Brampton is one of the largest cities in Canada, and life in this city is anything but ordinary.
Since 2001, the population has grown four times more rapidly than that of Ontario, with around 700,000 people calling it home today.Â
If you are planning to move to this city, you should analyze all the pros and cons of moving to Brampton that will affect your lifestyle, including the cost of living, housing rentals, good educational institutions, and neighborhoods.Â
Over the past years, the city has grown, evolved, and developed its major economic sectors.
Rental prices in Brampton are much more affordable than those in any other city in the GTA.
But nothing is all roses and flowers; every city has some loopholes, including bad traffic and limited job opportunities.
Despite its multiculturalism and diversity, Brampton doesn’t have a good rapport amongst the other communities across the GTA and, unfortunately, still continues to be the punchline in a lot of jokes by people on social media. Â
In this blog, we will discuss in detail the advantages and disadvantages of moving to Brampton so that you can make the right decision for you and your family.
Where is Brampton located?
Brampton is a part of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). The city is located in the Regional Municipality of Peel (RM).Â
The Regional Municipality of Peel (RM) includes the cities of Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon.
It is also in close proximity to Toronto, making it easier for people to commute outside the city.Â
10 Interesting Facts About Brampton You Probably Didn’t Know
1. Brampton Became a City In 1974
The Ontario Provincial Government created the city of Brampton in 1974.
This incorporated parts of the townships of Chinguacousy and Toronto Gore, as well as Bramalea and other communities such as Churchville, Clairville, Springbrook, and Huttonville.
2. Ninth Largest City in Canada
Yes, you read that right. Brampton is the third-largest city in Ontario and ninth largest city in Canada.
Historically, it was occupied by Indigenous Peoples and was named after the Town of Brampton, England.Â
3. Birthplace of Renowned PersonalitiesÂ
Brampton is the birthplace of Michael Cera, a renowned actor known for his roles in movies such as Superbad and Juno.
Comedian Russell Peters, hockey player Tyler Seguin, and basketball player Tristan Thompson were also from Brampton.
4. Brampton’s First Newspaper Was The Daily Times
The city’s first newspaper was The Daily Times, which stopped being circulated in the 1980s.
On the other hand, the longest-running newspaper, the Brampton Guardian, began as the Bramalea Guardian in 1964.Â
5. Major Centre For Manufacturing Leather Goods
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Brampton was a major center for manufacturing leather goods, including shoes, jackets, and boots.Â
6. Fastest Growing City in Canada
Brampton is one of the rapidly growing cities in Canada; the population has more than doubled since 1991.Â
7. Home to One of The Largest Sikh CommunitiesÂ
The city is home to one of the largest Sikh communities in Canada. Several Gurudwaras (places of worship for Sikhs) are located throughout Brampton. Â
8. Brampton is a Multilingual City
According to the geohub census, Brampton’s five most spoken languages apart from English are Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Urdu, and Portuguese.Â
9. The City Has Access To More Than 850 Parks
Brampton has lush green gardens, providing access to more than 850 parks, outdoor recreational spaces, and trails.
10. Brampton is Called The Flower City
Brampton is called the flower city because of its history as a major producer and exporter of flowers.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Moving To Brampton
Moving to a new city is never easy. Many newcomers consider moving to Toronto or any other city in the GTA because of its good quality of life, inclusive environment, and affordable rentals.Â
One of those cities is Brampton. There are several advantages to moving to this city: a diverse culture, friendly neighborhoods, good educational institutions, and abundant amenities.
But no city is all roses and flowers; moving to Brampton has some disadvantages, too, including fewer job opportunities, high car insurance, and a high crime rate.Â
Overwhelmed by the decision to relocate? Don’t worry; we are here to help.
Here, we will weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of moving to Brampton so that you and your family can make an informed decision.
ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
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Low Cost of Living | Rising Population |
Quality Education | Limited Job Market |
Transportation | Car Insurance Can Be Too Much |
Good Healthcare | Traffic Congestion |
Best Dining Experience | High Crime Rate |
5 Advantages of Moving To Brampton
If you are moving to Brampton, you will have several good things to look forward to.
You’ll find this city family-friendly with affordable housing rentals, plenty of green spaces, and good educational institutes.
Here are a few perks you can expect if you are relocating to Brampton:
1. Low Cost of Living
The cost of living in Brampton is relatively cheaper than other neighboring cities like Toronto or Mississauga. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Brampton is 18.7% lower than in Toronto (including the rent).
You would need around $8,800 in Toronto to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $7,126.6 in Brampton.
The average salary in Brampton is $45,400, which is 16.6% lower than the Canadian average salary of $54,450.
