As a new immigrant, choosing which city to move to is probably one of the easiest decisions you will make. Most immigrants we spoke to said there were just two questions they needed to ask themselves: where in Canada did they have family or friends; and which city held out the most promising financial prospects.

Over the course of this article, we will profile each of these cities, as well as other areas popular with immigrants, and look at what each city has to offer.

TORONTO

So what makes the Ontario capital such a favourite? For one thing, Toronto is the engine that powers the province’s current red-hot economy. The city’s unemployment rate is the lowest in Canada, making it easier for newcomers to find a job.

Toronto sits close to the southern border (the US is just a two-hour drive away), which means winter is not as harsh as most other regions in Canada. For people unused to freezing temperatures, that is a big plus.

The cultural diversity and the sheer numbers that each community boasts also make it easier for immigrants to feel at home. Toronto’s immigrant population comes from 169 countries and speak 100 different languages. Many neighbourhoods are now popularly named after the dominant community living in the area. So you have Chinatown, Corso Italia, Little India, Koreatown, Portugal Village and so on, each with their own distinctive flavour of stores, restaurants, clubs and businesses.

At one time, Toronto used to have one of the country’s highest crime rates. But a booming economy and an aging population have resulted in a dramatic drop in crime over the last decade, so much so that the Ontario capital is now second only to Quebec City in the list of Canada’s safest metro areas.

Toronto consistently ranks among the top 10 in surveys of best places to live. In two recent studies, the US-based Corporate Resources Group rated Toronto as having the second highest standard of living in the world, while Switzerland’s William M. Mercer Group ranked the city fifth in a survey of the world’s most liveable cities.

On the down side, Ontario does have one of Canada’s most criticised education and healthcare systems – the result of continuing government cutbacks in those areas. Education cutbacks have resulted in numerous schools being shut, and teachers have been none too amused by the provincial government’s attempts to force a heavier workload on them. Ontario also has the second-highest university tuition costs in Canada, currently close to $4,000 a year.

For the final word though, here’s a finding recently published in The Toronto Star, Canada’s biggest-selling newspaper. It commissioned a survey which found that 94 per cent of Torontonians believe that the city’s diverse population lives and works together “very well” or “somewhat well”, an astonishingly high satisfaction factor.

Overall rating: 7/10

Plus: Strong economy, low unemployment rate, excellent transit system in the downtown core, extremely multicultural, real estate prices still fairly low in outlying areas, low crime rate, winters not as harsh as cities further north.

Minus: Very limited transit system in outlying regions, low vacancy rates for rental apartments, high fees for university education, medicare cuts mean months-long waits for specialist treatments.

Major newspapers: The Toronto Star, The Globe & Mail, The Toronto Sun, National Post.

*An hour’s drive or less from Toronto

Area codes: Toronto - 416. Outlying regions – 905

VANCOUVER

Toronto may have the second-highest standard of living in the world, but it’s another Canadian city that takes the top spot in that race. The respected Corporate Resources Group survey, aimed at informing corporate managers charged with setting budgetary allowances for expatriate staff, places Vancouver at the top of a list of 192 cities worldwide for political stability, economic outlook, culture, health and education resources.

Vancouver, in the province of British Columbia, draws the highest number of immigrant newcomers after Toronto. One of the the province's former premiers was an immigrant, Indian-born Ujjal Dosanjh making history by becoming the first immigrant to win that high office. (Provincial leaders are known as premiers, the national leader is the prime minister).

The proximity to both sea and mountain has resulted in a number of activities fairly unique to Vancouver -- where else can you indulge in sports like snowshoe-paragliding or skiing-kayaking?

Vancouver’s weather and its natural beauty have made the city a favourite with immigrants. One in three Vancouver residents is an immigrant, according to the 1996 census, making it second only to Toronto in terms of immigrant population. The city is especially popular with those from the Far East -- people from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan account for half of all newcomers to Vancouver. Immigration levels from these countries has peaked in recent years, one reason possibly being Hong Kong’s return to the Chinese fold, and the accompanying fears of its wealthier citizens.

