{"id":117818,"date":"2024-10-24T14:02:52","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T13:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/?p=117818"},"modified":"2025-04-24T13:20:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T12:20:32","slug":"best-places-to-live-in-canada-for-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-canada-for-families","title":{"rendered":"Best Places to Live in Canada for Families"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Around 100,000 families move to Canada each year on family reunification visas. Offering family-friendly cities, a great quality of life and ample education opportunities, Canada is an excellent country to raise a family.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Canada and the UK\u2019s commonwealth ties mean they share similar legal systems, social norms and values, helping to make the cultural transition smoother. A shared language also makes it easier for families to integrate into society.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When searching for the best places to live in Canada for families, it\u2019s important to consider the local schools, housing, jobs and community. We\u2019ve researched Canada&#8217;s 5 most family-friendly cities and what they can offer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Table_of_Contents\"><\/span>Table of Contents<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#why-are-families-moving-to-canada\">Why are Families Moving to Canada?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#canadian-visa-process-for-families\">Canadian Visa Process for Families\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-to-consider-when-moving-your-family-to-canada\">What to Consider When Moving Your Family to Canada<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-best-places-to-live-in-canada-for-families\">5 Best Places to Live in Canada for Families<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#removals-to-canada\">Removals to Canada<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-are-families-moving-to-canada\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_Families_Moving_to_Canada\"><\/span><strong>Why are Families Moving to Canada?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Inclusive Immigration Policies<\/strong>: Canada\u2019s immigration policy is often described as open, adaptable and inclusive. It focuses on supporting family reunification, skilled workers and those seeking refuge. Citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their families through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/family-sponsorship.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Family Class Sponsorship program<\/a> to ensure families are kept together. Moving to Canada as an expat family is also straightforward, with many families applying through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/express-entry.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Express Entry program<\/a>.<br><br><strong>Job Opportunities<\/strong>: Canada offers a strong job market, particularly in the technology, healthcare, and skilled trade sectors. This attracts families seeking better opportunities as the average salary is generally higher in Canada for many professions, particularly for doctors and nurses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Education and Healthcare<\/strong>:\u00a0 Canada\u2019s education and healthcare systems are praised worldwide, consistently ranking high. Canada\u2019s healthcare system Medicare ranks 4th for the best healthcare in the world and offers free or low-cost care to citizens and permanent residents. Its education system is free up until university level and is also ranked the 4th best in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Quality of Life<\/strong>: A high standard of living in Canada means new residents have a good quality of life. Easy access to nature, one of the safest countries in the world and a better work-life balance than the UK all make for an excellent place to raise a family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"canadian-visa-process-for-families\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Canadian_Visa_Process_for_Families\"><\/span><strong>Canadian Visa Process for Families&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/express-entry.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Express Entry system<\/a> is a popular way for skilled workers to move to Canada with their families. The main applicant can include their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in their application. They can apply via one of the following programs:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/express-entry\/eligibility\/federal-skilled-workers.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Federal Skilled Worker Program<\/strong><\/a>: For those experienced in skilled occupations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/express-entry\/eligibility\/skilled-trades.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Federal Skilled Trades Program<\/strong><\/a>: For skilled tradespeople with job offers or certifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/express-entry\/eligibility\/canadian-experience-class.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Canadian Experience Class<\/strong><\/a>: For those who have previous experience working in Canada.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will need to pass the <a href=\"https:\/\/ielts.org\/take-a-test\/why-choose-ielts\/what-can-ielts-do-for-you\/canada\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">International English Language Testing System (IELTS)<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/express-entry\/documents\/education-assessed.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)<\/a> and have proof of your qualifications.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Canadian citizens can also sponsor their families so they can live together in Canada.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-to-consider-when-moving-your-family-to-canada\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Consider_When_Moving_Your_Family_to_Canada\"><\/span><strong>What to Consider When Moving Your Family to Canada<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cost of Living &#8211; <\/strong>Average salaries in Canada are generally higher than in the UK, but the cost of living is more expensive in large cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Create a realistic budget for your move so you know you can afford to live in your preferred city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Amenities &#8211; <\/strong>When searching for the best place to live with your family, create a list of amenities that you have to be near. GP practices, dentists, schools, hospitals, banks and supermarkets are all ideal amenities that should be nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Safety &#8211; <\/strong>Canada has always been considered one of the safest countries in the world to live. In a <a href=\"https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/country-rankings\/safest-countries-in-the-world\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">recent study by World Population Review<\/a>, Canada was ranked the 11th safest country to live in, reassuring many families who are considering the move. Universal healthcare, affordable housing options and income support help to promote social stability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Weather &#8211; <\/strong>Canada has much colder winters than the UK, with many regions experiencing heavy snow and freezing temperatures. Ottawa, Montreal and Winnipeg in particular have longer winters. Southern regions experience hot summers, especially in comparison to the UK. Ensure you have the correct winter clothing and gear to adjust comfortably to the weather.