Moving to Kingston, Ontario
A newcomer's guide to the city, its neighbourhoods, and who calls it home
Kingston sits at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, right where the lake meets the start of the St. Lawrence River. It's a city people tend to move to for a reason, a posting, a program, a job, rather than just passing through, and that shapes a lot of how the city feels day to day.
A Quick Snapshot
- Around 148,000 people live in the city itself, with the wider metro area closer to 175,000
- Nicknamed the "Limestone City" for its historic limestone buildings downtown
- Was the first capital of the United Province of Canada, and is the hometown of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister
- Home to Queen's University, St. Lawrence College, and the Royal Military College
- CFB Kingston, a major Canadian Forces base, sits on the city's east end
Who Lives in Kingston
Kingston's population shifts with the school year and the posting calendar more than most cities its size. Every September, thousands of students arrive for Queen's, St. Lawrence College, and RMC. Every summer, CFB Kingston families move in and out with new postings. In between, it's a city of long-time residents, young families, and people who came for one of those reasons and stayed.
If you're moving here for school, our student moving guides cover Queen's, SLC, and RMC specifically. If you're posted to CFB Kingston, see our CFB Kingston page. For everyone else, our local residents page is the better starting point.
Getting to Know the Neighbourhoods
Where you end up in Kingston often depends on why you're here. Students tend to cluster in Midtown and the University District, close to Queen's and an easy walk from downtown. Families spread out further, into neighbourhoods like Portsmouth, Bayridge, Westwoods, and Kingscourt. CFB Kingston postings usually mean looking at the east end, closer to the base.
We put together a fuller list of the areas we serve on our homepage, covering Kingston and the surrounding towns.
Kingston's Seasons
Kingston gets all four seasons properly. Winters are cold and snowy, summers are warm and often humid, and spring and fall both show up with their own weather. If you're planning a move, the season matters more than people expect, we've written a separate guide on the best time to move in Kingston if you want to plan around it.
Getting Around Without a Car
Plenty of Kingston residents, especially students and people living closer to downtown, get by without a car. Kingston Transit runs a genuinely reliable schedule connecting most of the city, which matters if you're weighing neighbourhoods that are a bit further from campus or downtown.
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Moving to Kingston FAQs
Answers to what newcomers ask us most.
Is Kingston a big city?
Kingston has a population of around 148,000 in the city itself, with the wider metro area closer to 175,000. It's a mid-sized city, big enough for real amenities, small enough to get around easily.
What is Kingston known for?
Kingston is nicknamed the Limestone City for its historic limestone architecture. It was the first capital of the United Province of Canada and is the hometown of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister.
What neighbourhoods should I consider in Kingston?
It depends on why you're moving here. Students tend to land in Midtown or the University District near Queen's, families spread across neighbourhoods like Portsmouth, Bayridge, and Westwoods, and CFB Kingston postings often mean housing on the city's east end.
Is Kingston good for students?
Yes. Kingston is home to Queen's University, St. Lawrence College, and the Royal Military College, so a large part of the city's population and rental market is built around the school year.
Does CFB Kingston affect the local moving market?
Yes. CFB Kingston brings a steady stream of postings in and out of the city, especially over the summer, which shapes demand for movers the same way student move-out season does.
What's the weather like in Kingston?
Kingston has four distinct seasons, with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Moving in winter is doable but takes more planning around weather.
Can I get around Kingston without a car?
Many residents do, especially students and people living closer to downtown. Kingston Transit runs a reliable schedule connecting most of the city.
How do I get an idea of moving costs before I book?
Try our Moving Cost Calculator for a personalized estimate based on your actual move, or contact us directly for a guaranteed quote.