Discover life in Oshawa for growth and prosperity through this comprehensive guide to Ontario. Life in Oshawa is an amalgamation of urban convenience and nature’s abundance. It is one of the key hubs in the GTA and boasts a diverse economy anchored by some of the chief industries like healthcare, education, and automotive manufacturing. In addition, it consists of well-established institutions, including Durham College and Ontario Tech University. The city welcomes students and professionals alike. Oshawa residents can rejoice in a wider range of recreational activities, including exploring the waterfront trails along Lake Ontario to attend cultural events. Furthermore, with more affordable housing options, a robust community set-up, and proximity to Toronto, Oshawa is home to an enticing lifestyle for families, students, and professionals alike.
Population in Oshawa
Oshawa, Ontario has a moderate population size with more than 170,000 residents. The Metropolitan area of the city, including Whitby and Clarington, is more than 405,000. There is a consistent population growth of one percent annually. As a result, the area of Oshawa emerges as the sixth largest in Ontario.
Discover life in Oshawa for growth and prosperity – What about the career prospects?
Oshawa’s location appears to be a major plus point because it lies along the eastern part of the GTA. Highway 401 also connects the city to Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. Construction and manufacturing are the two chief industries in this city. Moreover, the manufacturing sector was likely to witness a growth of 8.5 percent by 2022, and 4.3 percent in the construction sector. The city will also reopen GM Canada’s Truck Assembly Plan to enhance the local economy.
Similarly, other significant sectors will also see considerable growth, such as:
- Healthcare – 18 percent
- Retail Trade – 15 percent
- Educational Services – 11 percent
- Admin and Support – 8 percent
- Public Administration – 8 percent
- Accommodation and Food Services – 8 percent
- Manufacturing – 6 percent
- Professional Services – 3 percent
- Finance and Insurance – 3 percent
- Information and Culture – 2 percent
- Other – 18 percent
Oshawa’s significant employers
There are approximately 12,000 companies providing employment to 70,000 residents. In addition, employment growth occurred by nearly 5.9 percent in 2021. The chief employers in the city are as follows:
- General Motors of Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Finance
- Lakeridge Health
- Concentrix
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology
- City of Oshawa
- Durham Catholic District School Board
Oshawa’s chief career prospects
Individuals can search for the right employment opportunities on the government’s Canada Job Bank website. You must conduct thorough research on Oshawa’s individual websites and the top employers. Also, access the employment agency. The chief recruitment agencies in the region include the following:
- Durham Recruiting
- Redwood Employment
- Adecco
- Randstad Canada
Discover Oshawa’s Housing Market
Newcomers prioritize living in Oshawa, and they seek to purchase or rent after evaluating the housing options. It is essential to learn about the top employers, schools, stores, and basic facilities to make a final decision.
Living in Oshawa – What about housing affordability?
Affordability is becoming challenging in Oshawa because most people tend to migrate to other cities leaving Toronto. Rental apartments are pretty expensive in the city, making Oshawa expensive. In addition, over the past few years, real estate costs have also increased.
Finding a rental place in Oshawa
Individuals looking forward to rental options must access neighborhood areas, including Central Oshawa, Eastdale, O’Neil, and Vanier Donovan. Other areas in the vicinity include Whitby, Ajax, and Bowmanville. The average rental cost in this city is about $1,349 for a Bachelor apartment. Notably, the costs will differ depending on varied factors, such as location, size, and apartment attributes. The average cost for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,26, and $2.143 for a two-bedroom apartment. Moreover, the cost for three-bedroom apartments is $2,264.
After finding a rental place in the city, one must not miss out on the rental Insurance. This is because property owners might demand insurance proof as part of the rental agreement. One must be aware that the landlord’s insurance policy will not provide any coverage to them.
Purchasing a home in Oshawa
The average cost of purchasing a home in Oshawa is $793,000 per Zolo’s study. A detached three-bedroom is $790,000 and $694,000 for a three-bedroom townhouse, whereas the average cost of a condo is $524,000. These estimates stand firm as of September 2022. Purchasing a new home in Canada is one of the most crucial investments one would make after arriving here. However, most newcomers would save a significant amount to buy their first house in the country.
The transport system in Oshawa – Know about driving and the public transit
The Greater Toronto Area has multiple cities where people just live and commute to other regions for work purposes, and Oshawa is no exception. Most people living here drive to the Durham region or inside Downtown Toronto. Highway 401 directly travels across the city and links to different highways. These include the Highway 412, 418, and 407 ETR.
All drivers in Oshawa must carry an authentic and valid driver’s license of Ontario, while also having driving insurance. This province has a graduated licensing system and one must fulfill all steps to become a complete licensed driver.
The Public Transit in Oshawa
Oshawa consists of an excellent public transit system, including Go Transit Trains and buses, connecting residents to Toronto. The Durham Transit offers local bus services in Oshawa and the Transit System makes it far more convenient and cost-effective to travel to work. Additionally, it provides an eco-friendly way to travel and also reduces the hassles caused by being stuck in heavy traffic.
The city also boasts of the Port of Oshawa and Oshawa Executive Airport.
