Living in Canada 
The Government of Canada has designed Welcome to Canada guide for new residents in Canada. It includes some basic information about living in Canada. The guide also contains many telephone numbers and addresses, which should be helpful. It can refer you to the help you need, or tell you how to find it.

This guide, along with an immigrant-serving organization, can help you through the steps you need to take to settle. It can help you sort out the information you are missing and what services you need. The Welcome to Canada guide also includes a checklist to help you with the things you need to do first. 

Getting around
It is useful to have a map of the area where you will be living. It will help you to get around and find the services you need. Most book stores, gas stations and convenience stores sell maps at a reasonable price. You can also look at maps in the library, at no cost. However, you can't take maps out of the library.

Climate
There are many climatic variations in Canada, ranging from the permanently frozen ice caps north of the 70th parallel to the lush vegetation of British Columbia's west coast. On the whole, however, Canada has four very distinct seasons, particularly in the more populated regions along the US border. Daytime summer temperatures can rise to 35°C and higher, while lows of -25°C are not uncommon in winter. More moderate temperatures are the norm in spring and fall.

Emergency 911
If you fear for your safety, you should call your local emergency number for help. In many Canadian cities this number is 911. This connects you immediately to ambulances, fire departments, the police, and other emergency services. 
 
Pay phones
You may want to use a public telephone when you are out, or before you get your telephone installed. There are many pay telephone booths set up on city streets, in shopping malls, in airports -- anywhere there are lots of people. For local calls, you put in 25 cents (this charge may vary in some provinces) and make your call. Eventually, you may want to get a calling card from a telephone company. This card allows you to dial in a special code and make calls on public phones without putting in any money. These calls are then billed on your regular telephone bill at home.

Recreational Activities
Canada is a vast country with a variety of tourist destinations. Wherever you choose to study in Canada, you will discover a multitude of cultural, leisure, and other activities year-round. You can enjoy the many museums, seasonal festivals, and exciting nightlife that each province and territory has to offer. Canada also has a beautiful countryside which means that most outdoor recreational activities are very popular here, whether it be skiing, cycling, hiking, camping, sightseeing, or even ice sailing

Housing
Hostelling is a temporary and inexpensive way to stay in major cities. Accommodation is basic but economical, and primary facilities (toilets, baths and kitchens) are shared. Rates are calculated daily, and costs are less than other accommodation choices.

Average cost of a room in a hostel: $10 - $20 CDN per night.

The YWCA/YMCA hotels are also inexpensive, clean, safe and comfortable. Many of these establishments also have pools and fitness centres. Keep in mind, though, that hostels and YWCA/YMCAs fill up quickly during the summer months, so you should plan ahead. Average cost of a room in a YWCA/YMCA: $24 - $45 CDN per night.

Dormitory
Many schools have accommodation conveniently located on or near their campus. Rooms can vary in size and in quality, and many dormitories have shared kitchens, toilets, showers and laundry facilities. There is usually an option of having either a shared or private room, and dormitories are usually separated by gender. In some cases, there are cafeterias and meal plans that can be included in the cost of the room. Most dormitories come furnished, and are an ideal way to become involved in campus activities and meet other students.

Average cost of residence/dormitory rooms: $3,000 - $7,500 CDN per school year. For more information, contact the school you will be attending.

Home stays
Many Canadian families welcome international students. This may be an effective way for you learn about daily life in Canada, and meet new, friendly people. Homestays also offer a more stable and secure environment for younger people coming to study in Canada. Typically, a homestay consists of a Canadian family hosting a student in their home while the student attends classes in Canada. Meals and a private, furnished room are provided in the home, and the host family welcomes and encourages participation in family and community activities.
Average cost of homestay accommodation: $400 - $800 CDN per month.

Off-Campus Housing
Renting is an option open to students, but price, quality and availability vary greatly. Rents are often quite high in the major cities, and places are not always available. Many students share accommodation to keep costs down and usually find places to meet their needs and preferences. Many schools offer an off-campus housing service, which can provide affordable listings that are near the campus. At this service centre, those seeking shared accommodations can also find roommates. Once on campus, you will often find a variety of postings throughout the campus advertising nearby housing, but it is always best to make arrangements before coming to Canada.

There are different types of places you can rent as an international student. A house is usually too expensive for one student to rent, but many students share or rent suites (a self-contained unit with a kitchen, toilet, bath and bedroom) within a larger home.

Apartments are another option, where one has a kitchen, toilet, bath, and one or two bedrooms. Most rental apartments do not include furniture or meals. Some, however, include the cost of heat and/or electricity in the rent.

Listings of available apartments or homes are published in local newspapers. It is the responsibility of the student to determine suitability as schools do not inspect these places nor can they make any other arrangements. Most landlords require a damage deposit and rent is paid on a monthly basis in cash or by cheque.

Average cost of shared accommodations in Canada: $250 - $700 CDN monthly.
Average cost of a suite or apartment: $400 - $1,500 CDN monthly.

Money and Measurements
Canada uses the metric system of measurement. The unit of currency is the Canadian dollar, which equals 100 cents. The most common paper currency in Canada comes in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. Coins appear in 1 cent (pennies), 5 cents (nickels), 10 cents (dimes), 25 cents (quarters), $1 (loonies) and $2 (twoonies) denominations. The $1 and $2 coins have been introduced over the last 10 years, and there are still Canadian $1 and $2 bills in circulation that are considered legal tender (they have also become collector's items). Canadian bills are clearly marked and each denomination has a distinctive colour.

Banks & Currency Exchange
Although banks often offer the best currency exchange rate, some do charge a small fee to change money or traveller's cheques, and prices listed often do not include taxes. It is best to change a small amount of currency into Canadian money before coming to Canada, as banks are usually open only Monday to Friday, daytime hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Other means of exchanging your currency can be somewhat more costly. Exchange services offered by hotels, shops, and exchange booths almost always offer the highest rates or charge large commission fees. Wherever you go, always ask about hidden charges before changing money.

Banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)
Banks offer a variety of services to their customers including currency exchange, safety deposit boxes for storage of passports, and savings accounts. Many Canadians use personal cheques issued by banks as an efficient means to pay for services. Students can easily access the many banks and affiliated ATMs in Canada. They are especially easy to find in large cities, and are more convenient than credit cards and traveller's cheques. You can usually use a regular bank card or a major credit card at ATMs to withdraw cash. It might also be possible to open a local account which would come with an ATM card. ATM cards can also be used at many stores in Canada to pay for items such as groceries and clothing.

Cost of Living in Canada

Here are some typical costs for living in Canada: