Canada is simply huge in scope. It’s the second largest country in the world, occupying a vast northern corner of the earth, and is an enormous expat destination attracting immigrants from every corner of the globe.

As testament to its qualities, in seven out of eight years, Canada has been ranked number one by the United Nations in their annual Human Development Index. This evaluation takes factors into consideration such as the cost of living, adult literacy, job opportunities, life expectancy and school enrolment. Many people from the US and the UK move to Canada for a better quality of life.

The major Canadian cities of Vancouver and Toronto are not the most dynamic of business hubs when it comes to global expat destinations, but what they offer instead is a truly multicultural societal blend set against a backdrop of rugged and spectacular scenery. The nation’s British and French origins feature in the European architecture; the American cultural influences through fanatic sport leagues and entertainment; Inuit traditions are realized through its contribution to the country’s rich and ancient history; and more recently, Asian immigrants have appeared to influence vibrant neighbourhoods. Yet for all the spice of multicultural life, the unavoidable freezing Canadian temperatures can be taxing during winter weather when days are dark and cold and owning a car essential.

Expats moving to Canada will need to be made of a more resilient fibre than many; willing to sacrifice low pay and lower temperatures for a comfortable life. Between its borders, the country has truly endless places to see, although the north is little traversed and mostly uninhabitable.

Most of the population is confined to the far south, which is even more concentrated around the Toronto area. Yet in these cities, such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, expats living in Canada will find it's easy to maintain a cosmopolitan lifestyle that is still filled with rugged outdoor adventure.