The Vibe

Ajax is a quintessential bedroom community snuggled between Pickering and Whitby. Located on Lake Ontario, this idyllic community offers reasonably affordable homes, family-focused neighbourhoods, good schools, and lots of green space considering its small footprint! If you work and play in the city, but can’t afford to buy there, or you want a quiet place to raise a family, the sleepy little suburb of Ajax offers an easy commute, diverse community events and all the amenities you’ll need.

The Story

In the early 19th century, the area now known as Ajax was inhabited by the Mississaugas. The first European settlers arrived in 1802 in what was known as Pickering Village. The land was not formally acquired from the Mississaugas until 1923 when the Williams Treaties extinguished their title to the land extending from Ajax/Pickering in the south to Alderville, Curve Lake, Rice Lake and Scugog Lake to the north.

However, it was almost a century and a half later when Ajax was actually established as the site of a munitions plant in 1941. Named after a British Leander-class cruiser involved in cornering a German pocket battleship in 1939, Ajax also honours the servicemen who worked on the HMS Ajax and its sister ship the HMS Achilles with street names throughout the town.

When the war ended, a new University of Toronto campus in Ajax offered engineering courses to 7,300 returning servicemen. When the campus closed, it housed thousands of refugees from post-war Europe until 1953 when the area became Canada’s first fully planned industrial and residential centre.

Today, that history is clear, with pockets of restaurants, shopping and housing scattered among distinctly industrial areas. Somehow it works, making the most of the lovely views of the parkland and lake in areas like Duffins Ridge and Clover Ridge. Pretty family-friendly neighbourhoods built later sit north of the 401 such as Applecroft, Riverside and Westney Heights. These traditional subdivisions are closer to local amenities along Harwood Avenue N. and Hwy 2.

The Convenience

As a bedroom community, Ajax is under an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto, conveniently located on the 401. The 407 is also nearby, while areas including Pickering, Oshawa and Whitby are minutes away offering additional services and job opportunities. The Ajax GO station is just over 30 minutes from Union, and Durham Transit provides reasonably dependable service within town.

Although not known for its dining and nightlife, Ajax is home to Ajax Casino. You’ll also find a selection of popular chain restaurants along with some local breweries, and fun little places like Pizza Pino and Angelique’s, local staples that have been serving up great grub for decades.

You’re also close to plenty of chain retailers, and Oshawa and Pickering Malls. We dub it family-friendly thanks to its excellent schools, athletic leagues, activity laden community centre/skating rinks, prime lake front parkland and tons of natural conservation areas including Heber Downs, Lynde Creek, and the Achilles Greenbelt Trail.

The Residents

Ajax is diverse community with prominent populations representing people of South Asian and African/Jamaican descent as well as Chinese and Filipino backgrounds. The average household income is about $119,000, just slightly higher than the provincial average of $116,000.

The Best Part

Despite or maybe because of its industrial history, Ajax is home to a surprising number of original sculptures, artwork and murals scattered throughout the community. It’s like finding hidden treasure when you spot one of the many installations at unexpected sites such as Ron Baird’s abstract anchor at Ajax Town Hall on Harwood, Henry Kortekaas’ “Birds in Flight” across from the Ajax GO station, and “The Storm” by Amanda Berry and Henry Kortekaas & Associates at the waterfront’s Lion’s Point. The art speaks to the town’s history from an eclectic group of artists’ point of view, from sculptors to painters. Even the work of talented quilters is included with work depicting aspects of Ajax hanging prominently in Ajax Town Hall.