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Written By
Corinna Frattini
Sep 18, 2025
•Barrie
Choosing a City
Ontario
Are you moving to Canada? Thousands of immigrants come to the country every year. There are newcomers dispersed from coast to coast. One of the biggest decisions newcomers must make is where they choose to live. While Barrie is lesser-known than a large city like Toronto, it’s a popular alternative to living in the Greater Toronto Area. Where you choose to live will have a direct impact on your career options, financial success, housing costs, and overall lifestyle.
To find a lower cost of living and more affordable housing, many people consider Ontario cities outside of Toronto. Researching your options will help you choose the best city for you and your family.
Are you interested in learning more about the city of Barrie, Ontario? Our guide provides the thorough information you need to know about living in Barrie.
Barrie, Ontario, is a beautiful waterfront city on the shores of Kempenfelt Bay, the western side of Lake Simcoe. It is a growing area that has become a popular destination for new immigrants and people moving out of Toronto as part of a recent interprovincial migration trend.
People are attracted to the region for several reasons. It is a bedroom community of Toronto located about 90 km north of the city with a one-hour commute. The lower housing prices and cost of living are appealing. There is large employment growth, and it has a good transit system. The city is also ideal for people who love the outdoors because of the swimmable beaches and nearby ski hills. There are many great hiking paths, great skiing, and many watersports.
Over the past few decades, it has evolved from a small town to an up-and-coming city. Barrie was first settled during the War of 1812 as a supply depot for British soldiers. The city was named after Sir Robert Barrie, an officer in the British Navy. Over the years, it has evolved from a village (1854) to a town (1870) and became a city in 1959.
The population of Barrie has grown rapidly over the past few years. The city has recently made the list of the top 5 most-moved-to cities in Canada. With a population of 142,000 residents (City of Barrie, 2025), the government of Ontario projects the city could grow to 300,000 residents by 2051. This is based on increased immigration and intra-provincial migration.
The economy in Barrie is in a growth phase. As more people move out of the big city, businesses are choosing to invest in Barrie. The projected 70% population growth by 2041 brings new jobs and opportunities. Estimates project that more than 30,000 new jobs will be created over the next 20 years.
Some of the biggest growth sectors are arts, entertainment, and recreation, manufacturing, finance and insurance, healthcare, and construction.
The top sectors in Barrie are:
Barrie is home to several corporate headquarters, including:
There are many ways to explore career opportunities. You can search the Government of Canada Job Bank or other online job boards. You can also use local recruitment agencies such as Randstad Canada, IS2 Workforce Solutions, TalentWorld, and AppleOne Employment Services.
Ontario, Canada | Population, Cities, Economy & Culture
It’s vital to consider where to live within the city. Ideally, you want to choose a neighbourhood that is close to work, schools, and other amenities.
The housing market is more affordable than in other cities in the Greater Toronto Area, but with housing prices on the rise, the gap is shrinking. The lack of supply and not enough new builds are driving up the cost.
Renters in Barrie can choose from detached homes, condos, apartments, and townhouses in unique neighbourhoods. To get a sense of the character and rental prices of each neighbourhood, check out Best Barrie Neighbourhoods for Newcomers to Rent.
There are a few ways you can look for rental units. You can search online, use realtor websites, or you can use Rentals for Newcomers to search for available rental units in Barrie. Here, you can also find current rental prices in Barrie.
When renting, it’s a good idea to get 
to protect your family, belongings, and finances.
Get more information about renting a home: Renting in Canada: What Newcomers Need to Know.
Searching for your first home in Canada? Join this exclusive session for key insights on housing market conditions, affordable options, and renting without credit history. Tailored for newcomers settling in the next six months, register now for valuable tips and a free guide!
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARBuying a home in Barrie has become more expensive. For example, prices have increased by over 30% in the past year, and are predicted to increase by as much as 15% in 2022. The average price for a detached house in Barrie is $980,000. The average price for a townhome is $853,000 and the average cost for a condo is $626,000.
Find out more about buying your first home in Canada: First Time Home Buyer: Newcomer Tips
Barrie is a commuter city. Many people drive to work within the city or to other locations across the Greater Toronto Area. A strong road system serves Barrie. There are several highways in the area, including Highway 400, the major highway that connects to Toronto. Highway 26 is the primary highway that runs through the city and leads to Collingwood. Other highways in the area include Highways 27, 90, and 93.
All drivers must have an Ontario driver’s licence. To get a licence, you need to complete the graduated licencing process. For information on driving in Canada and how to get a licence, read 10 Facts Newcomers Must Know About Driving in Canada.
Barrie Transit provides public transit and bus routes throughout the city. As well, you can take advantage of the daily GO Train and Bus service to downtown Toronto and other cities in the region. And, using public transit is a convenient, affordable, and simple way to travel within Barrie and across the region. Get more information about Barrie Transit fares.
There are no major airports in the city. The closest is Lake Simcoe Regional Airport.
Barrie and Simcoe County offer support services to new immigrants who move to the community. You can get information about living and working in the community.
