5 Best Canadian Cities for Millennials

By Monster Contributor

By Joe Issid

If you are graduating soon or are relatively new to the working world, you may find yourself trawling the internet for the next (possibly first) opportunity of your young career. As such, it stands to reason that you spend a good deal of time looking for a job that will require a good balance of salary and convenience. Let’s face it, no one wants to work for cheap and have to spend half their day traveling to and from the office. Having said that, if you think about your job search in a more global sense, you may discover that you are massively limiting your chances of finding the right job if you are restricting yourself to a very narrow geographic radius.

Additionally, depending on where you live, there simply may not be any relevant jobs available for you to consider. In any such case, it is never a bad idea to widen your scope and entertain the idea of relocating to a new city to find the job you deserve. Not only could a change of location help your career, it could immensely improve other parts of your life. Here are the top 5 Canadian cities for you to consider relocating to in 2015:

Calgary

Calgary has been one of Canada’s economic powerhouses in recent times and proposes to continue to be for some time. In fact, Calgary has the highest median family income in Canada, according to Statistics Canada. From 2008 to 2012, the average median household income in Calgary climbed from $91,570 to $98,300. Furthermore, Calgary employers pay new hires a higher starting salary than any other city in Canada, averaging over $62,000 according to a recent study. Overall, unemployment rates in Alberta have also been well under the Canadian average, currently sitting at 5.5%. If you’re looking for a stable place to live with a high-paying job, you might want to look for jobs in Calgary.

Waterloo

A 2014 report by the Conference Board of Canada gave the city of Waterloo an overall grade of “A” in its yearly City Magnets publication. The study ranks Canadian cities report-card-style based on features that make them attractive to mobile populations. Determining factors included elements such as society, health, economy, environment, education, innovation, and housing. In particular, Waterloo is an attractive destination because of its strong reputation for tech innovation and education. According to the report, Waterloo ranked first in education, second in innovation, and third in the economy category.

Ottawa

Our capital city may have the reputation of being a, shall we say, quiet place but rest assured Ottawa should not be overlooked as a great place to work and live. Money Sense produce an annual listing of Canada’s best places to live and Ottawa is routinely among their top cities (the 2015 issue has Ottawa in 2nd place). Ottawa has a stable economy, high-paying jobs, good public transportation, easy access to healthcare and low taxes. While these features may not sound all that sexy or exciting, they form the bedrock of a stable future, which should be something all new graduates should factor into their decision-making process.

Saskatoon

The Saskatchewan economy is booming and both Regina and Saskatoon are dramatically increasing their profiles across the country. In particular, the low cost of living and record-low unemployment rates are responsible for driving the province’s popularity. One of the key indicators of the city’s recent surge is the overall employment diversity. To wit, there is a very wide spectrum of employment opportunities available, from high-tech to finance, from skilled trades to construction. “One of the cool things about Saskatchewan,” said Jim George, acting president and CEO of Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), “is that we have quite a diverse economy.”

Richmond Hill

According to data from the 2011 Canadian Census and National Household Survery, Richmond Hill is the third-most diverse city in Canada and boasts the highest number of graduates in engineering, science and math per capita. As such, the city was awarded an “A” grade in the most recent City Magnets report. Clearly, this boosts the city’s overall results in areas relating to education and innovation. In comparison, other GTA municipalities such as Toronto, Oakville, Markham, and Mississauga ranked below Richmond Hill, each receiving a “B” grade. The additional benefit of working in Richmond Hill is the proximity to Toronto, Canada’s largest city and one of the largest commercial and cultural centers in North America.

So there you have it, whereas you are looking for a new career, new winds or you are just starting to consider your options, open the door to change as it can also be overwhelmingly positive to your career.