Looking for South African Expats in Canada?

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Canada, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Canada. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

What are the most common nationalities in Canada?
As an expat in Canada, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in Canada currently are:

• Indians
• **French **
• British
• Americans

Which cities are most popular among expats in Canada?
Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Canada:

• Ottawa
• Montreal
• Vancouver

How much rent do expats pay in Canada?
Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 1176 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.911 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Canada.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Canada.

Average rent in Ottawa

• Single expats: 1.249 USD
• Expat families: 2.058 USD

Average rent in Montreal

• Single expats: 1.051 USD
• Expat families: 1.882 USD

Average rent in Vancouver

• Single expats: 1.935 USD
• Expat families: 3.309 USD

How safe is Canada?
You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Canada as safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as moderately high.
They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.

How safe is Canada for women?
Female expats rated the safety situation in Canada as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Canada (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our South African members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Obviously, expat life in Canada goes well beyond shipping your belongings and taking care of red tape. Socializing with fellow South Africans is an important facet of living abroad and can be a huge stepping stone in getting to know the Canadian mentality and way of life. South Africans in Canada are a part of our community, calling cities such as Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, and many others home. You can use InterNations to look for fellow South Africans in Ottawa, for example.

Wondering where to shop for South African delicatessen, want to discuss your national team's latest match, or simply talk to someone in your native language? Become a member of the Canadian InterNations Community!

• Our network is the best place to meet expats from South Africa.
• On the Canada Expat Forums, you can get competent answers to all your expat-related questions: how to find a babysitter fluent in your mother tongue, where to get bobotie in Ottawa, etc.
• The InterNations Places database for Canada has information on the nearest South African embassy and many other institutions.

From the sublime Canadian Rockies to French-speaking Québec, with its strong provincial identity, you can meet supportive and friendly South African expats in Canada on InterNations.

Additionally, InterNations hosts regular expat events and activities in Canada. Our get-togethers are sure to cater to your taste as well: as a member, you can partake in cozy gatherings to enjoy some Canadian maple pancakes, join one of our huge expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Ottawa’s best locations, and much more. Want to discover Canada? Go on a weekend trip with your fellow expats to see Prince Edward Island and other beautiful landmarks.

Our meet-ups and activities offer many wonderful opportunities to mingle with expatriates hailing from South Africa and dozens of other countries in a casual setting. Just sign up for your InterNations membership and you’ll soon hear a cordial Siya namkela nonke, welkom, isibingelelo from our South Africans living in Canada!