Dubbed “the Forest City”, London, Ontario is quickly becoming a mecca for business, entertainment, recreation and more. Conveniently located along the 401 in southwestern Ontario, London is an ever-growing hub of activity. As one of the top academic cities in Canada, it is also a great destination for students.
Why are so many people actively seeking to move to this diverse city? Below we’ll outline the top 10 reasons you should choose to live and work in London, Ontario.
Ample Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
Straddling the Thames River, and conveniently close to both Lake Erie and Lake Huron, London is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Whether you enjoy fishing, hiking, biking, skiing or snowboarding; London has an abundance of activities and places to explore. Places such as Victoria Park, Springbank Park, Sifton Bog, Boler Mountain and Fanshawe Conservation Area are routinely enjoyed by Londoner’s who enjoy exploring trails and parks, attending festivals, or those simply looking to reconnect with nature.
Along with these large community parks and recreational areas, London neighbourhoods are filled with area playgrounds and greenspaces that offer children spaces to run, play and meet new friends.
Related: Building a Community Around Nature
Dynamic Real Estate Market
The real estate market in London, Ontario is constantly changing and growing. From rental apartments and townhomes to spacious single-family homes, you’re sure to find a home that fits your budget and lifestyle needs. The city is also home to a large number of reputable builders who are consistently developing new subdivisions throughout the area.
Considering a move to London, Ontario? Find your dream home in a Sifton Neigbourhood!
Excellent Education
London is home to two well-rated school districts that strive to provide an exceptional education to the city’s young students. The Thames Valley District School Board and the Thames Valley Catholic District School Board govern and administer the schools located in London, Ontario. In addition, London is also home to a variety of high-quality private schools.
Located in London, Fanshawe College is one of the largest colleges in the province. With state-of-the-art learning facilities, a commitment to experiential learning opportunities, innovative curriculum delivered in every program, Fanshawe has become one of the best colleges in Ontario.
London is also home to Western University. As one of Canada’s largest research-intensive universities, Western is home to researchers, teachers and graduate students who are leaders in their fields. Ranked among the top 1 percent of universities in the world, Western is recognized for leadership in education, research and healthcare.
Diverse and Growing Employment Opportunities
London offers a variety of employment opportunities in many different sectors of business. Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario between Toronto and Detroit, London is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. From tech to finance to healthcare, the city is an attractive destination for businesses looking to expand their horizons.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional exploring a new career path or are entering the job market for the first time, London has exciting opportunities for you.
Looking to grow your business in London, Ontario? Search our listing of Available Workspaces!
Impressive Medical Care and Hospitals
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals, is dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching and research. Through affiliation with Western University and more than 30 other educational institutions, LHSC trains more than 1,800 medical and health care professionals each year. LHSC consists of Victoria Hospital and University Hospital, Children’s Hospital, The London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, and CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics).
Located in the southeast corner of the LHSC campus, the Children’s Hospital provides specialized pediatric inpatient and outpatient services to children in Southwestern Ontario. Serving a population of over 400,000 children, Children’s Hospital is a major centre for medical research.
Did you know? Sir Frederick Banting discovered Insulin in London, Ontario? You can visit the Banting House to learn all about the positive impact made by this medical hero.
Shopping Galore
From high-end retail to local boutiques, London has a unique and popular shopping scene. Not only is the city home to large malls such as White Oaks Mall and Masonville Mall, but there are also plenty of plazas and retail centres found in all areas of the city.
Beyond the large shopping districts, downtown London offers an impressive selection of independent retailers and small businesses. From clothiers to shops that feature locally-sourced goods and independent artisans, London is proud of its diverse shopping options.
West 5, a Sifton-built sustainable community in London’s west end, is home to a growing assortment of boutique retail shops, convenient medical offices and specialty pet services.
A local favourite is the Covent Garden Market which is a historic market (began in 1845) located in the heart of downtown London. Featuring both an indoor and outdoor market, Covent Garden Market is open 6 days a week and features a local farmers market twice weekly.
Exciting Entertainment
The city of London, Ontario is home to a thriving and dynamic culture that provides entertainment and excitement for all of its residents. From festivals and museums to sports and fine dining; there’s truly no shortage of things to do or see within the city limits.
