Gizane Campos
Considering to relocate to a new country? Canada is an attractive destination for new immigrants due to its beautiful scenery, free healthcare, and access to outdoor activities. The country offers a full range of benefits, such as better job opportunities, quality education, and a multi-cultural population.
Foreign nationals must obtain a work permit, study visa, or permanent residence status to start living in Canada. While Canada is not the cheapest country to live in, it offers political stability and a growing economy, which attracts many foreign investors.
Moving to Canada comes with a lot of paperwork, planning, and budgeting. But, we can help. In this article, we’ll provide a realistic perspective of life in Canada, including the pros and cons that come with it.
Keep reading to learn about:
What is it like living in Canada as a foreigner?
Living in Canada offers a high quality of life, excellent healthcare and education systems, a multicultural society, and a strong economy. The country provides a safe and stable environment, abundant opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, and a welcoming attitude toward immigrants.
Many foreigners like the vastness of Canada’s natural beauty, diverse landscape, and numerous outdoor activities. The major cities are diverse and welcome foreigners of every nationality. However, life in Canada also comes with harsh winters and high living costs.
Most of the country is below-freezing for several months at a time. Depending on the location, winter lasts from December to March, with the coldest periods in January. The cost of living varies from province to province. But foreigners can expect the highest rent in Vancouver, a major city in British Columbia.
What are the benefits of living in Canada?
Canada offers many advantages, which can include:
- High quality of life: Canada consistently ranks highly in terms of quality of life due to its excellent health care system, well-developed infrastructure, and social welfare programs.
- Safety: Canada is considered one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and a stable political environment.
- Universal Canadian healthcare: The Canadian healthcare system is funded from public sources. Canadian citizens and permanent residents gain free, regardless of their income or employment status. Canada’s healthcare system covers many services, including doctor visits, hospital care, diagnostic tests, preventive care, and some prescription drugs, depending on the Canadian province.
- Multicultural society: Canada is known for its cultural diversity and tolerance. The country embraces immigrants and offers a welcoming environment for individuals from various backgrounds.
- Education: Canada has reputable educational institutions, including universities and colleges, known for their academic excellence and research opportunities. It’s worth noting that permanent residents’ children can attend public schools for free.
- Natural beauty: Canada boasts stunning natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, lakes, and coastlines, such as the Banff National Park in Alberta. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a wide range of recreational activities throughout the country.
- Strong economy: Canada has a stable and prosperous economy with opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. It is known for its resource-based industries, the technology sector, and strong financial system.
- Social programs: Canada supports its citizens through a range of public services, such as federal childcare initiatives, family allowances, and unemployment benefits.
- Natural resources: The country is a global producer of oils, minerals, gems, natural gas, and other materials.
How can I live in Canada without being a citizen?
Foreign nationals can live in Canada as a non-Canadian citizen by becoming permanent residents (PR) or temporary residents. The Canadian Government offers different immigration programs for expats to relocate to Canada.
Here is how they work:
- Becoming a permanent resident (PR). A permanent resident is a citizen of another country who can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. To gain permanent residency in Canada, foreigners can apply through immigration programs like Express Entry, Start-up Visa program, family sponsorship, or other options.
- Living with a visa or a work permit. Foreigners can apply for a student visa or a work permit to settle temporarily in Canada. A student visa allows international students to study and work in Canada, while a work visa creates a pathway for skilled workers to boost their career opportunities.
Discover a world of possibilities with the Canada Start-up Visa Program
How long do you have to live in Canada to be Canadian?
To become a Canadian citizen, you must meet certain residency requirements. In order to apply for Canadian citizenship, you must be permanently residing in Canada, having lived in the country for at least three years (1,095 days) out of the past five years before application.
It’s important to note that there are additional eligibility criteria, such as language proficiency and knowledge of Canada. You may also need to demonstrate your intent to reside in Canada after becoming a citizen. Once you become a citizen, you will be able to have a Canadian Passport, the 14th most powerful passport in the world, according to our Global Passport Index.
