Top 5 Cities to Raise a Family in Canada

Immigrating to Canada is a life-changing decision and can be both daunting and exhilarating, considering that you could possibly be changing the future of your loved ones for the better. But what makes Canada such a wonderful place to live in, let alone raise a family?

Canada is not only one of the most welcoming and multicultural communities worldwide but has some of the most picturesque backdrops to experience a lifetime of memorable moments with the ones you love the most.

With a world-renowned free public healthcare and secondary education system, your young ones will all the support and tools that they need to create a life of only the highest quality for themselves and generations to come.

Although Canada has crime, as does any country, it is voted as being one of the most liveable countries with some of the lowest crime rates and political corruption to boot.

Once you’ve decided to immigrate to Canada you’ll not look back once you discover just how bright your future can be. We’ve narrowed down our top 5 cities that are both family-friendly and affordable in 2020.

Where is the Best Place to Raise a Family in Canada?

Canada has so many wonderful places to choose from to raise a family, however, there are a few that consistently make the top 10 cities to immigrate to as a family, and for good reason. So without any further ado, here are our top 5 places to raise a family in Canada for you to consider.

1. Best Education: Ottawa, Ontario

As Canada’s capital, Ottawa not only offers some great employment opportunities but is known for its prestigious educational institutions, including some amazing universities such as the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. It has the highest number of university graduates in the country (31.5%), beating the likes of Toronto and Calgary for the top spot. Besides having affordable day care and accommodation, it also boasts plenty of family-friendly events, including the Rideau Canal which turns into the greatest outdoor skating rink in the winter.

• Median Monthly Day care Cost: $1,003
• Percent of Families with Kids: 28%
• Population: 999,183
• Estimated Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
• Average household income: $114,275
• Average household monthly costs: $4,010
• Average price of a home: $510,363

2. Highest Employment Rate: Guelph, Ontario

Being able to provide for your family is a crucial aspect to consider immigrating to Canada.

Guelph is not only synonymous with a great support system for mothers but is also one of the most affordable places to raise a family in Canada. It also has some of the lowest food costs in the country, making it easy to keep those little ones happy and healthy. There are also various outdoor activities to enjoy as a family such as trips to the local neighbourhood markets, rock climbing, and museums or take an outing to Riverside Amusement park, complete with rock gardens, natural ice rink, softball diamonds and picnic areas surrounding Speed River.

• Median Monthly Day care Cost: $993
• Percent of Families with Kids: 16%
• Population: 135,474
• Estimated Unemployment Rate: 2.3%
• Average household income: $70,880
• Average household monthly costs: $3,873.64
• Average Price Of A Home: $535,778

3. Coastal Bliss: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

If you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life then look no further. St John is a cosy colourful coastal town in Newfoundland and Labrador where you can enjoy close-knit community life with your loved ones. Housing is extremely affordable and monthly costs are considerably low, making it easy to save up for that family vacation or your child’s academic future. This maritime town is perfect if you enjoy coastal walks, sailing and indulging in the province’s abundance of fresh seafood, which can be found at the local pubs and restaurants in downtown St. Johns. There are also lots of festivals to attend including the ever-popular Twillingate Festival.

• Median Monthly Daycare Cost: $933.92
• Percent of Families With Kids: 29%
• Population: 106,172
• Estimated Unemployment Rate: 13.4%
• Average household income: $99,394
• Average household monthly costs: $3,912
• Average Price Of A Home: $433,359

4. Highest Family Earning Power: Calgary, Alberta

Calgary has been ranked as having the country’s highest household income, followed closely by Edmonton and was also voted as one of the most liveable cities on the Global Index. Alberta has fantastic job opportunities, particularly in the transportation, tech, and construction, medical and agricultural sectors. Calgary also has fantastic places to further your education such as the University of Calgary. Whether you already have a family and are looking to immigrate to Canada or are looking for the perfect place to raise a family in the near future then Alberta is the perfect place to set you up abroad. It also has beautiful parks, gardens markets and heritage sites to explore together. Come rain or come sunshine, you will never be short of family excursions in Calgary. 

• Median Monthly Day care Cost: $922.82
• Percent of Families With Kids: 27%
• Population: 1,096,833
• Estimated Unemployment Rate: 8.0%
• Average household income: $132,568
• Average household monthly costs: $3,955
• Average Price Of A Home: $563,463

5. Most Affordable Price of Homes: Brandon, Manitoba

If you’re first-time homeowners planning to immigrate to Canada, real estate price is an important factor to consider when budgeting, and in Brandon, Manitoba, you’ll be able to find a beautiful family home to invest in for under $350,000! There are plenty of jobs available, all the amenities of big cities of bigger cities (most of which are within walking distance), plenty of green recreational spaces and the best part, no traffic! Imagine an average commute of around 12 minutes through the city? Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?

• Median Monthly Day care Cost: $738.48
• Percent of Families with Kids: 27%
• Population: 46,061
• Estimated Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
• Average household income: $90,226
• Average household monthly costs: $4,580
• Average Price Of A Home: $349,576

How Do I Immigrate to Canada With My Family?

There are various ways to immigrate to Canada as a family. The most popular immigration programs for those wanting to relocate from outside of Canada are the Express Entry system and the Provincial Nominee Programs.

Express Entry

The Express Entry system is for highly skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada. Processing times can take as little as 6 months if you have the right skill set, language abilities, education qualifications and the ability to adapt to life in Canada. And the best part is that if you choose to immigrate through the Express Entry system with your partner, you could earn extra point points and boost your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points.

Provincial Nominee Program

If you don’t qualify for the Express Entry system, fear not. You and your family could immigrate to Canada through one of 11 PNPs, as long as you have a valid job offer of at least 1 year and have valid relevant work experience. By expressing interest in a province or territory where your occupation is in-demand you automatically increase your chances of receiving a PN (Provincial Nomination) which is worth 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing that you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Family sponsorship Program

If you want your family to join you in Canada and are a Canadian citizen or have received permanent residency and are living in Canada, then the Family Sponsorship Program is the way to go. You will, however, need to be able to support your spouse or common-law partner and dependants financially for 3 or 10 years respectively.

How We Can Help You Start Your New Life in Canada

Immigrating to Canada is a big life decision. You’ll want to make sure that your family’s future is in the right hands, by using a government trusted immigration consultancy that is both accredited and experienced in Canadian immigration policies.

Navigating the Canadian immigration system by yourself can be a lengthy and complex task, with a copious amount of forms and documents to complete and strict submission dates, we wouldn’t blame you if you felt apathetic about getting started on your application. But that’s what we’re here for. At Sober Immigration, we take the stress and hassle out of planning to relocate abroad. Our accredited RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants) are ready to evaluate your eligibility, review all documentation and submit all documentation on your behalf. Using an RCIC not only gives you the best possible chance of receiving an ITA but will make the entire process simple and stress-free.