Whether you’re considering a big move or simply want to discover a wonderful new city destination on your travels, think about pointing your compass due north this year.
Best Cities to Live and Work in Canada, on a working holiday visa this year:
1. Ottawa
Ottawa is a very popular choice for expatriates. The city consistently ranks highly for the quality of life, cleanliness and is one of the best communities to live in worldwide.
Thanks to its cultural diversity and a large number of young people attracted to the city by its two universities – University of Ottawa and Carleton University – Ottawa is a vibrant and youthful city with stunning architecture, a prosperous city centre and lovely neighbourhoods.
2. Burlington
Ontario, in general, is one of the most popular provinces for expats. No wonder: there are so many advantages of living in Ontario that the province is impossible to ignore.
Quite a lot of the best places to live in Canada are in Ontario, including Burlington.
Residents can enjoy some of the best hiking in the world in the local sections of the Bruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve, along the Waterfront Trail that skirts the northern shore of Lake Ontario.
3. Oakville
Oakville, a lovely suburban town in southern Ontario, also boasts a brilliant location in Halton Region on Lake Ontario, which gives residents easy access to natural wonders on the one hand and to a bustling city of Toronto on the other hand.Oakville is just 30 minutes from downtown Toronto and an hour’s drive from Niagara Falls and the United States border.
4. St. Albert
Alberta has been climbing up the list of the best provinces in Canada for several years in a row.
With its strong economy and abundance of high-paying jobs, it is attracting more Canadians and expatriates than ever as people are starting to discover there is more to living in Alberta than just oil.
5. Boucherville
Boucherville is one of the oldest municipalities in Québec, with a community of around 43,000. The city’s median household income is $92,253, and its unemployment rate sits at an impressively low 2.88 percent.
Situated very near Montreal, its population growth is high, so with bike-friendly streets and a strong arts and sports community, Boucherville is hugely attractive for expatriates.
The great outdoors is definitely a prominent feature in Boucherville.
6. Vancouver
Vancouver repetitively tops lists as one of the best places to live in the world, and it’s no surprise. The city has everything from mountains to beaches, islands, coastline, an urban centre and beautiful residential suburbs.
Vancouver really does have everything. The only drawback if you plan on moving to Vancouver is the property market.
Prices for a family home in the suburbs can reach over CA$1million very quickly, and properties that come up for sale get snapped up fast. Even rent can be very high, making finding somewhere to live complicated.
7. Calgary
If you are moving to Alberta, there’s a big chance you are choosing between Calgary and Edmonton.Calgary, the largest city in Alberta, has a lot to offer anyone moving to Canada.
Home to 1.5million people, it’s a bustling city that is always full of life but is hugely connected to nature and the surrounding landscape.
As the city is located at the meeting point of two rivers – the bow and the elbow – at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, life in Calgary is certainly picturesque.
8. Halifax
Based out on the Atlantic coast, Halifax is the regional capital for Nova Scotia. The city is the second fastest-growing in Canada in terms of population, with just under 6,000 expatriates arriving last year.The stunning coastline and leisure lifestyle make it the ideal location for people looking to get away from city life for a quiet retirement.
9. Quebec City
Quebec City is one of the oldest existing cities in the entire North American continent.
Founded in 1833 but with even older history, this fortified city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has some of the most beautiful architecture in Canada.
10. Saskatoon
If you’re looking for a city that seriously acts like one giant village, Saskatoon is easily one of the top choices.
Home to around 275,000 people, Saskatoon in Saskatchewan doesn’t feel like a city. The downtown area and surrounding suburbs are very community-based and are very welcoming to anyone who moves in.