Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Burlington, located in the Regional Municipality of Halton, is a charming city known for its beautiful waterfront and parks. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 183,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speeds of 100 Mbps with fiber-optic services available. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | CAD (Canadian Dollar); 1 CAD ≈ 0.74 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and sourced from Lake Ontario, with good quality standards. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, with Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Rogers, Bell, and Telus, with prepaid options available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like RBC, TD Canada Trust, and Scotiabank are available, along with digital banks like Wealthsimple. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from Airbnb, short-term rentals on Spotahome to long-term leases available on Kijiji. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, most places accept credit and debit cards, along with mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular platforms for finding short-term accommodations. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as Samesun Burlington and budget hotels like Super 8 are economical choices. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Downtown Burlington is a favorite due to its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to the lakefront. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The Aldershot area offers a quieter lifestyle with parks and easy access to public transit. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Burlington Coworking provides dedicated desks and private offices with fast internet. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Collective Arts Brewing offers a spacious atmosphere with good coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups at local venues and online networking through platforms like Meetup. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the Burlington Expats Facebook group for events and community engagement. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft operate in Burlington for convenient ride-sharing. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Burlington has several bike rental options through local shops and bike share programs. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Spencer Smith Park Beach, offering sandy shores and picnic areas, is a local favorite. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | WestJet and Air Canada operate regional flights from nearby airports. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Toronto Pearson International Airport is the major hub, a 45-minute drive away. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to Highway 403 and Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) connects to larger cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Burlington GO Station connects directly to Toronto and other regional stops. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | GO Transit offers pass options for commuting, and Burlington Transit operates local buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services available through GO Transit, and regional bus services by Burlington Transit and others. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Joseph Brant Hospital provides comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Centre and Inspire Health & Wellness offer a variety of classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | GoodLife Fitness and Anytime Fitness provides various workout options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat services available at The Wash House with self-service and drop-off options. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and SkipTheDishes are popular for food delivery in Burlington. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the Butter Tart, a local dessert specialty. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Nnamdi’s Vegan Café is highly recommended for plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Kelly's Bake Shoppe is famous for cupcakes and sweet treats. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets such as the Burlington Farmers' Market offer fresh produce and bargains. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.ca and local shops provide a variety of online shopping options. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Walmart’s grocery delivery services operate in the area. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Downtown Burlington area is vibrant for nightlife, with numerous bars and pubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Counterpart Brewing and Burlington Beer Company offer local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Bar offers a curated selection of wines and tasting events. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Burlington Food Truck Festival features a variety of street food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Sheree's Caribbean Cuisine offers delicious Caribbean dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Burlington Pier for stunning views. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Art Gallery of Burlington showcases local artists and exhibits. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Brant Museum exhibits local heritage and history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Luke's Anglican Church and other historic churches are notable. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Burlington Sound of Music Festival is a major summer event featuring local music. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Explore the historic Downtown Burlington for shops and dining. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Burlington Performing Arts Centre hosts various cultural performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Burlington Farmers' Market runs from May to October with local vendors. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local venues such as The Burlington Performing Arts Centre feature regular live shows. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Downtown Farmers' Market often showcases local art and crafts. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Cooking with Seasons offers hands-on culinary experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Walker House Art Gallery features local artists and changing exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The former Burlington Post Office, now a heritage site and gallery. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city embraces its heritage through community events and local festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Mount Nemo Conservation Area offers hiking and beautiful scenery. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Royal Botanical Gardens is a national historic site with extensive gardens. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Waterfront Trail provides stunning views and a biking path along Lake Ontario. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Brant Street Pier offers a panoramic view of the lake and city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Royal Botanical Gardens is a prime spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas of Bronte Creek Provincial Park allow bonfires in designated zones. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Post Canada and FedEx services are readily available for parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like Techies on the Go offer device repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Burlington YMCA has table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language classes offered at the Burlington Public Library in partnership with local agencies. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Burlington Public Library has study spaces and free internet access. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Burlington Community Centre offers various programs and activities for residents. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Escapade Games and Café offers gaming experiences and events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The nearest casino is at the OLG Casino in Hamilton, approximately 15 minutes away. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $450,000 for a studio apartment in downtown Burlington. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $350,000 for a studio in suburban areas. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $600,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment in central locations. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $500,000 for a 1-bedroom in suburban areas. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $700,000 for a 2-bedroom apartment in central locations. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $600,000 for a 2-bedroom in suburban areas. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% for corporations in Ontario. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Tax rate on dividends is 25%, but can be reduced to 15% for residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Canada follows a progressive income tax system, including federal and provincial taxes. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Federal and provincial maximum combined rate can be up to 53.53%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Sales Tax in Ontario is 13% (HST). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Canada has regulations governing CFC taxation. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxes based on municipal assessments. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Land Transfer Tax applies, approximately 1-2% based on the purchase price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Canada offers newcomer tax benefits and incentives for skilled immigrants. |