Ever Considered Moving to Canada?

Have you ever thought about moving to Canada?  Well, plenty of people do!  Nearly half of Canadians were born elsewhere.  So why do so many people flock to Canada?  Obviously there are many reasons, but how’s this for a great reason for moving to Canada:  According to the United Nations Human Development Index, Canada has the highest quality of life in the world. 

I read many interesting facts about Canada, and viewed many beautiful pictures when I was preparing the Canadian History and Culture HubMob roundup hub.  This notion that many people choose to move to Canada intrigued me.  For me personally, I must admit I might be deterred by the amount of time that it is cold with snow on the ground.  On the other hand, many of the things that I was reading about Canada and Canadian culture made me think, “There are a lot of good reasons for moving to Canada!”  So here goes with some of the things I found appealing about Canada. 

Despite historically strained relations between English- and French-speaking Canadians, in general Canadians are renowned for their friendly and easy going manner. 

The life expectancy for Canadians is the 8^th highest in the world, with the average Canadian life expectancy 81.2 years old.  The U.S. life expectancy is 46^th at 78.1. 

Canada has the highest enrollment in education beyond high school in the world. 

Like a few less people with your people?  Well how’s this for a good reason for moving to Canada:  Canada is the 9^th most sparsely populated country in the world, with less than 9 people per square mile, or 3 people per square kilometer. 

Like the idea of communing with nature? Half of Canada’s land mass is forested, which ranks Canada tenth in the world for forests. Canada is known for its many lakes, and is home to nine percent of the earth’s “renewable” water.

Canada has a rainforest, a small desert, a “Grand Canyon”, ancient Indian ruins, and prehistoric marine fossils.

Did you think Niagara Falls was in N.Y.? Guess what? There’s a Canadian side, in Ontario. Canada has ten spectacularly high waterfalls, the highest of which is Delta Falls in British Columbia.

Canada has the most working lighthouses in the world. The Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada are excellent for whale sightings.

When I was living in Germany, I discovered Icewine, a delightfully sweet dessert wine, for which the grapes are harvested at the first frost.  Well guess what?  Canada is the largest producer of Icewine in the world! 

Canada is one of the world’s major producers of cheese, and Canadians are major consumers as well.  Canadians consume more macaroni and cheese than any other nation.  My kind of people. 

I’m not a Winter sports person myself, but Vancouver, British Columbia hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics.  Safe to say, Canada is a fantastic place to enjoy Winter sports.  You go ahead.  I’ll drink cocoa and read a good book by the fire. 

The West Edmonton Mall in Alberta is the fifth largest shopping mall in the world.  Within is the largest indoor amusement park in the world. 

It is widely believed that Santa Clause is from Canada. 

A small black bear from Canada named Winnipeg was donated to the London Zoo in 1910.  “Winnie” became a favorite of Christopher Robin Milne, whose father later wrote stories for him about “Winnie the Pooh”. 

One of my absolute favorite singer-songwriters, Neil Young was born in Canada, and started his career there.  I wonder if Neil performs often in Canada… That would be a good reason for me for moving to Canada. 

Canadians are quite musically inclined.  Follow the links to check out Canadian bands and Canadian singers and musicians. 

Canada is also home to many actors and actresses, as well as movie directors.  Keifer Sutherland, Mike Meyers, Kim Catrall, Pamela Anderson, and James Cameron, to name a few.  Check out the links, and prettydarkhorse’s hubs on Canadian Actors, and Canadian Actresses. 

Look for my future hubs on reasons for moving to Canada, organized by locations.