23 Reasons Why More People Are Abandoning Big City Life in Canada

While cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal still have their charm, more and more Canadians are packing their bags and heading for smaller towns, the countryside, or even the wilderness. But why? Here are 23 reasons why people are ditching the skyscrapers for starry nights.

Housing Costs Are Out of Control

The dream of homeownership in major cities is slipping away faster than fresh poutine on a tilted plate. Between 2019 and 2023, Toronto experienced a net loss of approximately 402,600 residents, while Montreal and Vancouver lost 162,700 and 49,700 residents, respectively, as individuals sought more affordable living conditions elsewhere in Canada. And, despite anticipated interest rate cuts, experts predict that Canada’s housing affordability crisis will persist for years, making homeownership unattainable for many.

Rent Is Just as Ridiculous

If buying is out of the question, renting isn’t much better. A survey by the Angus Reid Institute revealed that 28% of Canadians are contemplating relocating due to housing affordability, rising to 39% among those who have lived in Canada for less than a decade. The situation is pronounced in major urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver; Toronto saw nearly 100,000 residents leave between 2021 and 2022, with 78% relocating within Ontario. It’s no wonder people are swapping city skylines for affordable small-town charm.

The Cost of Living Is Astronomical

Everything from groceries to parking is more expensive in big cities. Financial pressures are significant. For instance, young professionals starting their careers often allocate approximately 30% of their monthly income to rent a single-room basement apartment. They work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Plus, a trip to the supermarket might require taking out a small loan, while gas prices in urban areas often feel like highway robbery.

Traffic Is a Nightmare

Commuting in big cities is like being stuck in an eternal game of bumper cars, minus the fun. Public transit challenges are prompting some Canadians to reconsider urban living. Major cities face significant funding shortfalls: Toronto reported a $366 million deficit in 2023, while Montreal anticipates a $560 million gap by 2025, potentially reaching $700 million by 2028. Vancouver warns of a structural deficit of $600 million by 2026.

Public Transit Woes

Between delays, overcrowding, and the occasional raccoon making a surprise appearance, public transit in big cities can be more of a headache than a convenience. A 2024 report highlighted that cities like Toronto and Montreal are grappling with significant budget shortfalls in their transit systems, leading to service reductions and reliability issues.  Additionally, approximately one million Canadians experience “transport poverty,” characterized by limited access to efficient public transportation, making daily commutes arduous.

Remote Work Has Changed the Game

The pandemic proved that many jobs can be done just as well (if not better) from home. With technology enabling work from anywhere, Canadians are re-evaluating their living situations, prioritizing affordability, space, and quality of life over proximity to offices. A 2023 survey revealed that 41% of U.S. workers desire permanent remote work, a sentiment echoed in Canada. Consequently, there’s also a notable shift toward suburban and rural areas, increasing property demand and prices in these regions.

Better Work-Life Balance

In smaller towns, you’re less likely to work insane hours to afford rent. Many Canadians have recently left major cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver to achieve a better work-life balance. Between July 2019 and July 2020, these three cities saw a combined net loss of 87,444 residents, a substantial increase from the 50,375 who left the previous year. High living costs, long working hours, and limited leisure time in urban areas drive this trend. More space and shorter commutes mean more time for hobbies, family, and relaxation.

The Air Is Breathable

The air is significantly fresher outside Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. With urban pollution from traffic, industry, and too many vape clouds reaching unsettling levels, many city dwellers are fleeing to the countryside, where the air doesn’t taste like a mix of car exhaust and existential dread. For many, the choice is clear: fresh air, open skies, and lungs that don’t feel like they’ve been smoking a pack a day.

More Space, Less Stress

Canadians are packing their tiny urban apartments and heading for suburbs and smaller towns. Why? Space! With urban home prices skyrocketing (Toronto’s average home price hit $1.12 million in early 2024), many realize they can trade a cramped condo for a house with a yard elsewhere. And, with remote work sticking around, people realize they don’t need to be downtown to make a living. So why stay? More space, less stress!

Crime Rates Tend to Be Lower

Crime rates are one of the classic reasons folks are hightailing it out of Canada’s big cities faster than a raccoon evading animal control. It’s no secret that urban crime, from car break-ins to the occasional maple syrup heist, is rising in places like Toronto and Vancouver. In 2023, Toronto reported a 20% increase in major crimes, while Vancouver saw a violent crime surge of nearly 7%. Meanwhile, smaller towns like Collingwood or Lunenburg are so peaceful that the most significant local scandal is someone forgetting to return their neighbor’s snowblower.

A Slower Pace of Life

Life in big cities moves at breakneck speed. According to StatCan, net migration to smaller regions has surged, with over 87,000 people leaving major cities in 2022 alone. Cities like Halifax and Kelowna have seen an influx of urban escapees seeking shorter commutes and the ability to hear birds instead of honking horns. The shift to remote work has made this lifestyle feasible. Ultimately, ditching the rat race for a turtle’s pace is becoming Canada’s new dream.

Nature Is Right There

Canadians are ditching big-city life faster than a Tim Hortons line moves on a Monday morning and one big reason? Nature is right there. Why battle traffic, sky-high rent, and the existential dread of condo bidding wars when you can have a backyard that’s a yard? Canada’s national parks saw a 20% spike in visits post-pandemic, proving fresh air beats concrete jungles. And, with lower costs, more space, and trails instead of traffic jams, Canadians are realizing city life isn’t all that.

