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The 10 Best Places To Live In Ontario For 2020 - Canada Ontario is located in east-central Canada, and is the most populous of all the provinces, with around 12 million people calling this area their home. It is a...

Toronto or Vancouver
East Coast vs West Coast

So you just received your invitation to travel to Canada. You are beside yourself with excitement and can’t wait to embark on this new adventure. The first question you will need to answer is which city will I land in, where do I choose to start my journey from?

This, of course, applies to folks with the option of making the choice, many immigrants come through the provincial nomination program that predetermines where they can land and how long they will need to stay there. Even if that is the case you may decide to depart the city of your first landing once your obligations are completed and seek out the opportunities that come with a big city.

When making these decisions the two most obvious choices in Canada come down to Toronto or Vancouver. Each city the economic and social capital of its respective side of this massive country. Each beautiful and historic in its own right and each with its own lure for the adventure-hungry immigrant. Far too often is this choice simplified down to the weather, you know Vancouver is not quite as cold as Toronto, so it must be the better palace to go to, or is it? We find that the decision is far more complex than that. Here are a few things you should be considering if you want to make the right choice for yourself.

Economy and opportunities - Toronto is undoubtedly the most economically advanced region of Canada, it is the commercial capital of the country. Everything from the stock market to the federal government is based in the province of Ontario. If you are looking for the best palace to get ahead and make the most out of your move to Canada Toronto edges out Vancouver from this perspective. Not to say that Vancouver is a slouch in this regard but it’s a little bit behind Toronto. You can still find great jobs and business opportunities in several big cities in Canada like Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary but Toronto is Toronto. The East Coast also benefits from its proximity to other large world cities like New York, Montreal, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Detroit and Chicago. Unless of course, you are looking for a specific job in a specific sector. Oil and Gas for example will take you straight to Calgary.

Winner - East Coast

Cost of Living - With a marginally more expensive lifestyle Vancouver loses again to Toronto. Average pay scales are a little lower and expenses like rent, groceries etc. are a little more expensive which really starts to pinch especially if you are a new immigrant constantly converting prices from your home country. In this case, once again the eastern city of Toronto edges past Vancouver. You must remember though that Toronto is by no means cheap, it still ranks as one of the world’s most expensive cities and these are relative margins we are talking about here.

Winner - East Coast

Recreation and Activities - Canada is a country of plenty of activity, whether you are interested in the great outdoors or you love to catch a show the options are endless. In this case however the choice is a little less obvious. It’s hard to argue that Vancouver is by far the better option for the outdoors enthusiast. You can go kayaking and skiing on the same day as the locations are 30 mins apart, with the ocean and the mountains visible from most parts of the city it’s hard to argue against the west coast for this. Not to mention that the Rockies being in the vicinity bring a host of other world-class options. Banff national park in the neighbouring province of Alberta is also fairly close and it arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. Ontario however is the province of the lakes, with massive freshwater bodies ( the world’s largest lakes) that are mistaken quite often for the sea and its own fair share of provincial reserves like Algonquin and Niagra, the east coast is no compromise. It still can’t quite make the same claims as the west. If you are however a culture vulture and are looking for plays, shows, music, sporting events etc. Toronto is hard to beat not just in Canada but in the world. Its proximity to Newyork ( 1.5 hrs by flight) makes it a world city. From plays to musical shows and basketball games (home of the 2019 NBA champions) Toronto has a clear advantage in this category.

Winner - Draw - Personal Choice

Weather - This is perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of the two cities. Toronto is one of the southernmost cities of the country, being a fair distance from the sea coast it experiences both more chilly winters as well as warmer summers. The winters are very real here and having several months where white blankets of snow cover the entire city are a common sight. Blizzards and snowstorms happen at least a couple of times every season and temperatures of -20 are not uncommon. Vancouver on the other hand has milder summers and milder winters temperatures range from negative 5 to about 25 degrees in the summer. Having said that please remember the west coast is named the “wet coast” for a reason. It can rain as much as 250 days in a year and stay gloomy for a few more, folks in Vancouver frequently report not having seen any sun for weeks on end. Some people even take oral vitamin D supplements to compensate. Depending on what you think is worse 9 months of rain and gloom or a harsher winter, you might be inclined to one or the other. For us personally, the rain was a deal-breaker, freezing temperatures with pouring rain, slushy puddles and constantly wet shoes, carpets and cars is just not our cup of tea.

