More and more Americans moving to Canada, but which Canadian cities are US citizens moving to, and why?
Unique characteristics differentiate and define Canadian cities, large and small, but one thing that they have in common is that they are home to increasing numbers of Americans moving to Canada. As an American, if you want to select a Canadian city that best meets your needs and wants, then read on.
Toronto
As Canada’s largest city, and the fourth-biggest in North America in terms of population, Toronto has something for everyone. More Americans in Canada call Toronto home than any other Canadian city.
Toronto is Canada’s financial hub and it’s financial district is located downtown, close to the CN Tower. It is also home to many of North America’s fashion and design houses. And with extensive public transport, newcomers to Toronto may find that owning a car becomes an option, rather than a necessity. Finally, it is important to be aware that Toronto has some of the most expensive property prices in Canada and across the world. The average price for a two bed condo in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has surpassed $400,000, while renting a one-bedroom apartment may set you back $2,000 or more per month, depending on the neighbourhood.
Vancouver
Located in the beautiful province of British Columbia and just 50 kilometres north of the US border, Canada’s third-biggest city, Vancouver, is only second to Toronto in terms of US-born residents Vancouver has become a magnet for many young and ambitious Americans moving to Canada with a sense of adventure. The combination of a booming film and visual effects industry with incredible mountain and ocean scenery and a seemingly unlimited range of outdoor pursuits make it one of the unique Canadian cities to live and work in. From Granville Island to Stanley Park and across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, there is so much to see and do in Vancouver.
Downtown Vancouver is the perfect mix of urban skyscrapers and amazing natural scenery.
Unlike most other Canadian cities, Vancouver has a relatively temperate climate, which means that rain is common, particularly from October to March. Thankfully you can often avoid many of the downpours by taking the city’s Skytrain or extensive bus and ferry networks. Similar to Toronto, one drawback of living in Vancouver is the price of renting or purchasing property.
Montreal
Montreal, Quebec is the fourth-largest French-speaking city in the world after Kinshasa, Paris and Abidjan, while it ranks in the top three in the city-stakes for the number of Americans moving to Canada. As of 2016, almost 18,000 Americans called Montreal their permanent home, with many more Americans enjoying life in Montreal as a student or on a temporary work permit. As the second-largest city in Canada, Montreal is a diverse, bilingual and multicultural hub that is often referred to as Canada’s cultural capital. It is also home to some of the world’s leading aerospace, pharmaceutical and visual effects companies.
Montreal is one of the most densely populated Canadian cities, and as a result has an extensive metro (underground light rail system) and bus service to cater to the needs of the four million inhabitants who live in the wider metropolitan area. When it comes to things to do and places to hang out in Montreal, there are plenty of options to choose from, including Old Montreal, Place Des Arts, La Ronde and Biodome Montreal.
Ville Marie is one of Montreal’s most popular neighbourhoods.
Unlike Toronto and Vancouver, renting and purchasing property in Montreal is comparatively affordable. As of April 2018, the average rental price of a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal was $1,290, though good apartments in many neighbourhoods can be rented at an even lower rate.