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Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.

He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.

In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.

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After almost 3 years of stock's slump, even the biggest pessimists understand that the investment in real estate is something worth thinking. Canada is a big country and maybe there are thousands of places where investments could have significant returns without substantial risks for the backers. But there are places, where investors will be greatly rewarded for a limited time only. One of these places is Mississauga, the officially self-proclaimed 6th largest city in the country with a population of almost 650,000 living in an area of 111 sq. miles.

Why should we consider investing right now in this city included in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)? First let's take a brief look at Mississauga, its recent history and business prospective. 30 years ago this area situated exactly west of Toronto was populated by a little more than 50,000. Fearing skyrocketing rents and prices in the metropolitan center, many companies and their employees began relocating westward, creating Mississauga, as we know it today.

Now it's the only city in the GTA serviced by seven large highways. Today 42 of Canada's top 500 companies have established there their headquarters*. Pearson International Airport - Canada's nosiest airport, one among the biggest 30 in the world, is located within Mississauga's borders.

Today the real estate prices and rents in Mississauga are in average 25-35% lower than in Toronto**. On the other hand, the incomes in Mississauga ($65,000 CAD per household) are higher compared to Toronto, to the province of Ontario and to Canada as a whole.

Why we call for the investors to look seriously at Mississauga while taking decision where to put their money? As we have noticed, today the city population is 650,000. Until 2050 the projected population would reach 780,000. In fact this number will be attained during this decade. All the housing units now are 200,000 with 30,000 more likely to be built. In fact 24,000 new housings of all kind are already committed for development. The city will reach soon its population capacity determined by the area limits, which means that the prices and rents would probably go up further matching those in Toronto. Other areas will be subject to development, but these will be even more distant from Toronto than Mississauga. That's why today is the last call for the investors looking to this city. Ten years from now or maybe sooner the price differences between Toronto and Mississauga could simply disappear.

Greater Toronto Area.

** - Now on the market in Mississauga the majority of the townhouses and duplexes are priced at $150,000-250,000 CAD. The detached houses start from $225,000 CAD. The building lots less than 2 acres start from $150,000 CAD. The corporate apartments are rented between $3,000 and 4,000 per month ($3,500-5,000 for Toronto and $2,000-2,500 for Montreal). The general public apartments start from $900 for 2BR and 1,100 for 3BR.

City links and news:
- http://www.city.mississauga.on.ca/
- http://www.mississauga.com/

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