Living in Canada
Some Basic Information About Living in Canada
Over the years, the United Nations has consistently identified Canada as either the best, or one of the best, countries in the world to live in.
This is because of Canada's tolerance, good healthcare, good schools, low crime, clean cities, and high quality of life.
Canada offers people who settle successfully a high financial standard of living - not because Canadian wages are especially high, but because Canadian houses have very low price tags. Compared with house prices in the UK, Europe and Australia, Canadian houses offer superb value for money. This means that, in most suburban locations, it's possible for Canadians on normal incomes to afford large, detached houses.
Canadians are very tolerant, hospitable people, especially in rural Canada.
Many migrants are pleasantly surprised when they encounter the strong sense of community and duty shown by people in Canadian towns.
A very large proportion of Canada's residents are immigrants. Almost one half of Toronto's residents and over one third of Vancouver's residents were born overseas.
Summers in Canada are warm or even hot and there is plenty of sunshine. With the exceptions of Vancouver and other locations on the Pacific coast, winters are very cold.
Migrants from warmer climes can be surprised by aspects of Canadian winter life, such as the electric block heaters needed to thaw car engines before starting them up. People use block heaters in their garages and they can be found in parking lots as well.
Employment opportunites for newcomers to Canada are most plentiful in Southern Ontario and Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
In 2006, job opportunities in Canada are at their most abundant for years. Nevertheless, employment has proved troublesome for many newly landed immigrants. It is vital you ensure Canadian employers will accept your qualifications and experience. If at all possible you should find a job before moving to Canada.
Summer or winter, there is a huge number of sports and recreations available in Canada.
In Toronto and Vancouver, world class cultural and artistic events are frequently available.