There’s no denying Canadians are some of the most friendly people in the world. Canada is filled with awe-inspiring national parks, pristine coastlines, a diversity of cuisine, and many outdoor-focused adventures. When moving with your family, you want to live somewhere with affordable childcare, a good educational system, the right amenities, access to top-notch healthcare, and of course to be somewhere you can build a beautiful home and community.  

We put together a list of the best eight cities for families in Canada for 2022 to help you decide where you may want to settle with your family.

1. Ottawa, Ontario

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There are many great places to live in Ontario, including Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. When you’re in the nation’s capital you can take in views of the Ottawa River throughout the city. At the heart of everything is Parliament Hill, featuring Victorian architecture, political centres, and museums like the National Gallery of Canada. The Rideau Canal is filled with boats in the warmer months, and once the cold weather comes around you can expect it to be filled with ice-skaters and warm pastries.

Ottawa is known as one of the most educated cities in the country, as it is home to high-profile universities such as the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. Home prices are on the rise in Ottawa, as multiple offers and quick closes are becoming the new norm for real estate in the city, it’s a seller’s market. Even so, the average home prices are still more reasonable compared to other major metropolises in Canada. Due to stable employment numbers and an influx of people from less affordable cities, Ottawa is continuing to grow and develop.  

2. St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

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St. John’s, located in Newfoundland off the Atlantic coast, is the oldest city in North America. The history and culture the area is known for plays a big part in the city’s economy, as it attracts tourists throughout the year. Last year, the St. John’s International Airport passenger traffic reached 1.53 million. The downtown area, the cultural hub of the city, is filled with colourful houses which you won’t be able to take your eyes off of, even if you live in the city. Aside from being the homes of many people in the city, they’re also an identifying factor of St. John’s and a popular tourist spot. Be sure to check out Walter Street for its boutiques and restaurants, and stop by George Street for its happening nightlife scene. The architecture in St. John’s has a unique style from the rest of the country, as its buildings are remnants of its storied history. Home prices in the city have seen a moderate decline this year, due to a reduction in the labour force and the region’s real estate, which makes it a great opportunity for those looking to buy in St. John’s.

There’s so much to see and do in St. John’s, a drive to Signal Hill will allow you to check out military landmarks, trails, and tours. Cabot Tower is only the beginning of the things to do, but it is the best place to watch the sunset. Go hiking at Cape Spear and take in the views from the lighthouse and once you’re done that, visit Bowring Park which features a playground and an outdoor swimming pool to entertain your little ones. If you enjoy a beautiful family picnic, Bannerman Park is the place for you. Biking around the city is a popular and fun mode of transportation in St. John’s, you get to exercise and see the city at the same time!

Median Monthly Daycare Cost: $933.92

Percent of Families With Kids: 29%

Population: 106,172

Estimated Unemployment Rate: 13.4%

Average household income: $99,394

Average Price Of A Home: $433,359

3. Vancouver, British Columbia

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Vancouver, British Columbia, offers residents the best of both worlds. It’s a metropolitan city with a small-town vibe. Each of the city’s unique neighbourhoods presents plenty of opportunities for employment and for enjoying recreational activities. You will find that Vancouver is family-friendly and chock full of fun things to do with your loved ones as well as highly-rated educational programs, which makes it a great place to raise children. If you’re a fan of the outdoors you won’t be alone, as Vancouver is home to skiers, snowboarders, boaters, and hikers. The restaurant scene in the area is thriving, popular places include sushi spot Miku and a café serving food made with locally-sourced ingredients, Medina.

There have been fewer buyers in regards to the housing market in Vancouver, meaning existing buyers have more listings to choose from and face less competition than seen in the past few years. According to the Financial Post, prices have declined as recently as this year. That being said, lower house prices are being offset by higher mortgage rates.

Median Monthly Daycare Cost: $976.55

Percent of Families With Kids: 27%

Population: 2,313,328

Estimated Unemployment Rate: 4.3%

Average household income: $93,520

Average Price Of A Home: $1,514,621

4. Oakville, Ontario

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Oakville, Ontario allows residents easy access to the amenities and job market in both Toronto and Hamilton while reaping the benefits of a smaller suburban city. The tight-knit community guarantees your neighbours will be friendly, helpful and may actually get to know your name. Oakville is known for its many festivals, including the Downtown Oakville Jazz Fest, the Family Ribfest, and the The New Art Festival. The downtown area runs along the shore of Lake Ontario and is centered on Oakville Harbour. Young professionals and families make up a large part of the city’s demographics, as there are about 54,875 census families in private households.

