences. Three meeting rooms for community groups, corporate events, and workshops.
Fitness & Wellness
200-metre rubberized indoor walking track — used year-round by walkers and runners. Full cafeteria seating 120. Free WIFI throughout the facility.
Accessibility
300+ parking stalls, fully accessible design, and central location. This is the venue for Festival of Flight, Come From Away celebrations, and virtually every major community event.
Build Up Gander
Gander's population has grown 23% since 2001 — and the town is investing heavily to keep up. The Build Up Gander initiative, backed by $4.35 million from the Federal Housing Accelerator Fund, has already permitted 135 new housing units since February 2024. A 21-unit apartment complex has broken ground — the first large-scale residential build in decades.
Multi-Unit Development Grants
$5,000–$10,000 per unit for new multi-unit residential builds, with top-ups available for affordability, accessibility, and energy efficiency features. The town is actively incentivizing builders.
Secondary Suite Incentive
Up to $40,000 in forgivable loans for homeowners who add a legal secondary suite. This is one of the most aggressive suite incentive programs in Atlantic Canada.
New Development Areas
Active infill developments on Bennett Drive, Johnson Crescent, Nungesser Avenue, and Magee Road. Robertson Avenue RFP open for medium-density residential. The town has removed its 15-metre height restriction for apartment buildings.
700+ New Homes Targeted
135 units permitted in under two years — and the town is targeting 700+ new residential units over the next decade through cluster developments, infill, and medium-density builds. Demand is real — 32.8% of renters are spending more than 30% of their income on housing.
The Crossroads of the World
Built in 1936 on the Great Circle Route — the shortest air distance between London and New York — Gander International Airport became the primary staging point for Allied aircraft during WWII, ferrying nearly 10,000 aircraft to Great Britain through Ferry Command.
By the 1950s, virtually every transatlantic flight stopped at Gander to refuel. The airport handled 13,000 aircraft and 250,000 passengers a year. Celebrities, politicians, and dignitaries all passed through — and Gander earned its title: The Crossroads of the World. The Silent Witnesses Memorial on Gander Lake honours the 256 lives lost in the 1985 Arrow Air disaster — the largest aviation accident in Canadian history.
That legacy lives on through the North Atlantic Aviation Museum — home to a restored Hudson Bomber, a PBY Catalina, the Safe Haven 9/11 exhibit with a piece of the World Trade Center, and the full Ferry Command story. Add the Gander Heritage Trails, Come From Away Interpretive Panels throughout town, and Commonwealth War Graves — plus of course Come From Away — the Broadway musical that put Gander's heart on the world stage, now in its fourth season of live performances at the Arts & Culture Centre (June–September). Over 50,000 theatregoers from around the world have made the trip to see it performed where the story happened. In 2026, the town is marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with special commemorations — because Gander never forgets.
Gander Real Estate
Gander's market is tight and trending. Inventory has dropped significantly while prices remain well below the national average — creating opportunity for buyers and investors who move with purpose. The town actually lowered its mill rate for 2026 while other NL municipalities held steady.
For Buyers
Average homes in the $300K–$450K range — significantly below most Canadian regional centers. The town lowered the residential mill rate to 7.4 for 2026 while St. John's, Corner Brook, and Mount Pearl held theirs. Starter homes, family properties, and new builds are all available.
For Sellers
A 97.95% sale-to-list ratio means homes are selling at or near asking. Inventory is tight, demand is climbing from healthcare recruitment, military postings, and immigration — and the town's 23% population growth since 2001 isn't slowing down. If you're thinking of selling, this is a seller's market.
For Investors
Rental demand is high and climbing. Provincial programs like Welcome India are bringing waves of healthcare workers who need housing immediately. Military relocations, immigration, and gold exploration add further pressure. New construction multiplexes are a growing opportunity.
For Builders
The town is actively incentivizing new construction — $5,000–$10,000 per unit grants for multi-unit builds, up to $40,000 in forgivable loans for secondary suites, and the 15-metre height restriction has been removed. Infill lots on Bennett Drive, Johnson Crescent, and Robertson Avenue are open. 700+ new units targeted over the next decade.
Who's Moving to Gander?
Gander is attracting a diverse range of new residents — and the profile is shifting.
Healthcare Workers
The province's Welcome India initiative is actively recruiting nurses from India for placement at facilities like James Paton Memorial. Combined with ongoing physician and specialist recruitment, healthcare is one of Gander's biggest growth drivers.
Military & RCMP
9 Wing CFB Gander — home to 103 SAR Squadron, NORAD coastal radar operations, and signals intelligence — plus RCMP postings bring steady military and federal relocations. These families need housing fast and often become long-term residents.
Immigrants & Newcomers
The Atlantic Immigration Program, NL Provincial Nominee Program, and provincial initiatives like Welcome India are bringing skilled workers and their families from around the world. The Association for New Canadians has a Gander satellite office providing ESL classes, settlement planning, and citizenship support. Gander's welcoming reputation — cemented by Come From Away — makes it a natural fit.
The Practical Stuff — Before You Move
Gander has the infrastructure, connectivity, and cost advantage that surprises most mainlanders. Here's what you need to know.
Climate
Summer highs of 22°C, winter lows around -3°C. Less fog and less wind than St. John's — with predictable snow cover and real four-season living. Annual snowfall around 146cm. If you're coming from the Avalon, you'll notice the difference immediately.
Cost of Living
Housing costs 68% below the national average. Electricity at 12.2 cents/kWh — second-lowest in Atlantic Canada. General municipal user fees unchanged for 2026. Property tax on a $300K home at the 7.4 mill rate is roughly $2,220/year. This is affordable living with real services.
Internet & Cell
Bell Aliant FibreOP with speeds up to 8 Gbps, plus Eastlink and 14+ other providers. Bell has 4 cell towers in the Gander area with excellent coverage. Telus, Koodo, and Public Mobile work via Bell infrastructure. You'll have the same connectivity as any Canadian city.
Getting Around
Central to the island — Twillingate 1.5 hours, Terra Nova National Park 1 hour, Grand Falls-Windsor 91km. DRL Coachlines runs daily motor coach service across the island with the Gander stop at the airport. One local taxi service. Public transit system currently in the planning stage with $100K budgeted for 2026.
Safety & Services
Gander Fire Rescue — 10 career firefighters and approximately 40 volunteers. Full 911 service. RCMP detachment. Low crime rate. This is a town where people still leave their doors unlocked.
Getting Out
Daily flights to Halifax (Air Canada) and St. John's (PAL Airlines) put you two hops from anywhere in the country. Sunwing direct to the Caribbean in winter. DRL bus to St. John's in under 5 hours. And you're on the Trans-Canada — so a road trip to Corner Brook, the ferry, or St. John's is always an option.
Explore Our Service Area
Turner Realty serves communities across central Newfoundland. Discover what each region has to offer.
Appleton & Glenwood
Lakefront · River · AffordableGambo
Affordable · River Town · RuralGlovertown & Area
Terra Nova · Arena · WaterfrontThe Gander Loop
Coastal · Heritage · OutportsLewisporte & Area
Marina · Port Town · Notre Dame BayTwillingate & Notre Dame Bay
Iceberg Alley · Waterfront LivingFogo Island & Change Islands
Arts · Culture · HeritageEastport Peninsula
Beaches · Terra Nova · FestivalsThinking About Gander?
Whether you're buying, selling, investing, building, or relocating from across the country — we've been here since 1998 and we know this market inside out.
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