Durham Region is one of the foremost affordable real estate destinations within the Greater Toronto Area. Properties range an average of $613,606, based on recent data from the Toronto Real Estate Board, and housing inventory is made up primarily of single-family homes. That’s comparably 28% less than the GTA average price of $852,142 and 34% lower than properties found within the City of Toronto, which go for $925,498.

Found in the eastern outskirts of the GTA, Durham Region has a rich economic landscape, with major companies including General Motors and nuclear power plants. It’s also a commute away from Toronto.

Durham Region is an awesome place to raise a family — solidly suburban neighbourhoods in Durham are blessed with easy lake access, huge lots, and tight-knit communities. It’s also becoming a centre for the modern millennial lifestyle, offering a lovely array of localised mom-and-pop shops, microbreweries, and community farm-to-table dining.

Real Estate Outlook for Durham Region

Durham Region offers a wide blend of real estate choices throughout the 8 municipalities it covers. When compared to neighbouring cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, and Vaughan, costs are much more reasonable.

Whichever cities you're looking at, prices will vary. Localities such as Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, and Pickering are marginally higher than other localities like the Township of Brock and Municipality of Clarington.

Whitby has an average list cost of $657K and acts as a bedroom city to Toronto lodging numerous commuters. Ajax, one of the fastest-growing cities within the GTA, comes in marginally lower with an average cost of $630K. Pickering, tagged as one of Ontario’s urban development centres, averages housing costs of $679K, and Oshawa, is in the middle with the most reasonable average list cost of $500k.

With the costs for homes in Toronto skyrocketing, major cities such as the ones mentioned above are being highly considered as alternative destinations for those looking to buy a property in the GTA.

Things you can do in Durham Region

There are more than a dozen things to see and do all throughout the Durham Region. One of the most obvious benefits is that many of the cities, particularly with Whitby, Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering, and Clarington, are found along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Miles of shorelines give off picturesque trails, ports, and waterfront businesses. Areas such as Fisherman's Bay, found in Pickering, highlight lakeside walkways, bundled with restaurants, entertainment, and a splash pad to be enjoyed over the summer months. Over in Whitby, the Port Whitby Marina is the highlight attraction and brags a beautiful lounge to be utilised by visitors.

The Waterfront trail, which is a 1400 km path that runs along the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and the Niagara, Detroit, and St. Lawrence Rivers, is available in cities that run along Lake Ontario. Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa benefit from miles of the path along the shores of Lake Ontario.

All throughout the municipalities that make up the Durham Region, there are multiple parks and green spaces that are kept up by each independent city. Enjoy time at the Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax which is over 700 acres of magnificent natural forestry and beauty. Spend time strolling through the trails or unwinding with a family picnic.

Getting around in Durham Region

With most of the residents of Durham Region being commuters to Toronto, access to public transportation is a crucial factor when deciding where they select to buy a home. Due to the high volume of commuters, the Durham Region has focused investment in the transportation sector and gives ample ways for people to get where they need to go.

The Durham Region's transportation system is well connected. Not only is it connected to the downtown and business district areas of Toronto, but also to neighbouring cities and counties.

Durham Region is encompassed by a number of major roadways and highways which enables free travel quickly to surrounding areas. For inner-city transit, the Durham Transit Authority runs buses to all areas of town.

A well-known transportation strategy for commuters within the Durham Region is the GO Train system. The GO Train connects cities such as Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, and Pickering with Toronto’s Union Square as well as other stops and zones.

Education in Durham Region

Education is a highly considered factor when deciding on a move to a new area. Parents want to secure their children will have access to well-rated schools and ample resources. The schools within the Durham Region are staffed by caring and invested instructors who strive to assist each student excel scholastically.

The English language public schools found inside the Durham Region, with the exemption of the Municipality of Clarington, are represented by the Durham District School Board. Schools inside Clarington are operated by the Karawatha Pine Ridge District School Board.

All throughout the cities, the Durham District School Board supervises 131 schools and effectively promotes their motto “ignite learning”.

The Durham Catholic School Board works the English-talking Catholic Schools throughout the Region.

There are a huge number of private education schools inside each of the cities, from private foundations to religious-based schools.