The locations and patterns of movement of elite neighborhoods in Canada has been compared to the study of the diffusion of elite neighborhoods in Melbourne, Australia. In both areas elite neighborhoods established themselves in the central area of their respective cities. Before 1914, elite neighborhoods shifted without much resistance as commercial and industrial growth entered the cities. However, beginning in 1920 the situation of elite neighborhoods became firmly fixed.
In Halifax, elite areas established even before 1920 were protected by restrictive zoning laws which limited commercial land use and the size of lots; this limited the displacement of elite neighborhoods. The general locations of Halifax's high-status neighborhoods have existed since 1890. The 19th century country estates (seen on the above map) in Halifax were built upon by developers, however most high-status neighborhoods have expanded and larger high-status sectors have been formed. Quite often middle income residential areas are built around these high-status sectors.