Winner - Draw - Personal Choice

Location and proximity - Canada is a huge country, in fact, the second largest in the world. A flight from the easternmost location to the west coast can take you over 6 hours. As an immigrant moving to North America you may have certain priorities that greatly influence your choice of location. If you have a family anywhere in Montreal, Newyork, Philadelphia, Chicago or even Florida, your best bet is to stay on the eastern side. Even having to travel to Europe can be achieved in far shorter times from the east cost than if you had to cross the entire North American continent. If your family ties take you to the west, in places like Seattle or California then the west coast may be more attractive.

Winner - Draw - Personal Choice

As you may have gathered it’s far more complex a choice than if you were simply to look at the temperature gauge and decide based on that. Hopefully, we have made the choice a little simpler to make by flagging the most high-level considerations you will need to make.

Insurance !!!!

One of the most intimidating and confusing aspects of settling into life in Canada is figuring out all the different kinds of insurance you will need. There are several kinds of insurance you will eventually need to purchase while living here. We will try to address the basic kinds and why they may be extremely important for you.

Health Insurance

Provincial Cover - If you are landing in Canada as a PR holder then you are eligible for provincial health insurance. In Ontario, it’s called OHIP and covers a lot of the basics. You will never pay for consultations with your general physician, emergency treatments are free and you get an annual health check-up with some bloodwork done as well. No, you do not have to pay a single cent for this. The only catch is that you are only eligible for this 3 months after you land in Canada.

Additional Cover - Drugs, Dental and Vision - Once you get employed and complete your probation period, usually 3 months, you will be eligible for group benefits. This is the insurance all employers are required to provide their full-time employees. The plans can range from basic to very comprehensive. We have come across plans that cover just about everything from chiropractic care to psychiatric consultations. Beware though contracted and temporary employees are not always covered. Once you are covered though you will have all your medical bills paid through this and it will also cover a majority of your prescription medication purchase costs.

Home Insurance - Whether you are a homeowner or a tenant you will be required to purchase insurance. Your bank ( in case of a mortgage) and your landlord will require you to obtain insurance before handing over the keys to your home. Lots of people are skeptical if this is required and many times opt to cancel the policy a few months into their tenure. We would strongly advise against this. For a paltry sum of 25-40 $, you will be covering a host of potential eventualities. It covers everything from water damage, theft, accidents like slip and falls and even identity theft depending on your plan. You can also bundle this with your auto insurance to obtain a great bundle rate saving you plenty of cash month on month. Findyoufeet strongly recommends you keep your home and belongings insured at all times. We have experienced floods from an apartment above that threatened to destroy all our belongings. Luckily we were insured so the 20K plus bill for repairs and replacement of our goods was all covered.

Auto Insurance - When you decide to buy a car, especially as a new first-time driver in Canada you will be surprised at the cost of an auto insurance policy. It is quite common for the cost of the monthly insurance to be more than the payments on your car. Yes, you heard that right the insurance could be more expensive than the car itself. The price varies depending on the cover you opt for, the vehicle you purchase, what kind of safety features the vehicle has but mostly based on where you live. The postcode makes a massive difference to the price based on local crime, traffic and accident rates, it is after all a risk-based assessment. We have seen rates fall to nearly half based on a 15 km distance from one postcode to another.

