Where to buy real estate in Hamilton in 2019

The view of the city of Hamilton from Sam Lawrence Park(Aronmolina/Wikipedia)

Often overshadowed by Toronto to the east and Niagara Falls to the west, Hamilton is a city primed to explode. While prices have certainly appreciated over the last decade, there are still deals to be found in this city with Steeltown roots. And, in recent years, developers finally gave Hamilton a second look.

Now the blue-collar city is experiencing a renaissance. Journalists from across North America consider it a bit of an artists’ hub (the Juno Award-winning band Arkells being a prime example of local talent), while house-hunters see the city as an affordable place to own a single-family home, yet still get to and from work with a manageable commute.

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Thing is, there are more than 200 neighbourhoods in the Regional Municipality of Hamilton, a region that includes six local cities: Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook, Hamilton and Stoney Creek. In Hamilton alone, there are nearly 100 communities with an average sale price of just under $550,000. So, how can a buyer narrow the options down to a suitable investment? Consider the current value and the possibility of future appreciation.

This year, the best area to buy a single-family home is in downtown Hamilton. Yes, we know about this area’s gritty reputation. Rooming houses, squats, low-rent housing, and dilapidated two-stories still dominate, but over the last half-decade, the grit has had to make room for the trendy and artistic—and with this has come gentrification and investment. As a result, there are fewer outdated structures, and more homeowners moving in and renovating the beautiful old homes in this community.

Nine of the top 10 Hamilton neighbourhoods in this year’s Where to Buy in Real Estate report are downtown. In part, this reflects the demographics and needs of current home buyers—younger professionals who prioritize walking, biking and transit access above a two-car garage.

Click Tap column headings to re-rank neighbourhoods. Click Tap on any neighbourhood name to learn more about it.

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Rank	Neighbourhood	Area	Average home price (2017)	Value	Momentum	Average price vs. area	Avg. price vs. metro district	Avg. price vs. outer region	1-year price change	5-year price change	Final Star Rating
1	Corktown	14	$328,165	88.01%	61.07%	94.30%	91.20%	67.10%	-5.74%	98.60%	★★★★
2	Stinson	14	$328,165	88.01%	60.72%	94.30%	91.20%	67.10%	-5.74%	98.60%	★★★★
3	Beasley	14	$328,165	88.01%	60.37%	94.30%	91.20%	67.10%	-5.74%	98.60%	★★★★
4	Hamilton Centre (21)	21	$277,875	47.26%	98.63%	115.20%	77.30%	56.90%	15.22%	132.40%	★★★★
5	Crown Point East	20	$336,688	60.62%	85.93%	101.80%	93.60%	68.90%	1.84%	102.20%	★★★★
6	Ottawa Street	20	$336,688	60.62%	86.28%	101.80%	93.60%	68.90%	1.84%	102.20%	★★★★
7	North And East	13	$340,357	47.26%	92.46%	103.20%	94.60%	69.60%	3.21%	104.30%	★★★★
8	Landsdale	14	$328,165	88.01%	60.02%	94.30%	91.20%	67.10%	-5.74%	98.60%	★★★★
9	Gibson/Stipley (south of King St.)	20	$336,688	60.62%	85.23%	101.80%	93.60%	68.90%	1.84%	102.20%	★★★★
10	Crown Point West	20	$336,688	60.62%	85.58%	101.80%	93.60%	68.90%	1.84%	102.20%	★★★★
11	Gibson	20	$336,688	60.62%	84.88%	101.80%	93.60%	68.90%	1.84%	102.20%	★★★½
12	Stipley	20	$336,688	60.62%	84.53%	101.80%	93.60%	68.90%	1.84%	102.20%	★★★½
13	Hamilton General Hospital	13	$340,357	47.26%	92.11%	103.20%	94.60%	69.60%	3.21%	104.30%	★★★½
14	McQuesten West	23	$332,472	44.35%	91.67%	108.80%	89.40%	68.00%	8.79%	96.20%	★★★½
15	Parkview East	23	$332,472	44.35%	92.02%	108.80%	89.40%	68.00%	8.79%	96.20%	★★★½
16	Homeside	23	$332,472	44.35%	92.71%	108.80%	89.40%	68.00%	8.79%	96.20%	★★★½
17	Parkview West	23	$332,472	44.35%	91.32%	108.80%	89.40%	68.00%	8.79%	96.20%	★★★½
18	Normanhurst	23	$332,472	44.35%	92.37%	108.80%	89.40%	68.00%	8.79%	96.20%	★★★½
19	Delta West	22	$462,041	41.44%	75.90%	100.60%	128.50%	94.50%	0.60%	90.40%	★★★½
20	Blakeley	22	$462,041	41.44%	75.55%	100.60%	128.50%	94.50%	0.60%	90.40%	★★★½
21	Hamilton Lower City	28	$389,324	39.55%	81.38%	104.70%	104.70%	79.70%	4.73%	73.60%	★★★½
22	Sherwood	25	$459,357	48.12%	70.82%	102.20%	97.90%	94.00%	2.16%	75.30%	★★★½
23	Inch Park	17	$410,125	47.60%	75.16%	104.90%	87.40%	83.90%	4.93%	71.30%	★★★½
24	Balfour	17	$410,125	47.60%	72.36%	104.90%	87.40%	83.90%	4.93%	71.30%	★★★½
25	St. Claire	22	$462,041	41.44%	75.20%	100.60%	128.50%	94.50%	0.60%	90.40%	★★★½
26	Delta East	22	$462,041	41.44%	74.85%	100.60%	128.50%	94.50%	0.60%	90.40%	★★★½
27	Macassa	17	$410,125	47.60%	73.76%	104.90%	87.40%	83.90%	4.93%	71.30%	★★★½
28	Strathcona	10	$410,820	40.75%	68.21%	108.10%	89.30%	84.10%	8.08%	73.60%	★★★½
29	Burkholme	17	$410,125	47.60%	74.11%	104.90%	87.40%	83.90%	4.93%	71.30%	★★★½
30	Central	10	$410,820	40.75%	67.86%	108.10%	89.30%	84.10%	8.08%	73.60%	★★★½
31	Huntington	25	$459,357	48.12%	70.47%	102.20%	97.90%	94.00%	2.16%	75.30%	★★★½
32	King Street West	10	$410,820	40.75%	68.56%	108.10%	89.30%	84.10%	8.08%	73.60%	★★★½
33	Centremount	17	$410,125	47.60%	72.71%	104.90%	87.40%	83.90%	4.93%	71.30%	★★★½
34	Kentley	27	$407,140	41.78%	82.38%	102.60%	109.50%	83.30%	2.61%	80.00%	★★★½
35	Hamton Heights	25	$459,357	48.12%	69.78%	102.20%	97.90%	94.00%	2.16%	75.30%	★★★½
36	Sunninghill	25	$459,357	48.12%	70.13%	102.20%	97.90%	94.00%	2.16%	75.30%	★★★½
37	Greenford	28	$389,324	39.55%	80.68%	104.70%	104.70%	79.70%	4.73%	73.60%	★★★½
38	Mountain Park	17	$410,125	47.60%	74.81%	104.90%	87.40%	83.90%	4.93%	71.30%	★★★½
39	Hill Park	17	$410,125	47.60%	73.41%	104.90%	87.40%	83.90%	4.93%	71.30%	★★★½
40	Eastmount	17	$410,125	47.60%	74.46%	104.90%	87.40%	83.90%	4.93%	71.30%	★★★½
41	Hannon West	26	$435,641	64.73%	53.68%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★½
42	Main Street West (103)	10	$410,820	40.75%	67.51%	108.10%	89.30%	84.10%	8.08%	73.60%	★★★½
43	Hannon South	26	$435,641	64.73%	54.03%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★½
44	Grayside	27	$407,140	41.78%	82.03%	102.60%	109.50%	83.30%	2.61%	80.00%	★★★½
45	Riverdale East	27	$407,140	41.78%	81.33%	102.60%	109.50%	83.30%	2.61%	80.00%	★★★½
46	Raleigh	17	$410,125	47.60%	73.06%	104.90%	87.40%	83.90%	4.93%	71.30%	★★★½
47	Downtown Dundas	41	$579,000	100.00%	5.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	-100.00%	-100.00%	★★★½
48	North and West	10	$410,820	40.75%	68.91%	108.10%	89.30%	84.10%	8.08%	73.60%	★★★
49	Corman	28	$389,324	39.55%	79.98%	104.70%	104.70%	79.70%	4.73%	73.60%	★★★
50	Rymal	26	$435,641	64.73%	52.98%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★
51	Albion Falls	26	$435,641	64.73%	54.38%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★
52	Red Hill	28	$389,324	39.55%	81.03%	104.70%	104.70%	79.70%	4.73%	73.60%	★★★
53	Nashdale	27	$407,140	41.78%	81.68%	102.60%	109.50%	83.30%	2.61%	80.00%	★★★
54	Vincent	28	$389,324	39.55%	79.63%	104.70%	104.70%	79.70%	4.73%	73.60%	★★★
