Best Places to Live in Canada

July 21, 2023

Shireen Fisher

The Great White North is a top immigration destination for foreigners searching for a new beginning. Those who move to Canada are quick to discover a country with immense natural beauty, vast terrain, and many benefits that come with settling here. As the second-largest country in the world, this land of maples has a total area of 9,984,670 km2. But where exactly would you choose to replant your roots? Take a look at our breakdown of the best places to live in Canada, along with the pathways that will take you becoming a Canadian permanent resident.

Best Places to Move to in Canada as a Foreigner

Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, is the largest city in Canada, with a population of over 2,794,356. As a large city, Toronto has many different districts, each with a unique atmosphere. It is one of the world's biggest melting pots, rich in cultures, international cuisine, and arts. It is a popular location for business, film production, and tourism. Weather-wise, you will experience temperatures of around -4.2 °C in the heart of winter; in summer, you can expect an average temperature of around 22.2 °C.

Cost of Living in Toronto:

Cost	CAD
A liter of milk	3.72 CAD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	3.55 CAD
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	156.00 CAD
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	209.98 CAD
An Apartment in City Centre (monthly rent)	2,467.88 CAD

Vancouver

If you are considering a move to Vancouver, British Columbia, you will be pleased to learn that Immigrants comprise most of Vancouver's population of 662,248, making it another of Canada's melting pots. It is, therefore, not uncommon to hear people speaking different languages on the street, in shops, or at work.

Vancouver will give you the best of both worlds with its setting, as you can be close to the mountains and the sea. The city has many great municipalities, including Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver. Summers in Vancouver are typically dry but not too hot, while Autumn and winter can become quite rainy.

Cost of Living in Vancouver:

Cost	CAD
A liter of milk	2.87 CAD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	3.99 CAD
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	120.00 CAD
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	120 CAD
An Apartment in City Centre (monthly rent)	2,611.87 CAD

Calgary

The city of Calgary, in Alberta, is considered one of the best places to live in Canada as a foreigner because the city is committed to welcoming all people and cultures. The city has a population of 1,306,784 and is home to many immigrants, with over 200 cultural groups representing nearly every country in the world.

Regarding economic activity, this city focuses on the petroleum industry, agriculture, and tourism. This prairie city, with a dry climate, is set 1,048 meters above sea level. If you enjoy the sun, you will be pleased to know that Calgary is the sunniest city in the country. Summer temperatures can reach 30°C, while winters are generally pleasant, with temperatures reaching under -10°C for just a short period.

Cost of Living in Calgary:

Cost	CAD
A liter of milk	2.62 CAD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	3.18 CAD
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	12.00 CAD
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	319.78 CAD
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre (monthly rent)	1,698.00 CAD

Halifax

Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a port city home to many of the Atlantic provinces' population. With a population of 439,819, the city remains one of the top places for newcomers to Canada to settle in. Halifax is ideal if you are seeking a slower pace than Toronto or Vancouver and will feel right at home here, thanks to the city's tight-knit community.

While you won't find many high-end jobs in this region, you will still find a decent job if you put in the work. And when you are not working, you can immerse yourself in the city's natural beauty and its abundance of outdoor activities, such as hiking through the forests, paddling across, chasing waterfalls, fishing, etc. You will find that July is the city's hottest month, with temperatures peaking at 18.5°C. January is the coldest month, with temperatures dropping to -5.5°C.

Cost of Living in Halifax:

Cost	CAD
A liter of milk	2.72 CAD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	3.20 CAD
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	82.50 CAD
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	240.59 CAD
An Apartment in City Centre (monthly rent)	1,753.82 CAD

Montreal

Montreal, in Quebec, is Canada's second-largest city. It is also the second-largest predominantly French-speaking city in the West. The city is well-known for its history as a top nightlife destination and remains a bustling city with a slightly European flavor today. You can look forward to festivals every month in this vibrant city, most notably the largest jazz festival in the world, the Montreal Jazz Festival, which takes place from late June into July.

When it comes to the weather, Montreal winters are snowy from December to late March, with temperature drops of down to -20°C. Summers, on the other hand, are hot and humid, with temperatures sometimes hitting above 30°C.

Cost of Living in Montreal:

Cost	CAD
A liter of milk	2.79 CAD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	4.00 CAD
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	94.00 CAD
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	103.74 CAD
An Apartment in City Centre (monthly rent)	1,550.57 CAD

Best Canadian Immigration Pathways

Canada has over 80 immigration programs and visas for foreigners seeking a new beginning. Here are some of the top pathways to Canadian Permanent residency to explore.

Provincial Nominee Programs

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals hoping to immigrate to a specific region in Canada. Provincial nominees must have the skills and work experience to contribute to the economy of the province or territory they choose to settle in.

Each province has its program, which allows them to select immigrants who would benefit their region most. This is why skilled foreign workers must apply to a province where their skills are on the in-demand list. Doing so will increase their chances of receiving a provincial nomination and some Canadian permanent residency.

Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a Federal Government program that allows a specific number of new immigrants to settle in the Atlantic Provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island) each year. The program's main purpose is to attract people with the skills to contribute to the growth and development of the region's economy.

There are three programs within the Atlantic Immigration pilot, they are:

Atlantic International Graduate Program;
Atlantic High-Skilled Program; and
Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program.

Express Entry

Express Entry is an electronic immigration system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. It allows the federal government, provincial governments, and Canadian employers to recruit foreign workers who qualify under one of the four economic immigration categories: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class Program, or a portion of Provincial Nominee Programs.

Once foreign nationals have been accepted into the Express Entry pool of candidates, their profile will be ranked according to several factors such as their age, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates who receive the highest-ranking scores will be invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada through regular draws from the pool.

If they are successful, they will be invited to apply for permanent residence and have 60 days to submit an online application. If they applied with their spouse or common-law partner, they must also provide certain documents during this time.

Family Sponsorship

If you have family members living in Canada, they may be able to sponsor you to move to Canada. The person who wants to sponsor you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. They must also be at least 18 and meet certain income requirements.

Your family member must submit a sponsorship application and their permanent residence application. They will also need to promise that they will support you financially for up to three years and ensure you do not need social assistance from the government during this time.

The Benefits of Moving to Canada

A Safe Setting to Start Your New Chapter

Canada is one of the safest countries in the world. It ranks in the top 20 safest countries in the world, at number 12 on the Global Peace Index. While no country is immune to crime, Canada's crime statistics are quite low. The country also takes gun control seriously.

A Booming Economy

Canada has one of the leading economies in the world. Over the years, the country has greatly excelled in manufacturing, mining, and service sectors. This has taken it to its current state as one of the most highly industrialized and urbanized global markets.

Close to a Million Job Vacancies

There are many opportunities to work in Canada. The latest Statistics Canada Labor report for the first quarter 2023 shows over 800,000 vacancies. The great thing about these vacancies is that there is something for every skill level.

Free Education up to High School Level

Canada takes education seriously, so it is no surprise that it has the highest number of educated people in the world. And because education is a top priority for the Government of Canada, schooling is free for children up to the high school level. This means that your children will get the best education possible without you going into debt.

FAQs

Which Canadian Provinces are Part of the PNP?

There are 11 Canadian provinces and territories that take part in Canada's PNP. They are:

How Long Does Processing Take for Express Entry to Canada?

Processing for the Express Entry will take about six months.