Oakville & Mississauga Moving Guide

Everything You Need to Know Before Moving to Oakville or Mississauga, ON

Oakville and Mississauga are two culturally diverse and relatively large towns in Halton Region in Toronto and neighboring Toronto City to the northeast and Hamilton southwest. They are both on the lakefront of Lake Ontario and boast of vibrant lakeshores and busy downtowns. Their most notable features are reinvigorating urban uptown areas, exceptional hotels, and well-preserved conservations and parks on the shorelines.

You are probably reading this to decide whether to move to Oakville or Mississauga. While they share similarities, including geographical location, they are very different places to live in. In this guide, you will discover what sets them apart and everything you need to know to make your move to either city fun.

Demographics

According to the 2016 Canadian Census, the town of Oakville had a population of 193,832 while Mississauga had 721,599. Oakville had a younger population than youth aged 19 years and younger making up almost 30% of its population. Mississauga is the third most populous city in the Great Lakes region.

A majority of the population in Oakville and Mississauga are white based on statistics published by Statistics Canada. Here is a breakdown of the ethnicities of the city's population in 2016:

• White
  • 68.4% - Oakville
  • 42.8% - Mississauga 
• Asian
  • 24.7% - Oakville
  • 35.4% - Mississauga
• Black
  • 2.9% - Oakville
  • 6.6% - Mississauga
• Indigenous
  • 0.7% - Oakville
  • 0.6% - Mississauga
• Other minorities
  • 2.4% - Oakville
  • 3.2% - Mississauga
• Mixed races
  • 1.2% - Oakville
  • 1.5% - Mississauga

Oakville covers an area of 53 square miles which brings its population density to 3,404 people per square mile. Mississauga, sitting on an area of 112.9 miles, is one of the most densely populated cities in the region, with a population density of 6,391 people per square mile.

Cost of Living

A comparison of the cost of living between Oakville and Mississauga on Numbeo reveals that it is more costly to live in the former. Oakville is generally thought of as an affluent area, with the average price of a house in December 2021 going for $1.5 million, according to Zolo. In Mississauga, the average price of a home is lower at $1.1 million based on trends published by Zolo.

If you plan on renting when you move, the average rental price in Oakville for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,925, while the same one-bedroom apartment would cost you about $1,802 in Mississauga.

Generally speaking, rent prices tend to be higher in Mississauga due to its high population density, while house prices are higher in Oakville. Aside from rent, the cost of almost every other aspect of living, including restaurant prices, groceries, utilities, and transportation, are higher in Oakville. Based on figures published by Numbeo, you would need about $6,206 to lead the same quality of life in Mississauga that you would need $6,500 in Oakville.

Job Market

Based on statistics published by Town Folio, the unemployment rate in Oakville is 6.9%, while in Mississauga, it is significantly higher at 8.3%.

Employment in Oakville

A majority of the working population in Oakville are in the professional services, retail, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and manufacturing, respectively. Here is the list of the top employers in Oakville according to Oakville.ca:

1. Ford Motor Company (Head Office of Automotive Manufacturing)
2. Halton Catholic District School Board (Education)
3. Halton District School Board (Education)
4. Halton Healthcare (Healthcare Services)
5. The Regional Municipality of Halton (Regional Government
6. Sheridan College (Post-Secondary Education)
7. The Corporation of the Town of Oakville (Municipal Government)
8. Siemens Canada Ltd (Engineering)
9. Collins Aerospace (Manufacturing)
10. Aviva Canada (Insurance)

Employment in Mississauga

In Mississauga, the largest industries by labor force are retail, manufacturing, professional services, healthcare, finance, transportation, and education, in that order. The top employers in the city, according to Mississauga.ca, are:

1. Air Canada (Aviation)
2. University of Toronto Mississauga (Education)
3. Peel District School Board (Education)
4. Canada Revenue Agency (Government Revenue)
5. Walmart Canada Inc. (Retail)
6. City of Mississauga (Local Government)
7. Canada Post (Postal Services)
8. Peel Regional Police (Regional Government)
9. Federal Express Canada Ltd. (Postal Services)
10. TD Bank Financial Group (Finance)

Public Transportation and Commuting

Transportation in Oakville

The residents of Oakville get around by Oakville Transport, a reliable and affordable local bus service. Passengers can pay the fare in cash or by loading their PRESTO cards and using them to pay their fare. Fare for adults ranges from $3.20 for passengers paying with PRESTO cards to $4 for cash payers per ride. Youth and seniors using PRESTO cards pay as little as $2.05 per ride.

The Go Transit commuter rail and bus service provides transportation between Oakville station and Bronte and to as far as Windsor and Quebec. Major roads passing through Oakville include Queen Elizabeth Way, 407 ETR, Ontario Highway 403, and Regional Road 25 connecting to Bronte Road.

Transportation in Mississauga

MiWay bus service, formerly Mississauga Transit, is the city's bus service with over 90 routes within and outside the city. The service charges fares in cash or preloaded PRESTO cards. Adult passengers pay as little as $3.10 per ride, and children, the disabled, and seniors pay as little as $2.10.

Go Transit also operates in Mississauga. It provides all-day transit services via the Lakeshore West line and rush hour transit on the Kitchener and Milton lines to Toronto Union Station. The Lester B Pearson International Airport in Mississauga is the region's connection to the outside world.

Culture and Nightlife

Oakville is most famous for its shopping and dining experience offerings, while Mississauga is revered for its vibrant arts community. The Oakville Center for the Performing Arts and Mississauga Arts Council have outdone themselves in promoting artistic talents in the cities, evidenced by the year-round events, children performances, galleries, and festivals.