Be that as it may, the infusion of some of this wealth into Vancouver’s economy has come as a shot in its arm. Trade with Asia is on the rise as immigrant businessmen and women seek to capitalize on their links with the region.

On the down side, crises in the Asian markets have a tendency of hurting the British Columbian economy. The province already lags well behind national growth rate. Forestry, the largest industry, is in decline, and jobs overall are not as easy to come by.

The region already has about the highest real estate prices in Canada and the cost of living expenses are up to 30 per cent higher than in other major cities.

All said and done though, Vancouver remains one of the world’s few cities that is popular both with its own people as well as visitors. It consistently makes well-known top 10 lists, including those of Condé Nast Traveller (best cities to visit) and Outside magazine (best cities to live in). If you find the right employment quickly, you’re going to love this place.

Overall rating: 8/10

Plus: Good year-round weather, multi-cultural population, efficient and reliable transit system, low crime rate, high wages, good medicare system, lower provincial sales tax than in Ontario

Minus: High cost of living, property prices among highest in Canada, job market fairly tight

Major newspapers: Vancouver Sun, The Province, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Oriental Star (in Chinese)

*An hour’s drive or less from Vancouver

Area codes: Greater Vancouver and Whistler – 604, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands – 250

Related: Accommodation in and around Vancouver


MONTREAL

If there is one city in North America that truly stands out from the pack, it is Montreal. This Quebec city has a flavour all its own. It is the largest French-speaking city outside of France and in many ways Montreal feels more European than it does North American.

(A tiny bit of history while on the subject: Until less than 300 years ago, the Quebec region was occupied by French settlers, who despite their smaller numbers bravely held their own in battles against the Anglo-Americans. It took one of the continent’s defining wars, in 1759, before the British finally captured Quebec. The province’s French culture, however, lives on till this day).

Immigration has also made Montreal a culturally diverse city. Like other cities popular with immigrants, it has its own Chinatown, Greektown, Little Italy and other ethnic enclaves.

While French is the official language in Québec, it should be noted that most Montrealers speak at least some English. So getting around or making yourself understood isn’t overly difficult even if you do not know French.

Getting a job is an entirely different matter. If your knowledge of French is limited (or non-existent), finding employment can be extremely difficult. Fortunately, the Quebec government has an excellent initiation programme for new immigrants, which includes six months of free courses in French and ways of adapting to life in your new home. (While other provinces have some programmes for new immigrants, none match the scope and quality of Quebec effort). Still, it should come as no surprise that the top three sources for Montreal new immigrants are Haiti, Lebanon and France – all countries where French is a major language.

As with Toronto and Vancouver, Montreal is also located close to the US, and this tourist favourite is a magnet for vehicles from across the border (as well as from Ontario) during long holiday weekends.

Montreal is safe and, with its fun lifestyle and numerous attractions, easy to fall in love with.

On the down side, Montreal has winters that can take getting some used to. If you come from a country where you never see snow, get ready to experience a lot of the white stuff. The winter can stretch from November right through to April, and though you’ll quickly learn to adapt, it can really put a cramp on you in your first year when paperwork, house-hunting and a job search all involve having to be out and about.

Driving around in Montreal is also rarely a fun experience. The road layout is somewhat confusing (the east-west routes actually run closer to north-south) and signs are mostly in French, which makes following directions rather tricky if you don’t follow the language. It doesn’t help that Montreallers rarely seem to obey speed limits and show little driving courtesy. (It must be said that, once they step outside the car, the people are among the most polite and gracious you will find. Go figure).

The cost of living in Montreal is somewhat higher than in Toronto; and the price of gasoline and parking make owning a car a mixed blessing.

There is also an element of political uncertainty, with Quebec having twice pushed for independence in referendums. Recent polls however indicate that support for a break from Canada is on the wane.

