Canada has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the friendliest places on earth. Not only that but it’s also considered to be one of the safest places to live. If you’re looking for the benefits of moving or immigrating to Canada, you won’t have to look very far.
Whilst most countries have shut their immigration programmes down due to the coronavirus pandemic, Canada has been quick to open migration opportunities in 2021. They are encouraging more skilled people to move to Canada to help bolster the economy.
Family friendly and laid-back, Canada was ranked 9th overall on the 2020 HSBC Expat Explorer Survey (1st for cultural values), as one of the best countries to move to. In addition, three of Canada’s cities recently made the top ten of Economist’s Global Liveability Survey – Calgary was ranked 5th, Vancouver 6th and Toronto 7th.
So why is Canada so popular? And do so many expats and migrants find it one of the most attractive countries in world in which to live and work?
It’s long been a country for people who want to live in a place where clean air, good living standards and safe streets are a priority and that’s what you get when you go to Canada. A safe place to live, amongst people who have strong values and ambition.
1: It’s an absolutely stunning place
Words can’t really do justice to the beautiful Canadian scenery. Vast, sweeping and unspoiled there are great swathes of land which are virtually untouched by human feet.
It’s massive…and this means that when you want to “get away from it all” you really can! From forests to lakes and mountains, the landscape is varied and gorgeous.
2: Overall quality of life
Canada is well known for its high standard of living combined with the quality of life. Not only has it got the right balance between work and play, but also the perfect environment to enjoy both.
Canadians value their downtime and that’s reflected in the number of public holidays and in the more relaxed working hours enjoyed by most residents. You can really feel more alive living in Canada thanks to the emphasis which is placed on relaxation.
3: Spacious and beautiful properties
Canadian houses tend to be much larger than their UK counterparts. This is of course due in part to the fact that there’s a lot more space on offer. You will find that even the average family home feels a lot more spacious, and having more room makes it easier for families to get on well!
4: Great job opportunities
Under the Federal Skilled Workers programme, there are currently 347 occupations that can qualify you for fast track entry. They cover a huge variety of occupations including medical, engineering, management, construction and more. So check out the latest list to see if your skill is listed.
Canada’s economy is growing, and growth inspires more need which opens up all sorts of opportunities for all kinds of professions.
But not only are there great opportunities, Canada’s laid back and relaxed style means that there is less of the stress you might have been used to in your home country.
5: Family friendly
Canada is really built for families. In the suburban streets, there’s a feeling of safety and togetherness with lots of community events such as barbecues and festivals catering to families with kids.
No matter whether it’s playing outdoors, education, places to visit, eating out, a positive environment or future opportunities – Canada offers it all.
6: Outdoor lifestyle
During the warmer months, it is possible to live most of your life outside in Canada. BBQs, sporting events, picnics, hikes…the list of outdoor activities you can do for free or very cheaply is huge. Most Canadian children spend a lot of their childhood outside playing.
7: The best of modern metropolitan living
Cities in Canada are modern, smart stylish and clean – a big attraction for many migrants who, whilst they may enjoy the great outdoors, also like urban convenience! Canada’s cities are spacious, well designed and easy to get around.
You can easily live in a large suburban house and commute to work. As in any country, whilst it’s true that the biggest cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, may be crowded and expensive, you don’t have to go far outside the city centre to find a comfortable and affordable lifestyle.
8: Familiar culture and language
This ranks highly for most people asking themselves “Why live in Canada?” Most people want to be around others who speak the same language, so for British expats Canada is a great choice.
Although over the years Canada has developed its own identity and culture, much will be familiar and welcoming to both British and Americans alike.
9: Free health care
Similar to the UK’s NHS, Canada’s Medicare system offers free basic health care to everyone, based on need rather than the ability to pay. It’s paid for by Canadian citizens pitching in towards the system via taxes.
This makes it accessible to all and that’s a big weight off the minds of most ordinary working Canadians and good news for British migrants used to the benefits of a free state health service!
10: Tolerant and open minded
It is probably no surprise that Canada was ranked number 1 in the world for tolerance in the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey.
Renowned for being one of the most open-minded countries around, Canada has been allowing same-sex marriage since 2005, whilst other countries are only now just now ushering it in!
This is great news if you’re immigrating to Canada. There are many migrants and Canadians who are welcoming no matter what your race, gender or culture.
More advantages and benefits of living in Canada
So now you’ve had a chance to check out the top ten reasons to live in Canada, it’s time to take a look at some of the other fabulous attractions Canada offers to British expats and others who choose to make the big move.
