Where to buy real estate in Canada 2021: Durham Region, Ont.

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City	Postal FSA	Neighbourhood name	Overall rank	Avg price 2020	1-year growth	3-year growth	5-year growth	Value score (out of 5 stars)	Neighbourhood economics score (out of 5 stars)	Neighbourhood accessibility score (out of 5 stars)	% Households with Children
pickering	L1V	town centre	1	$552,451	13.8%	20.3%	59.4%	4.1	3.6	3.8	55.0%
clarington	L0B	orono	2	$676,547	16.9%	38.0%	86.2%	4.2	3.3	0.1	42.9%
clarington	L1E	courtice	3	$676,040	17.3%	14.1%	66.5%	3.5	3.9	0.4	56.6%
whitby	L1R	pringle creek	4	$699,868	17.3%	11.6%	62.3%	3.3	4.1	3.4	63.3%
pickering	L1V	village east	5	$612,699	13.7%	15.4%	64.0%	3.7	3.6	3.8	55.0%
whitby	L1M	brooklin	6	$833,697	13.3%	4.5%	50.6%	2.2	5.0	1.7	65.6%
brock	L0C	sunderland	7	$697,881	20.5%	29.9%	74.8%	3.9	3.2	0.0	45.1%
oshawa	L1K	pinecrest	8	$672,574	18.8%	13.5%	67.9%	3.6	3.5	0.8	59.2%
ajax	L1Z	central east	9	$750,523	16.8%	8.1%	54.3%	2.9	4.1	3.1	67.7%
clarington	L1B	new castle	10	$605,458	11.7%	12.4%	47.2%	3.5	3.3	2.3	39.3%
clarington	L1C	bowmanville	11	$633,797	19.7%	21.6%	77.5%	4.0	2.8	1.9	51.6%
brock	L0K	beaverton	12	$560,924	26.5%	11.8%	89.5%	4.5	2.3	0.3	33.4%
whitby	L1R	rollling acres	13	$794,161	16.5%	9.3%	55.5%	2.7	4.1	3.4	63.3%
pickering	L1X	duffin heights	14	$674,737	9.0%	-4.7%	36.2%	2.6	4.1	1.6	61.5%
whitby	L1R	taunton north	15	$818,127	17.2%	12.6%	57.9%	2.6	4.1	3.4	63.3%
oshawa	L1L	windfields	16	$677,009	10.7%	-3.1%	41.1%	2.8	3.8	2.4	57.1%
pickering	L1X	brock ridge	17	$846,417	13.2%	14.5%	54.6%	2.4	4.1	1.6	61.5%
pickering	L1W	bay ridges	18	$649,586	19.7%	8.9%	57.9%	3.5	2.9	3.2	44.9%
ajax	L1T	central west	19	$779,209	11.7%	11.3%	53.2%	2.6	3.8	3.7	65.4%
scugog	L9L	rural scugog	20	$784,189	27.1%	23.5%	75.5%	3.5	3.0	0.1	40.0%
brock	L0E	cannington	21	$505,609	4.9%	19.9%	59.6%	4.1	2.3	1.7	39.1%
ajax	L1Z	northeast	22	$827,627	13.6%	8.9%	48.3%	2.3	4.1	3.1	67.7%
scugog	L0B	blackstock	23	$764,923	8.5%	9.5%	88.2%	2.9	3.3	0.1	42.9%
pickering	L1V	liverpool	24	$797,972	15.3%	7.2%	58.9%	2.6	3.6	3.8	55.0%
oshawa	L1L	kedron	25	$861,708	16.9%	4.9%	65.7%	2.3	3.8	2.4	57.1%
uxbridge	L9P	uxbridge	26	$808,300	15.3%	11.8%	53.3%	2.6	3.4	0.7	46.7%
ajax	L1T	northwest	27	$844,220	13.6%	4.2%	45.3%	2.1	3.8	3.7	65.4%
whitby	L1N	downtown	28	$646,766	15.7%	11.2%	62.8%	3.5	2.3	3.8	43.3%
scugog	L9L	port perry	29	$799,055	17.4%	15.0%	61.1%	2.8	3.0	0.1	40.0%
whitby	L1N	port whitby	30	$682,287	19.7%	15.5%	60.6%	3.5	2.3	3.8	43.3%