Overall rating: 7/10 (if you speak French), 5.5/10 (if you don’t)

Plus: Excellent initiation programmes for new immigrants, good healthcare services, low crime rate, efficient subway system that services most major business areas, lowest university fees in Canada

Minus: Long and cold winters, difficult early months for non-French speakers, cost of living on the higher side

Major newspapers: Montreal Gazette, Presse, Matin

*An hour’s drive or less from Montreal

Area codes: Montreal – 514, Laval – 450

CALGARY

Calgary, one of Alberta’s two most popular cities with immigrants, has something in common with Montreal: it has hosted an Olympic Games.

Beyond that, however, it is the differences rather than similarities that are more apparent. Montréalers are polite, Calgary’s people are friendly. Montréalers turn maniacs behind the wheel; in Calgary, drivers show extreme courtesy. If ever there was an award to pick the friendliest city in Canada, Calgary would be right up there.

Job opportunities abounded and Calgary became a major draw for new immigrants. By 1996, some 15 per cent of Alberta’s population was immigrant, more than half of whom made Calgary their home.

According to some estimates, 80 per cent of Canada’s oil companies have offices in Calgary. But it is by no means a one-industry town. Aided by the business-friendly policies of the Alberta government, major high-tech and financial companies among others have flocked to Calgary. The economy continues to look good; and with salaries high and taxes low, Calgary is an attractive proposition for new immigrants.

On the down side, the cost of living in Calgary is also fairly high. Housing prices are on the upswing and families with university-going children will feel the pinch with fees close to those in Ontario. While one in six Alberta residents is an immigrant, the province does not offer quite the same level of multiculturalism as Ontario or British Columbia. This may make assimilation a little more challenging for non-European immigrants.

Overall rating: 6/10

Plus: Bright economic outlook (especially in the high-tech, financial and oil sectors), low tax rates, business-friendly policies, excellent education system, very friendly and outgoing people

Minus: Cost of living fairly high, higher education is expensive, temperatures on the cooler side (even in summer), not too many social and cultural facilities for non-European immigrants

Major newspapers: Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun

EDMONTON

Edmonton is Alberta’s capital, and the other major city in the province to win the hearts of immigrants. Situated some 285km north of Calgary, it attracts much the same glowing tributes as its southern counterpart. Its people are friendly and welcoming, its economy benefits from the same business-friendly policies and its downtown core nearly as modern.

In actual fact, Edmonton has been on the map for a long time, having being founded as a trading post by the famous Hudson’s Bay Company in 1795. It has had its share of ups and downs, but the discovery of oil just outside the city in 1947 fuelled a boom that would earn it the crown of Canada’s oil capital. The crude price drop in the Eighties signalled a temporary decline in Edmonton’s fortunes, but that is very much a memory now as the city capitalises on one of the fastest-growing economies in the country.

Immigration figures routinely show Edmonton running close to Calgary as the city of choice for new immigrants moving to Alberta.

The down side for Edmonton is pretty much the same as it is for Calgary: a somewhat high cost of living, a low rank in the multicuturalism department, and a climate that takes a little getting used to for those immigrating from warmer climes.

All said and done, though, there is one statistic that should interest would-be immigrants: When it comes to inter-province migration (people moving within the country), Alberta ranks number one in the country, far ahead of both British Columbia and Ontario and leaving Québec completely out of sight.

Overall rating: 6/10

Plus: Bright economic outlook, low tax rates, business-friendly policies, excellent education system, world-class transit system, great facilities for cyclists

Minus: Cost of living fairly high, higher education is expensive, temperatures on the cooler side (even in summer), not too many social and cultural facilities for non-European immigrants

Major newspapers: The Edmonton Journal

OTHER POPULAR DESTINATIONS

Some lesser-known cities in southern Ontario and in western Canada have become hugely popular with immigrants. There are various reasons for these – such as proximity to the major cities, lower cost of living and a high percentage of people from the same community population living in the area.

Elsewhere across Canada, there are big immigrant populations in Kitchener, Windsor and London (all in Ontario), Victoria (British Columbia) and Laval (Quebec).