Where to live in Canada: your ultimate guide to finding your perfect slice of the Great White North

PTE Author
PTE Author
women-laughing-in-snow

Looking to make the land of mountains and maple syrup your home? From bustling cities to charming small towns, Canada offers something for everyone. Whether you’re planning to study in one of Canada’s top universities or you’re a skilled worker looking to build your career, here’s our guide to finding the perfect place to call home.

The big players: Canada's metropolitan powerhouses

Moving to Canada doesn’t mean choosing between city life and nature. Many of Canada’s major cities have stunning views right on their doorstep. You’ll pay more for living in Canada’s biggest cities, but you’ll also enjoy a thriving international community and endless things to do.

Toronto: foodie heaven

The capital of Ontario is home to the postcard-famous CN Tower and more food options than you can count. Toronto is perfect for career-focused individuals who love a fast-paced lifestyle.

It’s also where you’ll find the top university in the country Toronto University.

Vancouver: nature meets city chic

Nestled between mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is a dream for nature lovers who crave urban sophistication.

This West Coast gem offers endless outdoor adventures, from skiing Grouse Mountain to kayaking in English Bay, all just minutes from downtown.

The city’s diverse neighborhoods buzz with cultural flair, boasting a thriving arts scene, world-class dining, and bustling markets Granville Island.

Montreal: bilingual beauty

Craving croissants and culture? Montreal's got you covered! This bilingual city offers the perfect blend of Old World charm and New World opportunities.

The rent is surprisingly reasonable (by big city standards), and the poutine is a must-try for any foodie.

For the budget-conscious: hidden gems

Canada’s not just about the big three — there are many beautiful places just a step or two off the beaten path that can help you save money while building your new life in Canada. Keep in mind that the further north you go, the colder it will get!

Halifax: ocean views without big bills

Over in eastern Canada, this Atlantic port city offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Stroll along the bustling Halifax Waterfront, where historic warehouses have been transformed into shops, cafes, and galleries. Fresh seafood is a local specialty, with countless restaurants serving up everything from lobster rolls to fish tacos.

Warm summers call for a visit to Chocolate Lake Beach or a ferry ride to explore picturesque Dartmouth. With friendly locals, excellent universities, and a laid-back vibe, Halifax is a seaside haven that won’t break the bank.

Winnipeg: an arty escape

At the meeting point of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, Winnipeg shines as the vibrant capital of Manitoba.

This prairie city punches well above its weight in culture, with events like the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet keeping locals entertained year-round, while the Exchange District’s stunning architecture houses buzzing cafes, art studios, and theatres.

Winter doesn’t dampen the spirit here — it’s embraced with outdoor skating trails and the enchanting Festival du Voyageur. With nearly 800,000 resilient residents and an affordable cost of living, Winnipeg offers both creativity and community to those willing to brave its long winters.

For the career-focused: cities of opportunity

From oil workers to healthcare professionals, there are many opportunities to further your career in Canada. Good news for professionals looking to relocate to Canada: PTE Core is now accepted for all economic migration visas, making your journey to Canada smoother than a frozen lake in January! Take a look at these career-friendly cities.

Calgary: where oil money meets mountain air

In the heart of Alberta, Calgary is a booming city where opportunity meets outdoor adventure. With a thriving energy sector powering its economy, this city attracts professionals seeking lucrative careers.

On weekends, trade your desk for the Rocky Mountains, just an hour’s drive away, offering hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. The Calgary Stampede brings cowboy vibes, while its modern downtown and craft breweries keep it contemporary.

And here’s the cherry on top: no provincial sales tax means your hard-earned dollars go even further.

Ottawa: government jobs and gorgeous falls

As Canada’s capital, Ottawa combines political prominence with a charming, laid-back vibe. Jobs in federal government and high-tech industries ensure stability and competitive salaries.

History buffs will love Parliament Hill, while nature lovers can take in stunning views at nearby waterfalls or bike along the scenic Ottawa River Pathway. Winter transforms the iconic Rideau Canal into the world’s largest skating rink, perfect for a commute on blades.

With bilingual culture, excellent schools, and lush green spaces, it’s easy to see why Ottawa consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Canada.

For the culture vultures: cities with a creative side

Quebec City: culture & croissants

Quebec City brings a slice of Europe to Canada with its cobblestone streets, centuries-old French architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a picturesque maze of charming shops, cafes, and bistros where you can savor fresh croissants and classic poutine.

Festivals like Carnaval de Québec keep the city buzzing, while local art galleries and theaters celebrate its Francophone heritage. Brushing up on your French will make it easier to enjoy the warm, welcoming community and embrace the city’s distinct identity, making Quebec City a top pick for lovers of culture and history.

Victoria: British vibes with Pacific views

Victoria, British Columbia’s capital, blends Old World charm with laid-back West Coast flair. This picturesque city is rich in culture, offering everything from afternoon tea at the historic Empress Hotel to world-class museums and galleries.

