Ontario is the most popular immigration destination for new permanent residents. In 2022, over 42.2% of new permanent residents chose Ontario as their initial destination in Canada. Here’s all about Ontario’s cities beyond Toronto. Toronto is the most populous city in Canada & the capital province of Ontario. Toronto remains the most popular city for newcomers in Canada & more than 128,000 new permanent residents came to Toronto in 2022. On the contrary, Montreal, which welcomed the second-largest number of newcomers, had nearly 53,000 – less than half the number of newcomers who settled in Toronto.
Beyond the busy streets of Toronto, Ontario offers a myriad of cities, each with its unique character & opportunities. Smaller cities offer advantages like enhanced quality of life, affordable living, & less competition for job opportunities. Newcomers can still find comparable services, career prospects, & cultural communities in smaller cities than they can in big Canadian cities. Below is all about Ontario’s cities beyond Toronto. Take a look!
Ottawa
Ottawa is Canada’s capital & the fourth-largest urban region in the nation, with around 1.4 million individuals. As a political hub, the city grants access to many government jobs. Ottawa is a significant economic engine, offering job opportunities in high-tech industries, government, & integral sectors like health & education.
The city has a rich ethnic, linguistic, & religious diversity, making it the second-largest destination for immigrants in Ontario & is a major attraction for Francophone newcomers. In addition, the city has many parks as well as beaches along the three major rivers & historic canals, which define Ottawa as a city.
According to Ottawa’s website, a study by Canadian Business ranked Ottawa as Canada’s best place to live based on income, car ownership, unemployment rate, housing, weather, & lifestyle. Cultural factors were an essential element of Ottawa’s high ranking.
Kingston
Located halfway between Montreal & Toronto, Kingston is not too big & not too small, with a population of almost 150,000. Compared to Toronto, the cost of living is 55% less.
Kingston has a stable & diverse economy that includes global corporations, innovative start-ups, & all government levels. Kingston also offers access to world-class education & research institutions.
The city also boasts a vibrant arts & entertainment scene, a plethora of eclectic restaurants & a university-town atmosphere. Moreover, Kingston houses some of the best sailing you can find in Canada, featuring the open water of Lake Ontario as well as the scenic channels of Thousand Islands.
Windsor
Windsor is Canada’s southernmost city & is situated on the left bank of the Detroit River, opposite Detroit, Michigan. This enables residents to take advantage of many opportunities available in both Canada & the US.
The city is home to a wide range of industries, including automotive manufacturing, education, healthcare, etc. With a growing economy & many companies looking to expand, it’s a great time to start a career in Windsor.
One of the most significant draws to Windsor is the low cost of living. Families & individuals on a budget can appreciate how affordable housing, food, & other necessities are compared to other Canadian cities. Lastly, the city is home to a tight-knit & welcoming community, thus making it an excellent place for families & newcomers to settle down.
London
Another one of Ontario’s cities beyond Toronto is London. It is also known as the ‘Forest City’ and boasts natural beauty, trees, & a lot of green space. Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario between Toronto & Detroit, London is one of the fastest-growing cities. London is quickly becoming a mecca for business, recreation, entertainment, & much more. For newcomers/ immigrants, the city offers affordable housing, low crime rates, excellent education, healthcare facilities, etc.
Moreover, the city is home to Western University. As one of Canada’s largest research-intensive universities, Western is home to researchers, teachers, & graduate students who are leaders in their fields.
Lastly, the city has a thriving culture that provides excitement & entertainment for all its residents of all ages, with festivals, sports, fine dining, museums, & much more.
Kitchener – Waterloo
As one of Ontario’s largest cities, Kitchener-Waterloo has a population of around 378,000, with the whole region at over 575,000. Kitchener has a bustling tech & entrepreneurial scene with one of Google’s headquarters as well as start-ups. There are numerous other strong industries, like education, healthcare, & manufacturing.
The area boasts the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University & Conestoga College, where students can benefit from affordable housing, nearby amenities & employment opportunities for young workers.
In addition, Kitchener is home to the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany. Every October, Kitchener celebrates its German heritage, thus attracting hundreds of thousands of people to the multi-day festivals.
To conclude, Ontario offers a wealth of cities. If you are seeking to settle in Ontario, consider other cities beyond Toronto, as each offers a unique blend of lifestyles & opportunities.