Get to know Kingston
The City of Kingston, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples, is located on the shores of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the St Lawrence and Cataraqui Rivers. It is one of the most historic cities in Canada and is home to approximately 150,000 people who live in the greater Kingston area.
Kingston offers residents and visitors alike an eclectic experience of new and old. Century-old limestone buildings are commonplace; our historic downtown features elegant architecture and the oldest market in the province. Fort Henry and the Rideau Canal have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world-famous Thousand Islands start here. More than 50 national and provincial parks, conservation areas, and historic sites are within a half-hour drive and we boast not only the best freshwater sailing in the world but also some of Ontario’s best diving opportunities.
The city of Kingston continues to be recognized for its high quality of life, offering an urban lifestyle with the comforts of a small town. Almost half of the population commutes less than 6km each day and 12% either walk or bike to work, making it the most walkable city in Ontario.
Cultural opportunities abound as the city boasts 22 museums and galleries, a symphony orchestra, and an active music scene. The downtown has been named as one of Canada’s most vibrant, with more than 100 restaurants, 200 specialty stores, and 400 commercial businesses.
Canada’s Best Small City
Kingston is consistently ranked as one of Canada’s best places to live thanks to its high quality of life. It has also been named as one of the country’s best places to live and work for young professionals due to its entertainment attractions, abundant green space, air quality, and affordable housing. The cost of living and housing in Kingston is substantially less than in larger metropolitan centres, directly benefiting postgraduate residents who choose to live and work here. The city boasts more PhDs per capita than anywhere else in Canada, was named the best Canadian city for women by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and ranked one of the world's best university towns by the BBC. We hope you too will soon call Kingston home.
Resident Life in Kingston
The City of Kingston is one of the primary centres for healthcare in Eastern Ontario. The city’s residents have some of the best access to healthcare in Canada as Kingston ranks second in doctors per 1000 people. In addition, more than 8% of the city’s population are health care professionals, one of the highest percentages in Canada. This large community of health professionals is supportive, collaborative, and easy to access. Our residents also benefit from special arrangements with several family physician practices to take on residents as patients and for those residents with children, the city offers a wide variety of high-quality schools and daycares.
The lifestyle that is possible in Kingston is considered to be one of the strengths of coming to Queen’s for our programs. The City boasts more restaurants per capita than any other city in Canada and many are located in the downtown core, just a short walk from either hospital. There's an active farm-to-table scene, with farmer's markets in the city and a close connection to Frontenac County producers. Major events and festivals are held throughout the year, in addition to an award-winning 6,000-seat downtown arena.
Our residents are a close-knit group and take advantage of Kingston’s many social and recreational opportunities. They enjoy spending time with each other outside of the hospital whether it’s dining out, playing sports, or taking part in recreational activities. The smaller size of our programs helps us to actively foster this collegiality.