Mississauga is a city in the province of Ontario, Canada and while it’s part of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), it’s so much more than just a suburb of Toronto. Mississauga has its own thriving and bustling downtown core with shops and restaurants, as well as a number of higher education institutions to choose from.

Shopping malls, lakes, community festivals, parks, bus and train transit, and so many other conveniences make Mississauga a great place for all sorts of residents: parents looking to raise families, young professionals looking to build a future, or down-sizers  considering retirement.

This article is all about why we believe Mississauga is such a great city to live in and explore!

Diverse Demographics – Mississauga City Statistics

Mississauga is located in Southern Ontario and it is just 23 km west of Toronto. Mississauga has a population of more than 722,000 and its population density is 2,467.6 people per square kilometre. It borders the cities of Etobicoke to the northeast and Oakville to the southwest as its southern border bends around stunning Lake Ontario.

While Mississauga is quite heavily populated (it’s the sixth-largest city in the country by population), it’s full of diverse cultures, religions, and languages which attracts people from all over the world.

Here are some statistics that make Mississauga a great choice for people who want to live in a diverse community:

• More than half of the residents of Mississauga are of non-European descent.
• 23% are South Asian
• 8% are Chinese
• 7% are Black
• 5% are Filipino
• 5% are Arab
• others include Latin American, Korean, and Southeast Asian

With over 50% of the population speaking a language other than English, families who are interested in raising their kids in a diverse city will appreciate Mississauga, and those who speak other languages may be able to find others who also speak their mother tongue.

*All statistical data generated from Statistics Canada. 

Things to Do in Mississauga

Toronto residents might think of Mississauga as a city they drive through to get to more exciting places (like Niagara Falls), the city has a lot of great activities for residents and visitors. Our top five favourites include:

1. Celebration Square – The lifeblood of the downtown core, this local gathering spot offers plenty of outdoor interactive installations throughout the year, hosts concerts, displays the area’s most exciting sports games on a giant screen, and even installs an ice rink in the winter.
   
2. Square One Shopping Mall – The largest shopping centre in Canada, Square One is home to over 350 stores and restaurants. It even offers an indoor amusement park for kids and an outdoor entertainment district with cinemas and theatres.
   
3. Port Credit – Perfect for water lovers, Port Credit is a neighbourhood in Mississauga along the waterfront that has some of the area’s best restaurants (Snug Harbour, El Jefe, My Secret Kitchen), places to rent paddle boards or canoes, and explore all the lake has to offer. The Port Credit Lighthouse is a local favourite for photos and spending time on a peaceful Sunday afternoon.
   
4. Riverwood Conservancy – This 150-acre outdoor park has the objective of using its stunning grounds to help visitors understand how they can be a part of protecting the environment. With astronomy nights, art classes, bird watching events, and more, Riverwood Conservancy has something for everyone. BONUS – Entrance is FREE!
   
5. Lakefront Promenade – This sprawling park along Lake Ontario makes for a gorgeous walk in any season. With picnic areas, great places to fish, beach, playgrounds, and even a splash pad, this scenic park is perfect for play dates… and grown-up dates too!

There’s Something For Everyone – Neighbourhoods in Mississauga

‘A City of Neighbourhoods,’ Mississauga is a paradise for those who love to live, work and play close to home. With a variety of schools, parks, and services all within reach, Mississauga has become a welcoming place for people of all ages.

Mississauga is an amazing place to live where your family can grow up in a safe neighbourhood with plenty of conveniences available at your doorstep. From new condos, to houses for sale, to retirement communities, there are endless opportunities in this diverse metropolis!

Our favourite neighbourhoods include:

• Lorne Park – Over 18,000 people live in this neighbourhood, popular for its great schools, parks, and amenities. Lorne Park is an exclusive neighbourhood, but residents have easy access to the waterfront.
  
• Streetsville – This quaint little neighbourhood has centuries-old homes, new-construction condos, and everything in between. Streetsville has its own village square and even has markets and festivals throughout the year.
  
• Erindale – This peaceful family-friendly neighbourhood is home to the University of Toronto Mississauga campus and the popular 222-acre Erindale Park.
  
• Mineola – Truly a luxury community, this exclusive community is quiet and extremely safe. Split into East and West Mineola, you’ll find beautiful homes and excellent investment opportunities, all close to Port Credit and Lake Ontario.

The Great Weather in Mississauga

If you enjoy all 4 seasons and don’t mind a few months of snow, Mississauga might be a great city for you!

Similar to Toronto, Mississauga’s weather is considered moderate. In the summer months, temperatures hover in the 20s°C. The coldest winter temperatures tend to be around -6°C. This means you’ll experience the hot, the cold, and everything in between, without long-lasting extremes that make it difficult to enjoy the outdoors.

Transportation in Mississauga – Plenty of Options!

Mississauga has a number of transportation options that are available to residents who need to travel within the city or outside it.

Transportation can be expensive with gas prices on the rise and car maintenance costs increasing, too. A car comes with insurance costs while public transportation options like buses or trains only require the cost of transit fare.

So, if you don’t have a car, you can count on these reliable and options in and around Mississauga:

• Mississauga Transit provides public bus service within Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, and Hamilton areas. Mississauga Transit also operates commuter buses from the Cochrane GO Station in neighbouring Caledon to downtown Toronto for people who work there.
  
• The GO Train is a commuter rail system that operates in the GTA. It was conceived as a way to reduce the congestion on the country’s busiest railway corridor, which runs through Toronto’s downtown. It provides service between Union Station and the eastern suburbs. It offers three main lines: the Kitchener line, Lakeshore West line, and Barrie line.
  
• While Toronto’s TTC system of buses, subways, and streetcars doesn’t run into Mississauga, you can take the city’s transportation systems close enough to connect to it, should your job, education, or lifestyle take you into Toronto. There are also convenient parking facilities where you can leave your car for the day if you want to drive part way and take public transportation the remaining distance.
  
• Taxis, Uber, Lyft, and car share programs are also available for convenience or getting home late at night when public transportation comes less frequently.

Depending on how close you work to the city centre, your employer may offer a reimbursement program for your transportation.

Quality of Life

According to thefutureisunlimited.ca, Mississauga residents are overwhelmingly satisfied with life in the province’s third largest city.

Results of a 2019 resident satisfaction survey reported that 90% percent of citizens feel Mississauga is an open and welcoming community. 88% percent of citizens say they are proud to say they’re from Mississauga and 82% percent vocalized they feel Mississauga’s diversity is one of its strengths.

Mississauga’s city council is committed to making the city healthy and safe for every citizen while focusing on environmental protection and sustainability. In fact, 92% percent of citizens feel the city is doing a good job with its goal of establishing policies that center around environmental protection.

Mississauga – a Great Place To Live, Work, and Play

No matter what your age or stage of life may be, there’s something for you in Mississauga. Whether you want to live in a condo or a detached family home, or even if you’re ready to move onto an estate property, you can find your dream housing opportunity in this city. You don’t have to live in Toronto proper to experience exciting street festivals, have access to incredible shopping centres, or visit world-class parks. All of this and more can be found in Mississauga.

Want to learn more about this beauty of a city on the lake? We’re happy to help! Let our friendly real estate agents help you find the perfect house near whatever amenities you need to live, work, and play. Justo is committed to providing you with superior service, putting customer satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. Contact us today to learn more about housing options in Mississauga.