Are you shifting to Canada? 1000’s of immigrants come to the nation yearly. There are newcomers dispersed from coast to coast. One of many largest selections newcomers should make is the place they select to reside. Whereas Barrie is lesser-known than a big metropolis like Toronto, it’s a well-liked various to residing within the Larger Toronto Space. The place you select to reside could have a direct influence in your profession choices, monetary success, housing prices, and general life-style.
To discover a decrease price of residing and extra reasonably priced housing, many individuals think about Ontario cities outdoors of Toronto. Researching your choices will enable you select the most effective metropolis for you and your loved ones.
Are you interested by studying extra in regards to the metropolis of Barrie, Ontario? Our information supplies the thorough info it’s good to find out about residing in Barrie.
About Barrie, Ontario
Barrie, Ontario, is an exquisite waterfront metropolis on the shores of Kempenfelt Bay, the western aspect of Lake Simcoe. It’s a rising space that has change into a well-liked vacation spot for brand spanking new immigrants and folks shifting out of Toronto as a part of a current interprovincial migration pattern.
Individuals are drawn to the area for a number of causes. It’s a bed room neighborhood of Toronto situated about 90 km north of town with a one-hour commute. The decrease housing costs and price of residing are interesting. There’s giant employment progress, and it has a great transit system. The town can also be excellent for individuals who love the outside due to the swimmable seashores and close by ski hills. There are a lot of nice mountain climbing paths, nice snowboarding, and lots of watersports.
Over the previous few many years, it has developed from a small city to an up-and-coming metropolis. Barrie was first settled in the course of the Conflict of 1812 as a provide depot for British troopers. The town was named after Sir Robert Barrie, an officer within the British Navy. Over time, it has developed from a village (1854) to a city (1870) and have become a metropolis in 1959.
How Many Individuals Reside in Barrie, Ontario?
The inhabitants of Barrie has grown quickly over the previous few years. The town has not too long ago made the listing of the highest 5 most-moved-to cities in Canada. With a inhabitants of 142,000 residents (Metropolis of Barrie, 2025), the federal government of Ontario tasks town may develop to 300,000 residents by 2051. That is based mostly on elevated immigration and intra-provincial migration.
Easy methods to Discover a Job & Construct a Profession in Barrie
Barrie’s Native Economic system
The financial system in Barrie is in a progress part. As extra folks transfer out of the large metropolis, companies are selecting to spend money on Barrie. The projected 70% inhabitants progress by 2041 brings new jobs and alternatives. Estimates undertaking that greater than 30,000 new jobs will probably be created over the following 20 years.
Among the largest progress sectors are arts, leisure, and recreation, manufacturing, finance and insurance coverage, healthcare, and building.
The highest sectors in Barrie are:
- Manufacturing
- Safety and cloud providers
- Know-how
- Meals and beverage
- Life sciences
- Retail
- Tourism.
Main Employers in Barrie
Barrie is house to a number of company headquarters, together with:
- Coca Cola
- Hydro One
- Scotiabank
- The Royal Victoria Regional Well being Centre
- Georgian School.
Profession Pathways in Barrie
There are a lot of methods to discover profession alternatives. You’ll be able to search the Authorities of Canada Job Financial institution or different on-line job boards. You can too use native recruitment businesses resembling Randstad Canada, IS2 Workforce Options, TalentWorld, and AppleOne Employment Providers.
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The Barrie Housing Market
It’s important to think about the place to reside inside the metropolis. Ideally, you need to select a neighbourhood that’s near work, colleges, and different facilities.
Is Housing Costly in Barrie, Ontario?
The housing market is extra reasonably priced than in different cities within the Larger Toronto Space, however with housing costs on the rise, the hole is shrinking. The dearth of provide and never sufficient new builds are driving up the price.
Discovering a Place to Hire in Barrie
Renters in Barrie can select from indifferent properties, condos, residences, and townhouses in distinctive neighbourhoods. To get a way of the character and rental costs of every neighbourhood, take a look at Finest Barrie Neighbourhoods for Newcomers to Hire.
There are a number of methods you may search for rental items. You’ll be able to search on-line, use realtor web sites, or you should utilize Leases for Newcomers to seek for accessible rental items in Barrie. Right here, it’s also possible to discover present rental costs in Barrie.