The cost of groceries is 20.4% lower in Brampton than in Toronto.
If you are someone who loves to dine out, restaurant Prices in Brampton are 26.7% lower than in Toronto.
Now, let’s talk about the rental prices in Brampton. The rent in the city is 21.1% lower than in Toronto.
As per the rental cafe, the average price of a one-bedroom apartment in Brampton ranges from $2000-$2500
To give you an estimate, we have mentioned the approximate rental prices in Brampton based on the area and number of bedrooms.Â
Area Neighborhood | One-Bedroom | Two-Bedroom | Three-Bedroom |
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In the City Centre | $2000-$-2261 | $2450-$2600 | $3033-3600 |
Outside the City Centre | $1677-$1950 | $2134-2375 | $2800-$3200 |
Note: These are just estimated prices; the rental figures may vary based on several factors, including the location, quality, and size of the home.
2. Quality EducationÂ
One of the main factors in relocating to Brampton is the quality of education that the city provides.
It offers top-notch educational institutes suitable for both children and adults.Â
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Elementary and High School Education
Brampton has some of the best public elementary and High schools in Canada.Â
In addition, there is a body called The Peel District School Board, which features 220 schools offering excellent education to students in the Peel region.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District runs 44 Catholic elementary and middle schools and nine high schools.Â
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Post-Secondary Education
The city also has two post-secondary educational institutes- Algoma University, which offers degree programs in Computer Science and Business Administration.
The other institute is Sheridan College, Canada’s premier polytechnic institute, offering the best management courses and computer animation programs in the region. Â
The good part is that students can complete their degree programs and certifications in just one academic year.
The low cost of living and quality education can make it easier for people to afford to study in this city.Â
3. Transportation
Brampton’s transportation system has grown and developed quite a lot over the last few years.
A while ago, the transit system here was pretty basic.Â
Here are a few ways you can commute in Brampton:
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Using Public TransportationÂ
Brampton’s Public Transportation is one of the fastest transit providers in Canada.
It offers bus transportation on Brampton Transit and ZĂ¼m, a rapid bus service along the city’s popular routes.Â
With the pay-as-you-board system, you can pay using your credit/debit card, cash, or Presto (a smart pass to access public transportation across Toronto and the GTA)
Brampton bus riders can also use their Presto to connect to buses in the municipalities of MiWay (Mississauga) and York Region Transit (York).
To travel outside of Brampton, you can take the GO Train from one of Brampton’s Stations that connects to Downtown Toronto and cities across the GTA.
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DrivingÂ
Most of the residents in Brampton have their own car.
The city has several well-connected highways, including Highway 410, which runs through the middle of the city.Â
Some other highways include Highway 401, Highway 7, Highway 10, and Highway 407 ETR (which is a toll road).
4. Good Healthcare
Brampton is well-equipped to handle any healthcare needs that you might have.
With two main hospitals nearby, Brampton Civic and Peel Memorial Centre, and several smaller medical and dental clinics, healthcare is always within reach.
If you’re stressed about the medical coverage for prescriptions and other services that are not included in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), you can rely on other additional health insurance options that are available through the employer benefits packages.Â
Always note that in an emergency, you can always reach out to the nationwide 9-1-1 service.Â
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Finding a Family Doctor in Brampton
Finding a family doctor is essential to maintain good health.
There are two ways to find a doctor in Brampton: through Health Care Connect or the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
5. Best Dining Experience
If you want the best dining experience, consider moving to Brampton.
This city is a hub of exquisite restaurants, and the food here is absolutely delicious.Â
One thing is for sure: if you move to Brampton, you won’t return home with an empty stomach.Â
From fiery Jamaican and Italian cuisines to mouth-watering Indian and Chinese dishes, Brampton has something for everyone.
The city’s vast selection of casual restaurants and fine dining venues makes it a great destination for foodies.
These restaurants offer different cuisines, including Vietnamese and Caribbean styles.Â
Also, there are cafes, bakeries, pubs, bars, small eateries, food stalls, and grills if you want to try something different apart from fine dining.Â
Some of the best restaurants in this city are Fanzorelli’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, That Italian Place, Le Kochi, Segovia Coffee, Toshi Sushi, Annalakshmi, Chole Bhature.ca, and Juniors Jamaican Joint, amongst others.Â
Disadvantages of Moving To Brampton
As much as people love Brampton, there are downsides to moving to this city as well.
It is surprising to know that today, Brampton’s population has surpassed Mississauga’s population.