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-best-places-to-live-in-canada-for-families\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Best_Places_to_Live_in_Canada_for_Families\"><\/span><strong>5 Best Places to Live in Canada for Families<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-toronto-ontario-best-for-safety\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Toronto_Ontario_Best_for_Safety\"><\/span><strong>1. Toronto, Ontario<br><em>Best for Safety&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Toronto is the safest city in Canada to live in, with a <a href=\"https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-city-rankings\/safest-cities-in-the-world\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">recent report<\/a> ranking it as the 6th safest city in the world. Scoring 87.8 out of 100 overall, Toronto also scores highly for personal and infrastructure security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the Quality of Life Index, Toronto scores highly with 74 out of 100 for healthcare. Toronto\u2019s Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) gives citizens, permanent residents and some qualifying temporary residents access to healthcare. This includes GP visits, hospital stays and certain tests\/procedures. It doesn\u2019t cover prescriptions if you are under 65, so many expats get health insurance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boasting some of the best universities in Canada, Toronto is home to the Toronto Metropolitan University and the York University. For younger children, Toronto also has some of the best schools in Canada, both public and private. Some of the best schools in Toronto include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Owen Public School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cottingham Junior Public School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rosedale Junior Public School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leaside High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Earl Haig Secondary School<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Good to know: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Family of four living costs (without rent) &#8211; \u00a33,107.5 (C$ 5,578.2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average house price&nbsp; &#8211; \u00a3513,078 (C$ 921,000)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment &#8211; \u00a32,384.11 (C$ 4,275.64)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monthly travel pass &#8211; \u00a387 (C$ 156)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly salary &#8211; \u00a32,713.93 (C$ 4,867.82)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-vancouver-british-columbia-best-for-natural-beauty\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Vancouver_British_Columbia_Best_for_Natural_Beauty\"><\/span><strong>2. Vancouver, British Columbia<\/strong><strong><em><br><\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Best for Natural Beauty<\/em><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Vancouver is ranked 7th in the world on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eiu.com\/n\/campaigns\/global-liveability-index-2024\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Global Liveability Ranking<\/a>, scoring high in categories like healthcare, education, culture, and environment. This makes it an attractive city in Canada for families.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vancouver offers stunning natural beauty, with the Pacific Ocean and the North Shore Mountains as backdrops. Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America, is popular with families who enjoy outdoor activities.<br><br>Education in Vancouver offers opportunities for all and is home to some world-class institutions. The University of British Columbia is one of the top universities in the world and consistently ranks highly. Some of the best primary, secondary and private schools in Vancouver include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kerrisdale Elementary School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lord Byng Elementary School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University Hill Secondary School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lord Byng Secondary School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>St. George\u2019s School<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Good to know: <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Family of four living costs (without rent) &#8211; \u00a33,127.5\u00a3 (C$ 5,614.1)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average house price &#8211; \u00a3489,673.82 (C$ 878,242)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment &#8211; \u00a32,886.81 (C$ 5,175.0)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monthly travel pass &#8211; \u00a378.12 (C$ 140)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly salary &#8211; \u00a32,480.96 (C$ 4,450.98)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-calgary-alberta-best-for-quality-of-life\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Calgary_Alberta_Best_for_Quality_of_Life\"><\/span><strong>3. Calgary, Alberta<br><em>Best for Quality of Life<\/em><\/strong><br><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The highest-ranking Canadian city in the Quality of Life Index, Calgary also offers the most affordable housing. The cost of buying and renting is often lower in many areas of Calgary, meaning families can afford to live near important amenities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Benefiting from clean air and being close to Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is an ideal city for families who enjoy hiking, skiing or camping. The city also boasts shorter commute times compared to bigger cities like Toronto, making for a better work-life balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some family-friendly neighbourhoods include West Springs, Aspen Woods, and Signal Hill. These areas have all the important amenities nearby, including good schools. The best schools in Calgary are:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sunalta