When renting, it’s a good suggestion to get 
to guard your loved ones, belongings, and funds.
Get extra details about renting a house: Renting in Canada: What Newcomers Must Know.
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Shopping for a House in Barrie
Shopping for a house in Barrie has change into dearer. For instance, costs have elevated by over 30% up to now yr, and are predicted to extend by as a lot as 15% in 2022. The common value for a indifferent home in Barrie is $980,000. The common value for a townhome is $853,000 and the typical price for a rental is $626,000.
Discover out extra about shopping for your first house in Canada: First Time House Purchaser: Newcomer Suggestions
Driving & Public Transit in Barrie
Driving in Barrie, Ontario
Barrie is a commuter metropolis. Many individuals drive to work inside the metropolis or to different areas throughout the Larger Toronto Space. A powerful street system serves Barrie. There are a number of highways within the space, together with Freeway 400, the most important freeway that connects to Toronto. Freeway 26 is the first freeway that runs via town and results in Collingwood. Different highways within the space embrace Highways 27, 90, and 93.
All drivers should have an Ontario driver’s licence. To get a licence, it’s good to full the graduated licencing course of. For info on driving in Canada and the best way to get a licence, learn 10 Information Newcomers Should Know About Driving in Canada.
Barrie Public Transit
Barrie Transit supplies public transit and bus routes all through town. As nicely, you may make the most of the each day GO Practice and Bus service to downtown Toronto and different cities within the area. And, utilizing public transit is a handy, reasonably priced, and easy solution to journey inside Barrie and throughout the area. Get extra details about Barrie Transit fares.
There are not any main airports within the metropolis. The closest is Lake Simcoe Regional Airport.
Barrie and Simcoe County provide assist providers to new immigrants who transfer to the neighborhood. You will get details about residing and dealing in the neighborhood.
Among the settlement businesses embrace the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka Immigrant Providers, The Studying Centre, Georgian School, and Bradford Immigration & Group Providers (BICS).
Language Assist in Barrie
Many neighborhood businesses provide free language courses. In Barrie, you may take programs at The Studying Centre, Georgian School, and thru the YMCA Immigrant Providers. Or, it’s also possible to take programs with the Simcoe County District Faculty Board within the Grownup English as a Second Language program.
Private Finance & Banking
Having a robust monetary plan is essential for brand spanking new immigrants. Newcomers have entry to banks, credit score unions, and different monetary establishments the place they will open a checking account, get a bank card, or a line of credit score, and apply for a mortgage. Most banks and monetary establishments provide particular merchandise and packages for brand spanking new immigrants. Go to an area department to open an account. You’ll need proof of residence and correct identification.
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Barrie’s Schooling System
The Authorities of Ontario manages the varsity system, together with elementary, highschool, and post-secondary schooling.
Elementary and Excessive Faculty Schooling
Barrie affords residents a number of elementary and highschool schooling choices. You could have the selection to attend the general public or Catholic faculty board. It additionally has two French faculty boards and a number of other non-public colleges. You’ll be able to enrol your youngsters at a college with one of many following:
- Simcoe County District Faculty Board
- Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District Faculty Board
- Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
- Conseil scolaire Viamonde.
Put up Secondary Establishments
Situated in Barrie is Georgian School of Utilized Arts and Know-how. It affords over 130 full-time career-focused packages. There are over 13,000 full-time college students, together with 4,500 worldwide college students from over 85 international locations.
The place to Get Medical Care in Barrie, Ontario
High-quality well being care is one thing we worth as Canadians. In Barrie, you will get pressing care via the Royal Victoria Regional Well being Centre. You can too go to walk-in clinics all through town to obtain look after non-urgent wants.
In case of an emergency name 9-1-1. This quantity is identical irrespective of the place you reside in Canada.
The Ontario Well being Insurance coverage Plan (OHIP) supplies residents with well being care protection. Discover ways to apply for an OHIP card.
You can too pay for extra 
to assist cowl the prices of pharmaceuticals and providers that aren’t lined by OHIP. Some employers provide third-party medical insurance via their employer advantages packages.
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Easy methods to Discover a Household Physician in Barrie
Discovering a household physician is important. You’ll be able to seek for a household physician who’s taking up new sufferers via Well being Care Join. You’ll be able to name 1-800-445-1822 or go to www.ontario.ca/findadoctor.