Credit Insurance - When you first land in Canada you will be given a basic credit score this will determine the level of access you have to a variety of credit lines right from your credit card to the mortgage you can obtain for your house. You will also be offered creditors insurance for each of these products. While insurance to cover your credit card bills may be a bit much depending on how much downpayment you can afford to pay on your home you may need mortgage insurance. Anything less than a 20% downpayment will mean you are mandated to obtain insurance and this can cost you up to $ 15,000 so try and push your downpayment up to 20% and save the money if you can.

Recreational Insurance - Now that we understand the basic types of insurance you are bound to encounter, let’s talk about what additional types are out there. Depending on your lifestyle you may need additional covers. This could range from additional cover for rental cars, adventure sports accident insurance for your child at school etc. and the list is really endless. You even need a plan for your drone if you own one.

How to decide what kinds of insurance I need?

Here is the golden rule of thumb, if you are engaging in an activity that has some risk associated with it and you find that the cost of covering said expense will be a financial strain on you then it’s probably a good idea to obtain an insurance cover. The premiums are usually fairly low but can save you huge sums of money if you end up having an incident.

With the last of the bonus warm days this year coming to an end this post could not be more relevant. Watch out for Sunday's snowstorm.



Getting through the Canadian winter and learning to enjoy it.

Now that we have an idea of what the seasons are like, let's dive into the second part of our weather series. How do I prepare for winter?

In most parts of Canada especially locations like Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and even Toronto the winters are some of the most extreme you will ever experience. Temperatures rarely go into the positive digits if at all, and lows in the double digits are all but guaranteed. The coldest we have ever experienced is an icy -14c with a real feel of -21c. But fear not, it's an entirely manageable experience. After all people all over the northern U.S, Canada, Scandinavia and Russia experience similar winters and all seem to continue to live through them year after year. The key here is to be prepared, knowing what to do and how to handle yourself. We repeat, there is no bad weather, there is, however, bad preparation for weather.

The winter brings with it snow, ice, freezing winds and general conditions that can cause serious harm and in some extreme cases even death. No, we aren't exaggerating, at -15c hypothermia can begin affecting you in minutes, your extremities could succumb to frostbite. But fear not, Canadians have been doing this for generations and you can learn to manage it fairly well too.

The key to surviving the Canadian Winter is to ensure you are fully prepared. No matter the time of year, you will get accustomed to checking the weather forecast. It's far more accurate than we have experienced in South Asia. Do not check just the current weather, check it for the next 24-48 hours. Weather in North America changes by the hour and you can get caught unaware. Lastly do not be fooled by just the temp, always check the real feel and the wind speed. The wind chill, which is mostly to blame for the additional drop in temp (real feel) is the biggest factor in how much you need to prepare. Any difference greater than 2-3 degrees indicates the presence of significant wind. Just imagine getting out of the shower to stand under a fan at full speed. Now drop the temp to sub-zero levels and you might start to get the idea.

Do not buy cheap winter clothing. It's the first mistake people make, trying to save a few $ and convince themselves that a coat is warm enough until the winter actually hits. Spend the right kind of money, a sturdy winter kit can last as long as 5-7 years and what's more, it will keep you comfortable. Make sure you have a coat, boots, gloves and a hat/cap, these are an absolute must. Items that also help a great deal are thermal underwear, scarves, ear muffs and layers of sweaters/cardigans. The exact kit you will own does come down to specifics like preference, how you spend your day, whether you own a car or use public transport etc.

Buy the right kind of car, a reliable 4WD or AWD car with an efficient heater will serve you well. We are partial to a few options based on our experiences, get in touch and we can help. Make sure your car is equipped with a set of winter tyres for the winter season. Make sure to carry a snow brush and an ice scraper, if you plan to live in an independent house then a shovel as well. Make sure to have a basic emergency kit in your car, a few energy bars, a blanket and some water. Sometimes you can break down during a storm and it may take emergency services a lot longer to get to you. The car will start to get cold when it's turned off.

Try to move into a residence that has managed services like snow removal. It makes getting used to the weather easier while you learn to adapt. Shovelling snow at 6:00 am and salting your driveway only to find your driveway snowed in again an hour later can be back-breaking work.

Make sure to hydrate and use plenty of moisturisers, in the cold you tend not to feel thirsty but staying hydrated is especially important. Keeping your home humid also helps stave off the winter dryness, you can use a humidifier or find hacks like leaving the bathroom door a little ajar while you shower to steam up the room.

Now that you are prepared and ready to go, you can actually have a lot of fun in winter. There are few things as beautiful as experiencing your first snowfall. You can build snowmen and snow angels with your family, go ice skating, sledding or skiing. Over time you get used to it and you will notice your lifestyle change and adapt to the changing seasons. Everything from the bus terminals to public buildings, offices and homes are heated. Once you are back indoors you can walk around in just your pyjamas and forget that it's freezing outside. Try not to look at it as a task or a chore but a new experience, embrace the cold, you are after all planning to be a Canadian and this is a huge part of it.

Before you know it the winter will give way to spring and spring to summer and you will be complaining about the heat. Afterall complaining about the heat in summer and the cold in winter is as Canadian as maple syrup.

Winter is here and we have a list of 6 things you need to do to prep for the freeze.

1. Tyres - change to snow tires, your all-weather tires will harden in the winter cold and will wear out particularly fast. Be safe and use snow tyres. Nothing is quite as scary as losing your grip on a snowy road.

2. Hoses and Taps - If you own a yard and have outdoor pipes and hoses, turn them off and disconnect anything you can. Frozen and burst pipes can be expensive and a huge inconvenience.

3. Change your air filter - The heater in your house probably needs a filter change, you won't quite appreciate the need for it till you hold up a new one against the used one. Clean air and more efficient airflow, which means a lower energy bill.

4. Smoke and CO2 detector - Change the batteries or make sure your's aren't run out, its a good practice to include this in your seasonal checks.

5. Eavestroughs and Trees - Check your eavestroughs and downspouts for leaves and debris. A blocked eavestrough could lead to a frozen one and could compound problems by leading to leaks and other water damage. Make sure any trees on your property do not have loose branches or rot and aren't in danger of coming down during a winter storm.

6. Salt and Deglazers - finally stock up on some deicing products. Salt helps to improve the grip on your paved surfaces and reduces the freezing point of water to help prevent iced-over floors.

Well its not like we said it was going to be easy, but once you are done you can feel safer that you are prepared for the winter.

The wonders of nature. One of the most fascinating and eerie sounds, the scream of a Lynx.

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/videos/gallery/sound-on-have-you-ever-heard-a-lynx-scream/sharevideo/6206482119001

Sound On: Have You Ever Heard A Lynx Scream? While on a hunting trip a group came across two Lynx screaming at each other on the road. Lynx are generally solitary animals, but if two males meet during mating season, a screaming match might happen.

If you are an aspiring immigrant with a good score, you might want to start packing. Canada plans to invite 1.2 million people over the next 3 years.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/30/canada-aims-to-bring-in-over-1-2-immigrants-over-next-3-years?fbclid=IwAR2FgSGlt2jcwekD7yzebQaU3WRgo7fVD_m5LPyfMGY4RQbC1skZfDiI35k

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/canada-seeks-to-increase-immigration-over-next-three-years-even-as-pandemic-rages-on-1.1515582

Canada seeks to increase immigration over next three years even as pandemic rages on - BNN Bloomberg Canada will seek to admit 401,000 new permanent residents next year, a target that if met would be a historic number of newcomers.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/30/canada-aims-to-bring-in-over-1-2-immigrants-over-next-3-years

Canada aims to bring in over 1.2 million immigrants over 3 years Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino says plan seeks to fill workforce shortages and boost Canada’s economy.

The wonders of the fall season!

https://dailyhive.com/toronto/toronto-salmon-migrating-through-waterways-this-weekend

Salmon are migrating through Toronto's waterways this weekend | Curated Every year, thousands of salmon swim upstream through Toronto 's waterways to spawn, leaping over anything that gets in their way.

No new deaths!!