ajax	L1S	southwest	31	$677,106	14.8%	17.2%	73.5%	3.6	2.2	3.0	48.5%
pickering	L1V	amberlea	32	$873,512	15.2%	10.3%	53.6%	2.2	3.6	3.8	55.0%
pickering	L1W	west shore	33	$816,861	17.7%	15.4%	67.2%	2.8	2.9	3.2	44.9%
brock	L0E	rural brock	34	$768,384	10.4%	35.8%	83.8%	3.4	2.3	1.7	39.1%
oshawa	L1K	taunton	35	$802,703	0.0%	7.9%	58.6%	2.2	3.5	0.8	59.2%
whitby	L1P	williamsburg	36	$821,134	13.1%	10.5%	58.5%	2.5	3.2	1.7	64.3%
pickering	L1V	woodlands	37	$880,762	21.0%	4.9%	42.0%	2.1	3.6	3.8	55.0%
oshawa	L1L	northwood	38	$767,488	5.1%	-23.5%	46.5%	1.8	3.8	2.4	57.1%
ajax	L1S	central	39	$700,899	15.7%	15.4%	61.9%	3.3	2.2	3.0	48.5%
clarington	L0A	rural clarington	40	$954,156	14.8%	15.1%	70.6%	2.0	3.5	1.1	44.2%
pickering	L1V	highbush	41	$889,237	11.1%	7.7%	49.5%	1.9	3.6	3.8	55.0%
ajax	L1S	southeast	42	$717,135	14.9%	14.4%	62.3%	3.2	2.2	3.0	48.5%
pickering	L1V	rouge park	43	$863,693	3.0%	20.9%	9.3%	1.7	3.6	3.8	55.0%
whitby	L1N	blue grass meadows	44	$738,801	14.6%	8.6%	59.0%	2.9	2.3	3.8	43.3%
whitby	L1N	lynde creek	45	$769,372	15.8%	11.9%	62.3%	2.9	2.3	3.8	43.3%
oshawa	L1H	central	46	$467,119	19.9%	18.3%	82.5%	4.9	0.2	0.9	36.4%
oshawa	L1J	lakeview	47	$487,998	21.7%	21.2%	93.0%	5.0	0.0	1.8	41.9%
pickering	L1X	rural pickering	48	$1,019,741	8.4%	-0.6%	26.1%	0.8	4.1	1.6	61.5%
oshawa	L1H	farewell	49	$538,115	26.6%	15.4%	92.7%	4.7	0.2	0.9	36.4%
oshawa	L1J	vanier	50	$508,628	21.8%	19.9%	86.8%	4.8	0.0	1.8	41.9%
pickering	L1V	rougemount	51	$1,147,780	37.1%	9.4%	47.3%	1.2	3.6	3.8	55.0%
oshawa	L1G	o'neil	52	$520,083	17.6%	15.0%	76.1%	4.4	0.2	4.7	35.8%
oshawa	L1H	donevan	53	$581,412	17.9%	16.2%	73.3%	4.1	0.2	0.9	36.4%
oshawa	L1G	centennial	54	$583,170	18.4%	16.2%	71.7%	4.1	0.2	4.7	35.8%
uxbridge	L9P	rural uxbridge	55	$1,185,608	17.6%	11.7%	61.4%	0.7	3.4	0.7	46.7%
oshawa	L1G	eastdale	56	$612,478	17.3%	19.4%	66.9%	3.9	0.2	4.7	35.8%
oshawa	L1J	mclaughlin	57	$591,704	11.3%	14.9%	71.5%	3.9	0.0	1.8	41.9%
oshawa	L1G	samac	58	$544,859	14.3%	-1.6%	44.5%	3.6	0.2	4.7	35.8%
oshawa	L1H	raglan	59	$696,714	28.5%	2.8%	63.4%	3.4	0.2	0.9	36.4%
oshawa	L1H	columbus	60	$904,999	69.6%	11.8%	49.9%	3.4	0.2	0.9	36.4%
whitby	L1P	rural whitby	61	$1,051,880	-2.7%	-5.8%	40.8%	0.4	3.2	1.7	64.3%
pickering	L1V	dunbarton	62	$1,276,076	19.9%	2.6%	46.2%	0.0	3.6	3.8	55.0%
pickering	L1W	rosebank	63	$1,200,358	6.0%	14.1%	46.3%	0.3	2.9	3.2	44.9%
oshawa	L1J	northglen	64	$732,209	16.6%	13.1%	65.7%	3.2	0.0	1.8	41.9%
oshawa	L1J	stevenson	65	$499,833	-15.3%	-27.1%	6.1%	2.2	0.0	1.8	41.9%
oshawa	L1H	rural oshawa	66	$1,019,286	-3.0%	-14.2%	36.3%	0.4	0.2	0.9	36.4%

