Where in Canada should I move to if I want to live near a big city but still enjoy a small town atmosphere?

I am looking to move from The U.S. to Canada in the next few years. I really enjoy living around big cities for the sports and entertainment, but prefer to live far enough away that I'm not directly in the city or suburbs. I have researched the big cities but are there any small ones I may overlook? Also, I am a teacher so jobs are important.

Public Comments

1. look for city's close to calgary, its a great city.
2. You could check out Kamloops, British Columbia (middle to small city with surrounding smaller towns) You could check out living in Okotoks Alberta, it is about 20 min out of Calgary Alberta (like a million ish ppl) You could also try checking out Duncan, British Columbia, it is Near-ish to Victoria...
3. omg. don't move to canada. been there...even the big cities stink. its all really...prehistoric i thought. very rustic and depressing! if you like the big city atmosphere you should check out dubai. good jobs, low cost of living, and best of all, low crime and the main language is english. i have a bunch of american and uk friends there are they all love it.
4. There are many suburbs outside of Kitchener-Waterloo that have the small-town residential area, while being just outside of the big city. Kitchener-Waterloo itself is only about an hour or two away from Toronto.
5. Old Montreal
6. Niagara Falls, Ontario. It is an hour and a half to Toronto, Canada's biggest city.
7. yea check out dubai, Canada's too prehistoric, sure ok u loser...hahahahaha...
8. There are very few teaching jobs vacant at the moment. If you move to a small town you reduce your chances of getting hired.
9. DUBAI? Who wants to live in a muslim country? Prehistoric Canada? THIS IS CRAAAAZY. Canada is the best country in the world!!! Who the hell wants to live in a country that cuts your hands off for saying the wrong thing???? Yeah right comparing Dubai where they will hang you for having sex on the beach to the most respected, free, democratic country in the world, Canada!!! That is just nuts to say that Dubai is better!! I couldn't care less if they have an inside ski hill and what not!! Who the hell wants to live in a country that doesn't believe in human rights!! Helen, they have a low crime rate because you will be hanged for the smallest slightest crime!!
10. Good luck with your move. I'm interested in the answers here, because I too am looking for a smaller city near a bigger city (Vancouver or Calgary, I'd like to stay in the West) to move to.