Transportation
- Regional Travel
- GO Transit trains and buses connect to Toronto, Pickering, and Whitby
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Lyft, and local Oshawa City Taxi
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- N/A - Bike sharing is limited; personal bike or walking the Joseph Kolodzie path is best
- Best Beach Nearby
- Lakeview Park Beach (South Oshawa) - Free access, scenic views of Lake Ontario
- Top Regional Airline
- Porter Airlines (operating out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport)
- Top International Airline
- Air Canada, WestJet (operating out of Toronto Pearson YYZ, 60km away)
- Highway Access
- Highway 401 (east-west) and Highway 407 (toll road) provide primary access
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Oshawa GO Station (Direct trains to Union Station Toronto in 60 mins for ~$12)
- Public Transport Passes
- PRESTO Card - Valid on Durham Region Transit (DRT) and GO Transit; Monthly pass ~$117
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Lakeridge Health Oshawa (1 Hospital Ct) - Full-service regional hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Modo Yoga Oshawa (1300 King St E) - Drop-in classes ~$20 CAD
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- GoodLife Fitness (Oshawa Centre or North Oshawa locations), Fit4Less for budget (~$15/bi-weekly)
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Room (1100 Simcoe St N) - Modern self-serve and wash & fold
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats, SkipTheDishes, and DoorDash
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Poutine from Halibut House or local gastropub burgers
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Copper Branch (Oshawa Centre) - 100% plant-based bowls and burgers
- Best Dessert Spots
- Baker's Dozen (Local bakery known for apple fritters and butter tarts)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Oshawa Centre (Major mall), FreshCo, and No Frills for budget groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.ca (Prime offers 1-day delivery in Oshawa)
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart (Loblaws, Walmart, Costco) and Voila by Sobeys
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Downtown Oshawa (Simcoe Street) with venues like Atria and The Junction
- Local Brewery
- All or Nothing Brewhouse (430 King St W) - Taproom and retail shop
- Wine Bars
- Avanti Trattoria - High-end Italian with an extensive wine list downtown
- Street Food Stalls
- Seasonal food trucks at Lakeview Park and various poutine trucks
- Popular International Cuisine
- Teddy's Restaurant & Deli (Iconic Eastern European/Deli) and numerous Sushi spots downtown
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Canadian Automotive Museum (99 Simcoe St S) - Entrance $16
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) - Contemporary Canadian art
- Historical Sites
- Parkwood Estate (270 Simcoe St N) - Former home of R.S. McLaughlin; filming site for many movies
- Religious Sites
- St. George's Anglican Church (Classic architecture downtown)
- Annual Events
- Fiesta Week (June - Multicultural food festivals centers across the city)
- Cultural Districts
- Downtown Oshawa - Historic core with murals and small theaters
- Theater Venues
- Regent Theatre (Historic 1919 theater and cinema)
- Local Markets
- Oshawa Farmers' Market (Simcoe St N, seasonal on Fridays)
- Music Scene
- Tribute Communities Centre - Major concert venue (capacity 6,000+)
- Street Art
- The Oshawa Murals - Scattered across downtown depicting local history
- Cooking Classes
- Loblaws Cooking School (Oshawa Centre location)
- Art Galleries
- Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (nearby) and RMG shop
- Historic Buildings
- The Oshawa Armouries
- Local Heritage
- Deep roots in GM auto industry (Canada's Motor City)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens - Stunning peony gardens and walking trails
- National Parks Nearby
- Rouge National Urban Park (25 mins west in Scarborough/Pickering)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Waterfront Trail - Part of the 3,600km Great Lakes Waterfront Trail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve - Great views of Lake Ontario
- Birdwatching Locations
- Second Marsh Wildlife Area - Largest coastal wetland in the GTA
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Limited; Cedar Valley Conservation Area (check local fire bans)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Canada Post, UPS Store (multiple locations), FedEx
- Tech Repair Services
- Mobile Klinik (Oshawa Centre) for smartphone and laptop repair
- Table Tennis Spots
- Civic Recreation Complex - Drop-in sports and table tennis
- Language Classes
- Durham District School Board (DDSB) LINC/ESL programs
- Libraries & Study Spots
- McLaughlin Public Library (Main Branch) - Free Wi-Fi and quiet study zones
- Community Centers
- South Oshawa Community Centre - Pool, gym, and meeting rooms
- Gaming Lounges
- Full Throttle Gaming & Collectibles (Retrogaming and tournament space)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Great Blue Heron Casino (30 mins north) or Pickering Casino Resort (15 mins west)
Essentials
- City
- Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
- Population
- 175,000 (Greater Oshawa: 400,000)
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber available, 100-1000 Mbps via Bell or Rogers
- Currency & Banking
- 1 CAD ≈ 0.74 USD; Major banks include TD, RBC, Scotiabank, and BMO
- Tap Water
- Safe and drinkable, treated by Durham Region
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Rogers, Telus, Bell (expensive); Budget options: Lucky Mobile, Public Mobile (~$40/month for 20GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Simplii Financial, EQ Bank, and Wise are popular digital options
- Accommodation
- Mix of modern condos and suburban detached homes; Airbnb and Kijiji are primary search tools
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high; contactless payment (Interac/Apple Pay) accepted everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO; 1-bedroom apartments average $1,800 - $2,200 CAD/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Holiday Inn Express Oshawa Downtown (~$160 CAD/night); University student rentals in summer
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Downtown Oshawa (near Ontario Tech University and Tribute Communities Centre)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- North Oshawa (Windfields neighborhood) for modern condos and amenities, or Lakeview for quieter vibes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Core21 (21 Simcoe St S) - Hot desks from $25/day or $250/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cork & Bean (8 Simcoe St S) - Excellent coffee, fast Wi-Fi, and a dedicated workspace vibe
- Networking Events
- Oshawa Chamber of Commerce events and Spark Centre tech meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Durham Region International Meetup groups and local library workshops
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,000 per m² ($440,000 for 40m²)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,500 per m² ($340,000 for 40m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,000 per m² ($600,000 for 60m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,000 per m² ($480,000 for 60m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $9,375 per m² ($750,000 for 80m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² ($600,000 for 80m²)
- Corporate Tax
- Federal/Provincial combined rate ~26.5% (Small business rate ~12.2%)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Generally 25% for non-residents, often reduced to 15% via tax treaties
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Federal 33% + Provincial 13.16% (Total ~53.53% for highest earners)
- VAT
- 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, FAPI (Foreign Accrual Property Income) rules apply
- Property Tax
- Annual rate approx 1.35% of assessed value (one of the higher rates in the GTA)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Ontario Land Transfer Tax based on purchase price; first-time buyer rebates available
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; most stay on visitor visa (no right to work for Canadian clients)