Top 10 Best Cities in Ontario, Canada

Which cities in Ontario, Canada deserve to be in the top ten?
The Top Ten
Toronto Toronto is the most populous city in Canada, the provincial capital of Ontario, and the centre of the Greater Toronto Area, the most populous metropolitan area in Canada. Toronto is an international centre of business, finance, arts, and culture, and is recognized as one of the most multicultural and... read more

Toronto is a friendly community. Where I live, all the neighbors say hi when I'm outside cutting the grass or trimming the shrubs. My neighbor always gets out before me to take his garbage can up, so he does it for me and the neighbor on the other side too.

There is a ton of stuff to do. It's always fun to drive around and eat in downtown. I saw mimes the other day, which is surprising because it's something you see a lot in my area. There are a lot of people wanting to entertain downtown.

It's a fun, loving community that also likes to play at night. The nighttime vibe is amazing. If you're a night person, this is the perfect place. But also, Downtown Detroit is too, as I go there to gamble at Motor City Casino!

Toronto is the perfect place for nightlife, suburban life, and city life. There's a ton for everyone!

Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It stands on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario.

It may not be as big or as multicultural as Toronto, but Ottawa is the perfect representation of Canada - beautiful, friendly, clean, and safe. These qualities, I feel, make Canada stand out as a country. What do people think of when they think 'Canada'? The friendly people, the low crime rates, the clean air, the lovely scenery, and an atmosphere more relaxed and free than, say, our southern neighbor of America. Ottawa has it all.

Toronto is great, don't get me wrong - I live there! - but if I had to pick one city to represent my province and my country, I would pick Ottawa, our nation's gorgeous capital. Toronto would be my second choice. And Niagara Falls is lovely, too.

Sudbury Sudbury is a provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1908. It is one of the two districts serving the city of Greater Sudbury.

It's a nice, quiet city. Perfect for raising a family! I lived there for 15 years. Now I live in Ottawa. But Ottawa is just too crowded, and the drivers are awful here. Also, Sudbury is more spacious.

If you're a senior, Ottawa is good. If you're a city person, Toronto is for you. But Sudbury is the best of all worlds!

Downtown Sudbury has the best people you'll ever meet. Every small business is ready to support the next. Love, love, love! You are beautiful!

Hamilton

Beautiful, lots of parkland, thriving arts community, big city feel with a small-town heart. You can take a canoe out and explore Cootes Paradise, stroll along the harbourfront trail, or bike on one of many green rail trails.

Hamilton may look a little scary when you drive past it on the QEW highway, but once you visit, you will find a friendly, diverse, and charming community.

The city has such a unique culture. So much to do here! Hiking, shopping, eating, touring, it has everything! It's close to Toronto too.

Niagara Falls Niagara Falls is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is located on the western bank of the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario, with a population of 82,997 at the 2011 census.

Niagara Falls is a very good place to go for a vacation with your family. One reason why Niagara Falls is a good place for vacation is that you can play lots of games with your family. You can go to the Canadian Midway Arcade, Dracula's Haunted Castle, the Haunted House, and more.

Just there! Epic! The hotels are legendary, and the views are exotic.

Proximity to Buffalo and tons to do.

Guelph Guelph is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Known as "The Royal City", Guelph is roughly 28 kilometres east of Waterloo and 100 kilometres west of Downtown Toronto at the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway 7. It is the seat of Wellington County, but is politically independent of it.

The downtown area and about 5 km in all directions from downtown are pretty good. There is lots of old architecture. The newer parts of Guelph (post-1980) are boring and very Mississauga-esque with same-old-same-old plazas and cookie-cutter suburban-style housing.

Best city in Canada. Guelph has probably the friendliest people you can ever meet in Canada. I lived there for 5 years, and I wish to go back again.

I've lived here for 5 years, and this city is the only city that actually has a cool charm to the city center. The buildings are old, unlike many places in Canada.

Burlington

Consistently voted as one of the best mid-sized cities to live in for good reasons: location, safety, economic stability, proximity to major centers, lakefront, and escarpment.

Having traveled the country extensively, hands down, Burlington is the best place to live and raise a family. There is so much to do with the clubs, teams, and cultural events all year round.

There are many reasons to vote for Burlington. There are lots of cool, imaginative places and prospects to hold interest and feel welcome within the city.

St. Jacobs The community of St. Jacobs is located in southwest Ontario, just north of Waterloo in Woolwich Township, Waterloo Region.

Number one tourist destination for good reason! Lots to do and see in a friendly atmosphere.

Kingston Kingston is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada. It is located on the eastern end of Lake Ontario, at the beginning of the St.

I've lived all over Ontario, and Kingston is by far the best city in its class. Beautiful, historic, 1,000 islands, 10 minutes to New York state. Great economy. Not to mention it was officially voted number 2 as the best place to live in all of Canada.

Beautiful downtown core on the water with lots of parks and conservation areas.

I agree wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, I left to come to Ottawa, but I'm looking to go back to Kingston.

Oakville Oakville is a suburban town in Southern Ontario, Canada. Located in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario, it is part of the Greater Toronto Area.

It is a safe and beautiful place. If you're retiring or starting a family, Oakville is one of the best places to do so. There are tons of things to do with it being close to Toronto.

It has a great waterfront and festivals during certain seasons. I've never been to a city full of nice people. I love Oakville and would recommend it to anyone.

Very quiet, low-key, and safe. Perfect for retirement or starting a family. Great waterfront with Lakeshore, and you have a park, forest, or green space every couple of blocks.

The Contenders
Barrie Barrie is a city in Central Ontario, Canada, on the western shore of Lake Simcoe. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent.

