Canada’s Tri-Cities – Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge – are truly a hidden gem. Youthful and vibrant, the region is among the fastest-growing areas of the country.
A tech and higher education centre, Waterloo region offers something for everyone. It’s close enough to the Greater Toronto Area to allow you to take advantage of all the business and entertainment options that the big city offers while being big enough to provide you with plenty to do at home.
When you move to Waterloo Region you will have the best of both worlds – big city sophistication, with small-town friendliness and accessibility
Whether you are moving to Kitchener, Waterloo or Cambridge MoveBuddy is pleased to offer this guide to moving to the Tri-Cities.
Canada’s Silicon Valley
Since the 1990s, Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge has established itself as Canada’s leading tech hub. In fact, there are more than 1,500 technology companies that call the Waterloo Region home, employing more than 24,000 people.
That concentration of talent has created a creative space that is fueled by an entrepreneur's spirit of innovation and pushing the envelope.
When you move to Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, you will be surrounded by a lot of talented people who are looking to make the world a better place.
A smart place to live
A big part of why Waterloo Region became a tech leader was because it is also home to two well-respected universities.
Rivals on the sporting field, but collaborators in every other way, the two schools complement each other perfectly. Each fall the Tri-Cities come alive as a new class of students fills the city’s streets, cafes, and nightspots.
The University of Waterloo is the larger and more well-known of the two schools. Its computer engineering program has an international reputation, with its grads employed by some of the biggest tech companies in the world.
The smaller Wilfrid Laurier University is located about 1km up University Avenue from UW. It is one of Canada’s best business schools, with many of its graduates teaming up with those U of Waterloo engineers to form the businesses that drive Waterloo Region’s tech hub.
Three cities; three different vibes
Although the region operates as a single city in many ways, there are three distinct areas. Each has its own unique character and will attract a different type of personality. When you move to Waterloo Region you will want to pick what area suits you best.
Kitchener, in the centre of the region, is the largest of the three cities and the city. Originally named Berlin, the city maintains a significant German population. It’s not uncommon to hear German spoken on the streets and each October Kitchener hosts the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany. The commercial centre of the region can be found in Kitchener, as well as the region’s transportation hubs.
Waterloo, in the north of the region, is where you will find both universities and much of the tech hub. The presence of the students in Waterloo gives that area of the city a more bohemian feel. If you are looking for live music, good coffee, or a great used book store, moving to Waterloo should be your goal.
Cambridge is more family-focused. Originally a more rural part of the region, it has evolved to become the preferred suburban home of many of Waterloo Region’s business leaders. Located in the southern part of the region and on Highway 401, Cambridge has the advantage of offering easy access to the Greater Toronto Area as well as Hamilton and Niagara.
A place to play
When moving to Waterloo Region, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Located on the Grand River Watershed, the region is home to some of the best hiking and cycling paths that you will find. The river itself also provides great paddling and fishing.
If you want to watch live sports, the biggest show in town is the Canadian Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers. The Rangers are among the most successful junior hockey teams in Canada and draw big crowds all season at The Aud. The two universities also are competitive in football, hockey, basketball and more and provide plenty of great sports to watch.
If sports aren’t your thing, the Centre In the Square Performing Arts Centre hosts a variety of events, from ballet and opera to music and comedy. Finally, with two universities in town, you’ll find a thriving indie music scene.
Is that a horse and buggy?
When you move to Waterloo Region you might be surprised to see horses on the city’s streets. Waterloo Region is home to the largest Mennonite population in Canada, many of whom practice a form of religion that sees them using technology from the 19th Century.
You will get used to sharing the road with horses and buggies when you move to Waterloo Region and grow to appreciate what the community brings to the city.
Many Mennonite farmers bring their fresh produce and meat to the St. Jacobs Farmers Market each week. When you move to Waterloo Region you will grow to appreciate having the ability to do your shopping at the market. Additionally, you will find many Mennonite-owned restaurants and businesses in the city. The craftsmanship and care that goes into those businesses is truly something to cherish.
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