School&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Western Canada High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sir Winston Churchill High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>West Island College<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rundle College<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Good to know: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Family of four living costs (without rent) &#8211; \u00a33,143.8 (C$ 5,643.3)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average house price &#8211; \u00a3318,296.77 (C$ 570,084)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment &#8211;<strong> <\/strong>\u00a31,762.20<strong> <\/strong>(C$ 3,162.2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monthly travel pass &#8211; \u00a364.12 (C$ 115)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly salary &#8211; \u00a32,606.32 (C$ 4,674.3)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-ottawa-ontario-best-for-affordable-housing\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Ottawa_Ontario_Best_for_Affordable_Housing\"><\/span><strong>4. Ottawa, Ontario<br><em>Best for Affordable Housing<\/em><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Often known for being one of the safest cities in Canada, Ottawa regularly scores highly on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.numbeo.com\/quality-of-life\/rankings.jsp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Quality of Life Index<\/a>, ranking 51st. Offering affordable housing, a high standard of healthcare and plenty of green space, it\u2019s an ideal location for families.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ottawa also boasts more affordable housing for families compared to other major Canadian cities. You can rent a 3-bedroom apartment in the city for C$ 3,107.2 per month, around C$ 2,000 cheaper than in Vancouver.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s an abundance of high-ranking public and private schools in Ottawa, with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board providing strong academic programmes. Some top schools in Ottawa include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Elmdale Public School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Riverside Public School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nepean High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lisgar Collegiate Institute<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ottawa Preparatory School<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Good to know: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Family of four living costs (without rent) &#8211; \u00a33,049.0 (C$5,473.2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average house price &#8211; \u00a3208,811.76 (C$ 373,200)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment &#8211; \u00a31,732.43 (C$ 3,107.2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monthly travel pass &#8211; \u00a371.72 (C$ 128.75)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly salary &#8211; \u00a32,405.76 (C$ 4,308.7)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-montreal-quebec-best-for-multiculturism\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Montreal_Quebec_Best_for_Multiculturism\"><\/span><strong>5. Montreal, Quebec<br><em>Best for Multiculturism<\/em><\/strong><br><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Montreal is renowned for its family-friendly nature, boasting a high quality of life, vibrant culture and diverse amenities. It\u2019s also consistently ranked as one of the safest major cities in Canada.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Known for its rich multiculturalism, Montreal hosts various events celebrating different cultures year-round. This helps to make families from all cultures feel more comfortable about making the move and integrating into society.&nbsp;<br><br>Montreal boasts a strong and established education system, offering some of the most highly-regarded private and public schools in Canada. Some of the best schools in Montreal include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mile End Elementary School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00c9cole \u00e9l\u00e9mentaire Saint-Pierre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>McGill University\u2019s School of Continuing Studies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00c9cole secondaire Pierre-Dupuy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bishop\u2019s College School<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Good to know:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Family of four living costs (without rent) &#8211; \u00a32,880.0\u00a3 (C$ 5,147)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average house price &#8211; \u00a3195,168.50 (C$ 349,000)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment &#8211; \u00a31,758.34 (C$ 2,980.23)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monthly travel pass &#8211; \u00a359 (C$ 100)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly salary &#8211;<strong> <\/strong>\u00a32,169.26 (C$ 3,676.72)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em><em>Costs taken from Numbeo and <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldatlas.com\/articles\/average-home-prices-across-canada.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em>World Atlas<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"removals-to-canada\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Removals_to_Canada\"><\/span><strong>Removals to Canada<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking of moving to Canada with your family, why not talk to 1st Move International. We can take care of your move, no matter how big or small. Our unique shrink-wrap packing ensures the full safety of your personal belongings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We offer guaranteed weekly shipping to Canada, whether that\u2019s via a shared container or a 20ft or 40ft full container. Get in touch with our team to find out more or complete our form to get your personalised free quote.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Around 100,000 families move to Canada each year on family reunification visas. Offering family-friendly cities, a great quality of life and ample education opportunities, Canada is an excellent country to raise a family.&nbsp; Canada and the UK\u2019s commonwealth ties mean they share similar legal systems, social norms and values, helping to make the cultural transition [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":117829,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,21],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-117818","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-guides","8":"category-canada"},"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117818"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118785,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117818\/revisions\/118785"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}