If you’ve narrowed your Yellowknife apartment search down to The View and Nova Pine Hills, you’re already looking at the city’s two newest purpose-built rental buildings, both managed by Rent In Yellowknife. They share a lot on paper: rent starting from $2,350/month, included parking, pet-friendly policies, and 2024 construction. The real differences come down to neighbourhood, unit mix, and how each building fits your day-to-day routine.
This guide compares both properties directly, walks through a simple way to think about the decision, and covers the practical details — lease terms, parking, waitlists — that don’t show up in a listing photo.
Quick Summary
- The View (122 Hagel Drive) sits in Yellowknife’s Niven Lake area, known for trail access and newer housing stock.
- Nova Pine Hills (4024 School Draw Ave) sits in the School Draw neighbourhood, closer to downtown, schools, and the hospital.
- The View offers 70 units up to roughly 1,100 sq ft; Nova Pine Hills offers 60 units, including accessible units, up to roughly 1,013 sq ft.
- Both buildings require a minimum one-year lease and include one parking stall per unit.
- Both have a pet-friendly policy, but pet-specific terms should be confirmed at application.
- Availability at both properties can shift between open applications and a waiting list — always confirm current status before applying.
- Neither building is inherently better — the right one depends on commute priorities, household size, and accessibility needs.
The View and Nova Pine Hills at a Glance
Here’s how the two properties compare on the details that actually affect day-to-day living.
| Feature | The View | Nova Pine Hills |
| Address | 122 Hagel Drive | 4024 School Draw Ave |
| Neighbourhood | Niven Lake | School Draw |
| Units | 70 | 60 (includes accessible units) |
| Unit size range | Up to ~1,100 sq ft | Up to ~1,013 sq ft |
| Bedrooms | 0–2 | 0–2 |
| Starting rent | $2,350/month | $2,350/month |
| Minimum lease | 1 year | 1 year |
| Parking | 1 stall included per unit | 1 stall included per unit |
| Pet policy | Pet-friendly | Pet-friendly |
| Year built | 2024 | 2024 |
| Accessible units | Not specified | Yes |
For current unit counts, floor plans, and rent, check the full rental listings page, since availability changes as leases turn over.
Where Each Building Sits in Yellowknife
Location is the single biggest differentiator between these two buildings, and it’s worth understanding before comparing anything else.
The View: Niven Lake Living
Hagel Drive runs through Yellowknife’s Niven Lake subdivision, one of the city’s newer residential areas. It’s built around walking trails, lake access, and a quieter, more nature-oriented setting, while still being a manageable distance from downtown. If your priority is trail access, newer surroundings, and a bit more separation from downtown noise, this is the stronger fit.
Nova Pine Hills: School Draw Convenience
School Draw Avenue is one of Yellowknife’s more established residential corridors, running along Yellowknife Bay near Old Town. It’s known for proximity to downtown, schools, and everyday services — residents in this area often describe being within walking distance of the hospital, grocery stores, and parks. If your priority is walkability to daily essentials and a shorter commute downtown, Nova Pine Hills tends to fit better.
For a broader look at how Yellowknife’s neighbourhoods and transit routes connect, the City of Yellowknife’s official site is a useful reference when planning a commute.
A Simple Framework for Matching the Building to Your Lifestyle
Rather than comparing amenities line by line, it helps to weigh four factors against your own routine. This isn’t a formal process either building follows — it’s just a practical way to organize the decision.
- Commute priority. Do you work downtown, at the hospital, in government offices, or do you need highway access for a mine rotation or airport runs? School Draw favours downtown and hospital commutes; Niven Lake favours those who don’t mind a short drive either way.
- Household type. A single renter or couple may value Niven Lake’s quieter trail setting. A family with school-age kids may lean toward School Draw’s proximity to schools and parks.
- Accessibility needs. Nova Pine Hills explicitly offers accessible units. If mobility access is a requirement, confirm unit-specific features directly with the leasing office before applying.
- Vehicle and winter logistics. Both buildings include a parking stall, but ask specifically whether it’s underground, heated, or a surface stall with a block-heater plug — this matters more in Yellowknife than almost anywhere else in Canada.
Who Tends to Fit Each Building
Based on the neighbourhood and unit differences above, here’s a general breakdown.
The View Tends to Suit
- Renters who want trail and lake access nearby
- Singles or couples prioritizing quiet over walkability
- Anyone comfortable with a short drive to downtown amenities
- Renters interested in the largest available unit sizes (up to ~1,100 sq ft)
Nova Pine Hills Tends to Suit
- Families needing proximity to schools
- Renters who want to walk to downtown, the hospital, or grocery stores
- Anyone requiring an accessible unit
- Renters prioritizing an established, service-dense neighbourhood over a newer subdivision
Ready to see what’s currently open? Check availability and current listings before deciding.
Lease Terms, Parking, and Pets: The Practical Constraints
Both buildings operate under the same baseline terms, which are worth understanding before you tour either one.
- Lease length: Both properties require a minimum one-year lease. Shorter-term or month-to-month arrangements aren’t standard at either building.
- Parking: Each unit includes one parking stall. If you have a second vehicle or frequent visitors, ask the leasing office about additional stall availability and cost — it isn’t guaranteed to be included.