So in no particular order:
11: The Canadian sense of humour
Canadian’s have a wonderfully understated and self-deprecating sense of humour blending irony, gentle satire and parody. Famous comedic exports include Jim Carrey, John Candy and Mike Myers of Austin Powers fame, but you’ll find Canadian wit everywhere you go.
You can see a lot of examples in the Only In Canada and Meanwhile In Canada social pages. Here’s just a few…
12: Canadian crime rates are incredibly low
Ok, so the population of Canada is small and this should be taken into account but the fact remains that with a population of over 36 million people, in 2017 there were just 660 murders. Compare that to the fact that over 39 million people live in the state of California alone and their in 2017 they had a staggering 1,830 murders. Just knowing that you live in a country where violence is not the norm adds peace of mind to your life which is hard to find in other countries.
13: Canada is an ‘education superpower’
Canada’s education system is leaving rivals in the dust. According to surveys run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Canada was one of only a handful of countries appearing in the top bracket for maths, science and reading.
Canada’s results place them streets ahead of the US and the UK. Not only that, Canada scored highly for equity in achievement based on gender, social background and significantly if you’re moving to Canada, equity for immigrants too.
14: Canada is a cultural melting pot
A third of Canadian students weren’t born in Canada, but have settled in the country having migrated from elsewhere. British expats make up a good proportion of migrants but others come from America, Asia, Australia and various parts of Europe.
The result is a wonderfully rich cultural experience which is evident in the cuisine, the fashion and the art of Canada. This vibrant cultural mixture ensures that children growing up in Canada have very broad minds and a good knowledge of the world around them.
15: World leaders in quantum computing, medical research and space science
Canada puts some serious backing into STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), and as a result the country is leagues ahead of others.
Canada’s leadership in areas such as artificial intelligence, clean technology and health care, together with its more open minded policy towards migrants, has led to many international companies moving to Canada.
16: Characterful towns and cities
Towns like Niagara on the Lake are famous for their historical streets, cute boutique stores and sophisticated restaurants whilst Mahone Bay is choc-full of maritime history and is reckoned to be so attractive that it’s the most photographed town in Canada. But it’s by no means the only one – Canada is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
17: Climate
Canada has a wonderfully varied climate from permafrost in the North to a much warmer climate towards the South. In summer, if you’re in the right place, temperatures can reach 35 degrees.
Autumn in Canada is short, but a wonderful burst of bright colours that you’ll look forward to every year.
OK, whilst it’s true the winters can be a little nippy, Canada copes very well with the cold but if it’s big problem for you, head for British Columbia. Average winter daily highs are 7.1c for Vancouver, and Victoria, the warmest city in Canada, averages 9c and rarely dips below zero.
On the other hand, if you’re dreaming of a white Christmas…
18: Public services to rival any
Public services in Canada are excellent and, with some of the best public transport that you can find, it’s easy to navigate too.
Whilst some locals may occasionally complain (in a polite way of course), many countries around the world look to Canada as a benchmark for quality public services.
19: Thanksgiving and Halloween in October
Canadians borrow the best of American culture and celebrate Thanksgiving on October 14th, just a couple of weeks before Halloween. So the month of October is a festival of orange pumpkins, special events and family get-togethers.
20: Laid-back
Canadians are laid-back; the rumours are true. They don’t stand on ceremony and will speak to strangers with ease. New arrivals generally find it very easy to fit in thanks to the warm welcome on offer.
So if you’re coming from a stressful environment, you’ll love chilling out with Canadians.
21: Clean air
It’s official! Canadians breathe some of the cleanest air on this planet. A report by The Fraser Institute recently ranked Canada 9th out of the 33 richest and cleanest countries on the planet. If you’re thinking of emigrating to Canada from the UK, this has to be one of the top draws.
22. More space than you can imagine
Canada is huge. Seriously huge. It’s the second largest country in the world next to Russia and there are only 36.71 million people living there. Compare that to the 66.02 million who live in the UK and you will get an idea of how much space is available here.
There is the disadvantage of long distances between cities, but at least you’re less likely to be caught in a traffic jam.
23. Great food
There’s some amazing food to be had in Canada. Farmers markets proliferate in smaller towns, and larger towns and cities pride themselves on their sophisticated and modern restaurants.
