Living in downtown Toronto certainly has its perks; namely, being close to work and entertainment. But, with the pros come the cons like congestion and high-prices.
READ: Supply Crunch Pushes Toronto Home Prices Higher In June
For those in search of more space and a lower price per square foot, there are plenty of other cities in the GTA that offer unique charm and convenient routes to the bright lights of the big city.
Here are our picks for the best neighbourhoods to live in within the GTA:
Woodbridge
The downtown of the north, Woodbridge has quickly become a metropolis outside of the Toronto core. Everything you need is right here, including head offices for many big corporations, offering plenty of jobs amongst all the amenities one could possibly want.
Woodbridge is also home to a ton of new developments. There have been dozens of them already developed over the years, and they just keep coming. Not only does Woodbridge offer plenty of wonderful detached homes on gorgeously landscaped lots, but there are also townhouses and condos being erected every year, including 9560 Islington Urban Towns an Avenue on 7 Condos.
READ: Housing Starts In Toronto Expected To Decline In 2019
Woodbridge is a great place to live and provides quick and easy access in and out of the city thanks to Highways 400, 427, and 407. You can easily get to downtown within 40 minutes and even make it up to cottage country in less than an hour. This is a prime spot to be in.
Mississauga
Another entity within itself is Mississauga. The city has taken in a plethora of Torontonians over the years as prices in the city have risen. Like Woodbridge, there have already been a number of new housing developments offering buyers the chance to keep close proximity to downtown Toronto without paying downtown prices.
Currently, the Exchange District condos are going up in the heart of Mississauga at 151 City Centre Drive, which is slated to be complete in late 2023. It's a walker's dream, with a high walking score of 92 thanks to all the amenities at your doorstep. It's also rated high in terms of public transportation thanks to the GO and the new LRT rapid transit close by.
And with the QEW, Highway 403, and Highway 401 running right through Mississauga, getting in and around the city is a breeze.
Essa
Located southwest of Barrie, Essa isn't exactly around the corner, but thanks to Highway 400, you can get there from the GTA in a matter of minutes. And with many housing opportunities in this area, it makes a much more affordable place to get a great home while still being close to the city.
READ: StatsCan Confirms What We Already Know About Toronto Car Commutes
While there's nothing new in terms of housing developments in the works right now, Essa is filled with plenty of options for affordable homes for those who appreciate large lots that you can't typically get in Toronto or the GTA. This is a great place for buyers looking to get the biggest bang for their buck while still having easy access to the city.
Since it's more green in nature, Essa is more suitable for those who love the country life but still appreciate being close to amenities and necessities.
Ajax
Based on this list, you should be noticing a trend: and that is, all these areas may be outside of the city, but all have major arteries going through them. This makes commuting in and out of the city a cinch.
Located in Durham Region east of Toronto, Ajax is home to a number of new developments that are on the rise. In fact, there are a whopping 16 new home developments in the city, with a mix of low- and high-rises that are either in the planning phase, construction phase or have been recently completed.
READ: Oshawa Assembly Plant Could Be The Next Hot Spot For Real Estate
There are also a few newer townhouse and detached developments in Ajax. Ruback Towns and Jax Condos are currently registering, so you can get your foot in the door to new construction today.
Georgina
If living on or near the waterfront sounds good to you, then consider Georgina as a potential place to plant some roots. Georgina is located southeast of Barrie and is very close to Innisfil. It borders the southern end of Lake Simcoe and is within easy reach of Toronto from Highways 400 or 404.
Once a sleepy town, Georgina is now one of the hottest real estate markets in the province. It's still got that small-town feel but is growing rapidly thanks to a series of new developments.
Unionville
Located in Markham just north of Scarborough, major roadways easily take residents in and out of the area. The city is very unique and has a great mixture of old-world charm and newer development. Unionville has a healthy stock of housing, and the old neighbourhoods are gorgeous and highly picturesque with quaint architecture and mature greenery.
READ: Getting To Rouge National Urban Park Just Got A Whole Lot Easier
There are tons of great restaurants and lots of shopping. While there are plenty of traditional homes available, right now there's a frenzy of condo developments underway. In fact, 10 condo developments are currently under construction, giving buyers a ton of options to get into the market.
