Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview sit side by side and share a lot: the same RCMP detachment[1], the same bus system[2] and the same two school districts[3][4]. Moncton offers the most variety and is Canada’s first officially bilingual city[7], Dieppe is a francophone city offering bilingual services[8], and Riverview is a residential town across the river, about five minutes from downtown Moncton[11]. The right choice depends on your commute, schools, budget and how you like to live.
It’s one of the first questions I hear from buyers, especially people moving here from away: “Should we look in Moncton, Dieppe or Riverview?” Most real estate agents in Moncton, NB will tell you the honest answer is “it depends.” That’s true, but it’s not very helpful on its own. So here’s how I’d actually think it through with you.
First, the good news. These three communities sit right next to each other, and a lot of day-to-day life is shared. Plenty of people live in one, work in another and spend their weekends in the third. You don’t have to get this decision perfect to be happy here.
What Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview have in common
- Policing: Codiac Regional RCMP serves all three communities[1].
- Transit: Codiac Transpo’s service area covers Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview[2].
- Schools: English-language schools across the area are part of the Anglophone East School District[3], and French-language schools are part of the District scolaire francophone Sud[4].
- Healthcare: The Moncton Hospital[5] and the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre[6] are both in Moncton.
So the question isn’t really “which one is better.” It’s which one fits the way you want to live.
Living in Moncton
Moncton is the biggest of the three and the hub of the region. In 2002 it became Canada’s first officially bilingual city[7], and you’ll hear both English and French everywhere you go.
Buying in Moncton tends to mean the most variety: older character homes, newer subdivisions, condos and everything in between. If you want to be close to downtown, restaurants and events, or you want the widest range of choices, Moncton is usually where we start.
For families, Moncton North has become a really desirable area.
Living in Dieppe
Dieppe sits right next to Moncton, east of downtown. The city declared itself a francophone city offering bilingual services in 2000[8], and it describes itself as the largest francophone city outside Quebec[9]. It’s also home to the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport[10], which is handy if you travel for work or have family far away.
If you’d like your kids in French-language schools, or you want to live somewhere French is part of everyday life, Dieppe is often a natural fit. You don’t need to speak French to live there, but it’s part of the city’s character, and lots of people love that.
Dieppe has some lovely family areas, especially as you head a little further out from the city core.
Living in Riverview
Riverview is a town on the south side of the Petitcodiac River, across from Moncton and Dieppe. The town describes itself as nestled between the banks of the Petitcodiac River and the Acadian Forest, five minutes from downtown Moncton[11].
If you’re after a more residential, small-town feel while staying close to everything in Moncton, Riverview is worth a serious look. If you work in Moncton or Dieppe, test your commute across the river at the time of day you’ll actually be driving it before you fall in love with a house.
Honestly, in Riverview you can’t go wrong with any of its neighbourhoods.
Property taxes: check, don’t guess
Here’s one that catches people off guard. In New Brunswick, each local government sets its own property tax rate, so Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview don’t charge the same rate. Tax notices are mailed in March[12][13].
Two homes at the same price in different communities can come with different tax bills. When we’re comparing homes in different communities, I’ll put the property taxes side by side with the price, so you’re comparing what each home will really cost you every month, not just the number on the listing.
How to decide: questions to ask yourself
- Where do you work, and what does the drive look like at rush hour (or at shift change)?
- English or French schools? Or are schools not a factor yet?
- Do you want to walk to things, or do you want more space and quiet?
- How often do you fly? Is being close to the airport a plus?
- What’s your budget once property taxes and the drive are part of the math?
- What do you do on a Saturday? Trails, restaurants, the gym, the rink?
Answer those honestly and the choice usually gets a lot clearer. Sometimes the answer isn’t any of the three, and it’s Shediac, Memramcook or a country lot in Salisbury. That’s a great answer too. You can see all the communities I serve here.
Why local real estate agents in Moncton, NB make this easier
Online maps and listing photos can only tell you so much. A good local REALTOR® can tell you which streets get busy, how a neighbourhood feels on a weeknight and what homes like the one you’re looking at have actually sold for. That’s the difference between choosing a house and choosing a place to live.
I grew up in Moncton, spent fifteen years in Halifax and came home again, so I’ve seen this area as a local and with fresh eyes. If you’re buying your first home, my guide for first-time buyers in Moncton is a good next step, and my buyer’s guide walks through the whole process.
Questions people ask me
Do Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview have the same property tax rate?
No. In New Brunswick, each local government sets its own property tax rate, so two homes at the same price in different communities can come with different tax bills. Property tax notices are mailed in March.
Do I need to speak French to live in Dieppe?
No. Dieppe declared itself a francophone city offering bilingual services in 2000, and French is part of the city’s character, but you don’t need to speak French to live there.
What do Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview share?
All three are served by Codiac Regional RCMP and Codiac Transpo, and their schools are part of the Anglophone East School District and the District scolaire francophone Sud. The Moncton Hospital and the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre are both in Moncton.
Which community is closest to the airport?
The Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport is in Dieppe.
Sources
Checked in November 2026. Rules and details can change, so please confirm anything important with the source.
- City of Moncton, “Police services”. www.moncton.ca
- Codiac Transpo, “How to Buy” (service area: Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview). www.codiactranspo.ca
- Anglophone East School District, school websites list. asdeast.nbed.ca
- District scolaire francophone Sud, “Nos écoles”. francophonesud.nbed.nb.ca
- Horizon Health Network, “The Moncton Hospital”. horizonnb.ca
- Vitalité Health Network, “Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre”. vitalitenb.ca
- Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, “The City of Moncton, New Brunswick, becomes officially bilingual”. www.clo-ocol.gc.ca
- City of Dieppe, “Dieppe Updates Language Policy to Reaffirm Mission”. www.dieppe.ca
- City of Dieppe, “Business and Development”. www.dieppe.ca
- Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport. www.cyqm.ca
- Town of Riverview, home page. www.townofriverview.ca
- Government of New Brunswick, “How to pay your property taxes”. www.gnb.ca
- Service New Brunswick, “Request a copy of your property assessment notice”. www2.snb.ca
Rachel Nevers
Full-time REALTOR® with Real Broker serving Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview and the Greater Moncton Area since 2020. Ten years as a paramedic before that. I answer my phone: 506-651-9969.