Discover life in Oshawa for growth and prosperity -Immigrant services for newcomers
New immigrants arriving in Oshawa can access settlement services through the Welcome Center Immigrant Services. They can get assistance through these services for a variety of things like searching for housing, acquiring healthcare, and employment options. Individuals can get a lot of answers through the assistance and move toward success in their endeavors.
Attaining Language skills in Oshawa
Each newcomer in Canada must understand that a lot of their success in life will depend upon their language skills. Hence, it will always be crucial to improve upon their language abilities. The Welcome Center Immigration Services provides newcomers with the evaluation of their language skills. They will be able to get assistance in reading and writing and obtain community services in their mother tongue. Moreover, newcomers can access language courses at Durham College and Oshawa’s post-secondary institutions.
Oshawa’s Personal Finance and Banking
A valuable financial plan will assist new immigrants in understanding and analyzing the city in a better way. After arriving in this city, one must open a bank account with a local bank or credit union. In addition, new immigrants can obtain services and financial products. These can assist you in opening up a bank account, acquiring credit cards, applying for mortgages, and even receiving a line of credit. Hence, it will be better to visit a local branch or get a digital account.
The education system prevailing in Oshawa
Ontario’s government supervises and administers the education system in the province. However, each city in this province has a separate board that functions routine operations of the primary, post-secondary, and high schools.
Elementary and High School Education
The Durham District School Board offers public education, while there are 28 elementary schools and 6 high schools in Oshawa. The city is also home to 11 Catholic elementary and 2 high schools. In addition, it boasts of multiple French language and private schools.
Post-Secondary Institutions
Oshawa is home to more than three post-secondary schools, which have more than 20,000 full-time students. These include the following:
- Durham College
- Trent University Durham
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Discover all about medical care in Oshawa for growth and prosperity
Residents in Oshawa can access a great deal of healthcare and services through Lakeridge Health Oshawa, one of the province’s most significant community hospitals. The RS. McLaughlin Durham Regional Center Care also exists. Also, in emergency situations, people can contact 9-1-1, irrespective of where they reside in Canada. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan offers the residents healthcare coverage, and one needs to be a resident here to be eligible for it.
In addition, they have the right to purchase a health insurance plan to get full coverage for prescription drugs and their costs. These types of costs and services don’t fall under the OHIP coverage. Most employers also provide healthcare advantages as a part of the employee benefits package.
Getting a family doctor in Oshawa
Finding one family doctor in a city like Oshawa is a step ahead to make sure that one can use the services. Healthcare Connect can provide with you a list of family doctors who are available to take up new patients. If still, you are unable to connect with a family doctor in this city, you may search for them in the nearby areas. It will be better to go to a local walk-in clinic to access emergency care.
Discover life in Oshawa for growth and prosperity by understanding its routine life
Nestled in Ontario, Oshawa beckons with a rich history, diverse opportunities, and a fulfilling future. Individuals can explore the essence of life in this city, where each corner promises new beginnings and where the community can grow. Here’s what the routine life in Oshawa looks like:
- Lake Ontario lies in the vicinity of Oshawa, while the spacious landscape offers visitors a lot to explore. This city is only at a short distance from Toronto, providing access to a number of entertainment options.
- Oshawa residents have the choice to rejoice in the various public and tourist attractions. A few top tourist attractions in this city include the Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum, Tribute Communities Center, Parkwood Estate, and Oshawa Museum.
- There’s ample scope for nightlife as there are some very fine dining restaurants and varied cuisine options. These include Wildfire Streakhouse, Avanti, Rainbow Restaurant, Cyrus Persian Restaurant, and The White Apron Restaurant. There are multiple festivals that take place in this city, such as Oshawa Fiesta Week, Oshawa Peony Festival, and Kars on King.
- People can discover a wide range of outdoor sports in Oshawa. They can access the Wild Reserves, Biking Paths, Beaches, Parks and Trails. They must also visit the Oshawa Zoo and Fun Farm, along with the Waterfront trails and the Darlington Provincial Park.
Expect diversity and warm culture in Oshawa
Oshawa consists of an inclusive and diverse community that still believes in embracing newcomers. This city had around 4,700 new immigrants in 2021, with nearly 15 percent of the population considered as visible minorities. The chief minority groups include:
- Blacks – 5.5 percent
- South Asian – 3.8 percent
- Chinese – 1.4 percent
- Filipino – 1.3 percent
- Aboriginal population – 2.9 percent
The worship community in Oshawa is pre-dominated by Christians. Around 75 percent of residents in Oshawa are divided into Roman Catholics, Protestants, or Christians. Meanwhile, 0.5 percent are Muslims, 0.4 percent as Hindus, and 0.4 percent as Sikhs.
Oshawa’s weather conditions
Oshawa’s climatic conditions are similar to that of Southern Ontario. The city has a humid continental weather with warm summers and cold winters. The median temperature is really low and on average it is -8.5 degrees Celsius in January, while the highest temperature is 25.1 degrees Celsius.
Whether seeking educational pursuits, professional advancement, or simply a fulfilling lifestyle, Oshawa presents a tapestry of possibilities. As you embark on your journey to discover life in Oshawa for growth and prosperity, may you find success and a sense of belonging in this dynamic and welcoming city.
If you have any questions related to the Canadian immigration process, you can access all relevant details through Make Home Canada’s immigration consultants. Write to us at [email protected]