Value: Measures how affordable the neighbourhood is compared to the surrounding area and the region overall
Momentum: Measures how quickly prices are appreciating in this neighbourhood, with an emphasis on long term appreciation

For more, please see our complete methodology

If you’re looking for a rural or suburban place to call home that is significantly more affordable than the rest of the Greater Toronto Area, Durham Region is for you. This quaint area by the lake has good employment options in a handful of industries and is an excellent choice for those seeking real estate close to green space and the waterfront.

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Located in the east end of the GTA and the Golden Horseshoe, Durham Region borders Lake Ontario and is a good option for buyers looking for something more affordable than homes in the City of Toronto. Durham Region spans 2,500 square kilometres and hosts a population of 645,862, projected to reach 1 million by the year 2041. While most of Durham is suburban or rural, there are some more densely populated communities—notably the cities of Oshawa, Ajax and Pickering, and the town of Whitby.

Why we’re watching Durham

Durham is a little out of the way for most major employers, but there are some key industries, including energy, environmental and engineering, represented by 250 businesses employing 10,000 Canadians. The area is also a hotspot for film, agriculture, technology and automotive companies. There are also two notable post-secondary institutions—Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology—in Oshawa and Whitby.

For those employed in Toronto, Durham is still within commuting range, with direct access to several highways, and the GO Transit rail and bus network.

It’s also a great option for those looking to live closer to nature, hosting a number of provincial parks and over 900 kilometres of waterfront. The Township of Uxbridge, known as the “Trail Capital of Canada,” is also within the region’s limits. If you’re looking to afford a fully detached home with a rural or small-town vibe, Durham real estate presents a great opportunity to slow down and enjoy life.

Pre-COVID real estate market

Before the emergence of COVID-19, Durham Region was known as an affordable alternative to nearby bustling cities, offering fully detached homes at a distinct discount. In February 2020, the average home in Durham Region sold for $657,788, about 34% less than in Toronto. Detached houses dominate the region, selling for an average of $662,126, while semi-detached houses and condos could also be found for average selling prices of $524,441 and $364,788, respectively.

Impact of COVID-19

When COVID-19 swept across the country in March of 2020, real estate transactions and price growth slowed significantly across Ontario—and Durham was no exception. This region saw the average price for a home drop 7% from March 2020 to April 2020, resulting in an average selling price of $612,563.

Fortunately, the pandemic stifled real estate activity only temporarily. Buyer demand and prices quickly rebounded, although the public health restrictions meant this took several months. By June 2020, real estate prices in Durham had recovered to February 2020 levels and even posted a new high of $685,655.

Future outlook

“Durham is poised to follow general buyer trends in Ontario,” says Zoocasa’s Lauren Haw. “We expect pent-up demand and new permanent work-from-home policies to continue to drive interest from both locals and nearby Toronto buyers, especially as record-low interest rates are expected to remain available well into 2022.”

Activity is already reaching historical highs. In March 2021, the region of Durham had 2,077 sales, a record-breaking number. The average price rose 1% month-over-month to another new high of $901,322.

On top of that, the region recorded a sales-to-new-listings ration of 73%, indicating a competitive sellers’ market. Generally, an SNLR between 40% and 60% is considered a balanced market. An SNLR above 60% favours sellers, making Durham a competitive sellers’ market, much like the rest of Ontario.

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Durham Region neighbourhoods

Pickering Town Centre

Pickering Town Centre is aptly named, as it’s been the city’s central hub of activity since the 1970s. Sometimes called Town Centre or City Centre, it’s home to one of the largest shopping malls in Durham Region—Pickering Town Centre. Municipal Buildings and a library also serve Pickering’s residents. Pickering Town Centre’s GO Train station makes for easy access to Toronto, too.

Even before the pandemic, interest in Pickering was on the rise. Average prices in this neighbourhood have increased almost 60% in the past five years, and 13.8% over the past year.

The jump comes as no surprise, as the pandemic has caused homebuyers to seek larger, more affordable properties outside the city.

“Pickering has always been an affordable option for families and investors,” says Zoocasa real estate agent Jean-Michel Menard. “It has good transit and schools, newer neighbourhoods and amenities.”

Menard predicts more growth in the area: “With new developments coming to this area, Pickering will keep growing and be a great place to raise a family or find investment opportunities.”

Orono (Clarington)

Located approximately 87 kilometres east of Toronto, in the municipality of Clarington, is Orono. Home to nature trails, an antique market and a quaint downtown village, it’s the perfect place to enjoy small-town life. In normal times, Orono holds an annual fall fair, with the three-and-a-half-day event drawing nearly 30,000 people to celebrate the area’s agricultural roots.

Even though the area’s remote location doesn’t attract many commuters, the house prices in Orno have still been on the rise in the last five years, with the average home price in Orono increasing 86.2%—17% within the last year. Recently, with the flexibility of remote work, more buyers are flocking to the area to seek more space. “As a result, the lower volume of inventory in Orono has increased prices based on the increased buyer demand,” says Menard. Whether this area stays as relevant in post-pandemic will depend on the future of remote working.

“Orono is great for families, retirees or now for first-time buyers who can work from home,” says Menard. “It is quiet, country-style living, but you can stretch your money a lot further out here.”

Courtice (Clarington)

Courtice is a small community located 60 kilometres east of Toronto, also in the municipality of Clarington. It’s home to beautiful outdoor spaces and trails including Darlington Provincial Park and McLaughlin Bay Nature Reserve, both of which sit along the shores of Lake Ontario. Within commuting distance to Oshawa and Toronto, and with amenities in nearby Bowmanville, this community has small-town charm and access to nature without compromise.

While average home prices have increased over 17% in the past year, it still remains more affordable than neighbouring cities like Oshawa or Whitby, making it a great option for first-time home buyers, investors and families. Since It has access to the GO Train and Highway 401, it’s suitable for both remote work and commuting.

The positives of this community aren’t going unnoticed though, with the market in the area becoming increasingly competitive. “Some properties are getting over 20 offers,” notes Menard. Housing supply in Courtice is aiming to meet increased demand, as there are many new developments and construction in the area, but whether Courtice can maintain its affordability remains to be seen.

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