Hamilton is one of the main cities in the province of Ontario, located approximately 40 minutes from Toronto. With about 747,000 inhabitants, the municipality became the 9th largest in Canada following the incorporation of smaller surrounding cities in 2001.
Known for a long time for its steel industry, Hamilton is finally starting to be recognized for its cultural richness and high quality of life. The city attracts immigrants from around the world due to its proximity to Toronto and lower cost of living.
As the community grows, so do the options for restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops. Today, Hamilton is one of the fastest-growing creative hubs in the country.
The city is also home to McMaster University, ranked as the 4th best university in Canada and the 72nd best in the world according to the Times Higher Education ranking in 2020.
Employment
The Hamilton region is Canada’s primary industrial hub. The city is situated in the centre of a corridor known as the Golden Horseshoe, which dominated industrial development for much of the 20th century.
Approximately 60% of all steel in Canada is produced in the city, earning it the nickname “Canada’s steel capital.”
Despite a decline in the 1990s, the city has gained prominence in other areas such as agriculture, biotechnology, and construction. Hamilton was deemed the city with the most diversified economy in the country, according to a report from the Conference Board of Canada, meaning there are opportunities for all types of professionals.
Like other cities in Canada, the technology sector is one of the fastest-growing in Hamilton, ranked as the 2nd best city in North America for opportunities in the field according to the 2019 Scoring Tech Talent Report by CBRE.
Entrepreneurs also receive significant incentives in Hamilton.
Factors such as a skilled workforce, low real estate costs, and funding programs help attract business owners from around the world.
It is possible to contact the city’s economic development team to learn about all the incentives offered to entrepreneurs.
Education
McMaster University, founded in Toronto in 1890 and relocated to Hamilton in 1930, is one of Canada’s largest, with over 30,000 students. Its teaching model, known as the McMaster Model, has become a global reference and is used in universities worldwide.
The institution is internationally renowned and listed in major higher education rankings:
– 3rd best in the country and 90th best in the world (ARWU, 2019)
– 4th best in the country and 72nd best in the world (Times Higher Education, 2020);
– 4th best in the country and 126th best in the world (U.S. News, 2020);
– 6th best in the country and 144th best in the world (QS, 2021);
– 5th best in the country for employability (QS, 2019);
– 4th best medical program in the country (Maclean’s, 2020);
– 15th best university outside the U.S. (Newsweek, 2011).
The university also excels in scientific research, particularly in health, receiving more funding than any other educational institution in Canada. McMaster even has a brain bank that preserves a piece of Albert Einstein’s brain for research purposes.
However, the cost is high. Most undergraduate programs at McMaster University range from CAD $30,000 to CAD $45,000 per year (approximately R$110,000 to R$170,000).
Fortunately, the institution offers generous scholarships and cash awards for top-performing students.
In addition to the university, Hamilton also has excellent colleges that provide vocational courses and prepare students for entry into the job market. The primary one is Mohawk College, with about 17,000 students and recognized for its programs in technology and health. The institution has achieved the highest student satisfaction levels in the entire Toronto-Hamilton region for four consecutive years.
Another option is Redeemer University College, with approximately 800 students and 39 undergraduate programs in areas such as arts, communications, health, and business.
Housing
The cost of living in Hamilton is about 25% lower than in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and this is primarily reflected in housing costs. Hamilton is a city with low population density, so the supply of real estate is greater and prices are much more attractive. It is possible to find one-bedroom apartments for rent in the city centre for less than CAD $1,000 per month.
For newcomers, the city offers the Housing Help Centre, a non-profit organization that assists new residents in their search for a place to live. Additionally, classified sites such as Viewit.ca, Gottarent.com, and Kijiji can be used to find houses or apartments for rent. The City of Hamilton has a detailed guide with tips on finding housing.
Approximately one-quarter of Hamilton’s population is composed of immigrants, so rest assured that you will be very welcome in the city. Hamilton is one of the few “sanctuary cities” in Canada, which welcomes refugees, political asylees, and immigrants at risk of deportation, providing all necessary support.
Transportation
It is very easy to travel between Hamilton and Toronto due to the proximity between the two cities. GO Transit trains run every half hour, and the journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. A trip from Hamilton to Union Station in Toronto costs CAD $13.60 (or CAD $11.44 with a PRESTO card). Frequent travellers receive discounts on fares.
Unfortunately, Hamilton does not have a VIA Rail station. The nearest station is in Aldershot, in the city of Burlington, about 11 km from downtown Hamilton.