With a thriving art and music scene, as well as a great selection of pubs, bars and nightclubs; London offers an abundance of exciting nightlife options. London’s downtown district, known locally as “Richmond Row”, is dotted with a variety of pubs and bars that range in style, atmosphere and popularity.
Along with an exciting nightlife scene, London also offers an abundance of family-friendly activities including many festivals and events. Some of the popular ones include:
An annual festival hosted by TD Bank which is held in the heart of the city during the summer. SunFest, a free world music celebration, offers a chance for Londoners and visitors to gather and listen to live music events, taste delicious food and shop through a variety of vendors.
Start.ca Rocks the Park is an annual music festival held at Harris Park. Spanning four days in the month of July, this festival draws crowds from all over Southwestern Ontario and beyond. Held in support of Make-A-Wish® Southwestern Ontario, Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area, Children’s Health Foundation, and Western Football, Start.ca Rocks the Park gathers famous acts from around the world in genres such as rock, country, and hip hop.
The London Rib & Craft Beer Festival:
An annual food festival, the London Rib & Craft Beer Fest is a foodies’ heaven. Featuring “Ribbers Row” where 10 different ribbers serve up unique and original sauces, visitors can also partake in sampling craft beers, listen to live music and throw a few axes.
Great for all ages and stages of life
London, Ontario is a city that caters to a diverse demographic. Regardless of your age, the city offers an assortment of programs, events and activities to participate in.
Children
The city is filled with fun and exciting activities and resources for young children to enjoy. Places throughout the city include the London Children’s Museum, Storybook Gardens, London Public Library and more. Children of London also eagerly enjoy visiting Adventures on Wonderland, Play Away Indoor Park, Off The Wall Kids and Flying Squirrel Indoor Trampoline Park.
Youth
London’s youth also enjoy visiting many of the above attractions such as the indoor trampoline park and Off The Wall Kids. Along with these adventure opportunities, the city also offers a variety of programs specifically geared toward youth. Agencies such as the Boys and Girls Club of London, LifeSpin, and Youth Opportunities Unlimited cater to area youth and provide resources such as employment resources, schooling assistance, and life skills training. Many of the city’s amenities such as the library offer a variety of programs and activities youth enjoy.
Seniors
Those living out their golden years in London, Ontario can stay active and engaged in a variety of different ways. Aimed at promoting a healthy and fun environment, there are many Senior Centres located in the city including the Kiwanis Seniors’ Community Centre and Hamilton Road Seniors’ Community Centre.
The Seniors’ Satellites is a city-managed and operated program that allows residents 55 and older to participate in engaging events and activities. This program offers seniors an opportunity to keep fit, stay engaged, meet new friends and volunteer in their community.
Enthusiastic about its Sports Teams
London is home to the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights. The Knights are consistently at the top of the league in attendance and boast one of the largest fan bases in all of junior hockey. Also calling the city home are a few other Minor League sports teams including the London Lightning (basketball) and The London Nationals (baseball).
Sports have a way of bringing people together. London has created a Sports Tourism initiative that involves the collaboration between the city of London, tourism partners and various sports teams. The city has hosted major regional, national and international sporting events throughout the years that have had a lasting positive impact on the area. Events have included curling, figure skating, and many more.
Eclectic Restaurant Scene
Regardless of craving or pallet preference, London’s restaurant scene has something for everything. Whether you’re looking for an upscale eatery to celebrate an intimate occasion or a downtown pub to enjoy a game with friends, there are endless dining opportunities throughout the city.
London is also home to ethnic restaurants that range from Asian and Mediterranean to Caribbean and Italian. Whether you’re looking for Sushi or Shawarma, London has an impressive selection of places to find tasty eats throughout the city.
Along with the long list of restaurants found throughout the Forest City, London is also home to many up-and-coming craft breweries. Making their mark on the local market and beyond, family-owned operations have become increasingly popular with brews being served at many of the city’s restaurants and found throughout LCBO’s. A few companies worth mentioning include Anderson Craft Ales, Fork River Brewing Company, London Brewing and Toboggan Brewing Company.
If you’re looking for a place to live and work that offers plenty of shopping, exciting entertainment, an impressive medical care system, and the opportunity to connect with nature, London is the city for you! Conveniently located and rich in culture, it’s easy to see how so many have been drawn by its charm and abundance of opportunity.