Canada being one of the most popular destinations for immigrants and international students from around the globe, is one of the most culturally and racially diversified countries to live in.
Most Canadian cities and towns have a lot of different ethnic groups living in them. This is because the Canadian immigration system is designed to bring in immigrants, especially international students from all over the world. Immigrants are almost everywhere in Canada. You can hardly get to any city or town without finding a lot of immigrants living there.
One other reason responsible for the growing population of immigrants in Canada is that Canadians are warm and friendly people and are very welcoming of immigrants and international students.
As an international student moving to Canada, you might want to know some of the best university towns and cities to live in. This article covers some of the best Canadian university towns and cities for international students, based on the cost of living.
According to a recent ranking of 94 Canadian university cities and towns by Preply, below are some of the best Canadian university cities and towns to live in.
The ranking is based on key indicators such as affordability, quality of life, and economic opportunities for students.
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and the second-largest in the province, after Saskatoon. It is the commercial centre of southern Saskatchewan.
As of the 2021 population census, Regina had a city population of 226,404 and a Metropolitan Area population of 249,217.
The city is situated on a broad, flat, treeless plain and it has an abundance of parks and green spaces. Regina is rich in culture and it’s one of the fast-growing major cities in Canada.
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $1,098 while the average monthly salary is $3,734.86.
Top Academic Institutions in Regina:
Winnipeg, Manitoba
The second-best university city after Regina is Winnipeg.
Winnipeg, named after the nearby Lake Winnipeg, is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba. In 2021, Winnipeg had a city population of 749,607 and a metropolitan population of 834,678, making it the sixth-largest city, and eighth-largest metropolitan area in Canada.
Winnipeg officially has 236 neighbourhoods and Downtown Winnipeg is the financial and economic core of the city. Over 72,000 people work in downtown Winnipeg, and more than 40,000 students attend universities and colleges in downtown Winnipeg.
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $1,042.38 while the average monthly salary is $3,767.98.
Top Academic Institutions in Winnipeg:
- University of Manitoba
- University of Winnipeg
- Red River College Polytechnic
- Robertson College
- Université de Saint-Boniface
- Booth University College
- Canadian Mennonite University
- Yellowquill University College
London, Ontario
London is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. In 2021, the city had a population of 422,324 and a metropolitan population of 543,551. The city is named after London, England and they both have River Thames.
London has a number of parks with Victoria Park, downtown London, being a major community centre for events. Victoria Park attracts about 1 million visitors per year. The city also maintains a number of gardens and conservatories.
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $1,491.07 while the average monthly salary is $4,171.48.
Top Academic Institutions in London:
- University of Western Ontario
- Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology
- Thames Valley College of Business & IT (also called Information Technology Business College Inc.)
- Westervelt College London
Prince George, British Columbia
Prince George, the largest city in northern British Columbia, Canada, has a population of 76,708 and a metropolitan population of 74,004. It is also known as the Northern Capital of British Columbia or sometimes called the “spruce capital” because it is the hub city for Northern BC.
The economy of Prince George is dominated by service industries, education, forestry, chemical plants, and an oil refinery, etc.
Prince George offers a low cost of living. The average house price and rent in the city are consistently lower than in many other cities across Canada. With its great public transportation system, it’s a 15-minute drive to anywhere within the city.
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $1,267.86 while the average monthly salary is $3,643.57.
Top Academic Institutions in Prince George:
Rouyn-Noranda, Québec
Rouyn-Noranda is a city on Osisko Lake in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Quebec, Canada. As of 2016, the city had a population of 42,334.
Rouyn-Noranda,the urban heart of Abitibi-Témiscamingue is filled with public art. The city also has a lot of history and culture. The downtown is surrounded by pristine lakes, hills, and forests. The city is served by the Rouyn-Noranda Airport and has a public transit system serving the main urban area.
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $766.67 while the average monthly salary is $3,055.00.
Top Academic Institutions in Rouyn-Noranda:
These are some of the best university towns and cities in Canada. The full list is available on Preply.com
Maple Education Canada assists students looking to migrate to Canada. We offer top-notch immigration services to students looking to move to Canada to study. You can reach out to our team of Certified Canadian Consultants via email: info@mapleeducation.ca for more information.