How is the lifestyle in Canada different from other countries?
Canada is a vast country with more open space and natural beauty. It has access to more outdoor activities than many other countries. More than 80 percent of Canadians reside in vibrant cities like Quebec City due to job market growth and career opportunities.
What truly sets Canada apart is its exceptional quality of life. Canadians consistently enjoy one of the highest standards of living globally and frequently rank among the top ten happiest nations in the world. This combination of urban opportunities and overall well-being makes living in Canada truly remarkable, especially for those looking to retire in Canada.
What are the pros and cons of living in Canada?
Living in Canada offers numerous advantages, but as with any country, there can be some downsides. It’s important to note that the pros and cons of living in Canada depend on individual preferences, circumstances, and the specific region within Canada.
The pros of living in Canada
- High quality of life
- Natural beauty
- Quality education
- Extensive coverage with Canada’s healthcare system
- Growing economy and start-up ecosystem
- Stable political environment
- Access to a range of public services
- Natural resources
The cons of living in Canada
- Cold and long winters
- High cost of living
- Vast size with long distances between cities
- Unfavorable exchange rate
- Limited job opportunities for unskilled foreigners
- High taxes
- Lengthy immigration process
How much does it cost to live in Canada?
Canada is among the most expensive countries in the world. Most Canadians spend 35 to 50 percent of their salary on housing, rent, and utilities. While the cost of living varies from province to province, some major Canadian cities, such as Vancouver and Toronto, have the highest living costs. Many factors affect how much you will spend. Renting an apartment in rural areas or neighborhoods far from the city center can be more affordable.
Foreigners spend at least $5,200 a month for a family of four and an extra $3,000 for rent, which can bring the total cost to $8,200 or over. A single person can spend an average of $3,300 on monthly expenses, including rent. Vancouver, British Columbia, is the most expensive city in Canada, with an average monthly expense of $4,300 for a single person.
Average living costs in Canada (in Canadian dollars) | |
Three-course meal for two, mid-range restaurant | $100 |
Milk (regular), (one liter) | $3.08 |
Monthly basic utilities for 85m2 Apartment | $205.53 |
Rent for one bedroom apartment (in the city center) | $1,842.74 |
Rent for one bedroom apartment (outside the city center) | $1,644.79 |
Thinking of investing in Canada? Check out our full guide for business immigration
Living in Canada vs USA
There is a big difference between living in Canada and the USA. Both countries offer excellent career growth and investment potential. However, living costs in the USA, including rent, are 16.3 percent higher compared to Canada. Canadian healthcare is significantly more affordable than that in the USA.
Canada’s healthcare system has one of the most extensive coverages for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The Canadian Government created a public taxation-funded system that drastically reduces sudden out-of-pocket costs.
Certain services of Canadian healthcare are completely free, while others require additional fees. However, the Canadian Government covers about 70 percent of healthcare expenses in Canada with tax dollars.
Living in Canada vs UK
Canada and the UK are both excellent countries to live in, and the right one depends on your priorities, such as lifestyle preferences, career opportunities, educational goals, and personal circumstances.
The cost of living in the UK, including rent, is 1.7 percent higher than in Canada. Restaurant prices are also slightly higher, whereas groceries can be cheaper in the UK. The local purchasing power in the UK is higher than in Canada.
The UK is close to Europe, while Canada has many open spaces and winter sports opportunities. Canada has harsh winters, while the UK has the infamous “British weather,” with rainy and dark days. Both countries are multicultural, have universal healthcare systems, low crime, and high living standards.
Is Canada a good country for immigrants with a family?
Living in Canada offers a wealth of opportunities for a fulfilling life for you and your family members. Canada is an ideal destination for family living with its safe environment, quality education, inclusive communities, and natural beauty.
With a strong economy and diverse job market, Canada offers families financial stability and growth potential. Canada is a multicultural country that promotes diversity and acceptance, enriching family life with a variety of cultures, languages, and traditions.
