10 Best Canada Cities to Live and Work
Are you interested in ditching Montreal? Do you want to move away from the small communities and into the hustle and bustle of big cities? Just itching for a fresh start? Well, the Great White North doesn’t have a shortage of places to go. You just need to know where to go in the first place.
Here are the 10 best Canada cities to live and work:
1. Toronto, Ontario
North America’s fourth-largest city, Toronto remains one of the greatest metropolitan cities in the world. While not exactly the cheapest area of the country to live and work in, it is still far more affordable compared to other large cities, like New York, Chicago, or London.
Known as one of the best Canada cities, Toronto is attracting many Canadian immigrants every year, making it the place to go if you want to find a job in the Great White North.
2. Oakville, Ontario
Do you want to enjoy the benefits of Toronto, but want to still live outside of the Big Smoke? Oakville is where it is at.
Oakville is an attractive town, mainly because it is more affordable to buy a house and live comfortable than in Toronto. Moreover, if you want to work in Toronto or enjoy its arts scene – the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company, or the Tiff Bell Lightbox – then it is only a 15- to 20-minute drive from Oakville to Toronto.
3. Westmount, Quebec
Old-world charm with modern-day luxuries – that is how you can describe Westmount, Quebec. Surrounded by nature and incredible architecture, you will feel like you never want to leave once you step foot in Westmount. Why leave?
Known as one of the best Canada cities, Westmount is one of the province’s fastest-growing cities, thanks to its low property tax rate (2.7%), low crime rate, and comfortable temperatures (about a third of the year it’s above 20 degrees Celsius).
4. Camrose, Alberta
Sure, it only has a population of 20,000, but that should not be a deterrent. There are more opportunities than it would seem, becoming one of the top destinations for young families who want to escape the big city and want to live in a smaller town. Camrose gives you everything you need starting out, whether it is employment (jobless rate is just 3%) or affordable living.
5. Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler is one of the most gorgeous cities you will ever visit. Surrounded by the wondrous mountains and still situated two to three hours from Vancouver, this incredible city is bringing in people who can no longer make it in the nation’s second-largest city. But then it is important to ask: Why wouldn’t you want to live in Whistler even if you could survive and thrive in Vancouver?
6. Winnipeg, Manitoba
A couple of years ago, a video was shared on social media of a child who was crying because he wanted to go to Winnipeg instead of Disney World. This got the city buzzing – heck, it even got its own hockey franchise back after years with hardly anything to cheer for.
So, believe it or not, Winnipeg might be Canada’s dirty little secret. It is becoming one of the fastest-growing urban centres in the country, while still being affordable for anyone who wants to move away from the Montreals or the Ottawas.
7. Moncton, New Brunswick
Wait a minute…
A Maritimes location is on this list? Yep. Sure, New Brunswick and its surrounding provinces have their own problems, but Moncton is becoming the talk of the east – and perhaps the rest of the country. On most surveys of best cities in Canada, Moncton cracks the top 20, mainly because the cost of living is so low. Though it has its economic problems, Moncton is starting to rise from the doldrums of obscurity.
8. Halifax, Nova Scotia
For a large Canadian city, Halifax doesn’t get a lot of love from anybody. Despite ranking higher than Toronto in a Bank of Montreal (BMO) ranking of regional labour attractiveness, a lot of people shy away from Halifax and scream in terror at the mere mention of its name. But is it that bad? Consider this: The average home price is $300,000 and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $800.
9. Regina, Saskatchewan
Like Winnipeg, Regina is the country’s second dirty little secret. It is actually one of the best Canada cities vastly underrated by many Canadians.
A low unemployment rate, rising employment growth, housing affordability, and modest tax rates – a lot of people could live like kings and queens in Regina. The entire province could become one of the most successful in the nation in the next couple of decades, but it lacks something: A supply of bright men and women. Are you heading to Regina?
10. North Bay, Ontario
Let’s be honest: North Bay isn’t very exciting. Unless you love nature and enjoy living the Northern Ontario life, then it will be hard to live in North Bay, especially if you have lived in big cities your whole life. However, if you want a clean slate and a chance to succeed, then North Bay is the place to go.
Whether you are new to Canada or you are interested in changing provinces or territories, there is a strong supply of great cities and towns to move to. Indeed, every jurisdiction has its own problems, from taxation to the cost of living to jobs, but you need to weigh the pros and cons of everything. Maybe you should take a chance on Whistler or Regina; you might strike it big.