NWT Lifestyle

While the GNWT’s competitive salaries, annual leave and pension plan attract many new employees, most stay because of the lifestyle. 

All 33 NWT communities are surrounded by wilderness and water where swimming and fishing are abundant; whether it is a river, lake or the Arctic Ocean. Northerners enjoy year round outdoor activities ranging from canoeing and camping in the summer to pond hockey and cross country skiing in the winter. NWT residents enjoy some of the shortest commutes in Canada - often no more than five to 10 minutes walking, biking or driving. In the summer, northerners enjoy up to 24 hours of sunlight meaning offices are well-lit and often have scenic views of surrounding tundra and lakes.

Communities in the Northwest Territories

The NWT’s 33 communities range in size from under 40 in the community of Kakisa to over 20,000 in the capital city of Yellowknife.  These communities are divided into five regional areas, each with their own cultural history: Beaufort Delta, Dehcho, North Slave, Sahtu and South Slave. 
To help find a community that is right for you, we have divided them into the following categories: