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Main cities in Canada

If you’re thinking about living in Canada and you’re not sure which city to choose, you’ve come to the right place.

Did you know that Canada is the second-largest country in the world? That means thousands and thousands of square kilometers to choose from when starting your adventure in Canada. Discover Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Whistler with us and start falling in love with the place more than 36 million people call home.
If you’re wondering which Canadian city to choose, keep reading or fill out the form below to receive personalized advice.

Would you like to study and live in Canada?

Write to us and a Dingoos Guide will contact you within 24 to 48 hours.

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    Living in Toronto

    The most multicultural city in Canada thrives on this mix of nationalities, resulting in a vibrant city with a diverse nightlife, cultural scene, and gastronomy that caters to the tastes of its nearly 3 million residents—there’s no chance of getting bored here.

    And if you ever feel like escaping the city, no worries! Geographically, Toronto enjoys a privileged natural location in southeastern Canada, near Lake Ontario, the Atlantic Ocean, the mountains, and just outside the city are the Great Lakes—a perfect spot to disconnect in stunning natural surroundings.

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    Pros

    • One of the most multicultural atmospheres in Canada. Famous neighborhoods include Greektown, Chinatown, Little Italy, and more.
    • Open-minded, tolerant, and respectful society.
    • Fast, punctual, and clean public transport system.
    • Plenty of job opportunities with good salaries.
    • Tons of leisure activities: sports events, cultural activities, bars, restaurants, etc.
    • Very safe and peaceful.
    • Close to the Great Lakes and the Atlantic coast
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    Cons

    • Cold climate (average annual temperature is 8°C), with windy and rainy winters.
    • One of the most expensive cities in Canada.
    • Heavy traffic.

    Living in Vancouver

    If you want to experience the quality of life of one of the top-ranked cities in “best places to live” lists year after year, this is Vancouver. Located on Canada’s Pacific Coast, around 600,000 people live in the city and about 2 million in the metropolitan area.

    Vancouver is the perfect balance between the wildness of nature and the comforts of a big city. Nestled in a forest, the city is a leader in technology and innovation, promotes renewable energy and electric cars, and encourages outdoor activities and connection with nature.

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    Pros

    • A city deeply integrated with nature.
    • Has beaches.
    • Mild and pleasant weather year-round.
    • People are active and friendly.
    • Lots of outdoor activities: hiking, kayaking, sledding, climbing, cycling…
    • Surrounded by beautiful national parks.
    • Very safe with an efficient public transport system.
    • Home to many high-quality educational institutions.
    • Rich cultural, sporting, daytime, and nighttime leisure options.
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    Cons

    • It rains a lot throughout the year.
    • Quite expensive.
    • A bit isolated from the rest of the world.
    • Outside downtown, the vibe can be very quiet.

    Living in Montreal

    Declared the ideal city by many—us included—Montreal has a certain je ne sais quoi that makes it truly special. Located in southern Quebec, Montreal is the second most populated city in Canada with 1.7 million residents. It’s also the city with the largest number of university students in the country. This, combined with its French heritage, makes Montreal famous for its music, theatre, and fine arts events.

    This historical background also makes it perfect for lovers of history and architecture, which you can explore along the Saint Lawrence River or while enjoying a coffee in one of the city’s cozy cafés.

    Additionally, if you speak French, you’ll have more job opportunities here, as both French and English are official languages in the city.

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    Pros

    • A bohemian, student-friendly, relaxed, cultural, and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
    • Wide range of cultural, entertainment, and leisure options.
    • Amazing culinary scene.
    • One of the best education offerings in the country.
    • If you love architecture, you’ll fall in love with its streets.
    • Both English and French are spoken.
    • Great summer weather.
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    Cons

    • Another of the most expensive cities in Canada.
    • Many job offers, but mostly specialized work.
    • Locals tend to be reserved.

    Living in Whistler

    Living in Whistler means living surrounded by nature. This mountain town in western Canada is your ideal destination if you want to spend time immersed in nature, Canadian style.

    Endless adventure sports await year-round, with winter and spring being the best seasons for skiing or snowboarding. In summer and early autumn, you can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and more.

    Like any destination, Whistler has its pros and cons—let’s take a look:

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    Pros

    • Perfect destination for adventure sports lovers, both in summer and winter.
    • Peaceful atmosphere, especially after the high seasons.
    • Only an hour and a half drive to Vancouver.
    • Easier to find work compared to other cities, especially during peak seasons.
    • You can combine study and work to afford your stay in Canada.
    • Tons of free-time activities.
    • Surrounded by young people from all over the world.
    • One of the safest places due to very low crime rates.
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    Cons

    • You’ll need to find housing well in advance, as demand exceeds supply in high season.
    • Temperatures can be quite cold, especially in winter.
    • A good level of English is needed for many jobs in the service sector.
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    Discover everything you need to know to study in Canada

    How to choose a city to study and work in Canada?

