Moving to Mississauga: What You Need to Know Before You Decide
You’ve just started thinking about moving to Mississauga or somewhere else in Canada, and you’re looking for information to help make your final decision.
If you don’t know how big Canada really is, I invite you to check out 13 tips to choose the best place to live in Canada.
In this post, I’ll share 14 top reasons to live in Mississauga, Ontario, where we lived for more than 3 years. After this time we’ve experienced enough to honestly share how we feel about this city.
The name Mississauga comes from the Indigenous people who lived in this area. There are many interpretations of how the word came about, but the most likely is that it comes from the Ojibwa language and means “river of many mouths.”
1. Where Is Mississauga Located?
If you’re considering moving to Mississauga, it helps to first understand where it is on the map.
Mississauga is a city in the province of Ontario and is part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It’s the sixth-largest city in Canada and sits about 23 km west of Toronto—roughly a 30- to 45-minute drive, depending on traffic.
It belongs to the Peel Region, along with Brampton and Caledon, and shares borders with Etobicoke, Oakville, and Brampton. Mississauga also has access to the shoreline of Lake Ontario, adding to its charm.
Right now, the city’s population is around 717,000 and still growing.
You might be wondering what’s so special about Mississauga. In the next sections, I’ll share a few things we love about living here—and why this city might be a great fit for you too.
2. What Is the Education System Like When Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga with kids, the city offers a variety of education options, from free public and Catholic schools to private institutions.
There are two main school boards to look into: the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Both oversee the elementary and secondary public schools in Mississauga.
If you’re coming as an international student, Mississauga is also home to several post-secondary institutions. The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is located here, and there are colleges like Sheridan College’s Hazel McCallion Campus and Humber College. In addition, Mohawk College and Lambton College operate satellite campuses in the city.
To find the best place to study, especially as an international student, you can check the list of Designated Learning Institutions on the official Canadian government website.
3. Is the Toronto Pearson International Airport Really in Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga, here’s a fun and useful fact: Toronto Pearson International Airport is actually located in Mississauga, not Toronto.
This can be a big advantage if you like to travel often or expect visits from family and friends. Being so close to the country’s busiest airport makes coming and going much easier and often more affordable, especially compared to living farther away from major transit hubs.
4. What Is Celebration Square in Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga, you’ll definitely want to spend time at Celebration Square, one of our favourite places in the city.
Located in the heart of Mississauga’s city centre, this public space is where the community gathers all year round. During the summer, there are festivals almost every weekend, with live music, food from around the world, and fun activities for families and friends.
In the winter, the atmosphere transforms as the square becomes home to a large outdoor skating rink. It’s a great spot to enjoy the season and feel part of the community.
If you want to learn more about what to do in the area, be sure to check out Is Mississauga Worth Visiting? The Ultimate Guide + 25 Things to Do.
5. Is Mississauga a Good Place for Families?
If you’re moving to Mississauga with children or pets, you’ll be glad to know it’s a very family-friendly city.
It’s a quiet and welcoming place where you often see families out for walks, especially in the many parks. Almost every park has a playground, with options for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Mississauga is also a pet-friendly community. It’s common to see people walking their dogs daily, and there are plenty of green spaces and trails for pets to enjoy too.
6. What Are the Parks Like When Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga and enjoy spending time outdoors, you’re in luck, this city has more than 300 parks and trails to explore all year round.
Going for a morning walk or a post-lunch stroll is easy when you live here. The parks are well-maintained, peaceful, and offer a great way to unwind or connect with nature.
To get a better idea of what’s out there, check out our collection of 14 Parks and Trails to Visit in Mississauga.
7. How Does the Transit System Work When Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga, you’ll be happy to know that the city has a well-connected public transit system called MiWay. It uses the PRESTO card, just like most surrounding cities, and connects smoothly with other systems like GO Transit, TTC (including Kipling and Islington subway stations), Brampton Transit, and Oakville Transit.
One of the main transit hubs is the Square One Bus Terminal, where you can catch buses to places like Niagara Falls, Vaughan, Hamilton, Milton, and more.
Mississauga also has several GO Train stations, including Cooksville, Erindale, and Port Credit, which connect directly to Toronto and other cities in the region. The GO Bus can also take you to Toronto in about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
You can learn more about public transportation by reading Understanding Public Transportation in Canada for Newcomers.
If you’re planning to drive, Mississauga is well connected through major highways like 401, 403, Hurontario, and the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way), making travel by car easy and efficient.
If you’re thinking about driving in Canada, check out my post on A Newcomer’s Guide to Buying a Car in Ontario, Canada or How to Get an Ontario Driver’s License for Newcomers.