This has led to overcrowding of schools and colleges, traffic congestion, limited job opportunities, and so on. Â
Here are a few cons you can expect if you are moving to Brampton-
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Rising PopulationÂ
Having immigrants in a city can be good for the economy; it helps the city to grow and develop, along with promoting cultural diversity.Â
However, having a larger population than what a city can accommodate can be a bigger disadvantage overall.Â
Brampton has a population of 791,486 people; it has increased by nearly 100,000 people in less than ten years.
The city has become overcrowded now, making it difficult to accommodate the needs of its residents, who are facing the challenges of overcrowded schools, fewer job opportunities, and compact spaces.
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Limited Job Market
The biggest disadvantage of moving to Toronto is its limited job market.
Those who are planning to move for business should understand that here, business takes time to get established.Â
The city has a high unemployment rate of around 6%, and due to the increase in population, the competition for jobs has become more difficult nowadays.Â
It isn’t easy for an average person with limited skills to find a job these days, and it is even harder for a newcomer.Â
The job market has hit its low point after the recession, and it is advisable to brush up your skills in order to stand out amongst the crowd and get a good job in your field.Â
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Car Insurance Can Be Too Much
If you are planning to own a car in Brampton, then you should be aware of the exceptionally high car insurance rates in the city.Â
The average cost of car insurance in Brampton is around $7200 per year or $600 per month.
It is more than the provincial average of around $4800 per year or around $400 per month.Â
The major reason for such high car insurance premiums in Brampton is the high number of car accidents in the city.Â
To explain it further, there are more vehicles traveling in Brampton than its narrow roads can handle, and then on top of this, there are road closures and constructions taking place.Â
In fact, as per the Peel Region Police, Brampton has more car collision fatalities and life-threatening injuries than any other city in the region.Â
And that’s not it; if your car gets stolen, your premium may increase up to 25%. So, to keep your insurance within a reasonable range, drive carefully to keep your driving record clear.Â
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Traffic Congestion
You will frequently hear about traffic congestion from drivers.
It can be terrible and might cause constant frustration among people who travel to work every day.Â
The frequent construction of roads, risky intersections, and road blockages also lead to poor traffic flow and a high number of traffic accidents.
The traffic is already bad, and the higher the average traffic accidents will be, the more expensive car insurance premiums the drivers will have to pay.Â
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High Crime RateÂ
With an overall crime rate of nearly 25% in Peel, Brampton is among the top 100 cities worldwide with the most severe crime.
According to numbeo, the crime rate has increased in the past five years.
There are high chances of property crimes such as vandalism and theft, your home being broken, and the items being stolen.Â
There are moderate chances of violent crimes taking place, like armed robbery and assault, being attacked, or your car being stolen.
Also, as per the stats, it is not safe to walk in Brampton during the night as it is in Toronto and any other city.Â
Are You Planning To Move To Brampton?
Are you considering moving to Brampton? Perfect choice.Â
You’ll find a diverse group of people from different cultures and a friendly neighborhood that will just make you feel at home.Â
But before making the decision to move, choose between DIY moving vs hiring professional movers.
In the end, you want to make your relocation as seamless as possible while focussing on other essential tasks.
Here’s a friendly tip for you: There may be several tasks you need to take care of before moving; hire a professional moving company so that you can focus on planning the decor of your home.
Let them handle the difficult part of moving, including packing valuables safely, lifting heavy items, and loading and unloading your belongings.Â
From moving a studio apartment to storing your belongings in climate-controlled storage units, professional movers are well-equipped and trained to handle all aspects of your moving.Â
Final Thoughts
Brampton is a vibrant and lively place to live in.
You can stay closer to Toronto, Vaughan, and Mississauga while paying less for rentals and your basic expenses.Â
Moving to this city depends on your preferences and what suits you and your family the best. It can be a good idea, especially if you have a low income.Â
It is true that the traffic can be a pain and you might not find your dream job here, but the low cost of living can provide you with a sense of peace in this city.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Brampton a good place to live?
Brampton is a good place to live because it offers a lively and peaceful environment, a low cost of living, quality education, and excellent transportation.Â
2. Is it better to live in Brampton or Mississauga?Â
With the cities being close together, it is common for newcomers to consider both.
These cities are similar in size and population.
When choosing between both, you might want to consider the rental prices, the size of your home, the neighborhood you want to live in, and your lifestyle preferences.
However, both can be an excellent choice for newcomers.Â
3. How much salary do you need to live with your family in Brampton?
To live comfortably in Brampton, especially if you are bringing your family with you, you’ll need to earn at least $80,000 a year, which would be around $6,667 per month after taxes.Â
4. How to reduce car insurance in Brampton?
You can save on Brampton car insurance by keeping a clean driving record.
Insurance prices for people who own a car in the city are already expensive.
Not getting tickets or not getting involved in accidents will help you keep your costs down.