Canada has proven itself to be an incredibly beautiful and vibrant place to call home. The diverse landscape is matched only by that of those who inhabit the land. With its ten provinces and three territories, Canada offers an overwhelming number of cities and towns that welcome new residents into their communities.
Have you decided that you want to live or work near Toronto to be close to all that the city has to offer, but you’d like to live within a smaller community? If your answer is "yes," here are five places you will want to consider in order to immigrate to Canada.
Mississauga
Just a short twenty-minute drive to Toronto, Mississauga provides families with the space to grow and the ability to access the benefits of the big city. That being said, there is also a lot that you can see and do in Mississauga. There are a variety of shops to browse and restaurants to eat at, as you wander along the lake in Port Credit. If your family likes to bike, hike or run, there are many trails that will take you through the numerous city parks and woodlands.
Mississauga boasts an immigration rate of over 50% and offers numerous free programs for newcomers. Events like the 5-day Job Search Workshop for New Immigrants to Canada offered by the Peel Multicultural Council and the ESL Adult Reading Circle for Newcomers at the Cooksville Library serve to help people settle into their new homes with ease.
Vaughan
Located north of Toronto in the York Region, the city of Vaughan includes the amalgamated towns of Woodbridge, Concord, Maple, and Kleinburg. Vaughan is one of the largest cities in Ontario and over 40% of its population are new Canadians. Vaughan offers its residents a thriving, diverse community within which to raise a family.
For those that need some assistance settling into their new home, there are options available. The core services provided by The Welcome Centre Immigrant Services located at the Vaughan Centre include settlement and integration mentorship, language training, and employment supports such as accreditation and qualification assistance as well as job search workshops.
Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is a quick thirty-minute drive into Toronto, allowing for the opportunity to live in a quiet, welcoming community while still enjoying the opportunities provided by being situated closer to a larger city.
Living in Richmond Hill has much more than a safe home to offer. If you want to experience the arts, you could take in a play at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts or wander through an exhibition at the Boynton House Art Exhibition Space. If you’re looking for a place to stay physically active with your spouse and children, there are a number of community recreation centres that offer programs for both adults and children.
The Welcome Centre Immigrant Services in Richmond Hill, located on 9325 Yonge Street, provides similar services to those offered by The Welcome Centre Immigrant Services in both Vaughan and Markham.
