Our friends thought we were crazy—ha ha. We already had an apartment, jobs, and everything lined up. We sold the apartment and lost all our money (first-time sailors, ha ha). We arrived in London with nothing but the clothes on our backs. But look how great it turned out: all the best things that happened in our Canadian lives were here in London. We adopted our daughter, bought our house (which would have been practically impossible in Vancouver), started Excel 4 Canada, and today we help thousands of people achieve their Canadian dream!
I always say that the best place to live is where you will have the best experience. And that holds true here in London. I decided to include as much information as possible about London in this post to highlight what this city has to offer that many people do not even know about. Of course, it is not perfect, but I think it is highly unlikely to find another city as interesting as London (perhaps Kelowna in BC, but that will be another post). 😉
Summary of London, Ontario, Canada.
Located in southwestern Ontario (Canada), the city of London (Ontario, Canada) occupies a strategic position midway between Toronto and Detroit, approximately 200 km from each. With about 400,000 residents and a relatively mild climate, the city attracts workers and students from around the world for numerous reasons.
Known as the “forest city,” London (Ontario, Canada) enjoys one of the best qualities of life in the country, combining the conveniences of a large city with the tranquility of a rural area. The air is clean, traffic is not as chaotic, and the cost of living is lower than in major metropolitan centres.
London (Ontario, Canada) has also been recognized as one of the best cities in Canada for integration, meaning immigrants are welcomed and enjoy the same rights as local citizens.
Employment in London (Ontario, Canada)
In the past, London (Ontario, Canada) was a major industrial hub; however, following the 2009 economic crisis, the city has transformed into an important centre for technology companies and digital services.
Today, the city is home to more than 300 companies in the sector, which employs about 3% of the local workforce. London (Ontario, Canada) is also the headquarters for three major video game companies: Big Viking Games, Big Blue Bubble, and Digital Extremes.
There are also large companies in scientific research and biotechnology. The London (Ontario, Canada) Health Sciences Centre employs more than 10,000 people, more than any other company in the city. Additionally, London (Ontario, Canada) serves as the Canadian headquarters for 3M.
According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate in the city in February 2020 was 4.9%, lower than the national average of 5.6%. The most recent census (2016) showed that the average income per individual is CAD $32,599 per year, or CAD $62,011 per family, slightly below the national average (CAD $70,336).
For entrepreneurs, London (Ontario, Canada) has various institutions that support business development, such as the London (Ontario, Canada) Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), which focuses on attracting investments and expanding new companies, and the London (Ontario, Canada) Small Business Centre, which offers courses and training for small businesses. More information on the process of starting a new business in the city can be obtained through this municipal website.
Education in London (Ontario, Canada)
The University of Western Ontario (UWO) and Fanshawe College are the two primary higher education institutions in London (Ontario, Canada). Both are among the most recognized in the country.
UWO has about 30,000 students, including international students from more than 100 countries. The institution is ranked as the 10th best in Canada and the 211th best in the world according to the 2020 QS World University Rankings. Its 481-hectare campus is considered one of the most beautiful in the entire country. The university also invests heavily in health research, being the only one in the country developing an HIV vaccine.
Fanshawe College, meanwhile, has about 43,000 students and offers more than 200 programs of study—some quite innovative, such as animation, sports marketing, and even applied cannabis sciences.
As for schools, there are more than 180 in the city. Options cater to all preferences: public, private, Catholic, French, Montessori, and more. One of them, London (Ontario, Canada) Central Secondary School, has the best academic performance in the country. Additionally, the city features a modern public library open to all residents.
Housing in London (Ontario, Canada)
While the average price of a house in Toronto is CAD $759,444, real estate in London (Ontario, Canada) is far more affordable, with an average cost of CAD $421,375 according to data from LSTAR, below the national average.
In recent years, demand for housing in the city has grown significantly. Real estate sales in 2019 increased by 7.7% compared to the previous year.
Although living downtown offers convenience, the best neighbourhoods for living are more suburban, in residential areas. Byron is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods for new residents, thanks to its excellent schools and leisure options. Lambeth also attracts many residents for its tranquility, with a small-town feel. Both neighbourhoods were deemed the best places to live in London (Ontario, Canada) according to a study by the real estate agency RE/MAX. Another excellent neighbourhood is Summerside, selected by the website MoneySense as the best in the city for purchasing property.
Cost of Living in London (Ontario, Canada)
In addition to lower real estate prices, London (Ontario, Canada) has a much lower cost of living than major metropolitan centres. The cost of living in the city is about 22% lower than in Toronto and 12% lower than in Ottawa, according to the website Expatistan.
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs between CAD $10 and CAD $15, while a beer at a bar costs between CAD $6 and CAD $7. At the supermarket, for reference, a litre of milk costs CAD $2.70; a kilogram of rice, CAD $3.20; a kilogram of bananas, CAD $1.50; and a kilogram of potatoes, CAD $2.30. The website Numbeo provides more information on prices in the city.