What’s Day-to-Day Life Like in Barrie?
Issues to Do in Barrie
As a waterfront neighborhood, Barrie affords many year-round actions for residents. You’ll be able to benefit from the seashores in the summertime and head over to close by ski golf equipment within the winter. And it is just a brief drive to many different outside adventures. Downtown Barrie is on the coronary heart of all of it.
Public Areas & Points of interest
The town affords many native points of interest, together with the Simcoe County Museum, Fort Willow, Centennial Park, and Bear Creek Eco Park. In case you are into the humanities and theatre, take a look at 5 Factors Theatre or Maclaren Artwork Centre. You should definitely take a look at the long-lasting Spirit Catcher sculpture.
Eating places & Nightlife
Downtown Barrie is the place to go to dinner or get pleasure from leisure and cultural actions. The town hosts many festivals resembling Kempenfest, Barrie Waterfront Pageant, Winterfest, and the Barrie Movie Pageant.
Nature & Pure Landscapes
Situated on Lake Simcoe, Barrie supplies residents with the chance to stroll alongside the waterfront, go boating and benefit from the seashore life in the summertime months. You should definitely take a look at the seashores at Minet’s Level, The Gables, Tyndale, Centennial, and Johnson’s Seaside.
Within the winter, Horseshoe Resort, Snow Valley and Blue Mountain are nice for snowboarding, snowboarding, and tubing. Or take a look at nature at Arboretum Sunnidale Park.
Sporting Occasions & Live shows
Barrie is house to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, and different minor sports activities groups. If you wish to catch a live performance, take a look at Sadlon Enviornment or Burl’s Creek Occasion Grounds, which is house to the favored nation music pageant Boots and Hearts.
Tradition & Variety in Barrie
Variety
Barrie just isn’t historically often known as a various metropolis, however it’s on the trail to changing into extra various. There are about 20,000 immigrants within the metropolis. 7.6% of the inhabitants are minorities and 5% are Aboriginal. The town has a big francophone neighborhood with near 10,000 residents being bilingual.
The biggest minority teams are Black (2.7%), South Asian (2.2%), Chinese language (1.2%) and Latin American (1.1%).
Worship
Barrie is principally a Christian neighborhood. Round two-thirds of residents determine as Catholic, United, or Anglican. About 30% of the inhabitants has no spiritual affiliation. About 1-2% of the inhabitants determine with one other faith.
The Climate in Barrie
Barrie has a local weather like the remainder of southern Ontario. They expertise heat and humid summers and chilly winters. It’s a humid continental local weather. The area experiences heavy thunderstorms within the spring and summer season.
Within the winter, town will get important snowfall, largely as a result of it’s near Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario. The common temperature is -8.1°C in January and +21.0°C in July.
Frequent Questions Immigrants Ask About Residing in Barrie
Is Barrie Ontario a Good Place to Reside for Immigrants?
Barrie is a mid-sized metropolis that gives a slower-paced life-style than residing in a big metropolis resembling Toronto. Although Barrie is thought for being extra conventional, it’s changing into a extra various metropolis. Barrie was named the most secure metropolis in Ontario to reside in. In case you are into the outside and cottage life-style, it’s an awesome place to think about.
What are the Benefits and Disadvantages of Residing in Barrie?
It’s important to think about the professionals and cons of a metropolis earlier than selecting the place to reside. On the plus aspect, Barrie is a good location, with a rising job market, a secure neighborhood and affords many nice seasonal actions. On the draw back, it’s much less various than a metropolis resembling Toronto and different potential points resembling street congestion, difficult winters, and rising housing prices.
Is Barrie Ontario Costly?
Barrie is extra reasonably priced than many cities within the Larger Toronto Space, however housing costs are rising as town has change into a first-rate location for interprovincial migration. Many Toronto residents are shifting to Barrie. Because of this, the price of housing is rising.
WRITTEN BY
Corinna Frattini
Senior Editor, Put together for Canada
Corinna Frattini is the Senior Editor and Content material Director for Put together for Canada. She contributes articles to assist newcomers obtain their objectives in key areas associated to residing, working, and settling in Canada. With an intensive background in human assets and management improvement, her articles give attention to what Canadian employers search and the way newcomers can proceed their careers in Canada.
© Put together for Canada 2025
