What to Know About Leaving Toronto for a Home in the Suburbs

| Buying

We’ve been around long enough to know that life in the suburbs tends to get a bit of a bum rap. However, although not the life for everyone, the suburbs offer an opportunity to not only enjoy a bigger home and property, but also a slower pace of life that could be just what you need.

Here we share everything you should know about leaving Toronto for a home in the suburbs to help decide if it’s right for you.

Whether buying in Toronto or in the surrounding area, our buyer’s guide can help! Download your copy for free right here.

Know Your Regions

First, generally speaking you can break the GTA suburbs down into four basic regions including Durham to the east, Halton and Peel to the west and York to the north. Within each region you can then find a selection of small cities and pockets of towns, villages, and hamlets, each with its own distinct characteristics. You also have Toronto’s suburbs which would be areas closer to downtown and still within the TTC’s jurisdiction like North York or Scarborough.

The first step to getting out of Toronto is to know your options. Our community guides below will open up some possibilities:

Housing is Often More Affordable

Now, before we get your hopes up, we should state right off the bat that not all areas of the suburbs are affordable. For example, areas like Oakville in Halton, Whitby in Durham, and Richmond Hill in York are considered the gems of their regions, so they tend to be more expensive. Meanwhile areas like Oshawa and Bowmanville/Clarington to the east, Milton and Burlington to the west or somewhere a little further north like Brock or Scugog can be surprisingly affordable not to mention quite charming depending on what you’re looking for.

Another thing to keep in mind affordable-wise is that when you work with a local expert, they’ll help you understand what areas suit your needs and budget. For example, there are still pockets of Scarborough in Toronto that remain affordable. AND, even if you have your heart set on the more expensive towns like Oakville, the right real estate team can tell you what neighbourhoods suit your budget. So, as always, we don’t want to toot our own horns, but we do want you to make sure you have an expert in your corner to help you find your dream home.

Neighbourhoods Tend to Be safer

We say “tend to be” because crime can touch any area without warning. However, it just takes watching the news to see how crime differs greatly between the GTA and the surrounding suburbs and towns just outside the city limits.

Getting to know the market is essential before buying your next home, wherever it may be. The posts below can help you make more informed choices along the way:

Closer to Nature

Now, one of the things we love about Toronto is the lovely parks in the heart of the city. But a move to the suburbs brings you much closer to nature and wide-open spaces ideal for active lifestyles. Whether it’s the calm of Purple Woods just north of Oshawa, the Halton Hills near Milton or the quiet shores of Lake Ontario in a town like Burlington, the suburbs are moments away from some of Ontario’s prime natural surroundings.

Not Always So Inconvenient

It’s the established, mature, and/or historic downtown areas of small towns and suburbs that tend to be in proximity to the types of amenities you desire. These areas have had time to build stronger infrastructures and attract more of the stores and services you see in Toronto, like good old Scarborough for example. The areas that tend to feel underserved would be brand new subdivisions, although planners are trying to ensure local amenities keep pace with new housing growth. From a commute standpoint, although it’s always going to be a pain, things like extensions to highways like the 407 as well as improved GO service with connections to the TTC can help make your journey less frustrating.

Impressive Recreation Centres

The density and population of Toronto makes it harder to find good sized recreation centres. Even if you do find one, you might discover they’re always crowded and things like summer or March break programs for the kiddies fill up fast. In the suburbs, the recreation centres are spacious and packed with all kinds of activities and amenities so you’re more likely to find a wider range of programs with more openings to avoid disappointment.

More Family-Oriented

Toronto has plenty of family-friendly communities, but the good ones are expensive and out of reach for the average household. A move to the suburbs means a move to family-oriented communities offering a local park in almost every neighbourhood. There’s also skating arenas, soccer fields, hiking/biking trails, indoor mini golf, trampolines, skateboard parks, splash pads galore not to mention great, modern schools. As a bonus you’re less likely to get the side eyes from singles and young couples who disapprove of dining with your kiddos, since there’s lots of family restaurants around.

Closer to Rural Fun

From pumpkin patches and apple picking in the fall to fresh sweet corn and berries in the summer, and cross-country skiing in the winter to orchards filled with blossoms in the spring the suburbs are minutes away from rural fun for the whole family. For young couples, you’ll also discover local craft breweries, cider houses, and in some cases, wineries depending on the area. It’s a pretty nice life when you’re always close to a farm to fork experience and plenty of tasting opportunities great for foodies and imbibers alike!

Do you still have questions about buying a home in the GTA? You just might find the answers in the posts below:

Charm Galore

The further out you go, the more charm you’re likely to find just outside the GTA. Ontario’s
“other cities” are known for their series of small towns featuring historic “four corners” with heritage housing locally owned boutiques, specialty shops, cafés, and restaurants. Although the suburbs are all about a slower pace of life, you can enjoy discovering locally owned businesses that feature all kinds of delights from artisanal and gourmet food shops to craft spirit makers and bespoke home furnishings to pokey antique and consignment shops.

There’s also exciting new concept restaurants popping up in hidden areas just outside the GTA, where local emerging chefs are anxious to make a name for themselves. It’s a different kind of lifestyle where you might have to drive more often, but the drives are shorter, and the experiences are unexpectedly fulfilling.

The Bottom Line

From Durham region to Vaughan and York to the Golden Horseshoe, the suburbs of the GTA offer a far more inviting lifestyle than you might imagine.

Looking for smart advice on finding your suburban dream? The Christine Cowern Team can help. Give us a call at 416.291.7372 or email us at hello@christinecowern.com. We’d love to work with you!