Its stunning harbor is a hub for whale-watching tours, while Beacon Hill Park’s gardens and trails provide a serene escape. Foodies will love the farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries, and seafood straight from the Pacific.

Moving to Canada

Whether you’re in search of a top student experience or the perfect place to build a career, Canada has a spot you can call home. Wherever you choose, remember to embrace the local culture, buy a good winter coat, and never, ever say you prefer American beer!

Ready to make the move? PTE is the stress-free way to start your Canadian adventure.

With PTE Academic accepted by 98% of Canadian universities and PTE Core accepted for all economic migration visas.

Find out why PTE is the faster, fairer, simpler choice for your move to Canada.

Related Content

  • A female model watching movie
    Great movies to help you learn English
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Learning a language is much easier when you’re enjoying yourself – which is why watching movies can be a great way to immerse yourself in the language.

    What better way is there to pick up new phrases and slang terms that you would not learn in the classroom, all with popcorn in hand?

    It can be hard to know which movie to choose so here are our top ten to help you get started. These films are chosen for their language clarity and cultural insights, offering a fun way to improve English skills for beginners and advanced learners alike.

    If you are not feeling confident, watch with subtitles and you will soon pick things up.

    1. Forrest Gump (1994)

    A fantastic choice for beginners, this film teaches English while taking you through the heart of American history. This movie is one of the best English movies for learners as Forrest speaks so slowly throughout the entire movie. It is also an iconic 90’s movie which will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.

    2. Harry Potter series

    Perfect for all ages, these films are a treasure trove of rich vocabulary set in a magical world. Many things make the Harry Potter series great for your linguistics skills! Aside from the rich vocabulary, due to the sheer number of films in the series you will get to build up your understanding of different characters, their personalities, accents and ways of communicating.

    3. The King's Speech (2010)

    What a great idea for learning English – watching a film where the main character – a historic British figure – is learning to speak! King George VI struggles to communicate due to a speech impediment, which means pronunciation is a very big focus in this movie.

    4. Pride and Prejudice (2005)

    For lovers of classic literature, this film offers a window into historical British English. The movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice will also expose you to societal norms, colloquial expressions, formal language and phrases as this movie is set in the early 19th century England.

    5. Home Alone (1990)

    This is one of the best English movies to watch, especially for beginners. It is full of day-to-day phrases and a slower pace, so it is easier to follow along. It is also a Christmas classic for all the family.

    6. Love Actually (2010)

    Great for picking up informal turns of phrases, slang and expressions used by British people. It also showcases a variety of British (and Irish) accents, so you can expose yourself to a breadth of British ways of speaking.

    7. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

    A charming film for mastering conversational American English.

    8. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

    Immerse in everyday conversational English set in contemporary America.

    9. Brave (2012)

    Animated and perfect for beginners, this film is set in Medieval Scotland so you will get to experience the Scottish accent and culture as well as learning some everyday phrases and idioms.

    10. Inception (2010)

    This movie should be on your list if you are focusing on advanced language learning. The language and the plot are both really complex. You will be exposed to advanced vocabulary and narratives which are really thought-provoking.

    These films offer an immersive, engaging, and often emotionally resonant context for language learning. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, each movie is a step forward in your language-learning adventure.

    More ways to prep

    Ready to prepare for your English language test? Explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.

    • Smart Prep is a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test

    • It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account

    • Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips.

  • Portrait of student learning online with headphones and laptop taking notes in notebook sitting at her desk at home - mixed race Asian Chinese model
    Build all-round confidence with Smart Prep
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Smart Prep brings all our free and paid preparation into one convenient place, so you can mix and match to fit your unique needs. Perfect if you have booked your test and are not sure where to start with your preparation journey.

    Here are four top tips to help you get started:

    1. Explore Smart Prep

    All you need to do is set up your free myPTE account, and you will have access to all our free and official prep resources — so everything you need to be ready ace your test is at your fingertips.

    2. Use Scored Practice Tests to track your progress

    As close as you can get to the test without taking the real thing. Our unique Scored Practice Tests are just like a mock test and are marked in the same way as your PTE test. So you can see how you score and then focus on the areas you need to improve.

    With five to choose from, we recommend you use them throughout your prep journey to check your progress.

    3. Practice with 300+ questions

    Practice makes perfect and our PTE Academic Question Bank is packed full of questions with model answers, plus samples for speaking and writing. So you have plenty of opportunity to practice before the real thing.

    4. Read our handbook and Score Guide

    Finally, don’t forget to download our free PTE Academic Handbook and Score Guide.

    The handbook covers everything you need to know about taking PTE Academic - from how to prepare and test day policies, to how to retake your test if necessary.

    And, the PTE Score Guide helps you understand things like what you’re graded on, how automated scores work, and how our scores compare with those of other English language tests.

    Ready to achieve your dreams?

    PTE is more than an English language test. It’s your ticket to studying abroad.