In addition to maple syrup, Canadian favourites you’ll grow to love include Saskatoon berry pie, poutine, bannock, butter tarts, Pierogi dumplings and Montreal style bagels.https://www.instagram.com/p/BgciekYHb3x/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=12&wp=658&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.pssremovals.com&rp=%2Freasons-to-move-to-canada#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2883.300000011921%2C%22ls%22%3A2251.9000000059605%2C%22le%22%3A2553.1000000089407%7D
And here’s our very own PSS Teddy enjoying coffee and doughnuts at the iconic Tim Horton’s – something you’ll certainly want to do whilst you’re in Canada:https://www.instagram.com/p/BqNX54jAlu5/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=12&wp=658&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.pssremovals.com&rp=%2Freasons-to-move-to-canada#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A2910.9000000059605%2C%22ls%22%3A2251.9000000059605%2C%22le%22%3A2553.1000000089407%7D
24: Montreal and French Quebec
Montreal is a wonderful city; it’s true that most people there speak French but the majority also speak good English too. However, if you want to live there it’s a good idea to learn French as being bilingual is expected. The history, architecture, food and culture in Montreal is unforgettable.
25: More sun than the UK
Many areas of Canada enjoy more than 2000 hours of sun every year; compare that to the UK which has only around 1493 per year. Sunshine is good for the soul!
26: Beaches
You’d be forgiven for thinking Canada is all about mountains and forests when in fact it boasts some stunning beaches too! Long Beach, Vancouver Island, British Columbia is probably one of the most famous. Long, sandy shores with scenery to rival any you might see on a postcard – this is just one of many to enjoy Canada-wide
Yes, it’s true, you’ll even find sandy beaches on the Great Lakes!
27: Mountains
From the Rockies to the Three Sisters, Canada has some serious mountain action going on. Amazing snow-capped peaks offer not only stunning views but also amazing sporting opportunities from skiing to hiking to paragliding if you’re that way inclined!
28: Niagara Falls
Who hasn’t heard of Niagara Falls? One of Canada’s most famous attractions, it’s a thrill to see the cascading waters for the first time. But when you live in Canada, you can be sure you’ll be heading back.
29: The Great Lakes
A series of interconnected freshwater lakes mainly located in the upper mid-east section of the border between North America and Canada. The lakes connect to the Atlantic Ocean and offer beautiful walks, holiday opportunities and fishing.
What could be better than spending a sunny afternoon with your family paddling in a Canadian canoe with the spectacular North American wilderness as a backdrop?
30: The USA is just a stone’s throw away
It takes no time at all to pop over the border to the USA. Offering a completely different lifestyle, who wouldn’t want to be so close to the joys of Seattle, New York State and Hollywood.
Depending on where you live, the USA can be just a short drive down the road. What’s more, flights are cheap so it’s great to know that Florida is less than 3 hours away – the perfect winter escape.
31: Cheap living costs
Well-known for its affordability, Canadians earning an average wage can still afford a good quality of life. Here are the 10 most affordable places to live in some in Canada. The cost of living is very comparable in Canada to the UK, but your overall purchasing power will be 5.5% better according to Numbeo.
Also with so much to do in the great outdoors and a more relaxed way of life, you may find yourself needing much less shopping therapy!
32: Magnificent Wildlife
From bobcats to bison and from beavers to bears, Canada really does have it all. There are amazing wild animals and birds to be seen across this vast country and what you see will differ from province to province.
33: Canada is a creative hub
It really is a place where the arts thrive. You only need to look at how many of Hollywood’s brightest and best are Canadian to see how much talent is nurtured there. Art, music and literature are highly valued, invested in and encouraged in Canadian cities. The funding for cultural activities is generous and as a result, anyone artistic looking for reasons to move to Canada is already onto a winner,
34: Friendly, helpful and polite people
Canada has a reputation for being one of the friendliest countries in the world. The HSBC Expat Explorer Survey ranked them number 1 for being the most welcoming to migrants.
If you find yourself stuck in a snowdrift there will be people willing to help and if you’re from Britain and used to saying ‘Sorry’ when someone steps on your foot, then you’ll fit right in.
35: Quality but affordable university education
With average England university fees now being the highest in the world, even more than the USA according to the Student Load Repayment Calculator website, it’s good to know that in Canada, fees are less than half at $4761.
Even better both Toronto, the University of British Columbia and McGill University all rank in the world’s top 50 according to the Times World University Rankings 2020
36: Respected passport
The Canuck passport is one of the most respected and accepted in the world. Canada also allows dual citizenship and so it’s a welcome prize once you’ve passed the Canadian Citizenship Test.
37: A country you can be proud of
Canada may not be perfect, but it is getting there. With so many great reasons for moving to Canada, it’s no wonder that Canadian’s are so proud to be Canadian.
They even wrote a song about it for their 150th Anniversary:
Bonus reason: moving to Canada is easy
Every year thousands of British expats and migrants move to Canada and have done for generations. Therefore the process of moving your family is quite simple.
There are regular sailing of container ships carrying people’s personal effects with onward transfer to all parts of Canada.
Canadians are also renowned for making new migrants welcome, so you’ll soon be making friends and feeling at home.
Let’s get packing!