Because of how quickly it's growing, Barrie prices are skyrocketing, which is actually what brings me here. The minds aren't growing as fast as the population, unfortunately (exhibit A - the other comment on here complaining about immigrants).

If you can afford it, though, it's within a reasonable distance of Toronto. It has enough tourists that there's plenty of things to do, but not so many that it's impossible to actually live there. If you are a pedestrian, avoid the South End, which, while newer and still abundant with available homes, is in no way designed for walking.

Timmins Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada on the Mattagami River. At the time of the Canada 2011 Census, its population was 43,165. The city's economy is based on natural resource extraction and is supported by industries related to lumbering and to the mining of gold, zinc, copper, nickel,... read more

Great city that has beautiful nature and a wide diversity of cultures. This city has its ups and downs, but overall it is a welcoming and great place to live and raise a family. The only downside is its isolation from really big cities like Toronto or Sudbury.

London

London has lots of old buildings, history, nice leafy streets, and affordable old homes. The biggest knock against London is the lack of infrastructure investment from the city. There are sprawling suburban developments on all the corners of the city, and the arterial roads serving them are the same rural roads that have been in place for decades.

If the developers were made to pay their share of the infrastructure costs and city hall had a long-term urban densification strategy at play, the core of the city would be renewed. Many of the road congestion and drug problems people complain about would be alleviated.

I personally enjoy living in London and have a lot of friends and family here. However, I can see why so many young people who don't own cars or want to own houses and mow lawns move away to larger centers.

Mississauga Mississauga is the sixth largest city in Canada. Situated in Southern Ontario, it lies on the shores of Lake Ontario, located in the Regional Municipality of Peel, in the central part of the Greater Toronto Area, to the west of Toronto.

I used to live here for 4 years. I love Mississauga. It's just the perfect pace for me. It's not too far from Toronto, and it had everything you could possibly need. The airport is just 15-20 minutes away from where I lived.

Now, I'm looking into a city to live in America (moved for a job), and I am always looking for something very similar to Mississauga. I'm hoping to go back and retire in Mississauga someday.

Mississauga, like Toronto, is very social and lively but has quiet parts as well! Overall, there are many facilities, and it's just beautiful. I love Mississauga and would recommend anyone to move there.

Sault Ste. Marie

I love this city. It has a bridge to the USA, and it's right next to the second biggest lake in the world! It can have idiotic people who don't know how to drive and stuff, but it has nowhere near as many crimes as in Toronto and other places. It is a great city.

Good city with incredible lakes and scenery around it. You can live lakefront at a reasonable price.

Peterborough Peterborough PEE-tər-bur-oh is a city on the Otonabee River in Central Ontario, Canada, 125 kilometres northeast of Toronto.

Peterborough is a natural beauty! It boasts both a world-renowned university and college. The people are friendly, and there is lots to do for growing families.

I moved here almost 30 years ago, and it has come a long way. Lots of young families are moving up from southern Ontario as well as retirees. It definitely is a better quality of life in Peterborough.

A friendly city surrounded by natural beauty with a vibrant downtown that has lots of good restaurants and bars!

Windsor Windsor, Ontario is the southernmost city in Canada. It is located on the southern shore of the Detroit River, directly across the river from Detroit, Michigan.

Windsor may have problems with the economy, but its location is unlike any place in the world. Its waterfront is beautiful, with the Detroit skyline and access to all of Detroit's venues, sports, and entertainment.

Windsor has so much potential, it's crazy. The same could be said about Detroit, which was once the greatest manufacturing city in the world.

Yay! I was born in Windsor! Very beautiful and good health care! I love the water between Detroit and Windsor! When I was 4, I used to go near the water with my aunt and friends, and we would fly kites!

Owen Sound

Clean, clear waters, fresh air, and friendly locals! What more can you ask for? Beautiful, quiet downtown and picturesque surroundings.

My hometown and an absolutely lovely place to live (in the summer - not so much in the winter).

Stratford Stratford is a city on the Avon River in Perth County in southwestern Ontario, Canada, with a population of 30,886 as of 2011.
Brampton Brampton is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It is a suburban city in the Greater Toronto Area and the seat of Peel Region.

I live in Brampton, and I feel safe. I disagree with the comment that Brampton is a ghetto. Yes, there is a problem with reckless driving. Whose fault is it that there are not enough police to patrol the streets? Certainly not the people that live here.

I was born and raised here, and I think the city is quite nice. Very multicultural. Race has never been an issue anywhere.

Brampton is a working-class city. Overall, it offers a fair quality of life.

Collingwood
St. Catharines St. Catharines is the largest city in Canada's Niagara Region and the sixth largest urban area in Ontario, with 96.11 square kilometres of land.
Kitchener

Kitchener is where I have lived my whole life so far. I love it so much here. I know it really well, and it's calming and just feels so much like home. I wouldn't live anywhere else in the entire world than Kitchener!

I live in Kitchener. It's vibrant with lots of walking trails, parks, culture, and a beautiful downtown.

Canada's tenth-largest city and home to Google Canada Headquarters.

Wawa
Paris

Excellent place all year long, lots of festivals, springtime in Paris, Paris Fair, Christmas parade, etc. Very scenic town with beautiful sunsets over the falls! One of the best-located towns to live - 30 minutes from Kitchener/Waterloo, 1 hour to downtown Toronto, 1 hour from London, 30 minutes to Hamilton, and just over an hour to Niagara Falls. What more can you ask for?

Friendly people, great shops downtown, and right beside the Grand River! In 2018, 500 new houses were built and the same pace for 2019. Very affordable as well compared to other places nearby.

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