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The 10 Best Places to Live in Ontario

Ottawa

If you are considering living in Ontario, it is essential to do some research about the different areas to find a suitable location for your needs and lifestyle. While there are some amazing cities and towns in this part of Canada, there are also some undesirable places to avoid.

The best areas are considered safe places to live and offer an amazing lifestyle. Here are the 10 best places to live in Ontario, Canada, to help you find the best area for you.

Barrie

10. Barrie

Barrie is a small city that will suit many demographics. Despite the small-town vibe, it has plenty of amenities, and it is only an hour from Toronto. There are plenty of sports and nature-related activities to enjoy, and there are events taking place in the city throughout the year.

The residents can also enjoy activities in the evenings, as there are restaurants, music venues, and a craft beer scene.

Cobourg

9. Cobourg

Cobourg is a town in Ontario that sits along the shores of Lake Ontario. There are fewer than 20,000 people living permanently in this town, although it is a popular tourist destination and some people have holiday homes in the town, so the population increases over the summer months.

Residents can enjoy spending time on the beach or on the lake. Other positive features of Cobourg include low rates of both unemployment and crimes. Despite having so many good points and being considered a desirable place to live, Cobourg is surprisingly affordable, with the average house price under $257,000.

Halton Hills

8. Halton Hills

Not everyone wants to live in a large city, and an excellent option for people who prefer a small-town vibe is Halton Hills. Not only is this town considered one of the best places to live in Ontario, but it is also one of the most desirable places to live in Canada.

The town is known for its arts, heritage, and cultural scenes and for offering a high-quality life. The town is surrounded by rural areas of natural beauty, so there is an active agricultural community and an abundance of outdoor activities to enjoy.

Stratford

7. Stratford

Stratford is known for holding various festivals and events throughout the year. It is also known for being the birthplace of Justin Bieber. Those who are looking for somewhere to live with an affordable cost of living and low property prices should consider this city, as the median home value is around $277,000.

The unemployment rate in Stratfor is low due to the diverse job opportunities in the area, and it is a safe place to live as the crime rates are below average for Ontario.

Thunder Bay

6. Thunder Bay

The lifestyle available in a location is just as important as the cost of living, safety, and job opportunities for some people. If this applies to you and you want to live somewhere that offers an outdoor lifestyle, then one of the best options in Ontario is Thunder Bay.

It is a large city in northwestern Ontario, close to Lake Superior. Due to its location close to the freshwater lake, there are many outdoor activities to enjoy. The surrounding landscape provides opportunities to enjoy activities such as fishing, hunting, and hiking.

However, the setting and activities are not the only reasons to consider this location, as it also has reasonably affordable housing and many amenities.

Waterloo

5. Waterloo

If affordability is one of your prime concerns when moving to Ontario, then Waterloo is a location you should consider. It is within easy commuting distance to Toronto, yet the houses are much more affordable.

The average price of a house in Waterloo is just over $405,000, which is far more affordable than the properties in Toronto. Residents of Waterloo do not necessarily need to find employment in Toronto, as there are plenty of job opportunities in Waterloo, especially in the tech industry as it is one of the major technology centers in Canada.

Toronto

4. Toronto

According to New Canadian Life, nothing quite beats living in Toronto, as it is one of the best places to live in Ontario. Home to more than 2.9 million people, Toronto is Ontario's capital. If finding employment is a priority when you move, then Toronto is one of the best options, as there are opportunities across many industries, and the unemployment rate is exceptionally low.

The community is diverse in Toronto, and this is reflected in the different neighborhoods, the leisure activities, and the diversity of the restaurants in the city. No matter how you enjoy spending your free time, you will always find something to enjoy in this amazing city.

Oakville

3. Oakville

Oakville is a family-friendly place to live, as there are excellent schools, the area is considered safe, and family-oriented activities are plentiful. This location is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Canada for many reasons.

One reason of Oakville to Toronto, and everything the city offers. Another reason is the diversity of the housing stock and many examples of beautifully designed homes. However, living in such a desirable area comes at a cost, as the median home price is around $740,000.

Burlington

2. Burlington

Suppose you want to be close to Toronto's employment opportunities, amenities, and leisure activities but do not want to live in such a big city. In that case, Burlington is a good compromise. The commute to Toronto is reasonable, and Burlington is a family-friendly place to live.

Crime rates are considerably lower than in the major cities, so it is considered a safe place to live. The median home price in Burlington is just short of $588,000.

Ottawa

1. Ottawa

According to Great Canadian Van Lines, the best place to live in Ontario, Canada, is Ottawa. If you prefer living in an urban environment where there are many things going on, Ottawa is ideally suited to you.

There are activities and attractions to suit all tastes, plus a multitude of shops and restaurants. It is also a fantastic place to live in terms of finding employment. Not only is the unemployment rate only 6.6 percent, but there are job opportunities across a diverse range of sectors. Furthermore, living in Ottawa is surprisingly affordable, as the average price of a home is under $420,000.

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Dana Hanson

Written by Dana Hanson

Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. She also enjoys creative writing, content writing on nearly any topic (particularly business and lifestyle), because as a lifelong learner, she loves to do research and possess a high skill level in this area. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology.

Read more posts by Dana Hanson

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