The Vibe

Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Oakville is high-end all the way. Home to one of the most impressive selections of chic boutiques and dining experiences in any historic downtown strip we’ve seen whether you’re shopping the sophisticated boutiques of Old Oakville or prefer the funkier vibe of the revitalized Kerr Village district, Oakville is all about stylish living with a good dose of posh.

The Story

Oakville is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Founded in 1857 by Colonel William Chisholm, the area became a destination point thanks to its ideal location on the shores of Lake Ontario. The Colonel purchased the land at the Bronte Creeks from the Mississaugas with the goal of establishing a harbour to attract large ships and industry. He built a gristmill as well as a sawmill to take advantage of the ample timber of the area.

Run by his son, the businesses flourished, supplying the ship building industry and local businesses with lumber. The wheat from the gristmill was imported, attracting investors to buy up surrounding farmland to produce wheat and other products.

More manufacturers arrived to provide the much-needed wagons, saddles, threshing machines, watches, and metal goods that supplied the booming area.

Construction of the Grand Trunk Railway and a global surplus of wheat following the Crimean War led to the shut down of many factories in the area. However, determined farmers who took advantage of the lush land began growing fruit, helping to restore the town’s success. Oakville became the strawberry capital of Canada.

Its prime location on Lake Ontario also led to a tourist boom in the summer, helping boost the local economy as vacationers flocked to the area via steamship. The tourist industry led to the establishment of more businesses, and the town continued to thrive.

Today, buying a home in Oakville offers an assortment of desirable neighbourhoods. Successful professionals and the very well-to-do love harbourfront living in Bronte, the historic homes in Old Oakville and upscale homes of Ford Drive, moments from the town’s best dining and downtown shops. Families love being minutes from Coronation Park in Southwest Oakville as well as the more affordable Oakville homes for sale in Wedgewood Creek and College Park.

The Convenience

Just 40 minutes from Toronto, Oakville is a convenient area serviced by the GO train as well as the Queen Elizabeth and Gardiner Expressways. With three traditional business districts, the town is also a shoppers and diners paradise, with shops and restaurants galore. Downtown Oakville is the gem in the town’s crown boasting crazy nice clothing boutiques and high-end dining. For the edgier resident, Kerr Village is known for its innovative assortment of eateries, while lovely Bronte Village is lakeside making it a tourist hot spot.

The town’s idyllic lakeside location also makes Oakville a wonderful spot for hiking, biking, and picnics, with over 3,200 acres of parkland and lovely trails wending through the most picturesque areas of the town. Coronation and Bronte Beach Parks are major summer attractions while first-class recreation centres, museums and galleries offer the perfect balance of culture and indoor activities throughout the year.

The Residents

Oakville’s wealthy population earned an average income of $201,870 in 2023 compared to Ontario’s $126,953. It also has a higher percentage of residents aged five to 24, and 45 to 59, than the entire Province of Ontario. A highly educated town, 81% of residents have a post-secondary degree and as a diverse community, the area attracts a wide range of cultures with the majority speaking English, Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Urdu, and Portuguese.

The Best Part

Oakville offers luxurious living with a splash of small-town charm on a very sophisticated level. There’s no doubt that when it comes to elegance, nothing is spared, from the flamboyant homes to the stunning lake views and expansive natural beauty of the parkland to the next level dining and shopping experiences.