Ontario is Canada’s second-largest province located in the east-central border of Canada and the United States. The area has attracted many filmmakers and is home to some of Canada’s most prized destinations. Whether you’re there for a short time or moving in permanently, it’s worth knowing what Ontario has to offer.
About Ontario, Canada
Nature
If you love the wilderness and beautiful green scenery, we have good news for you. Ontario is where you will find many national parks, rivers, and lakes that hold 20% of the world’s freshwater. It is also the location of one of the most widely known waterfalls in existence: Niagara Falls.
If your outdoor hobbies include hunting and fishing, you’ll need an Outdoors Card and other licenses as a non-resident. You will need to specify what game you wish to hunt, follow the laws for hunting in Ontario, and have an expert or an Ontario resident with you when hunting large game.
The People and Customs
Ontario is the most populated and diverse province in Canada, made up of people from all over the world. The province is home to over 12 million people, and the official language is English, but not everyone speaks English. Due to cultural diversity, you can expect to run into people of many backgrounds.
There are small communities of Francophones, mostly in the East of Ontario and in Ottawa. Francophone are people who speak French, or if you happen to be someone who is French in Ontario, you are a Franco-Ontarian. In areas where the Francophone population is high, the government provides services in French as well as English.
Economy
Ontario has the advantages of natural resources, inexpensive electricity, a strong labor force, and immediate access to 120 million Americans at the border. It generates around 40% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Things to Do
On top of being a great place to live, Ontario is filled with fun tourist spots. Explore multicultural shopping spots and restaurants, or make reservations in the iconic CN Tower in downtown Toronto. Imagine living hours away from sights and attractions that people are traveling thousands of miles to see!
Before You Move
Gather Your Paperwork
For health insurance, apply for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). They will issue you a health card that covers emergencies, doctor visits, lab work, and more. If you are age 24 or younger, and you’re not enrolled in a private plan, your prescription medication will be covered by the OHIP+ Children and Youth Pharmacare Program.
To make your life easier, you can change your address in all channels through MovingWaldo. MovingWaldo is Canada’s top moving application that turns updating address changes into a one-step process.
Housing and Cost of Living
The cost of living depends on what part of Ontario you are going to move to. Areas like Hamilton are affordable, but if you go to more urban cities like Toronto, the capital of Ontario, expect to pay the highest rent in Canada.
Whether you are buying or renting, it is common to hire Ontario or Ancaster realty companies to help you find your dream home within your budget. You’ll need it, especially in larger cities where you can get easily overwhelmed. If you’re starting a life with the bare minimum and you need connections, use online platforms to find roommates to split the rent.
After You Move
Once you get settled, you need to give yourself time to adjust to the new life and a different way of doing things. It’s important to mention that if you are coming from the US, certain services like streaming accounts or gift cards may not be eligible, as some terms and conditions do not include Canada.
Utilities
Consult with MovingWaldo on Internet service providers and cell phone plan rates. The prices are determined by the cell phone carrier you choose and your new address.
For electricity and gas, find an electricity and natural gas provider that is licensed by the Ontario Energy Board. For groceries, you can find common supermarket chains like Sobeys or Loblaw in more urban areas. Any local grocery store or farmer’s market will do fine as well. If you see food labeled with the Foodland Ontario logo, it means that it’s produced locally.
Public Transportation
The public transportation system in Ontario is divided into two types: conventional and specialized. Conventional transit is a regular transportation service that runs on a specific schedule. Specialized transit is door-to-door transport for individuals with disabilities or those who are eligible for the service.
Summary
We hope that you enjoyed our quick guide on what to expect from starting a new life in Ontario, Canada. Be sure to research local laws and regulations, and learn everything you can about the neighborhood. While everyone has a different reason why they want to move to Ontario, we can all agree that it is one of the most beautiful places to be.
Featured image source: Freepik
