Live in Canada

The pace of life in Canada is calm. Even in major cities, there is a sense of peace, and despite being lively, there are no massive crowds that dominate other world capitals. In addition to this, the people in Canada are very peaceful, making it one of the countries with the lowest crime rates in the world. Thanks to this, Canada holds an impeccable 9.7 in the ranking of countries with the best quality of life.

Canada once again leads the ranking, this time as one of the countries that offers better educational quality accessible to all young people, both local and international. The Canadian government is one of the largest investors in education globally, resulting in highly prepared workers. This has led major companies to establish their headquarters in Canada, offering good jobs with high salaries, also for international workers.

If you want to study English, you should consider Canada as a great option. Less crowded than the United States, safer, with a better quality of life, and relatively closer than Australia or New Zealand. Additionally, the Canadian accent is much easier to understand.

Did you know that Canada has 10 million square kilometers of wonderful mountainous landscapes, lakes, fields, and forests? From the ice of the Arctic tundra and its snow-covered peaks to its numerous National Parks a short distance from major cities, Canada will easily take your breath away. Your weekends and vacations will be filled with skiing, whale watching, kayaking excursions, mountain treks, and camping into the wild.

Canada has one of the most prosperous economies globally, thanks to its low unemployment rate, high salaries, and great quality of life. This makes job opportunities in Canada very lucrative, as working under these conditions is a dream come true for many. Moreover, in Canada, it is possible to work legally while studying, allowing you to get a job and earn money to cover your stay in Canada without any problem.

One of the best feelings in the world is arriving in a new country and feeling welcomed. In Canada, you will have that feeling as soon as you set foot on its lands. The Canadian government supports integrative policies and has always welcomed people from around the world with open arms. That’s why Canada has a multicultural population, and every year thousands of workers and students from around the world choose Canada as the place to call home.

Canadians are known for having a great social conscience and actively protesting against measures they consider unfair. Moreover, they are very compassionate people who often offer help to anyone in need without expecting anything in return. Once you start living in Canada, you will feel the warmth and affection of its people.

If there’s something that also characterizes Canadians, it’s their friendly and amiable nature. Thanks to their pro-immigration policies, Canadians are accustomed to welcoming foreigners, whether they are workers or tourists, and the best part is that they love it. In Canada, you will feel like one of them as soon as you arrive, not only among groups of foreign students or workers but also with lifelong Canadians.

Canadian cities are known worldwide for their great multicultural scene at all levels. This offers a wide variety of activities and plans that will make it impossible for you to get bored: museums, all kinds of shops, shows, coffee shops, craft breweries, and many more events that will make any season in Canada your favorite season.

A room in a shared apartment will be your best option, both to save money and to have a much richer experience in Canada. Renting a room in the city center will cost you between $600 CAD and $900 CAD per month, and it will be cheaper if you choose to live in the outskirts or in less-known cities.

Another essential and delightful expense. Grocery shopping in Canada won’t cost you much. If you shop wisely without indulging, your monthly food expenses will be around $300 CAD. The best way to save money on your grocery basket, access fresh products, and support local agriculture is through farmer markets. Find the one closest to you and make it your regular stop to buy quality at a good price.

If you plan to live in Toronto and use public transportation frequently, we recommend saving money by getting a Weekly Pass ($43.75 CAD for adults and $34.75 CAD for students and seniors) or a Monthly Pass ($146.25 CAD for adults and $116.75 CAD for students and seniors). With these passes, you can travel unlimitedly for a week or a month, respectively. The prices are much better than buying individual tickets. Note that the cost of a single bus ticket in Toronto is $3.25 CAD or $2.10 CAD.

There are many free activities to do in Canada, such as enjoying its incredible natural landscapes. But if you want to spend a weekend enjoying everything the city has to offer, you can buy a movie ticket for $13 CAD or attend a theater play for $20 CAD or $100 CAD, depending on the show.

For partying, we recommend taking advantage of happy hours, where drinks are usually half price, allowing you to have a beer with your friends for less than $5 CAD.

If you are Spanish or Mexican, you’re in luck because you don’t need to process any visa to come to Canada as a tourist. You just have to apply online for an eTA, an electronic travel authorization. It is valid for 5 years, and during this time, you can enter the country as a tourist for periods of up to 6 months.

To enter Canada smoothly as a tourist, you may need to present, upon arrival, a return flight with a date earlier than the expiration of your eTA.

Traveling as a tourist to Canada is a good option if you want to explore the wonders of this country or if you want to consider all the options before choosing a city to settle in with another type of visa.

It is the visa that tourists from most nationalities have to apply for from the Canadian government. It is also known as a Temporary Resident Visa, and it can be requested online or in person. You will have to apply for it whether you plan to travel around the country for a maximum of 6 months or if your flights have layovers at a Canadian airport.

This visa is granted after completing at least 8 months of studies in a public college in Canada. With it, you can work legally full time for a period equal to the duration of your studies, up to a limit of 3 years.

You can work full time in any job for a year and study for up to 6 months.

It is for recent graduates who have a job offer related to what they have studied.

With this visa, you can access 12 months of internships in a company related to your studies.

Sharing an apartment is the best option for accommodation in Canada, both economically and socially.

Depending on your budget, you can rent a room just for yourself or share with another person.

As a country with a large influx of students and foreign workers, there are many different options for shared housing.

Room prices in the city center range from $600 CAD to $900 CAD, depending on the area, services, and the size of the housing.

On the outskirts, you can find better prices, and connections to the city are usually good since Canada has excellent train and bus services connecting metropolitan areas with cities.

Canada is a melting pot of nationalities, so we recommend going with an open and curious mind to fully enjoy sharing an apartment with people from different cultures who will contribute a lot to your experience.

Another good accommodation option to immerse yourself in the local culture from the beginning and alleviate many concerns is to stay with a host family.

The cost of a homestay is between $740 CAD and $1000 CAD and includes expenses and three meals a day.

With this option, you can focus on your studies, make friends from the start, and, additionally, benefit from living with a local family that may have a lot to offer culturally. Many host families are often descendants of Chinese or Indian immigrants, allowing you to experience Canadian multiculturalism from within.

If you want to start your adventure in Canada and focus solely on your studies, a student residence is your option. You’ll be spared from having to find an apartment close or well-connected to your study center and transportation costs, as student residences are usually very close or on the same campus as the institution.

In a student residence, you’ll experience the university spirit in its purest form. You’ll make friends for life from all over the world and can participate daily in campus life with numerous cultural and social activities.

Rooms are single or shared and come furnished with the basics: bed, desk, and wardrobe. Bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and the laundry room are usually in common areas and shared with other students.

Moreover, you can choose whether meals are included or not, making it an all-inclusive option for the first few weeks without stress.

The prices of student residences vary depending on the accommodation options you choose.

Staying in a backpacker is the perfect option for the first few weeks while looking for your permanent home in Canada. It’s also suitable for those planning to travel a lot and don’t want the commitments of a long-term contract.

Backpackers are hostels designed for backpackers. Their main advantages are that you pay per night, it’s economical, and it gives you the opportunity to meet people from around the world in the same situation as you.

They usually have a fun and lively atmosphere, so it’s not suitable if you don’t like to see people coming and going all the time.

Some backpackers allow you to pay on arrival, others require advance reservations, and some may ask you to become a member. Depending on the area and the influx of people, some backpackers also set a maximum stay of one week. As for the rooms, they are shared by 4 or 8 people, and bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry facilities are also shared and located in common areas. In some hostels, your reservation includes breakfast.

The cost for a night in a backpacker is around $30 CAD.