Some of the settlement agencies include the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka Immigrant Services, The Learning Centre, Georgian College, and Bradford Immigration & Community Services (BICS).
Many community agencies offer free language classes. In Barrie, you can take courses at The Learning Centre, Georgian College, and through the YMCA Immigrant Services. Or, you can also take courses with the Simcoe County District School Board in the Adult English as a Second Language program.
Having a strong financial plan is important for new immigrants. Newcomers have access to banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions where they can open a bank account, get a credit card, or a line of credit, and apply for a mortgage. Most banks and financial institutions offer specific products and programs for new immigrants. Visit a local branch to open an account. You will need proof of residence and proper identification.
How Much Money Will I Need to Move to Canada?
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The Government of Ontario manages the school system, including elementary, high school, and post-secondary education.
Barrie offers residents several elementary and high school education options. You have the choice to attend the public or Catholic school board. It also has two French school boards and several private schools. You can enrol your children at a school with one of the following:
Located in Barrie is Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology. It offers over 130 full-time career-focused programs. There are over 13,000 full-time students, including 4,500 international students from over 85 countries.
Top-quality health care is something we value as Canadians. In Barrie, you can get urgent care through the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. You can also go to walk-in clinics throughout the city to receive care for non-urgent needs.
In case of an emergency call 9-1-1. This number is the same no matter where you live in Canada.
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) provides residents with health care coverage. Learn how to apply for an OHIP card.
You can also pay for additional 
to help cover the costs of prescription drugs and services that are not covered by OHIP. Some employers offer third-party health insurance through their employer benefits packages.
How Can Newcomers Get Free Healthcare in Canada?
Finding a family doctor is vital. You can search for a family doctor who is taking on new patients through Health Care Connect. You can call 1-800-445-1822 or visit www.ontario.ca/findadoctor.
As a waterfront community, Barrie offers many year-round activities for residents. You can enjoy the beaches in the summer and head over to nearby ski clubs in the winter. And it is only a short drive to many other outdoor adventures. Downtown Barrie is at the heart of it all.
The city offers many local attractions, including the Simcoe County Museum, Fort Willow, Centennial Park, and Bear Creek Eco Park. If you are into the arts and theatre, check out Five Points Theatre or Maclaren Art Centre. Be sure to check out the iconic Spirit Catcher sculpture.
Downtown Barrie is the place to go to dinner or enjoy entertainment and cultural activities. The city hosts many festivals such as Kempenfest, Barrie Waterfront Festival, Winterfest, and the Barrie Film Festival.
Located on Lake Simcoe, Barrie provides residents with the opportunity to walk along the waterfront, go boating and enjoy the beach life in the summer months. Be sure to check out the beaches at Minet’s Point, The Gables, Tyndale, Centennial, and Johnson’s Beach.
In the winter, Horseshoe Resort, Snow Valley and Blue Mountain are great for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Or check out nature at Arboretum Sunnidale Park.
Barrie is home to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, and other minor sports teams. If you want to catch a concert, check out Sadlon Arena or Burl’s Creek Event Grounds, which is home to the popular country music festival Boots and Hearts.
Barrie is not traditionally known as a diverse city, but it is on the path to becoming more diverse. There are about 20,000 immigrants in the city. 7.6% of the population are minorities and 5% are Aboriginal. The city has a large francophone community with close to 10,000 residents being bilingual.
The largest minority groups are Black (2.7%), South Asian (2.2%), Chinese (1.2%) and Latin American (1.1%).
Barrie is mainly a Christian community. Around two-thirds of residents identify as Catholic, United, or Anglican. About 30% of the population has no religious affiliation. About 1-2% of the population identify with another religion.
Barrie has a climate like the rest of southern Ontario. They experience warm and humid summers and cold winters. It is a humid continental climate. The region experiences heavy thunderstorms in the spring and summer.
In the winter, the city gets significant snowfall, largely because it is close to Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario. The average temperature is -8.1°C in January and +21.0°C in July.
Barrie is a mid-sized city that offers a slower-paced lifestyle than living in a large city such as Toronto. Though Barrie is known for being more traditional, it is becoming a more diverse city. Barrie was named the safest city in Ontario to live in. If you are into the outdoors and cottage lifestyle, it’s a great place to consider.
It’s vital to consider the pros and cons of a city before choosing where to live. On the plus side, Barrie is a great location, with a growing job market, a safe community and offers many great seasonal activities. On the downside, it’s less diverse than a city such as Toronto and other potential issues such as road congestion, challenging winters, and rising housing costs.
Barrie is more affordable than many cities in the Greater Toronto Area, but housing prices are rising as the city has become a prime location for interprovincial migration. Many Toronto residents are moving to Barrie. As a result, the cost of housing is rising.
WRITTEN BY
Corinna Frattini
Senior Editor and Content Director, Prepare for Canada
Corinna researches and writes content to help newcomers make informed decisions about housing, employment, banking, and aspects of settling in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada. Her writing combines research, practical guidance, and clear language to support newcomers on their journey.
© Prepare for Canada 2025
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