Exploring Mississauga in Ontario as a newcomer is the first step toward building a meaningful life in Canada. Mississauga, Ontario, is a city where diversity thrives, and opportunities abound for newcomers. On Lake Ontario’s shores, this vibrant city provides an elite amalgamation of cultures, cuisines, and experiences. From its bustling urban centers to its tranquil parks and waterfronts, this city never fails to present an enticing landscape for new immigrants keen on exploring and calling its dynamic community home. Let us unravel this popular city and get an insight into its housing market, career opportunities, and local labor market. In addition, understanding these factors will play a significant role in determining your financial success in the city.
Exploring Mississauga in Ontario as a newcomer
This city lies in the Greater Toronto Area and boasts of a thousand new immigrants. Its location is near the Peel region on Lake Ontario’s shores. In addition, it is only 24 kms away from Toronto, making it a prominent location and a great option instead of the Toronto city.
Over the past few years, Mississauga has witnessed considerable growth and has turned out to be the greatest municipality in Canada. Originally, it was established as a township in Toronto in 1805. Initially, it turned out to be Mississauga Township in 1968 and then transformed into the city of Mississauga in 1974.
As of today, the city has emerged to comprise Pearson International Airport and the headquarters of multiple local and international corporations.
The population size in Mississauga
According to the 2021 data, the population of the city is around 717,961. This indicates a decline of nearly 0.5 percent in 2016 when the population was 721,599. The city turned out to be the third-largest in the province and the seventh-largest in Canada. The population in Mississauga, which was not born in Canada, was nearly 52.2 percent. It is one of the most significant landmarks in Canada in terms of size for Canadian immigrants.
Finding a job and establishing a career in Mississauga
The city is home to Pearson International Airport and provides access to the chief highways in the GTA. Mississauga brings an enticing opportunity for business and continues to be a popular destination for corporate offices, transportation, manufacturing, and supply chains.
Mississauga’s chief industries include the following:
- Aerospace
- Transportation
- Food and Beverage Manufacturing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Banking and Finance
- Life Sciences
- Electronics
- Information and Communication Technology
Mississauga’s principal employers
There are over sixty 500 Fortune companies headquartered within the borders of Mississauga. A few of the chief companies you can work for include the following:
- Amazon
- Oracle
- Air Canada
- Microsoft Canada
- Walmart
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Region of Peel
- Bell Canada
- Canada Post
- Research in Motion
Mississauga’s career prospects
Most new immigrants have the opportunity to immigrate to the Mississauga region due to the versatile career prospects. Besides, there are a plethora of industries with different career pathways for individuals across all professions and skill levels.
They have the option to discover more career options by connecting with a recruitment agency. A few of the firms include Resolve Recruit Inc., Randstad Canada, Robert Half, and AppleOne Employment Services.
Exploring Mississauga’s Housing Market as a Newcomer in Ontario
Mississauga is a great place to be in, with its variety of housing alternatives based on a person’s budget and their standard of living. However, the housing market is quite expensive compared to other cities in the country. Moreover, they have multiple rental options and new immigrants have the option to rent or live in accommodations with short-term before purchasing a house.
Mississauga tends to be more expensive than the other areas of Ontario. However, it is more cost-effective compared to other regions of the Greater Toronto Area.
The location you choose to reside in the city will reflect on the amount you will need to pay as a mortgage or rent. A few of the most affordable areas include regions, such as Fairview, Applewood, Meadowvale, and Mississauga valleys.
Finding a rental place in Mississauga
Mississauga’s rent is quite expensive, and the city typically ranks among the five most expensive cities in Canada. Typically, the rental price is pretty expensive, accounting for $2,000 per month. The average rental apartment cost in Mississauga for a Bachelor is $1,832. In addition, it is $2,290 for a one-bedroom apartment and $2,681 for two bedrooms. Besides, a three-bedroom apartment costs $3,095 as of December 2022.
Rental costs will change according to evolving market trends. When newcomers are finding their way to renting, they must consider rental insurance as an option. This is because rental insurance is crucial for them to protect their family, finances, and belongings. While rental insurance is an alternative, several property owners might demand it from immigrants as part of the rental application.
Purchasing a house in Mississauga
Buying a home in Mississauga is not affordable because it is costly. The average housing price is $1,032,069 per the data by Zolo as of December 2022. The townhouse has an average cost of $856,000 and the condo costs around $603,000.
What is transportation like in Mississauga? – Driving and public transit
Residents in Mississauga have a habit of commuting to their workplaces, and it usually takes a significant amount of time to drive to and from work. However, they are fortunate enough due to the major highways prevalent in the city, making it convenient to commute. These major highways include Highway 403, Highway 427, Highway 409, and Highway 410. Individuals who seek to avoid being stuck in traffic can access Highway 407 ETR, meaning a toll road.
Looking at the public transit in this city
The city has a vast public transit system, and residents can access a combined form of commuter rail, Mississauga Transitway, and Hurontario LRT. These alternatives offer commuters the opportunity to access the majority of the Greater Toronto Area. Moreover, there are objectives to prolong the Toronto subway to the city at least by 2030.
Newcomers having community support
It is essential to hold a robust financial base when you choose to immigrate to Canada. Therefore, usually local banks and financial institutions provide multiple programs to these new immigrants. These can help newcomers apply for credit cards, open a credit line and a bank account, or even apply for a mortgage. You can attain support for several financial products. Visiting a local branch physically or digitally to begin the process is advisable.
The education system prevailing in Canada
Mississauga provides children and adults with a wide variety of education alternatives. The city comprises four school boards, and university and college campuses. In addition, parents can access daycare and preschool alternatives. Moreover, several before and after-school programs.
