Life in Caledon for Immigrants – What to expect
Imagine what life in Caledon looks like. The serene environment, the quiet village life, the endless outdoor adventures. All these make life in Caledon an exciting one. In Caledon, you don’t expect to have a perfect city life nor do you expect to live in the remotest part of Canada.
Caledon is a place where you expect to see the mixture of the high city as well as the serenity of village life. Life in Caledon brings a balance of urban and city life.
If you enjoy some evenings out, there are many places for you, on the other hand, if you enjoy cool evenings in closed areas, Caledon still offers you that.
Moreover, one of the things that attract visitors and immigrants to Caledon is the neighbourhood and climate which are very friendly.
For instance, if you are in Caledon for a romantic getaway, you have places to visit like the Belfountain Conservation Area and Bruce Trail where you can take a romantic stroll.
In addition, if you visit Caledon for holidays and vacations, you still have attractions for your view. You will also have access to quality and cheap hotels. Therefore, whenever you plan to live in Caledon, just be prepared to have a lot of fun.
Where is Caledon?
As one of the towns in the regional municipality of Peel in the Greater Area of Toronto, Caledon is a small town known for its number of activities. It is located in the province of Ontario. Therefore, there are many things that you expect from life in Caledon.
Originally, it is the short form of Caledonia, the Roman name for North Britain. Unfortunately, Caledon is still a developing urban area.
Thus, it is still a rural area. However, it is made up of some urban areas, villages and hamlets. The major urban area in Caledon is Bolton located on the evening side of the town.
Population of Caledon
The population of Caledon stands at around 66,000 according to the 2016 census. Therefore, it is a good place to live, especially if you want to live in a cool and serene environment.
Villages in Caledon
There are nine villages in Caledon. Among these, Bolton is the closest to a city. They include:
- Bolton
- Caledon East
- Belfountain
- Cheltenham
- Alton
- Palgrave
- Inglewood
- Caledon Village
- Terra Cotta
Cost of living in Caledon
Generally, the cost of living in Caledon is 2% lower than the average cost of living in Ontario. On the contrary, it is 10% higher than Canada. This can be seen in the housing sector where housing costs 11% more than the national average.
Secondly, the tax percentage in Canada is 33% higher than in Canada as a nation. Therefore, if you plan to live in Celedon, you are sure to pay higher taxes than others living in Canada.
Life in Caledon: Reasons to move to Caledon
Life in Caledon is not all that interesting having in mind that the town is still developing. However, there are still some reasons why you can choose to move to the town regarded as the Oasis of life. Therefore, if not for anything else, the reasons below can endear you to move to Caledon.
1: Friendly Neighbourhood Community
The number one reason you need to choose Caledon as a destination is the friendly neighbourhood in the town. Caledon may be a small village, still, it is a lovely and friendly environment to live in. So, life in Caledon means fun, especially on those hot summer nights and weekends when you can move to any of the ice cream shops to refresh yourself.
Moreover, the friendly nature of the residents will make you feel welcome once you arrive in the town. Another funny thing is that you always expect to meet new people every day, especially as you move around the town or hang out in the cool evenings. Just know that there’s always a story to tell in Caledon.
2: Endless Outdoor Adventures
In addition to the friendly nature of the locals, there are plenty of outdoor activities going out in the town. So, if you love outdoor adventures, then Caledon is a town for you.
The town boasts of many attractions where you can relax in the evening after work. Or even during the weekend, you can decide to have some walk along the trails in the oasis of life. Meanwhile, the Great Trail, Caledon Trailway, and Bruce Trail are just good examples of the adventures in Caledon.
3: Accessible Transportation
Whether you go to work very early, or you want to have quick trips from and to Toronto. Or if you prefer to connect with the Niagara region, the transportation in Caledon is accessible to you. Therefore, regardless of the town, you’re in, you can easily have access to major highways connecting you to Toronto and the Niagara region.
Educational Life in Caledon
List of schools in Caledon
What if your concern is about finding better schools for your children, there are plenty of good schools for your children in Caledon. With the number of Catholic schools in the town, your children are sure to receive a quality education.
Therefore, finding better schools is not a problem when you live in Caledon. Moreover, even if you do not like any of the schools in Caledon, your children can still enrol in any of the schools in Toronto. The following are the list of schools in Caledon:
- St. Cornelius Elementary School
- St. Evan Catholic Elementary School
- MEI International Academy
- The Hill Academy
- Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School St. Cornelius Elementary School
- Dufferin Peel Catholic District School
- St. Michael Catholic Secondary School
- St. Cornelius Elementary School
- Headwater Hills Montessori School
- St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
- St. John the Baptist Elementary School
- St. Michael Catholic Secondary School
- King’s College School
- St. Nicholas Elementary School
- Holy Family Elementary School
List of universities and colleges in Caledon
Apart from primary and secondary school, there are a lot of colleges and universities in Caledon. Therefore, while living in Caledon, you can attend any of them. The list below shows the colleges and universities in or around Caledon. They include:
- Ontario Fire Academy Inc
- Georgian College
- Humber College
- Canadian International Career College
- Alawi Husayni Ninowi Zawiyah Canada
- Dominion College Of Business Health And Technology
- Huron College of Management,
- Trios College Business Technology
- Algoma University Brampton
- College Of Health Studies
- College Of Health Online
- Georgian College
Life in Caledon: Places to enjoy your weekend in Caledon
Only very few towns can boast of having places for their residents to relax and enjoy their weekends.
