10 Best Places for Families to Live in Canada
Summary: In this article, we highlight some of the best places for international families to live in Canada.
If you're dreaming about moving with your family to Canada and haven't decided where to live, here are some of the best places for international families to live in Canada.
Toronto
Toronto is a great city for international families to reside due to its diverse range of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to numerous museums that offer children's activities, such as the Royal Ontario Museum, which hosts interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The Ontario Science Centre is another great option, offering hands-on science experiences. Toronto is also rich in parks and recreational areas, with High Park being a favorite among families for its playgrounds, zoo, and picnic areas. The Toronto Islands also offer beautiful beaches and bike rentals for family outings. For athletic facilities, the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre provides a family-friendly environment with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Toronto Soccer Club and the Toronto City Sports Centre, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and plethora of family-oriented activities, Toronto is a welcoming and engaging city for international families.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a fantastic destination for international families, offering a wide array of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city boasts several museums with children's activities, such as the Museum of Vancouver, which provides interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The Science World at TELUS World of Science is another excellent choice, offering hands-on science experiences for children. Vancouver is also abundant in parks and recreational areas, with Stanley Park being a popular choice among families for its playgrounds, beaches, and picnic areas. The Queen Elizabeth Park also offers beautiful gardens and family-friendly activities. For athletic facilities, the Hillcrest Centre is a family-friendly venue with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Vancouver United Football Club and the Vancouver Athletic Club, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and wealth of family-oriented activities, Vancouver is a welcoming and engaging city for international families.
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Ottawa
Ottawa is a good place for international families to settle, offering a variety of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Canadian Museum of History, which provides interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The Canada Science and Technology Museum is another excellent choice, offering hands-on science experiences for children. Ottawa is also rich in parks and recreational areas, with Gatineau Park being a favorite among families for its hiking trails, beaches, and picnic areas. The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers beautiful paths for walking, biking, and skating. For athletic facilities, the Nepean Sportsplex provides a family-friendly environment with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Ottawa City Soccer Club and the Ottawa Athletic Club, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and wealth of family-oriented activities, Ottawa is a welcoming and engaging city for international families.
Calgary
Calgary is an ideal city for international families, offering a diverse array of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to numerous museums that offer children's activities, such as the TELUS Spark Science Centre, which provides interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The Glenbow Museum is another great choice, offering hands-on history and art experiences for children. Calgary is also abundant in parks and recreational areas, with Nose Hill Park being a popular choice among families for its hiking trails, picnic areas, and stunning views. The Prince's Island Park also offers beautiful gardens and family-friendly activities. For athletic facilities, the Repsol Sport Centre is a family-friendly venue with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Calgary Minor Soccer Association and the Calgary Gymnastics Centre, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and wealth of family-oriented activities, Calgary is a welcoming and engaging city for international families.
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Montreal
Montreal is an excellent city for international families, offering a plethora of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Montreal Science Centre, which provides interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The Montreal Children's Museum is another excellent choice, offering hands-on learning experiences for children. Montreal is also rich in parks and recreational areas, with Mount Royal Park being a favorite among families for its hiking trails, picnic areas, and stunning views. The Botanical Garden, one of the world's largest, offers beautiful gardens and family-friendly activities. For athletic facilities, the Olympic Park Sports Centre provides a family-friendly environment with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Montreal Impact Soccer Schools and the Montreal Gymnastics Club, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and wealth of family-oriented activities, Montreal is a welcoming and engaging city for international families.
Victoria
Victoria is a good destination for international families, boasting a wide range of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Royal BC Museum, which provides interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The Victoria Bug Zoo is another unique choice, offering hands-on experiences with a variety of insects. Victoria is also abundant in parks and recreational areas, with Beacon Hill Park being a popular choice among families for its petting zoo, playgrounds, and stunning views. The Butchart Gardens also offers beautiful gardens and family-friendly activities. For athletic facilities, the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre is a family-friendly venue with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Victoria Soccer Club and the Victoria Gymnastics, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and wealth of family-oriented activities, Victoria is a welcoming and engaging city for international families.
William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
Burlington
Burlington is a wonderful city for international families, offering a variety of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Joseph Brant Museum, which provides interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The Royal Botanical Gardens is another excellent choice, offering hands-on learning experiences for children amidst beautiful gardens. Burlington is also rich in parks and recreational areas, with Spencer Smith Park being a favorite among families for its playgrounds, picnic areas, and stunning views of Lake Ontario. The city also boasts the Burlington Waterfront Trail, a scenic route perfect for family walks or bike rides. For athletic facilities, the Tansley Woods Community Centre provides a family-friendly environment with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Burlington Soccer Club and the Burlington Gymnastics Club, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and wealth of family-oriented activities, Burlington is a welcoming and engaging city for international families.
Oakville
Oakville is a good place for international families to settle, offering a wide array of family-friendly amenities and activities. The town is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Oakville Museum, which provides interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is another unique choice, offering hands-on experiences with golf history and culture. Oakville is also abundant in parks and recreational areas, with Coronation Park being a popular choice among families for its playgrounds, picnic areas, and stunning views of Lake Ontario. The Bronte Creek Provincial Park also offers beautiful natural landscapes and family-friendly activities. For athletic facilities, the Glen Abbey Community Centre is a family-friendly venue with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Oakville Soccer Club and the Oakville Gymnastics Club, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and wealth of family-oriented activities, Oakville is a welcoming and engaging town for international families.
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote
Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is a good place for international families to live, offering a plethora of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, which provides interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The David Dunlap Observatory is another unique choice, offering hands-on experiences with astronomy and science. Richmond Hill is also rich in parks and recreational areas, with Richmond Green Park being a favorite among families for its playgrounds, picnic areas, and stunning views. The city also boasts the Oak Ridges Moraine, a scenic natural area perfect for family hikes or bike rides. For athletic facilities, the Elgin West Community Centre provides a family-friendly environment with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Richmond Hill Soccer Club and the Richmond Hill Gymnastics Club, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and wealth of family-oriented activities, Richmond Hill is a welcoming and engaging city for international families.
Markham
Markham is a fantastic destination for international families, offering a wide range of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Markham Museum, which provides interactive exhibits and educational programs for kids. The Varley Art Gallery is another unique choice, offering hands-on experiences with art and culture. Markham is also abundant in parks and recreational areas, with Toogood Pond Park being a popular choice among families for its playgrounds, picnic areas, and stunning views. The Milne Dam Conservation Park also offers beautiful natural landscapes and family-friendly activities. For athletic facilities, the Angus Glen Community Centre is a family-friendly venue with pools, gyms, and sports programs. Families interested in sports clubs for their children have a variety of options, including the Markham Soccer Club and the Markham Gymnastics Club, both of which offer programs catering to kids. With its multicultural environment and wealth of family-oriented activities, Markham is a welcoming and engaging city for international families.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- Canada Guide
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Canada
- Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Canada
- Best Places to Live in Canada
- Real Estate in Canada
- Guide to Real Estate in Canada
- Pros & Cons of Living in Canada
- Cost of Living in Canada
- Top Hospitals in Canada by Specialty
- Best Places to See While on a Look-See Trip to Canada (Plus, Itineraries)
- Moving with a Pet to Canada
- Mental Health Care in Canada
- 2025 Guide to Living in Canada
- Pros and Cons of Living in Canada 2025