Transportation in London (Ontario, Canada)
In the past, London (Ontario, Canada) had an electric streetcar system.
Today, the city has 44 bus lines, serving as the primary public transportation for residents. There are plans for a BRT system called Shift, expected to be completed in 2025.
The urban bus fare is CAD $3 when paying with cash, or CAD $2.25 with a transit card. A monthly pass is also available for CAD $95, providing unlimited use of the bus system for the entire month. Students at UWO and Fanshawe College receive free access to public transportation, as the costs are already included in their tuition fees.
London (Ontario, Canada) also features 330 km of bike paths, which will expand to 470 km in the coming years. Some car parking spaces in the city have been converted into bike parking. Some of these provide tools for bike maintenance and pumps for inflating tires.
In addition to urban transportation, London (Ontario, Canada) is easily accessible by train. The London (Ontario, Canada) railway station is the fourth busiest in Canada, offering frequent services to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, and cities in the U.S. A train trip to Toronto starts at CAD $37 and takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes.
London (Ontario, Canada) also has its own airport, the 12th busiest in Canada, offering flights to major Canadian cities and international destinations such as Cancún, Varadero, and Punta Cana.
Leisure and Tourism in London (Ontario, Canada)
London (Ontario, Canada) does not disappoint when it comes to leisure and entertainment options, with 9 major parks, large museums, theatres, cinemas, and internationally recognized festivals. Here are some of the city’s main attractions:
Victoria Park – Formerly a military base, this is one of the city’s main parks, offering features like a skate park, ice skating rink, and various monuments. One popular activity among visitors is squirrel fishing, a playful game involving “fishing” for small rodents using a fishing rod and a nut as bait.
Covent Garden Market – Built in 1845, this public market sells fresh ingredients such as meats, fruits, and vegetables, as well as flowers, chocolates, and crafts. The site also features restaurants, bakeries, and bars. During the warmer months, from May to December, a farmers’ market takes place outside the market.
St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica – A beautiful Gothic-style cathedral built in 1851 after a fire destroyed the original structure. It is known for its colourful stained-glass windows and Casavant organ, one of the most renowned manufacturers of the instrument.
London (Ontario, Canada) Museum – The city’s main museum, with a collection of more than 5,000 works of art and 45,000 historical artifacts. Admission is free.
Royal Canadian Regiment Museum – Located in a former military base, this museum documents the Canadian army’s participation in major wars throughout history. Items in the collection include gas masks used in World War II and propaganda leaflets from Nazi Germany.
Eldon House – The oldest residence in London (Ontario, Canada), built in 1834. Today, the site has been transformed into a museum displaying items from the family’s daily life at the time. The house also serves afternoon tea during the summer.
Banting House – The former home of Dr. Frederick Banting, the inventor of insulin. The house has been converted into a museum dedicated to his life and invention, which revolutionized diabetes treatment. Visitors can see hundreds of notes left by patients thanking him for the discovery. Outside the house, there is a “flame of hope” that will remain continuously lit until a cure for the disease is found.
Grand Theatre – The city’s main theatre, awarded for its architecture. The Grand Theatre has a program that allows local students to work with professional directors and choreographers to develop their acting skills. Every year, a musical is presented at the theatre with a cast composed entirely of students.
Budweiser Gardens – The city’s primary event centre, hosting major concerts, fights, hockey games, and even Broadway plays. The venue has a capacity of 10,000 people.
Delaware Speedway – One of Canada’s oldest racetracks, opened in 1952, hosting major events such as NASCAR and stock car races. From April to September, there is at least one race every Friday night. The site also houses a museum with posters and photos from races held there.
Boler Mountain – A recreational park in the Byron neighbourhood. In winter, it is used for snow sports like skiing and snowboarding. In summer, it offers activities such as trails, treetop adventures, zip lines, and beach volleyball.
Storybook Gardens – A children’s theme park blending fairy tale elements with games and activities for kids. The park is open year-round, but in summer, there are water attractions for cooling off.
The Factory – An indoor amusement park with attractions for all ages, such as zip lines, climbing walls, trampolines, escape games, arcade games, virtual reality, and more.
Fanshawe Pioneer Village – An open-air museum that recreates the history of the rural community that existed in the region before it became a city. The village has about 33 structures, some original and others replicas, divided into four parts, each representing a period between 1820 and 1920.
Breweries – London (Ontario, Canada) is the headquarters and founding location of Labatt Brewery, Canada’s largest brewery. A 2-hour guided tour of the factory is available, including a tasting at the end. Other smaller breweries, such as Toboggan Brewing Company and Anderson Craft Ales, also offer tours.
Festivals – London (Ontario, Canada) hosts various festivals throughout the year. One is SunFest, the second-largest music festival in the country, held annually in Victoria Park in July. Another famous festival is London (Ontario, Canada) Rib Fest, the second-largest barbecue ribs festival in all of North America, held annually in early August. The city also hosts Pawlooza, the country’s largest dog festival, attracting about 25,000 participants and 6,000 dogs.