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/canada-zero-coronavirus-covid-deaths-first-time/

Canada reports no new deaths from coronavirus for the first time since March The country last reported no new deaths from the virus on March 15.

Arriving in Canada and wondering how you will get around. Read our latest post on how you can be a licensed driver. We are especially thrilled about this one because this is our first post from a question that you sent us. Read on to find out more Drop us a message to find out how we can help with a more individualized approach to your case.

Graduated Licensing Programme for drivers
arriving in Canada with foreign driving experience

In Canada, the licensing authority for your driver's permits is managed by the provincial administration. While this does mean that the terminology may be different between provinces, the rules and conditions are largely similar. Today we will be walking you through the process for an international driver to obtain his permit here in Ontario. If you are interested in licences outside the G class i.e. motorcycles, trucks and other specialty vehicles please refer to the link below.
https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/getting-your-drivers-licence

Documents Required:

Originals of your accepted identity documents showing your legal name, date of birth and signature - Passport/PR Card.
Original, valid out-of-province/foreign driver’s licence.
Original supporting documents that show proof of your driving experience in English or French - Driver's License Abstract/Extract

A graduated licensing programme: The Canadian system like most in the world relies on a series of levels for a driver to pass, in order to be deemed roadworthy. You first get a learners-permit known as the G1. Followed by the G2 which allows you to drive unaccompanied, and finally, the G which is a full unrestricted license allowing you to drive unaccompanied with fewer restrictions. The regular cycle requires a new driver to pass all 3 levels with a total of 20 months of training periods between them. An experienced driver from overseas or another province has some options to get around these time restrictions. We have the details of an exchange program and fast track options for those with overseas experience. If you do not have any driving experience, read on anyway this article still covers all the basics for first-time drivers.


The G1 - A written test preceded by a basic eye exam, this is the permit that allows you to dive with an instructor or qualified G driver with 4 years experience in the passenger seat. This license is required before you are allowed to drive on any public road with an instructor. The eye exam is fairly quick and is administered at the kiosk itself. You are asked to look through a viewfinder that will play a series of lights that you need to identify to the tester. The lights will flash in various parts of your field of view and you merely need to audibly communicate to the tester that you can identify the locations of the lights and follow them adequately. The computer test is a multiple-choice, 40 question test. Split into 2 sections evenly, you are allowed 4 errors in each section. This means you have to get a minimum of 16/20 questions right from each of the 2 sections. You have about half an hour to complete this. It is a fairly simple test and can be prepared for in a few days. We recommend the use of several free online resources and mock test apps like G1 genius to help you prepare. And if at first, you don't succeed, do not despair you can re-attempt this test multiple times immediately as long as you pay for each attempt.

The G2 - The next level that you will strive for is the G2. A driver is allowed to apply for a G2 once the driver has 1 year of driving experience with their valid G1 licence. You can cut this wait to 8 months with optional drivers training from an approved instructor. This stage requires you to take your first road test, known as the G1 exit test or the G2 driving test. Involves a fairly lenient test with an instructor and no highway driving. A quick read through the link below will enlighten you on what aspects are covered in the test.
https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/level-two-road-test

A G2 licence allows you to drive on your own, there are however some restrictions compared to a G. The G2 licence is valid for one year and you are expected to pass your G licence at the end of the term. You can renew the G2 by appearing for the G2 test again but you are limited to a total 5-year time frame from the date of your G1 to fully graduate. If you fail to do so you must start from the G1 stage again.

The G - The full unrestricted licence that you will need to operate G class vehicles. The G can be obtained by passing the second road test known as the G2 exit test or level two road test. Here you will cover all aspects of driving from the G2 but also need to demonstrate highway driving confidence, read lane changes at 100 Kmph. On passing this test you will have a license that only needs to be renewed online or at a service Ontario centre every 5 years. No further testing will be required unless you are above a certain age or there have been changes to your physical condition.