Municipal transportation is provided by the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), which operates various bus lines in the city. A fare costs CAD $3.25 (or CAD $2.50 with a PRESTO card). Monthly passes are available for CAD $110, or CAD $90.20 for students. The list of all routes is available here. There is also a route planner to help find the right line to reach a specific destination.
The bus system works well in the city centre but is not as efficient in more remote neighbourhoods, which is why many Hamilton residents prefer to use cars for transportation.
Climate
Like most of Canada, winter in Hamilton is long and cold—though less severe than in cities further north in Ontario. Temperatures drop below zero for about 129 days a year, but rarely fall below -10°C. Summers are hot and humid, with an average temperature of 22°C in July.
Leisure and Tourism
Thanks to its location along the Niagara Escarpment, the Hamilton region is full of natural beauty. There are over 100 waterfalls in the surrounding area, earning the city the nickname “city of waterfalls.”
Hamilton also holds a rich history, as one of the oldest cities in the province of Ontario. There is a wide variety of museums, castles, and art galleries that attract tourists from all over.
Here are some of Hamilton’s main attractions:
Bruce Trail
This long trail is the oldest in Canada. The 890 km route is fully marked and passes by beautiful waterfalls. The official website offers suggested routes and a complete map of all trails in the Hamilton region.
Royal Botanical Gardens
This botanical garden is one of the largest in Canada and the world, spanning over 1,100 hectares with 27 km of trails. The site features about 100,000 flowers, including the world’s largest lilac collection. The complete list of gardens can be viewed on the website.
African Lion Safari
A park with over 1,000 animals from 100 different species, such as giraffes, cheetahs, rhinoceroses, zebras, lions, and even kangaroos. To see the animals, visitors can use their own car (like a drive-through) or board one of the park’s buses. There is also a water park for children during the summer months.
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
This is Canada’s largest aviation museum, with over 40 new and vintage models, including a 1945 Avro Lancaster, a famous bomber used during World War II. The museum is an excellent place to learn more about Canada’s military history. There is also a flight simulator for children.
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology
This museum tells the story of Hamilton’s industrial history, with artifacts including two steam engines from the Industrial Revolution era. The museum is located in Hamilton’s first water pumping station, which opened in 1859 and supplied clean water to residents for 51 years. Today, the site is a Canadian historic landmark.
Dundurn Castle
This mansion, built in the 1830s, was the residence of Sir Allan MacNab, Prime Minister of Canada from 1854 to 1856, when the country was still a British colony. The family lived upstairs, while servants lived downstairs. Today, it is possible to tour the approximately 1,700 m² house through guided tours. The site also offers popular cooking workshops.
HMCS Haida
This battleship was used by the Canadian military from 1943 to 1963, during World War II and the Cold War, before being retired and turned into a historic landmark. Today, the ship is anchored in Hamilton’s harbour and open to the public. War veterans volunteer at the site, guiding visitors and sharing stories about the battles.
Art Gallery of Hamilton
This is the largest and oldest art gallery in southern Ontario, and the third largest in the country, with over 10,000 pieces. Exhibitions change every six months. The site also offers guided tours, workshops, lectures, and other events. On the first Friday of each month, admission is free.
McMaster Museum of Art
Another art gallery, located within McMaster University. Admission is free, and the collection includes over 6,000 works of ancient, modern, and contemporary art. It even features pieces by famous artists such as Courbet, Monet, and van Gogh.
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
This museum is dedicated to the history of Canadian football (similar to American football), with over 30,000 sport-related items. There is a hall of fame featuring the sport’s top players throughout history. Canadian and American football are very similar but differ slightly in field size, number of players, and rules.
Bayfront Park
Formerly a landfill, this site was transformed into a beautiful park following a $9 million revitalization project. During the summer, the location hosts various events, such as concerts and festivals.
Art Crawl and Supercrawl
On the second Friday of each month, Hamilton residents gather for the Art Crawl, an art, music, and food festival in the James Street North area. There is street food, shops open late, artist performances, and more.
In September, a larger version of the festival takes place: Supercrawl—the city’s most famous event. It features five days of intense cultural programming.
Breweries
Hamilton is becoming a hub for microbreweries. One of the most famous is Collective Arts Brewing, which sells its beers in beautifully designed packaging styled by various Canadian and international artists. The brewery also hosts the Liquid Art Festival, an annual event featuring art, music, and, of course, craft beer. Other popular breweries include Shawn & Ed Brewing, Fairweather Brewing, Grain & Grit Beer, and Clifford Brewing.