Big cities in Canada may have towering skylines and overpriced lattes, but they often lack a genuine sense of community. A 2023 Statistics Canada report found that nearly 30% of urban dwellers feel socially isolated, compared to only 10% in rural areas. It turns out that chatting with your barista doesn’t replace real human connection. Plus, in smaller communities, local events, farmers’ markets, and good old-fashioned neighborly help (like shoveling each other’s driveways) create bonds that big cities can’t replicate.

Lower Taxes in Some Areas

In the grand game of “Where’s My Money Going?” many Canadians are trading in their urban digs for the cozy charm of smaller towns. Why, you ask? When city living feels like feeding a cash-hungry monster, it’s time to reconsider. Take Alberta, for instance. In 2023, nearly 60,000 Canadians packed their bags for the province, lured by the promise of no provincial sales tax and zero land transfer tax on residential real estate.

Fewer Annoying Bylaws

Want to build a treehouse? Own a few chickens? Try that in Toronto without getting a fine the size of your mortgage payment. In many smaller communities, nobody’s measuring your lawn height with a ruler or fining you for parking in front of your house. Toronto alone enforces over 200 bylaws, covering everything from where you can set out your garbage to what kind of noise your shoes can make (okay, almost). No wonder people are swapping condo towers for cottages. And nobody moves to the country because they miss their city’s noise complaint hotline.

Less Noise Pollution

Fed up with the relentless urban cacophony, many Canadians are swapping city skylines for starlit rural retreats. In fact, over half of Canadians feel their cities have become noisier in recent years. The constant sound is also linked to increased stress and heart disease. Seeking serenity, urbanites are flocking to quieter pastures. Who wouldn’t trade the city’s non-stop sirens for the gentle hum of crickets?

More Affordable Childcare

Affordable childcare has become a prime motivator for people moving out of cities. The nation’s ambitious $10-a-day childcare initiative has lightened the financial load for parents, making suburban and rural life more appealing. However, this affordability has increased demand, resulting in longer waitlists and limited availability in urban centers. Consequently, families are venturing beyond city limits in search of accessible childcare options.

Better School Environments

Smaller class sizes and a greater sense of community can make schools in smaller towns a better environment for kids. In Toronto, for example, some high schools have over 2,000 students, making individual attention a myth. Meanwhile, in places like Kelowna or Halifax, class sizes hover around 20-25 students, giving kids a real shot at learning without feeling like just another name on a roll call. Bullying and school violence? Stats suggest urban schools report higher incidents than rural ones. Private school tuition in cities can hit $30,000+ annually, while smaller towns often have great public options.

More straightforward to Start a Business

In Canada, ditching big-city chaos for small-town charm isn’t just about cheaper rent and fewer traffic jams. It’s also way easier to start a business. Why? For starters, commercial rent in places like Toronto or Vancouver can make your wallet cry, while smaller towns offer space at a fraction of the cost. Plus, local governments love new businesses. Many offer grants, tax breaks, and fewer bureaucratic hoops. Also, places like Alberta’s rural towns even have business incubators helping entrepreneurs hatch ideas without being pecked to death by red tape.

More Outdoor Activities

Many Canadians have bid adieu to bustling city life in recent years, lured by the call of the wild and the promise of more outdoor escapades. And this migration isn’t just about escaping traffic jams. In 2021, nearly 8 in 10 Canadian households (78%) engaged in outdoor pursuits close to home, with walking (74%), bicycling (35%), and hiking (29%) topping the list. So, as city dwellers trade skyscrapers for starry skies, it’s clear: the grass (and perhaps the hiking trails) is greener on the other side.

Less Exposure to Big City Problems

In Canada, urbanites are swapping skyscrapers for starry skies, seeking refuge from big city woes. The culprits? Skyrocketing housing costs and the rise of remote work. Smaller cities like Oshawa and Kitchener-Waterloo experienced population booms, growing by 2.1% and 2%, respectively, as city dwellers sought more affordable and spacious abodes.

More Family-Friendly

Many people are leaving cities to give their kids a better upbringing with more space, nature, and a safer environment. Between July 2019 and July 2020, Toronto bid adieu to over 50,000 residents, while Montreal saw nearly 25,000 pack their bags for greener pastures. The allure? Affordable housing, spacious backyards, and the joy of not having to sell a kidney to afford a home. The rise of remote work has made this transition smoother than a freshly paved country road, allowing families to prioritize quality time over cramped commutes.

Because They Can

Why are Canadians fleeing big cities faster than a moose spotting a free donut? When your downtown apartment costs more than a hockey team’s annual puck budget, it’s time to rethink things. The pandemic opened our eyes to the joys of working in pajamas, making that cramped city life less appealing. Plus, with remote work becoming the norm, many traded skyline views for starlit nights and the sweet serenade of crickets.

25 Countries Predicted to Become Economic Superpowers in the Next 20 Years

The strength of an economy plays a crucial role in various international policies about trade and relations. Certain factors determine the strength of an economy, including population growth, availability of resources, and development and advancement. Here are 25 countries predicted to become economic superpowers in the next 20 years

25 Countries Predicted to Become Economic Superpowers in the Next 20 Years

This Options Discord Chat is The Real Deal

While the internet is scoured with trading chat rooms, many of which even charge upwards of thousands of dollars to join, this smaller options trading discord chatroom is the real deal and actually providing valuable trade setups, education, and community without the noise and spam of the larger more expensive rooms. With a incredibly low-cost monthly fee, Options Trading Club (click here to see their reviews) requires an application to join ensuring that every member is dedicated and serious about taking their trading to the next level. If you are looking for a change in your trading strategies, then click here to apply for a membership.