    A great experience starts with a great choice. There’s little room for error in Canada—each city has something truly worth living. Still, to ensure your experience is as rich and positive as possible, we want to help you choose the Canadian city that best suits your needs and preferences in terms of work, lifestyle, education, leisure, and weather. Let’s go!

    And if you’re someone who prefers to talk directly with someone who’s already lived the experience of studying and working in Canada, our Dingoos guides are here to help you decide. Write to us, and we’ll assign you a guide who matches your profile to help answer all your questions.

    We also recommend checking out the Facebook group “Españoles & Latinos en Canadá”. You can read about the experiences of other international students already living, studying, and working in major

     

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    Españoles & Latinos en Canadá

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    Job opportunities

    Canada is a prosperous country with plenty of skilled and unskilled job opportunities.

    Thanks to this growth and the large influx of students and tourists, the most in-demand sectors are construction and hospitality.

    The best thing about these industries is that they’ll help you improve your English, immerse yourself in local culture, make lifelong friends, and—very importantly—earn enough to support yourself during your stay in Canada.

    If you want to study and work in Canada, your best option is to come with a student visa. To get one, you’ll need to enroll in a course (not English) that lasts at least six months.

    You can read more about the types of visas that allow you to study and work in Canada.

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    Leisure options

    While you’re coming to Canada to study and work (ahem), it’s important to choose a city based on its lifestyle and leisure options too.

    Canadian cities share common values: friendly locals, safety, and good transport.

    But if you’re looking for a youthful city, where people enjoy outdoor activities and the climate is decent year-round, Vancouver is for you.

    If you’d rather live in a city that never sleeps, with an amazing cultural offering and don’t mind the cold, Toronto will meet your expectations.

    And if you’re a bohemian soul who wants to live between France and England in a city with a strong student vibe and amazing food, Montreal is calling your name.

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    Distance to other major cities

    Another important factor when choosing a city in Canada is how well connected it is to other cities or tourist attractions.

    For example, Toronto, located in southwestern Canada, is only a few hours from Montreal. And if you love weekend nature escapes, the Great Lakes are just a few kilometers away.

    Plus, Toronto borders the U.S., making it easy to visit

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    The weather

    How comfortable you feel with the weather will define 100% of your stay in Canada. It’ll affect your lifestyle, activities, and even your mood.

    The good news is Canadian cities are well-prepared for the cold. Homes are well insulated, heating is everywhere, and in some cities, there are even underground paths for shopping or socializing without facing extreme weather.

    Still, you’ll need to gear up: a good coat, a good windbreaker, a good umbrella, and plenty of vitamin C.

    Each city has its own climate quirks:

    • In Vancouver, temperatures are mild year-round, but it rains a lot in winter.
    • Toronto has hot summers and cold, windy winters.
    • Montreal enjoys sunny summers and cloudy, grey winters.
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    Quality education centers

    Studying in Canada is a badge of honor for your resume. The education system is globally recognized for its quality, and the variety of options makes it ideal for anyone who wants to train with excellence.

    When studying in Canada, you can choose between English courses, vocational training, or even university programs.

    Among the English courses, general English is the most popular and helps you prepare for official certifications. In vocational courses, you’ll learn all the skills needed to break into the job market with confidence. Examples include Photography, Marketing, Hospitality, Programming, and Tourism.

    Keep in mind that English courses don’t allow you to work while studying.

    To work legally, you’ll need to take a technical course. This way, you can work part-time and easily find jobs as a waiter or barista, especially since hospitality is booming.

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    Cost of living

    As we’ve seen, Canadian cities have a high cost of living—but salaries are also high. If you work part-time, you’ll likely make enough to support yourself.

    The cost of living depends on where you live, your housing choice, your use of public transport, and your spending habits.

    Likewise, depending on the city, your job might pay more—so we recommend carefully analyzing your personality and what each city has to offer.

    If you’ve made it this far, we assume you’re seriously considering studying and working in Canada. The best and final tip we can give you: get in touch with us. At Dingoos, we offer free advice. Write to us and we’ll tell you everything you need to know to choose the Canadian city you’ve always dreamed of living in.

    Would you like to live in Canada?

    Write to us and a Dingoos Guide will contact you within 24 to 48 hours.

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    ¡Tu mensaje está de camino!
    Un Guía Dingoos lo leerá y te responderá en las próximas 24/48 horas.
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