By Romana King on June 24, 2020 Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Where to buy real estate in 2020: Peel Region, Ont.
By Romana King on June 24, 2020 Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
If you're looking for affordable luxury homes in a neighbourhood with lush, green spaces and an abundance of river trails, then our No. 1 pick of Vales of Castlemore in Brampton is worth considering
Buyers with a desire for a family-sized home, complete with a two-car garage, an affordable purchase price, and a neighbourhood classified as luxurious, will really want to check out Peel Region’s No. 1 neighbourhood—the Vales of Castlemore.
Since most homes in this area were built in the 1990s or later, the community offers up-to-date amenities, large homes, many with big backyards and two- or even three-car garages. As a result, the regal sounding name of this community appears to reflect the overall development goal of the area, which was to build luxury-inspired family homes close to downtown Brampton, Ont.
Better still is that average prices for homes in this neighbourhood are 30% cheaper than average priced homes in the Greater Toronto Area (and on par with the regional average).
Even if a larger home doesn’t get your attention, perhaps the area’s landscape will. The neighbourhood was built around the river system that runs through the community and into the Clairville Conservation area. The result is a neighbourhood with lush, green spaces and an abundance of river trails.
Prior to the pandemic and market slowdown, homes typically sold within four days in Vales of Castlemore.
Average Single-Family Home Price (2019):$884,434
2. Inglewood, Caledon
Want to live in a small town at the heart of an urban centre? Then check out the No. 2 neighbourhood in the Peel Region.
Residents of this community are proud that the railway hotel and general store—the first two commercial enterprises that opened in the village in 1887—are still standing today. Residents are also pleased with all this town has to offer. Whether it’s fishing in the stocked ponds at the Ken Whillans Resource Management Area, hiking on the Caledon Trailway or playing a few rounds of golf among the rolling Caledon countryside, there’s an outdoor pursuit to suit every person’s taste.
Buyers will appreciate the varied choice in home styles, sizes and ages. Those with a larger budget can choose from acreages, sprawling ranchers or custom-built modernized farmhouse-type mansions. Others looking for something more affordable will prefer a newer build, suburban-style family home or a bungalow on a smaller, more manageable lot. For those wanting a bit of help paying the mortgage, consider a home closer to the town centre, where the tenant population (which makes up about 10% of residents in this community overall) tend to live.
Prior to the pandemic and market slowdown, homes typically sold within 110 days in Inglewood, Caledon.
Average Single-Family Home Price (2019):$1,250,000
It appears that villages and towns are really dominating our rankings this year, and with good reason. The No. 3 spot goes to Port Credit, in Mississauaga, a neighbourhood that was once the Village of Port Credit. As the oldest village in the area, Port Credit is known for its charm and its incredibly accessible waterfront (it sits right on the shores of Lake Ontario). With more than six kilometres of waterfront trail and eight waterfront parks, the neighbourhood draws anyone who wants to live, work and play near the water.
This neighbourhood also offers easy access to the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) and the commuter GO Train, along with the Hurontario LRT, making it the perfect neighbourhood for anyone who needs to commute into downtown Toronto (or to other major urban centres).
There’s no lack of retail and commercial space in this community, either. In the last 15 to 20 years, Port Credit has undergone a major transformation. Now, the town centre is filled with boutique shops and restaurants along with newly constructed luxury high rise buildings and luxury townhomes. There are still older, smaller single-family homes but some are being renovated into luxury homes.
Homes in Port Credit are more expensive, per square footage, than any other Mississauga neighbourhood, but the urban/town feel of this community, its amenities and quick commuter access and its ability to attract young people, families and those in retirement years, make for a well-rounded neighbourhood that is vibrant and inviting.
Buyers looking for the right home will be happy with the options, given that houses in this community are a mix of historic century homes, pre-war farmhouses, and post-war bungalows, and suburban-style houses. Along the waterfront, buyers will find plenty of condos and townhomes to suit any budget or need. Keep in mind that while you may see a few modern custom builds, most homes are original. This is due, in part, to the community’s reluctance to let go of its modest town roots. This is good. Since the full demolitions and erection of McMansions is curtailed, it means renovations and upgrades need to take into consideration the look, feel and history of the community. As such, most renovations are upgrades of old homes, to allow for more modern amenities and newer finishes.
Prior to the pandemic and market slowdown, homes typically sold within 16 days in Port Credit, Mississauga.
Average Single-Family Home Price (2019):$1,503,309
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