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So you’d like to move to Canada and you've heard about Canada's smallest, least populated province, Prince Edward Island. Perhaps the size of this province makes it more appealing because who wouldn't want to get away from the extreme hustle and bustle, eh? But don't let the size of this province fool you. You'll find many draw cards that make this region worth settling in. Think natural beauty, many cultural offerings, employment opportunities, and more. Need to know more about your options for settling in this province? Then let's take a look at the best places to live in Prince Edward Island.
Where in Canada is Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is set off the eastern coast of Canada. It is one of the Great White North's Maritime provinces along its Atlantic coastline. At just 280 kilometers long, this tiny island province is connected to the Canadian mainland by a Confederation Bridge extending from Bordon-Carleton, PEI, to Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick.
The province is in the Atlantic Time Zone, which is -4UTC hours, so when the look strikes noon in PEI, it strikes midnight in midnight in Beijing; 8:00 a.m. in Vancouver; and 11:00 a.m. in Toronto, Montreal.
The Best Places to Live in Prince Edward Island
If Prince Edward Island is a place you could move to, we suggest you look at the following areas, considered the best places to live in this province.
Charlottetown
The City of Charlottetown can be found on the southern shore of Prince Edward Island. It is the province's capital city, known as the "Birthplace of Confederation." This city is also a major Canadian Cultural hub. It is so vibrant that you'll forget you're in a small province. So no time for small-town boredom in this beautiful metropolis. You'll always be able to catch a theater performance or gallery exhibition when you move here. If you're a golfer, you can look forward to the best courses in the country right here. And beach lovers, you can expect great beaches with a warm current.
Cornwall
Cornwall is a town in Queens County, west of Prince Edward Island's capital and largest city, Charlottetown. You can expect rolling terrain with the most breathtaking views of the North River eastwards and the West River to the southwest. This, coupled with a reputation for being one of the calmest places to live, make it ideal for starting your new chapter in Canada.
Kensington
Kensington is a delightful place to reroute to. It is known as "The Small Town with a Lot to Offer' - something that would probably set off your perfect place alarm. These offerings include a thriving retail and hospitality sector in a tranquil yet entertaining setting. You'll find employment opportunities here and an ideal environment for starting your own business. The town is ideal for raising a family, as schools, religious institutions, lots of open space, and accessible housing surround it.
Summerside
The Prince Edward Island city of Summerside is the province's second-largest city. It is famed for having many more innovations and services than some of Canada's large cities. Summerside is idyllic as a new place to plant roots in, as it provides a safe environment with many schools and access to services like healthcare, countless cultural attractions, an effective transport system, and the lushest, greenest open spaces in which you can live out your Canadian dream.
Stratford
The municipality of Stratford is another great place to settle in. There are enough opportunities that will allow you to work within the area you call home, which means that long and costly commutes won't exist. The economy of this municipality continues to boom each year due to its status as a popular tourist attraction. This has a ripple effect on factors such as the cost of living and standard of living - meaning it is an affordable and comfortable place to live.
Three Rivers
Three Rivers is another great place to reroute and make new memories. One of PEI's largest municipalities which resulted from the merging of three smaller ones. The community here is believed to be warm and friendly, and the setting is secure enough to bring your family to for a better, safer life. While there is an overflow of employment opportunities in this particular region, it is picking up at a steady pace.
Best Way to Move to Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Becoming a permanent resident in Canada gives you access to the same services citizens get, such as universal healthcare. If you plan on applying for Canadian permanent residency in Prince Edward Island, one of the best ways to do so is to score a nomination from the federal government via the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). You will be assessed based on your intention to live and work in this province and your economic ability to resettle here. The province will likely prioritize skilled workers who can fill labor gaps and entrepreneurs.
The Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream
The Express Entry System allows Prince Edward Island to draw possible immigrants in to apply to the provincial nominee program. The province will send you a "Notification of Interest" if your Express Entry profile aligns with what the province needs.
If you wish to move to PEI but have not yet secured employment, you will, fortunately, be able to apply without an offer of employment. You may be eligible for a provincial nomination via the PEI PNP Express Entry stream if you meet the criteria required by one of the Express Entry programs:
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Because PEI is one of Canada's Atlantic provinces, you can apply for permanent residency via the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). For this, you will have to have a valid job in Canada from an employer who has given you an offer of employment. To immigrate to PEI via this program, you will have to be either:
- A recent graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, or a skilled worker
- You can live abroad or be in Canada as a temporary resident.
What You Should Know About Prince Edward Island Before You Make the Move
Climate
According to the province’s official website, PEI has a mild climate. This is due to the balmy waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Because the province is engulfed by water, it is quite breezy. Temperatures in summer can range from between 20 and 34 degrees Celsius (70 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit), making for perfect beach days. In Autumn, you can expect 8 and 22 degrees Celsius (46 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit with cooler mornings and warm afternoons. The highlight of this season is the beautiful autumn palette of warm orange, red, yellow, and brown leaves wafting across the province. Then in winter, temperatures can drop to -11 degrees Celsius, accompanied by an average annual snowfall of 290 centimeters (114 inches). You can expect snow in November right through to April.
Affordability
According to livingcost.org, the cost of living in Prince Edward Island is around $1648. This is said to be 1.03 times cheaper than the Canadian average. The province is, however, considered to be the 6th most expensive one in the country.
To give you an idea of the basic cost of living:
- Rent & Utilities for one person is around $911 for one person and $1472 for a family of four
- Groceries cost around $574 for one person and $1488 for a family of four
- Transport costs around $59.70 for one person and $166 for four people
Access to Transport
Prince Edward Island has a public transit system. Because transportation is one of the main carbon emitters in the province, this mode of transport is part of its goal of being Canada's first net-zero province.
You Can access public transit in Charlottetown, Cornwall, Stratford, Summerside, and Eastern PEI. People in the province use it to get to work, school, shopping, or just out and about with friends and family.
Access to Employment Opportunities
The province has many employment opportunities. You can check out what is available on its official website. So if you would like to work in Prince Edward Island, you should note that the in-demand occupations for this province include:
- Industrial Butchers - NOC 63201
- Food & Beverage Servers - NOC 65200
- Registered Nurses - NOC 31301
- Physicians - NOC 31102
- Social Workers - NOC 41300
- Mechanics - NOC 72410
- Fish and seafood plant workers - NOC 94142
- Home support workers - NOC 44101
- Sales executives - NOC 64101
- General Farm Workers - NOC 85100
Culture
Prince Edward Island has a rich history of bringing many cultures together. With a mix of Indigenous, French, English, Black, Acadian, Irish, Scottish, Lebanese, and many additional immigrants contributing to this melting pot, the province is, without a doubt, a cultural hub. On the province's arts and culture trails, you'll find an overflow of cultural offerings, from theater productions to craft co-ops, museums, etc.
Get Ready to Live in Prince Edward Island
Now that you know more about the best places to live in Prince Edward Island, doing additional research on the places that have piqued your interest is a good idea. Also, check which immigration programs you are eligible for, as getting Canadian Permanent residency would be ideal. Once you have decided which of these you'll go for, also look at the many options available for work in Prince Edward Island. And if you need some help with it all, remember that you can contact one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) for guidance with your move to Canada.
FAQs
If I take the Express Entry Route to PEI, How do I Check my CRS Score?
You can use our CRS Calculator for an estimation of what your score may add up to. For more in-depth information, chat to an RCIC.
How Long Does Processing For the AIP Take?
This can take around five months, but it may vary according to where you apply from. Find out more about what time frame you can expect.