Fortunately, Caledon is among them. Not only do you have fun in these places, rather, they also bring you closer to nature. Therefore, in Caledon, you have fun while also enjoying the natural environment.
Fun places to hang out
Below is the list of places to enjoy life in Caledon during the weekends. Therefore, if you live in Caledon, you may try to visit them.
1: Albion Orchards & Country Market
One of the places to have fun and at the same time have a feel of the natural environment is Albion Orchards and Country Market.
First of all, you can get a great deal of hospitality from the orchard. This is not the only thing, you will also enjoy the natural and fresh fruits in the orchard.
However, that is not all because you can still lay hands on some of the best raw honey and maple syrup. Wow, what is the best way to spend your weekend?
2: Alton Mill Arts Centre
Life in Caledon can never be boring. If you do not want to hang out in the eateries or parks, you may decide to visit the Alton Mill Arts Centre. From being an old mill, this wonderful place has turned into a great attraction for many who go there on weekends. Generally, there are a lot of activities going on in the mill. Therefore, if you are a lover of arts, this is a place to visit. At the mill, you will discover works in clay, glass, and wood. Apart from that, you have the opportunity to tour the heritage building and go for a hike in the woods. Moreover, the courtyard also serves as a perfect wedding venue for your wedding party.
3. Spirit Tree Estate Cidery
Are you a fan of cider? Or do you want the best cider in town? Then, you can try the Spirit Tree Estate Cidery. In the Spirit Tree Estate Cidery, you get fresh cider, baked goods, farm store and kitchen.
4: Plant Paradise Country Gardens
Life in Caledon is not only enjoyed in the summer. Spring is a time for fresh blooms and there is no better place to enjoy it in Celedon than Plant Paradise Country Gardens. So, if you are bored during your spring days at Caledon, you can stroll through this beautiful garden. In addition to giving you time to relax, you will also appreciate the natural environment in this beautiful garden.
5. Cadogan Farm Adventures
Living in Caledon can get more interesting visiting this wonderful place, especially if you love animals. Therefore, you may like to visit this place to clamp, trek, ride horses or even send the kids off to summer camp.
Hotels in Caledon
There are many cheap and affordable hotels in Caledon, especially during the low season. Usually, the low seasons are July and August. Therefore, hotel prices are lower during this period.
However, hotel prices vary because of certain factors like location, quality of the hotel and season. Usually, Fridays are the costliest time to book hotels in Canada.
Average price (weeknight): $171
Average price (weekend night): $208
How to immigrate Caledon
To enjoy your life in Caledon, you must, first of all, find the best immigration pathways to move to the small town. Though there are many ways to move to the town, the best possible pathway is the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP).
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
As one of the provinces in Canada, the province of Ontario has the nominee program for immigration, especially for workers who want to work in the province. Therefore, if you are planning to enjoy your stay in Ontario living in Caledon, the OINP is a good program for you.
However, before you can use this program, you have to meet the requirements for the program. Generally, there are three ways to qualify for OINP. They include:
Employer job offer category: This is specifically meant for workers who are already working in Canada. Therefore, if you already live in Caledon and you have a permanent job offer, this program will help to qualify for permanent resident status.
Human capital category: This is made for workers, especially those who have work experience, education, language skills. In addition, you must create an account in Canada’s Express Entry system.
Business category: Unlike the previous two, the business category is for businessmen or entrepreneurs. Therefore, if you plan to experience life in Caledon as an entrepreneur, this is for you.
Application process for Ontario Nominee Program
To use the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program, you will use the steps below.
Step 1: Make sure you qualify
First of all, you must make sure that you qualify for the stream you will like to use. Therefore, you should make enough research to know the requirements for each stream under OINP.
2. Create a profile and receive an invitation to apply or a notification of interest
The second step is to create a profile in the express entry system. The best profiles will be chosen for the nominee program. Therefore, make sure that you score good points in the comprehensive ranking system used in rating profiles.
Following the scores, the best candidates will receive an invitation to apply. If you are among the selected candidates, you must show an expression of interest. You will do this by creating a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal.
3. Apply to be nominated by the OINP
Once you have submitted your application for expression of interest, you may be nominated based on your qualifications.
4. Apply to the Government of Canada for permanent residence
Perhaps, if you are nominated, the next step is to apply for permanent residence through the IRCC. Usually, the final decision depends on the Government of Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hotel cost in Caledon?
Although the average price for a double room in Caledon is CAD 174. However, the lowest price is around CAD 95.
What is Caledon known for?
Caledon is best known for its spectacular landscape and dazzling topography. Caledon’s beauty stems from its two dominant landforms, the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine which converge in the Caledon Hills to form a landscape aesthetic that is unparalleled in the Greater Toronto Area
Is Caledon Ontario a good place to live?
Caledon is among the best places to live in Canada ranking number 87. However, this is some places down from 26 in 2016. Meanwhile, it is the 35th best place to live in Ontario. Hence, life in Caledon is wonderful.