Canada’s education system is outstanding, providing children of all ages with excellent learning opportunities. The largest Canadian cities also offer plenty of private schools and international schools to choose from. Families can enjoy outdoor activities in Canada’s breathtaking landscapes and national parks. They can also see diverse wildlife, fostering quality time and a love for nature.
How is living in Canada as a professional?
Canada is known for its welcoming attitude toward skilled immigrants. The Canadian government has programs in place, such as Canada citizenship by investment, to attract foreign investors who are interested in moving to Canada. This presents a wealth of opportunities for career advancement and development.
Canada’s job market is diverse and robust, with thriving industries such as technology, finance, healthcare, and engineering. Major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal serve as economic hubs, offering many employment options. Additionally, the work culture in Canada promotes a healthy work-life balance, allowing professionals to enjoy their personal lives while excelling in their careers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Living in Canada
What is it like living in Canada?
Canada living offers many benefits and a high quality of life for its residents. Some aspects that contribute to the Canadian experience are safety and security, a low crime rate and social stability, a strong economy, progressive social policies, a universal health care system, excellent education, natural beauty, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.
Is living in Canada worth it in 2025?
Canada boasts a high standard of living, consistently ranked among the top countries globally. It ranks 14th in our Global Passport Index. The country boasts a strong economy, employment opportunities, and a well-regarded education system. The publicly funded healthcare system ensures access to essential medical services, although wait times vary.
What are the pros and cons of living in Canada?
Some of the benefits of life in Canada are the high quality of life, safety (with a low crime rate and a declining violent crime rate), universal healthcare, education system, multicultural society, natural beauty, and a strong economy. On the other hand, some of the disadvantages of life in Canada are the harsh winters, high cost of living, competitive job market, high taxes, and lengthy immigration process.
What are the biggest disadvantages of living in Canada?
The biggest disadvantages in Canada are the weather, cost of living, competitive job market, and the vast distance from city to city. Canada has long and cold winters with a high cost of living in major cities like Vancouver and Toronto. The country is vast, and it takes a long time to travel between different locations.
Can I live in Canada as an United States citizen?
If you are a United States citizen, you can travel to Canada and stay for up to six months without the need for a visa. If you plan on moving to Canada for work or study, you will need to apply to the Canadian government for a visa specific to your situation, such as a work permit, study permit, or permanent residency.
What to expect when living in Canada as an American?
Americans can expect more affordable healthcare and lower living costs compared to major cities like New York. Canada is a safe country with very low crime rates with a healthy environment. Canada not only has plenty of open spaces to enjoy nature but also ranks among the highest air quality in the world.
What should you know before moving to Canada?
Foreigners must be eligible to stay in Canada before they can move in the country. Foreign nationals can apply for permanent residency, a temporary work permit, or a study visa. Other options to relocate include family sponsorship, business immigration programs, or a temporary resident visa.
What are the job opportunities like for foreigners in Canada?
Canada’s job market is diverse and robust, with thriving industries such as technology, finance, healthcare, and engineering. While Canada offers a range of job opportunities, the job market can be competitive, especially in certain industries and urban centers.
Will I need health insurance if I move to Canada?
If you move to Canada, it’s advisable to have health insurance. While Canada has publicly funded healthcare, eligibility varies by province, and there may be waiting periods for newcomers. Private health insurance can be crucial during this time and can also cover services not included in public healthcare, such as dental and prescription drugs. Even after you become eligible, public healthcare might not cover all your needs.
How many provinces and territories are there in Canada?
Altogether, there are 13 provinces and territories. Canada’s provinces, each with unique charms, range from British Columbia’s Pacific serenity to Newfoundland’s Atlantic ruggedness. Quebec offers distinct Francophone culture, while Ontario busts with metropolitan life. The prairies boast open skies, Alberta has the Rockies, and the Maritimes exude coastal quaintness, encapsulating Canada’s diverse splendor.