8. Where Can You Shop After Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga and enjoy shopping or just walking around indoors, you’ll love having access to Square One Mall in the city centre.
It’s the largest shopping mall in Ontario and features more than 350 stores and restaurants. It’s a great place to spend time, especially in the winter when outdoor activities might be limited. Whether you’re buying essentials or just window shopping, it’s a convenient and popular spot for locals.
9. How Multicultural Is Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga, you’ll quickly notice how multicultural and welcoming the city is.
According to the 2021 census, 47% of Mississauga’s population identifies as immigrants, and around 50% of residents speak a language other than English at home. This diversity is reflected in everyday life, from the food to the community events.
One of our favourite things about living here is the chance to take part in cultural festivals throughout the summer. In just a few days, we’ve enjoyed Filipino, South Asian, Italian, Latin American, and Muslim festivals, all hosted in Celebration Square.
You can explore more details about the languages spoken in Mississauga through official city resources.
10. How Does the Health System Work When Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga, it’s important to know how the health care system works. Like the rest of Ontario, medical services here are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). If you’re arriving with a work permit, you can check out my post on How to Get an Ontario Health Card for Temporary Workers: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Mississauga has two major hospitals: Credit Valley Hospital and Trillium Health Centre, both part of the Trillium Health Partners network. In addition to hospital care, there are many walk-in clinics throughout the city for everyday medical needs.
11. Can You Enjoy the Lake After Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga and enjoy being near the water, you’ll love spending time in Port Credit. This neighbourhood sits right along Lake Ontario and is a popular spot for outdoor and water activities.
In the summer, people head to Port Credit to go paddleboarding, kayaking, or just walk along the waterfront trails. It’s one of those places that makes you feel like you’re on a mini getaway without leaving the city.
12. What’s the Weather Like When Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga, it’s helpful to know what kind of weather to expect throughout the year. The climate is very similar to Toronto, with four distinct seasons.
Summers are warm, while winters are cold, snowy, and often windy. Temperatures typically range from -8°C to 26°C, though it’s not unusual to have a few days that dip below -17°C in winter or rise above 30°C in summer.
Being prepared for all types of weather will help you enjoy everything Mississauga has to offer year-round. You can get tips on how to be prepared by reading Winter Clothing in Canada – How to Dress During Winter in Canada.
13. What Job Opportunities Are Available When Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga and planning to look for work, you’ll find that the city has a strong and diverse job market.
Key industries here include advanced manufacturing, financial services, information and communications technology, and life sciences. Mississauga also has the largest logistics sector in the Greater Toronto Area, with about 30% of the GTA’s logistics activity based in the city.
Many major companies have offices or facilities in Mississauga, including Amazon, PepsiCo, Oracle, HP, and Samsung.
If you want to explore current job openings, you can check online job boards to get an idea of what’s available, and don’t forget to check out How to Get a Job in Canada as a Newcomer: 18 Essential Tips.
14. What Is Housing Like When Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga, it’s good to know that housing prices are generally similar to Toronto, though sometimes about 5 to 10 percent lower.
In our case, we used to rent a fully furnished one-bedroom condo for 1,750 CAD, when rental demand was lower due to travel restrictions. Prices have gone up since then. We know someone currently paying 2,550 CAD for a similar one-bedroom unit.
To get a general idea of current rental costs and cost of living, you can check Numbeo or other rental platforms.
If you’re new to Canada, you might also find it helpful to read my post on How to Rent Your First Home as a Newcomer In Canada, it explains the process step by step.
15. What Are the Best Areas to Live In When Moving to Mississauga?
If you’re moving to Mississauga, you might be wondering which area is best for you and your lifestyle.
There are several well-known neighbourhoods in the city, including Port Credit, Streetsville, Erindale, Erin Mills, City Centre, and Cooksville, among others. Each has its own vibe and advantages.
From our experience, we’ve been living in City Centre, and for us, it’s one of the best places to live. You’ll find everything within walking distance: the shopping mall, Celebration Square, banks, grocery stores, parks, public transportation, and even universities.
We lived there for over three years and for a period of time we got around just fine without a car, walking and using public transit for everything.
16. Conclusion
Hopefully, these reasons give you an idea of what a great choice this city is as a destination and what makes Mississauga a great place to live.
If you’re thinking about moving to Mississauga, I hope this post helps you picture what life here could look like, whether you’re looking for career opportunities, good schools, green spaces, or a diverse community. It’s a city that has something for everyone.
Still exploring options? You might also want to read: