Learn about choosing the right city, Canadian community diversity, city sizes, living outside cities and francophone communities.
Choose the right city
Canada is a large country with many places to live, each with its own:
Even if you have friends and family living in Canada, think about what you want your new life to be like, such as:
- Do you want to live in a large city?
- Would you be happier in a small town?
- What kind of schooling do you and your family want?
Canadian communities are diverse
If you have specific work skills, you’ll want to live in a place where you can best use them. Take time to consider other options, such as:
- climate
- libraries
- facilities
- cost of living
- health services
- cultural activities
- languages spoken
- community centres
Cities come in many sizes
Canadian cities are large, medium-sized or small.
Learn about Canada’s cities and towns by visiting the websites of each province and territory to find:
- information about:
- schools
- government departments and agencies
- tourist information
- links to large cities and towns
Large cities
Most newcomers to Canada settle in one of the country’s three largest cities:
- Toronto, Ontario
- Montréal, Quebec
- Vancouver, British Columbia
Medium-sized cities
Medium-sized cities range in size from about 100,000 to 1 million people. Medium-sized Canadian cities from East to West include:
- St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Québec City, Quebec
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Oshawa, Ontario
- Hamilton, Ontario
- St. Catharines, Ontario
- Kitchener, Ontario
- London, Ontario
- Windsor, Ontario
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Mississauga, Ontario
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Regina, Saskatchewan
- Calgary, Alberta
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Victoria, British Columbia
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
Small cities
Smaller cities include such places as:
- Sydney, Nova Scotia
- Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
- Moncton, New Brunswick
- Trois-Rivières, Quebec
- Brandon, Manitoba
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Red Deer, Alberta
- Kelowna, British Columbia
These offer most of the same public and private facilities as well as services found in the larger cities but with a lower cost of living.
Living outside cities
Canada’s rural areas offer wide open spaces and plenty of fresh air. Whether or not you can find public and private facilities in these areas will depend on how close you live to the nearest large town.
Consider francophone communities
While most French-speaking Canadians live in Quebec, many live in other provinces or territories across Canada. Find out more about francophone communities outside Quebec.
FAQs
natural beauty, wide-open spaces, mountains, trees, and lakes. free society with fundamental human rights enshrined in a Charter of Rights and Freedoms. political stability with excellent business opportunities and a strong banking system. free trade with United-States and Mexico under NAFTA agreements.
How do you choose a city in Canada? ›
Take time to consider other options, such as:
- climate.
- libraries.
- facilities.
- cost of living.
- health services.
- cultural activities.
- languages spoken.
- community centres.
Should I Move to Canada? – 8 Reasons to Immigrate to Canada
- Job Opportunities. ...
- Top-Notch Education. ...
- Universal Healthcare. ...
- Pro-Immigration Stance. ...
- Diverse Multi-cultural Population. ...
- Safety. ...
- Stable Political System. ...
- Thriving Economy.
You Can Retire to This Canadian City for Less Than $2,000 a Month, According to a New Study. Regina, Saskatchewan, has the lowest cost of living and the most affordable housing out of all Canadian cities.
Why should you choose Canada? ›
Canada has been consistently ranked as one of the safest nations in the world. In 2020, the Global Peace Index listed Canada as the sixth peaceful country in the world. As an international student, you'll enjoy the same rights as any other Canadian.
What makes Canada so special to you? ›
What key factors make Canada a desirable country to live in? Canada is desirable to live in due to its excellent healthcare, high-quality education, diverse and inclusive society, and stunning natural landscapes.
What is the number 1 city in Canada? ›
Toronto is the largest city and most populated city in Canada and is the capital of Ontario. The population of Toronto is 2,600,000 people.
Is it better to live in Canada or states? ›
Lifestyle in Canada and the USA
Factors such as work hours, vacation time, and general well-being also affect your decision-making process. Canada provides ample work hours and vacation time, which align with European norms. Additionally, Canada has better air quality, and its citizens tend to live longer lives.
Which city is best to start a new life in Canada? ›
Why Choose Canada?
| Best City to Live in Canada | Universities |
|---|
| Vancouver | University of British Columbia (UBC) |
| Toronto | University of Toronto (UofT) |
| Ottawa | Carleton University |
| Calgary | University of Calgary |
4 more rows5 days ago
9 essential steps to help you prepare for a job interview in Canada
- Analyze the job description. ...
- Do your research. ...
- Build your elevator pitch. ...
- Organize your portfolio or work samples. ...
- Prepare to answer common interview questions for your role. ...
- Think about questions you would like to ask the interviewer. ...
- Know your resume.
How to prepare for a job interview in Canada in 7 steps
- Review the job description. ...
- Research specific job requirements. ...
- Update your resume and cover letter. ...
- Build a portfolio with work examples. ...
- Prepare for interview questions. ...
- Practice with mock interviews. ...
- Write a list of questions you can ask.
Answering job interview questions
- Answer briefly, but try to avoid yes/no answers.
- Don't worry about pausing before you answer — it shows you can think before answering.
- Don't worry about admitting that you don't know something, but don't say it too often.
Cost of living in Canada with a family
The advisable amount that you should have each month is $5,230 so that your entire family can live well and comfortably.
Is $1000000 enough to retire in Canada? ›
The “4% rule” is another popular method for working out how much you need to retire in Canada comfortably. The idea is that you take out 4% of your savings for every year of retirement. For example, to be able to spend $40,000 a year in retirement, using the 4% rule, you would need to save $1,000,000.
What country can I retire to with $800 a month? ›
Ecuador's retirement visa, requiring proof of stable income, makes settling in Cuenca an attractive option. With monthly living expenses ranging from $800 to $1,200, Cuenca stands out for its affordability without sacrificing quality of life.
What is your main reason to want to come to Canada? ›
Canada is a great place for immigrants to settle and build a new life. It offers a higher quality of life than most other countries, and even though the cost of living may be higher than what you're used to, higher salaries and plentiful jobs make up for it.
Why did you choose to work in Canada? ›
Job Security in Canada
One of the crucial benefits you get while being employed in Canada is access to Employment Insurance (EI). Having access to employment insurance means you will get certain financial benefits if you lose your job. This is one of the standard benefits given to all the workers in Canada.
How to answer why do you want to travel to Canada? ›
Be truthful and provide information supporting your purpose. Reason for Choosing Canada: Explain why you are visiting Canada instead of other countries. This could be due to tourism interests, attending events, or visiting relatives.
Why did people choose Canada? ›
Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and we are proud of our multiculturalism. Canadian society values inclusion and respect for all cultures and religions. This makes Canada an ideal place for immigrants who want to integrate into the Canadian society and embrace their new culture.