- Pets: Both buildings advertise pet-friendly policies, but breed, size, or deposit restrictions can vary and should be confirmed in writing before you commit to either building. For a broader look at renting with pets in this climate, see this guide to pet-friendly living in a Yellowknife rental.
- Furnishing: Neither building offers furnished units by default; budget for furniture and appliances beyond what’s built in (typically fridge and stove).
These aren’t unique to either property — they’re standard operating constraints for newer purpose-built rentals in Yellowknife, and they affect your move-in budget regardless of which building you choose.
Current Availability and the Waitlist Process
Both The View and Nova Pine Hills opened in 2024 and have, at different points, moved between actively accepting applications and operating with a waiting list once fully leased. This is normal for a small rental market like Yellowknife’s, where total unit counts are limited, and turnover is slow.
Because availability shifts, don’t assume either building has open units based on an older listing or blog post. Before applying:
- Confirm current availability directly through the listings page or by contacting the leasing office.
- Ask whether the building you want is accepting applications or maintaining a waiting list.
- If it’s a waiting list, ask how positions are prioritized and roughly how long recent applicants have waited.
If you’re relocating for a job with a fixed start date, this step matters more than almost anything else in the process — waitlist timing can be the deciding factor between the two buildings, regardless of which one otherwise fits your lifestyle better.
Your Decision Timeline: From Research to Move-In
Use this as a general checklist when comparing the two properties.
- Define your must-haves. Commute distance, accessibility needs, pet requirements, unit size.
- Compare current availability. Confirm which building has open units or a shorter waitlist.
- Request a tour. Ask about in-person or virtual options, especially if you’re relocating from out of territory.
- Review the lease terms in writing. Confirm deposit amount, parking details, and pet terms before signing anything.
- Submit your application. Have income verification, ID, and references ready to avoid delays.
- Plan your move around winter logistics. If you’re arriving between October and April, confirm block-heater access and moving-day parking in advance.
Want a faster answer than researching both buildings solo? Contact the leasing team directly to ask which property currently has availability that matches your timeline.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Between the Two Buildings
- Assuming both buildings are interchangeable. They share pricing and lease terms, but the neighbourhoods serve different routines.
- Not confirming accessible unit availability early. Accessible units are limited and specific to Nova Pine Hills — don’t assume general availability.
- Skipping the parking question. “Included parking” doesn’t always mean heated or underground; ask for specifics.
- Applying without confirming waitlist status. Losing weeks to an outdated listing can cost you a move-in date tied to a job start.
- Underestimating furnishing costs. Neither building comes furnished, which affects your first-month budget significantly in a market where shipping furniture north is expensive.
What To Do If Something Goes Wrong After You Move In
Even in a newer building, issues come up. If something isn’t working as expected:
- Maintenance issues: Report them directly to the property’s leasing office as soon as they’re noticed — delays in reporting can complicate deposit discussions later.
- Lease term disputes: Keep a copy of your signed lease and any written communication. Under the NWT Residential Tenancies Act, both tenants and landlords have defined rights around deposits, entry notice, and repairs.
- Parking or amenity discrepancies: If what you were told during the tour doesn’t match your unit, raise it in writing with the leasing office immediately rather than after your lease renews.
- Unresolved disputes: If an issue can’t be resolved directly with the property, NWT tenants can escalate to the territorial Rental Office, which handles formal disputes between landlords and tenants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are The View and Nova Pine Hills owned by the same company?
Yes, both properties are managed by Rent In Yellowknife. They operate under similar lease terms but are located in different neighbourhoods with different unit mixes.
Which building is closer to downtown Yellowknife?
Nova Pine Hills, on School Draw Avenue, is generally considered closer to downtown and within walking distance of schools and the hospital. The View, on Hagel Drive in Niven Lake, is a short drive from downtown but closer to walking trails and lake access.
Does either building offer accessible units?
Nova Pine Hills offers accessible units as part of its 60-unit building. Confirm current accessible unit availability directly with the leasing office, since these units are limited.
What is the minimum lease term at both properties?
Both The View and Nova Pine Hills require a minimum one-year lease. Neither currently offers month-to-month terms.
Is parking included at both buildings?
Yes, each unit at both properties includes one parking stall. Ask specifically whether your stall is heated, underground, or a surface stall with a block-heater plug, since this varies and matters in Yellowknife winters.
Can I tour a unit before applying?
Tour availability depends on current occupancy and staffing. Contact the leasing office directly to ask about in-person or virtual tour options, especially if you’re relocating from outside the territory.
What happens if a building is fully leased when I apply?
Both properties have operated with waiting lists after reaching full occupancy. If this happens, ask the leasing office how the waitlist is prioritized and for a general estimate of wait times.
Are pets allowed in both buildings?
Both properties advertise pet-friendly policies, but size, breed, or deposit restrictions can vary. Confirm pet terms in writing before applying if you’re moving with an animal.
Conclusion
The View and Nova Pine Hills solve the same basic need — modern, pet-friendly rental housing in Yellowknife — but they serve different routines. Niven Lake favours trail access and a quieter setting; School Draw favours walkability to downtown, schools, and the hospital. The right choice comes down to your commute, household, and accessibility needs, not which building looks better in photos.
Before applying to either property, confirm current availability and lease terms directly, since both buildings have moved between open applications and waiting lists since opening. Contact Rent In Yellowknife to check current openings at The View or Nova Pine Hills and get a straight answer on what’s actually available for your move-in timeline.