Four school boards operate more than 150 schools, including the following:
- Peel District School Board
- the Conseil scolaire Viamonde
- Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
- Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
On the whole, the city consists of 121 elementary and secondary public schools. Meanwhile, there are 114 Catholic elementary and secondary schools.
Individuals do have the choice to enroll their kids in one of these private schools or schools having English as their second language (ESL schools). However, numerous schools provide children with specialized programs in Arts, Business, Sports, and Technology.
Post-Secondary Institutions
Newcomers have access to multiple alternatives for post-secondary education. The University of Toronto consists of a campus in this city. The downtown area of Mississauga comprises the famous Sheridan Institute of Technology as well as the Advanced Learning Hazel McCallion Campus. Additionally, Mohawk and Lambton colleges also comprise a satellite camps in Mississauga, especially for international students.
Besides, one can access the greatest post-secondary institutions in the world just a short distance away in the Greater Toronto Area.
Accessing medical care in Mississauga
The city is home to two reputed hospitals that are a part of Trillium Health Partners. Northwest consists of the Credit Valley Hospital and in the southeast, one can find the Mississauga Hospital. In addition, this city offers more than hundreds of small clinics, both medical and dental. Newcomers can dial 9-1-1 from anywhere in Canada. Permanent resident holders in Canada will acquire public health funds through the provincial government under the Ontario Health Insurance Program. Notably, the OHIP coverage has no waiting period. Individuals can apply at the earliest once they arrive in Ontario.
In addition, they might choose to pay for other health insurance plans to get prescription drugs and the services which OHIP doesn’t cover, A few individuals comprise third-party health insurance via employer benefit packages.
Finding a family doctor in this city
For anyone arriving here, health is surely going to be at the top of their list, and therefore, they must find a family doctor. They can reach out to family doctor in the following two ways:
- Healthcare Connect or the College of Physicians
- Surgeons of Ontario
Exploring routine life in Mississauga, Ontario, as a newcomer
Mississauga is an excellent landing spot for new immigrants due to its diversity, and individuals from all across the globe want to embrace it as their new home. In addition, people have several employment options in different industries. Besides, it is a stunning place with a beautiful waterfront and numerous places that newcomers can visit. Here’s a breakdown of what one can expect from the routine life in Mississauga:
- The city offers a wide range of things to new immigrants, such as vibrant communities, art, festivals, cultural events and dishes across the globe.
- Mississauga has significant public spaces and attractions to visit in free time. There are multiple Absolute unique towers, such as the Square One Shopping Center. Other prominent ones include the Errin Mills Town Center, Playdium, and Dixie Outlet Mall. If you seem to rejoice in the arts, then you must take a trip to the popular Art Gallery of Mississauga. Moreover, this city lies in the vicinity of all the popular spots in Toronto.
- Individuals can access excellent nightlife from all across the globe. They can find a wide variety of cultural restaurants throughout Mississauga. If people feel like making their weekend exceptionally special, they could visit Port Credit’s local communities and Streetsville.
- Outdoor lovers can visit top-notch places, such as Rattray Marsh Conservation Area, Jack Darling Memorial Park, and Lakefront Promenade Park.
- The city includes numerous minor sports franchises, such as Ontario Hockey League’s Steelheads and the NBA G League’s Raptors 905. The summer games of Ontario in 2022 also took place in Mississauga. In addition, the Paramount Fine Foods Center’s concerts and live music, along with bars and clubs are also great options.
Exploring Mississauga in Ontario as a newcomer with its culture and diversity
Mississauga is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, making it a top destination for newcomers to settle. More than 50 percent of the population in this city are immigrants, indicating over 350,000 residents. According to the Census 2021 statistics, 37.6 percent of the population seems to be European, being the most significant ethnocultural background. In addition to this, the statistics are as follows:
- South Asian – 25.4 percent
- Chinese – 7.3 percent
- Black – 6.9 percent
- Filipino – 5.4 percent
- Arab – 6 percent
Besides English, the most common languages are as follows:
- Urdu – 5.0 percent
- Arabic – 4.7 percent
- Mandarin – 3.2 percent
- Polish – 3.1 percent
- Punjabi – 2.9 percent
The worship culture in this city
The city represents a variety of religious beliefs, with Christianity at the core. All the prevalent religions with their percentage are as follows:
- Christianity – 49.9 percent
- Catholic – 30.4 percent
- Orthodox – 3.6 percent
- Islam – 17 percent
- Hinduism – 8.8 percent
- Sikhism – 3.4 percent
- Buddhism – 2 percent
- Judaism – 0.2 percent
- No religious belief system – 18.1 percent
Mississauga’s weather conditions
The weather in this city is similar to other cities in the GTA and has continental weather conditions, just like in Southern Ontario. An average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius exists here, with the chilly weather in January having an average temperature of 10 degrees in winter. The climate is ever-changing throughout the year. Rainy days can be seen in spring and autumn, along with summer days and snowfall during the winter.
Exploring Mississauga in Ontario as a newcomer bestows ample opportunities to immerse oneself in its vibrant culture, diverse communities, and breathtaking landscapes. From discovering hidden gems in its neighborhoods to embracing the warmth of its residents, Mississauga welcomes newcomers with open arms. Whether it’s savoring international cuisine, strolling along its scenic waterfront, or delving into its rich history, Mississauga invites newcomers to embark on an enriching journey of discovery and belonging. With each step, newcomers can create lasting memories and forge meaningful connections, making Mississauga not just a destination but a place to call home.
Do you have any general queries or concerns regarding Canadian immigration? Let our expert guides at Make Home Canada help you get all the answers. We are just a call away; stay connected at 1-800-979-0509 or simply email your concerns to [email protected].
