CHAPTERS

Chapter Three: Best Expat Districts in Canada

Canada boasts many amazing cities and provinces for foreign nationals looking to move to the country because of abundant working opportunities and high quality of living. Since you’re already preparing to become an immigrant in Canada, I’m pretty sure that you already have an idea of where you would want to settle in with your family or relatives. It’s also possible that you have top choices, but are still considering many factors.

This chapter will help you decide the important things you need to consider before deciding to move to a certain area. You’ll also be provided with a list of the top 10 best cities and provinces in Canada.

Do keep in mind though that it’s also best if you can inquire or asks family members/friends who are already living in Canada (if any) or check out different expat forums online so that you can have an idea if a certain area your eyeing best suit your needs and that of your family. Canada is a diverse and very large country in terms of land area; you can find many municipalities and cities within each province which means that you have many options to choose from. It’s always ideal to visit the country first or do a tour of the different states in Canada so that you can truly determine if the place is right for you.

In this chapter, you will be given an overview of each of the top cities in Canada where expatriates commonly live. You’ll also know the pros and cons for each as well as the general cost of living. Before deciding where to rent or buy a house, make sure to explore and do your own research so that you can ensure that you’ll get the best possible Canadian living experience.

Factors You Need to Consider When Choosing a City/Province

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best place for relocation. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each factor against your ideal city/province. Check out the following important things to consider as a potential Canadian immigrant:

• The Immigration Visa Program or Class Categories
• Rate of employment
• Proximity of your work place to your ideal home
• Population (including the percentage of expats living in your ideal city or area)
• Cost of Housing
• Cost of Living
• Accessibility/ Transportation
• Weather
• Crime rates (if any)
• Average Household Income
• Overall Amenities (malls, grocery stores, hospitals, police stations, gas stations, banks, food places, highways, religious places, landmarks etc.)
• Education/ nearby schools
• Place of work/business

Important Note: If you are considering becoming a permanent resident, many expats usually settle in British Columbia, Alberta, and also Ontario.

Where do Most Expats Live and Why?

Most western and Asian expatriates looking to migrate to Canada usually settle in the following provinces:

• Quebec
• Ontario
• Alberta
• British Columbia

Many foreigners find themselves settling in these places simply because it’s in close proximity to natural resources such as mountains, lakes, parks which is away from the hustle and bustle of the city or because the quality of living here is at its best which means the employment rate is great, it’s close to many amenities, very accessible, and not just expat – friendly but also family – friendly locations.

There are some expats who deliberately choose to not settle in places that’s close to cities because they wanted to either explore the spectacular and breathtaking sceneries that this great place has to offer or to just simply enjoy living every day without experiencing the ‘busyness’ of city – life. Despite of not being near the city, expats still get the same access to various services such as medical needs, housing needs, educational needs, and other basic necessities.

Of course, the cost of living in remote places is also much cheaper compared to residing in the city, which is already an advantage in itself because you can get to maximize your finances. Usually, foreigners who are retirees, and those youngsters who are looking for an adventure are the ones settling in far – flung places.

 Top Canadian Cities Where Expats Live

Here’s the list of the top 10 Canadian cities and provinces that is best suited for soon to be Canadian immigrants like yourself. We’ll give you a bit of an overview about the city as well as its pros and cons.

Quebec

Quebec is famously known in Canada as La Belle Province (beautiful province), and has earned its reputation of being the “Europe of North America.” It is the largest province or state in the country with a total population of around 8 million people and counting. Quebec is well – known for its vast forests, mountains, and waterways. This is the only province in Canada that carried on the French tradition and culture. French is also the official language of the province.

As mentioned earlier, if the province of Quebec is the place you wanted to settle in, make sure that you apply under the appropriate visa programs suited for immigrants looking to stay in Quebec as there would be different requirements, eligibility, and process for your immigration applications. The top 2 cities in Quebec for expats are the following:

• Gatineau, Quebec
• Brossard, Quebec

Gatineau, Quebec

The city of Gatineau can be found in the northern part of the Ottawa River, making it part of the National Capital Region (NCR). It’s also the 4^th biggest city in Quebec with a population of around 265,000. There are around 40,000 expats who arrive and settle in the Gatineau area, they are mostly Asians (Chinese, expats from South Asian countries), Africans, and foreigners from the Middle East making it one of the most diverse cosmopolitan cities in the country.

Popular Expat Neighborhoods:

• Lakeview Terasse
• Centre Town
• Lower Town
• Byward Market

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