The Best Places to Live in Ontario

Ontario is a province known for its high quality of life. In fact, 38 of the 100 cities with the highest median income in Canada are located in Ontario. The Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario holds nearly a quarter of the entire country's population. The crime rate across Ontario is also lower compared to other places, with some of its cities recording as low as 100 crimes in a year. According to a 2018 survey by MoneySense, five of the ten best cities to live in Canada are in Ontario. Here are 10 of the best cities to live in if you are planning to relocate to Ontario, as reported by MoneySense.

10. Newmarket

Newmarket has consistently been named year after year as one of the best places to live in Canada by the MoneySense Magazine. The city is known to deliver top quality services and programs to its residents. It also offers several amenities to ensure that the high quality of life is maintained. Newmarket is home to one of the renowned hospitals, Southlake Regional Health Center, which offers world-class healthcare services. The town also offers average property tax, making houses more affordable. For fun lovers, Newmarket is the town to live in as it has over 6,000 recreation programs and over 300 special events annually.

9. The Nation

The Nation is situated within the National Capital Region of Canada and consists of the townships of Cambridge, Caledonia, and South Plantagenet. The town has a population of approximately 13,000 residents and contains one of the larger French communities in Ontario. Life in the Nation is relatively affordable with a two-bedroom apartment averaging $699 per in rent. The average household income is about $99,500. The town is one of the safest places to live in Ontario with a crime rate as low as 2,186 per 100,000 residents.

8. King

Living in King is likened to living as a king. King is situated in the York Region within the Greater Toronto Area. The prominent feature of the town is the rolling hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Holland Marsh. Although King is mostly rural, the majority of the population live in communities of Nobleton, King City, and Schomberg. There is a wide range of leisure activities for the residents in the parks and cultural facilities. The Economic Development Strategy for King Town allows for anyone who wants to invest in the town. The residents of the town are among the affluent people in Canada with a median household income of $194,451.

7. Toronto

Toronto is the capital city of the province of Ontario. With approximately 2.9 million people, it is the most populous city in Canada. It is the 16th best city to live in Canada in 2018 compared to 129 in 2017. Toronto is well known for hosting one of the world's most diverse populations. Toronto is one of the economically stable cities in Canada, boasting thousands of businesses. The average household income is $105,338 while the unemployment rate is 5.7%

6. Saugeen Shores

The town of Saugeen Shores is situated along the shores of Lake Huron within Bruce County. It is an approximately three-hour drive from Toronto. The town is more than just the sandy beaches but one of the best places to live in Canada. Thanks to its location on the shores of the lake, Saugeen Shores is a destination for most of the tourists visiting Ontario. The town is surrounded by fertile agricultural land that supports farming activities, especially in Bruce County. Saugeen Shores offers a quality mix of rural and urban living choices with the development of residential increasingly becoming diverse. The cost of living is affordable with residents paying $852 for a two-bedroom apartment.

5. Halton Hills

Halton Hills is one of the top communities in Canada with thriving art, culture, and heritage scenes. It is made up of two urban centers: Georgetown and Action. The town is recognized for its natural beauty, the high-quality life, and the active agricultural community. Halton Hills’ modern infrastructure and its close proximity to Toronto allows for access to several amenities and services. The average household income for the residents of Halton Hills is $131,026 from which they spend an average of $1,394 on rent.

4. Milton

Milton is nestled against the backdrop of the Niagara Escarpment. It does not only offer quality life but is also located within one of the most significant transportation and logistics corridors in the world. Milton’s economy is growing and diversified, providing opportunities and for new businesses and investments. The town also offers many amenities for the residents, making it safe, healthy and livable. Milton is a blend of rural and urban and offers both experiences no matter where one is at. The town also has one of the lowest property tax rate in Ontario at 3%.

3. Russel

Russell is located south-east of Ottawa, on the Castor River. As of 2016, the town has a population of 16,500 residents with the majority living in the urban areas. Russell is a fairly friendly and safe town with a low crime rate. If you are looking you want to enjoy a rural life with a touch of urban then Russell is the place to live in Ontario. According to the MoneySense Magazine, Russell is the third best place to live because of the home affordability and the low crime rate. The cost of renting a two-bedroom house is approximately $1,000 while the crime rate is 2,540 per 100,000 people.

2. Ottawa

Ottawa is known as a clean and safe city. It is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River. As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa is the preferred destination for people visiting the country. The city has a population of approximately one million residents. It has consistently ranked among the top three cities to live in and was the overall winner in 2017. The average household income in Ottawa is relatively high at $114,275 while the unemployment rate is 5.1%. The city is also safe to live in with a crime rate of 3,782 per 100,000 people.

1. Oakville

Oakville is the 2018 best city to live in Canada according to MoneySense. It was also the first runner-up in 2017 with the best being Ottawa. The suburban town is located in Halton Region and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. Its close proximity to Toronto gives it an edge over other cities. The city is safe, clean, and beautiful and has parks and green space for recreation. The beautifully designed homes have become a preferred destination for families looking to live outside Toronto. With a population of over 200,000 people, the average household income is $161,540 while the cost of renting a two-bedroom house is $1,456.