Fast Track

License Exchange Programme:

If you have 2+ years of driving experience and happen to be relocating from any of these locations - Any Canadian province or territory, U.S.A, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Taiwan. All you need to do is get an eye exam and you will be granted a full Ontario driver's permit or a G license.

Credit for overseas experience:

If you have a driver's license from another country, one that's not recognized in the above list you still have the ability to get a G2 or a full G relatively fast. You must present your original driver's license along with proof of your experience. You can apply for an extract or abstract of your licence from your local authority. Make sure to carry a printed and stamped document, scanned and digitally signed documents are not accepted.

12-24 months experience in the last 3 years - Level 1 road test (G2 licence test) can be attempted immediately after the written test, without the mandatory waiting period. This will grant you a G2 licence giving you the ability to purchase a car and apply for local Ontario insurance plans.

24+ months experience in the last 3 years - You can attempt the G1 or G2 road tests immediately. If you pass, you will get the next licence in the graduated licensing system. For example, if you pass the level 1/ G1 road test, you will get a G2 licence. If you pass the level 2/G2 road test, you will get a G licence.

Original Foreign Driver's License and International Drivers Permits:

If you possess an international driver's permit (accompanied by your original DL) you are allowed to drive for up to a year in Canada. You will find it hard to use this to purchase a car or pay for insurance so this will only be useful a rental you may use during your first weeks here. You can use these rental cars to not just help you get around but also to take your driver's tests in. Beyond that though, you are much better off relying on a Canadian licence.

Canadian Summer

With the arrival of September, Canada is now enjoying our favourite season of the year, Autumn. Today however we are going to be discussing the season that just past us, the summer. The official start of Canadian summer is June 21, when the powder is still disappearing from the country's famed high-altitude peaks. And for those of you who wonder, yes there are several parts of Canada where you can experience a hot humid summer.

By the end of June, the schools begin to give out and Canadians across the country are emerging from their homes to start exploring the outdoors. If there is one word that best describes the Canadian summers it's the outdoors. Weary from the long winter and witnessing spring bring back the colour and foliage, we Canadians love to make the most of the glorious summer. Parks, lakes, farms and trails are filled with people enjoying a plethora of activities. Barbeques and picnics are extremely popular. As are swimming, cycling, trekking and generally doing all manner of activity in the warm balmy sun. The days are long and bright, and for us, southern Ontarians nightfall only happens closer to 11:00 pm. Don't be surprised if you see your temperature gauge hitting the mid 30’s with a real feel of over 40 degrees. Yes, 40 degrees in Canada and yes people do wear shorts, it's not frozen year-round.

The trees that were previously bare and brown have taken the spring to fully grow their new crop of leaves and flowers. Fruit orchards are in full bloom and the great lakes of North America are just too breathtaking for campers and picnic goers to resist. Having spent several months mostly indoors you will see people opening up and getting every speck of sunlight they can. From bicycles and motorcycles to convertibles and even watercrafts the very traffic you see on the roads changes dramatically. Even small things like eating your lunch or a cup of joe in the evening are best enjoyed outdoors. If you don't have a patio or lawn use one of the many parks and parkettes you find around every corner.

A few must-do activities include a barbeque or two in any of the parks that adorn the cities. You never have to go too far to find something great. Quite often people will take the opportunity to carry a packed lunch and eat it in their neighbourhood park. A farm visit is another fun activity for the whole family. Visiting an orchard to pick your fruit while you snack on freshly made pies and coffee and the kids have a blast learning about farm animals. Go swimming in one of Canada's beautiful freshwater lakes. We took this picture while barbequing on the shores of Lake Huron close to the blue mountain resort. For the more adventurous, there is no dearth of options. Right from biking trails to off-roading with jeeps or exploring the provincial parks on horseback, there are great options to enjoy the outdoors and the sun.

So pack your sunscreen, get your grill ready and don't forget the bug spray. Yes, there are mosquitoes in Canada, despite the frigid winters. Remember winter is always around the corner and this is the time to make the most of the sun and the outdoors.