Moving to Canada: Everything You Need to Know

By ALENA DZIBROVA

November 27th, 2029

BURLINGTON, ON

Discover essential insights on living costs, job opportunities, taxes, housing, and more in this comprehensive guide to Canadian life.

Such an attractive country with its social security, and economic and political stability, Canada is thought to be a land of great opportunities. Not to mention nature. So, what nuances can be encountered at first, having moved to Canada, and how in general to prepare for such a move is in the material.

Pros and Cons of Canada

Canada welcomes migrants because it needs skilled professionals. For example, as of January 2023, immigrants held 36% of physician positions and 41% of engineering positions. The share of foreigners among business owners with employees is 33%. There are also special programs such as the Alberta PNP Program for a simpler emigration process, which further fuels people’s interest. But as with any other country, there are pros and cons:

Pros:

• High standard of living and high level of income;
• The government supports small and medium-sized businesses – assistance in financing, reduced rates on credit, and deferred payment;
• Unbelievable nature – ocean, lakes, rivers, mountains, forests. The beauty is breathtaking and it is not just nearby, it is everywhere;
• Free healthcare for citizens and residents of the country;
• Developed economy and stable political situation;
• Canada is multicultural and multinational, thanks to which adaptation is comfortable;
• The possibility of obtaining a passport after 3 years of legal residence.

Cons:

• 

  Canadians are used to it

  Cold climate: in winter frosts up to -25 degrees Celsius, and in summer on warm days the temperature reaches +20 degrees Celsius;

• High cost of living: housing rent, cost of goods and services, entertainment, restaurants;
• High taxes: the higher the salary, the higher the taxes;
• High competition in the labor market;
• Not the best medicine, you must have insurance, otherwise going to the doctor can cost a lot of money.

Jobs in Canada

In large cities, there are more chances to find a prestigious and promising job. In smaller towns, there is less competition and a greater shortage of workers, which increases the chances of finding a job quickly. There are also many recruitment agencies in Canada, you can find them by searching for “recruitment agency in Canada” on Google. Up to 80% of people find a job on the recommendations of acquaintances.

You can find a job on popular sites:

• Job Bank;
• com;
• Indeed;
• Eluta;
• WowJobs;

In-Demand Occupations

The most popular occupations for foreigners include:

• IT specialists and interactive media developers;
• Business, finance, administration;
• Doctors, nurses;
• Teachers and civil servants;
• Sales and service personnel, truck drivers;
• Workers in production and public utilities;
• Workers in construction, welders.

Salaries

The minimum wage in Canada in 2024 is 2644 Canadian dollars. Average salary – from 5200 Canadian dollars. The amount may vary depending on the province and type of profession.

Cost of Living in Canada

Every year the cost of living in Canada is becoming more expensive, this is influenced by inflation, changes in the real estate market, transportation services, and others. On average, the minimum budget for one person to live in Canada is from 1300 to 1600 dollars. For a family with two children, this amount reaches 1700 to 2200 dollars.

Cost of Food

Food prices here are cheaper than in Europe.

Food prices here are cheaper than in Europe. For a week one person can buy products for 50 dollars, including meat, as it is the most expensive, for example, 800 grams of chicken costs 10 dollars, potatoes – up to 2 dollars per kilogram, apples also up to 2 dollars, bananas – 60 cents per kilogram, cereals – 1-2 dollars. Tobacco products are very expensive, as well as alcohol, for example, a pack of cigarettes costs 11 dollars.

Transportation Costs

For $3, you can ride any transportation, even the subway, for 2 hours. The transportation system is well developed, both within the city and intercity. A monthly bus pass will cost about 100 dollars. Expenses for a personal car will cost about $1,000 a month, including insurance, parking, gasoline, and repairs. It is more profitable to rent a car for a day – $50, including gasoline.

Taxes

Canada has two types of tax: income tax and consumption tax. Consumer (national) tax is a sales tax on goods or services purchased in Canada and ranges from 5 to 15%. Some goods may be exempt from the tax. Income tax in Canada depends on the size of the annual salary, it can vary from 15 to 33%. The tax rate varies greatly from province to province.

Housing in Canada

The cost of rent depends on the city, in big cities, it is more expensive due to high demand. On average, renting a studio ranges from 700 to 1000 dollars, with one bedroom – from 900 to 1100, with two bedrooms – from 1000 to 1300 dollars.

Utilities vary in cost from city to city, cheapest in Montreal – 75 dollars, more expensive in Calgary and Hamilton – 205 dollars. Internet costs from $55 to $95 per month, and cell phone service costs about $95 per month.

Conclusion

We hope you found this article useful. We have tried to gather the most important information and fit it into a short article. Now you have more knowledge about such a beautiful country as Canada and you can take a more informed approach to move.