The local housing market has remained steady in terms of price fluctuations this year. In the past three months, the market has bounced back in a strong way. Prices are high, although not as high as they were last year.

Median Monthly Daycare Cost: $1,003

Percent of Families With Kids: 24%

Population: 209,039

Estimated Unemployment Rate: 5.7%

Average household income: $161,540

Average Price Of A Home: $1,218,967

5. Calgary, Alberta

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Alberta’s bustling city of Calgary, known a Cowtown, is a fun place to call home. From skyscrapers to farmland, this eclectic city fits many personalities from different walks of life. The progressive school system and abundance of parks and playgrounds make it the perfect place to raise kids. Finding something interesting to do with the whole family won’t be difficult, with options like the Calgary Zoo, the Glenbow Museum, the Calgary Tower, and the Heritage Park Historical Village. In July there’s the incredibly popular Calgary Stampede, a rodeo and festival attended by people from all over the world.

Calgary’s rapid growth is due in large part to the city being at the centre of the country’s oil industry. The housing market recently hit a sweet spot for millennials. People are aware that real estate tends to appreciate and are investing young in order to let their equity build up quickly.

Median Monthly Daycare Cost: $922.82

Percent of Families With Kids: 27%

Population: 1,096,833

Estimated Unemployment Rate: 8.0%

Average household income: $132,568

Average Price Of A Home: $563,463

6. Westmount, Quebec

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The affluent suburb of Westmount is located on the Island of Montreal in Quebec. Families are flocking to this area of the country because it’s home to great schools, arenas, a public library, and numerous public parks including Westmount Park, King George Park, and Westmount Summit. The city is on a steep terrain, covering 3.9 square miles extending from the summit of Mount Royal to the foot of the mountain. It’s a beautiful place to live, as homes in the area are nestled between lush trees on quiet side streets.

The Greater Montreal Area has always had a well-developed real-estate market. Home prices are continuing on an upward trend this year and single-family homes have yielded modest growth. The high prices of real estate in other cities make the Greater Montreal Area a bargain in comparison. Whether you’re a home buyer or a developer, buying property in Westmount is a safe investment.  

Median Monthly Daycare Cost: $859.43

Percent of Families With Kids: 26%

Population: 21,083

Estimated Unemployment Rate: 7.5%

Average household income: $240,205

Average Price Of A Home: $1,588,535

7. Canmore, Alberta

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Canmore, in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, is home to the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park and the Grassi Lakes Trail, the latter boasting a waterfall and turquoise blue lakes. Canmore borders Banff National Park and the opportunity for both cross-country skiing and mountain-biking lies around every corner. Suffice to say, it’s a stunning place to live.

Just west of Calgary, this town offers up a quieter living situation than a larger city centre while still being close to everything you would need and want. When it comes to buying real estate in Canmore, now is the right time, as the town’s ideal location is garnering more attention, meaning it is about to get a lot more expensive. Alberta’s economy is constantly improving, and the tourist industry in the area is seeing a resurgence. Tourism-related industries accounted for 9% of the total number of jobs in Alberta.

Median Monthly Daycare Cost: $922.82

Percent of Families With Kids: 28%

Population: 13,992

Estimated Unemployment Rate: 5.1%

Average household income: $129,959

Average Price Of A Home: $912,436

8. Brandon, Manitoba

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Brandon is the second biggest city in the province of Manitoba. Close to 50,000 people are privy to the area’s amenities, services, and employment opportunities. The city is host to a fine education sector, which boasts a wonderful public school system. Traffic is no big concern in Brandon, as there is a maximum commute time of 12 minutes throughout the city. The Daly House Museum is home to historic photos and antique displays while the Westman Reptile Gardens puts on interactive animal exhibits that are fun for the whole family.

As house prices drop, Brandon is becoming more of a buyer’s market. But as housing stock seems to be falling, it could mean the values of homes on the market might increase more rapidly. It is important to note that property sizes tend to be lower in Brandon than commonly available across the nation.

Median Monthly Daycare Cost: $738.48

Percent of Families With Kids: 27%

Population: 46,061

Estimated Unemployment Rate: 4.9%

Average household income: $90,226

Average Price Of A Home: $349,576

These are some of the best cities for families in Canada this year! Let us know if you live in any of the cities.