There are only 17 minutes between Oakville and Mississauga; many residents in both cities get to enjoy the best of both worlds wherever they live. Five and four-star restaurants and beach resorts in Oakville, including Monte Carlo Inn, Homewood Suites, The Hexagon, and Sotto Sotto, are the most highly rated globally.

On the other hand, Mississauga is home to some of the hottest nightclubs in the region, including Sugar Daddy's on Dixie Road, HER. on Eglinton Avenue, and Fume Bar on Torbram Road.

Access to Public Parks and Libraries

The cities of Oakville and Mississauga have both invested significantly in great public parks. Whichever city you choose to move to, there will always be a public park within driving distance.

In Oakville, Lion's Valley Park is most popular for its nature-oriented river-side rails with children's playgrounds. Gairloch Gardens on the shores of Lake Ontario is a popular picnicking spot for lovers and families, while Coronation Park is closest to the city center and is quite popular on Sunday afternoons.

In Mississauga, the most popular parks are Kariya Park, for its statues, waterfalls, gardens, and open spaces. Jack Darling Memorial Park is a major attraction for outdoors and sports lovers, and Lakefront Promenade Park, covering over 40 acres, is a popular park for people who prefer water activities, walking trails, and children playgrounds.

If you love to read, you will be glad to know that both Oakville and Mississauga have well-equipped libraries spread all over their cities. The Oakville Public Library boasts of five branches of libraries, while Mississauga has 17 spread all over the city.

Outdoor Activities

Like almost everywhere else in Ontario, Oakville and Mississauga have a humid continental climate characterized by cold but not extreme winters and relatively warm summers. According to WeatherSpark, temperatures in the Great Lakes region generally vary between 44°F to 93°F but rarely drop below 37°F or rise above 102°F.

With so many open spaces, public parks, and access to Lake Ontario, there is no shortage of outdoor activities for the residents to engage in round the year. Sporting activities are very popular in both Oakville and Mississauga. In the warmer months between mid-April to mid-November, residents of both cities get to enjoy golf, soccer, and even baseball. In the winter months, hockey and skating are very popular.

Neighborhood Information

Neighborhoods of Oakville

The Oakville Planning Department has split the town into two, based on neighborhoods. In total, there are 12 neighborhoods in the city.

1. Bronte - Located on the shores of Lake Ontario to the southwest of the city. Coronation Park district is in this neighborhood.
2. Glen Abbey - A large area covering Glen Abbey Golf Course. It is popular among the upper-class executives
3. Eastlake - Located to the southwest of Oakville and borders Morrison Creek to the west. It is an older neighborhood with an elegant suburban feel.
4. Clearview - Clearview borders Mississauga and may feel slightly cut off from Oakville. It is famous for its abundant amenities and good schools.
5. Palermo - A small community in the northwest of Oakville, at the intersection of Bronte Road and Dundas Street.
6. Uptown Core - This is a newer residential development located in the north-central of Oakville.
7. River Oaks - An older neighborhood situated in the north-central of Oakville. It includes the more recent Oak Park development.
8. College Park - This neighborhood surrounds Sheridan College and may be considered less desirable for families and the upper class.
9. Iroquois Ridge South - This is a vibrant community located in the northeast of Oakville. The Falgarwood area is at the southern end of this neighborhood.
10. Iroquois Ridge North - Another vibrant community in the northeast of the city. 
11. West Oak Trails - This neighborhood covers Westmouth. It is one of the most desirable neighborhoods with newer design homes and excellent trails, parks, and schools.
12. Kerr Village - At the center of Oakville, Kerr Village is a section of downtown to the west of Old Village.

Neighborhoods of Mississauga

The city of Mississauga has 24 neighborhoods. The most notable are:

1. Port Credit - Originally established in 1720, this is an older settlement in the south-central part of Mississauga.
2. Erin Mills - A large suburban district around Erin Mills developed by Cadillac Fairview. It is known for its good schools and easy access to highways and amenities.
3. Streetsville - One of Mississauga's most recognizable historical communities on the western banks of Credit River . It offers a modern suburban feel with a charming community.
4. Lorne Park - A prestigious suburban community in the southwestern part of Mississauga. It boasts of quiet and shaded streets and lakeshore restaurants and parks.
5. Clarkson - Popularly known as Clarkson Village, this neighborhood borders Lake Ontario to the South and Oakville to the North.
6. Meadowvale - A large suburban district in the northwest of the city. It is one of the most affordable places to rent, largely because of aircraft noise warnings.
7. Erindale - A historic neighborhood located in the central part of Mississauga. Its central location and access to amenities and parks make it one of the best places to live in the city.
8. Churchill Meadows - This is the westernmost neighborhood in Mississauga. It is one of the youngest and fastest-growing neighborhoods in the city.
9. Cooksville - A multicultural community with fantastic restaurants and easy access to public transportation. The GoTrain station stops in this neighborhood.
10. Lakeview - Located to the east of Port Credit, this is an amalgamated town with anticipated waterfront development. It is popular among prospectors and home buyers.

Ready to Move to Oakville or Mississauga?

It can be a tough decision to choose between Oakville and Mississauga, but the primary determinant would be the cost of living. In general, both cities are within close proximity, and their offerings to their residents are comparable. As you get ready to move to the area south of Toronto, the most important consideration is the quality of life when choosing which city to move to.

Regardless of which city you choose to move to, you will need a professional company with the moving experience to help you get there and settle with ease. Contact College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving when you are ready to move to make the process easier and less stressful.