55	Ainsle Wood North	41	$502,000	100.00%	5.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	-100.00%	-100.00%	★★★
56	Lisgar	26	$435,641	64.73%	51.93%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★
57	Templemead Park	26	$435,641	64.73%	53.33%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★
58	Berrisfield	26	$435,641	64.73%	51.58%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★
59	Quinndale	26	$435,641	64.73%	52.63%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★
60	Riverdale West	27	$407,140	41.78%	80.98%	102.60%	109.50%	83.30%	2.61%	80.00%	★★★
61	Dundas Driving Park	41	$502,000	100.00%	5.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	-100.00%	-100.00%	★★★
62	Gershome	28	$389,324	39.55%	80.33%	104.70%	104.70%	79.70%	4.73%	73.60%	★★★
63	Ancaster	42	$750,000	100.00%	5.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	-100.00%	-100.00%	★★★
64	Southam/Donnington	15	$519,347	50.68%	45.18%	99.10%	110.70%	106.30%	-0.93%	65.50%	★★★
65	Westcliffe East	15	$519,347	50.68%	46.23%	99.10%	110.70%	106.30%	-0.93%	65.50%	★★★
66	Sheldon	16	$484,636	59.42%	35.77%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
67	Rosedale	24	$407,626	29.11%	80.26%	108.00%	109.60%	83.40%	8.04%	75.70%	★★★
68	Roston	16	$484,636	59.42%	34.02%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
69	Gilbert	16	$484,636	59.42%	33.67%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
70	Highland Park Survey	41	$502,000	100.00%	5.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	-100.00%	-100.00%	★★★
71	Braughton East	26	$435,641	64.73%	50.88%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★
72	Randall	18	$522,092	32.88%	57.84%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
73	Trenholme	26	$435,641	64.73%	51.23%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★
74	Mohawk	15	$519,347	50.68%	45.53%	99.10%	110.70%	106.30%	-0.93%	65.50%	★★★
75	Falkirk East	16	$484,636	59.42%	36.82%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
76	Hannon North	26	$435,641	64.73%	52.28%	99.20%	92.90%	89.10%	-0.79%	70.10%	★★★
77	Valley Park/Maplewood Park	50	$538,328	59.59%	37.18%	97.80%	95.00%	110.10%	-2.22%	66.00%	★★★
78	Spring Creek Conservation Area	41	$502,000	100.00%	5.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	-100.00%	-100.00%	★★★
79	Westcliffe West	15	$519,347	50.68%	45.88%	99.10%	110.70%	106.30%	-0.93%	65.50%	★★★
80	Glenview West	24	$407,626	29.11%	79.91%	108.00%	109.60%	83.40%	8.04%	75.70%	★★★
81	Gurnett	16	$484,636	59.42%	37.17%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
82	Jerome	18	$522,092	32.88%	55.75%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
83	Westdale Village	11	$497,790	62.67%	13.85%	97.60%	108.20%	101.80%	-2.41%	48.90%	★★★
84	Kennedy West	16	$484,636	59.42%	36.12%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
85	Kennedy East	16	$484,636	59.42%	35.42%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
86	Gilkson	16	$484,636	59.42%	36.47%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
87	Westdale North	11	$497,790	62.67%	13.50%	97.60%	108.20%	101.80%	-2.41%	48.90%	★★★
88	Butler	18	$522,092	32.88%	54.70%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
89	Highbury Dr.	50	$538,328	59.59%	36.83%	97.80%	95.00%	110.10%	-2.22%	66.00%	★★★
90	Headon Forest	35	$691,814	51.03%	31.02%	101.00%	86.50%	141.50%	0.96%	54.10%	★★★
91	Gourley	16	$484,636	59.42%	34.72%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
92	Walkers Line	35	$691,814	51.03%	30.32%	101.00%	86.50%	141.50%	0.96%	54.10%	★★★
93	Lawfield	18	$522,092	32.88%	56.10%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
94	Burlington (31)	31	$735,891	28.94%	48.83%	104.20%	92.00%	150.60%	4.17%	62.20%	★★★
95	Milcroft	35	$691,814	51.03%	31.37%	101.00%	86.50%	141.50%	0.96%	54.10%	★★★
96	Cootes Paradise	11	$497,790	62.67%	13.15%	97.60%	108.20%	101.80%	-2.41%	48.90%	★★★
97	Heritage Green	52	$636,316	43.84%	49.96%	98.30%	112.20%	130.20%	-1.74%	76.90%	★★★
98	Fessenden	16	$484,636	59.42%	34.37%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
99	Falkirk West	16	$484,636	59.42%	35.07%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
100	Allison	18	$522,092	32.88%	57.15%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
101	Crerar	18	$522,092	32.88%	56.80%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
102	Greeningdon	18	$522,092	32.88%	55.05%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
103	Eleanor	18	$522,092	32.88%	57.49%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
104	Carpenter	16	$484,636	59.42%	33.32%	99.10%	103.30%	99.20%	-0.87%	61.80%	★★★
105	Thorner	18	$522,092	32.88%	54.00%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
106	Bruleville	18	$522,092	32.88%	54.35%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
107	Ryckmans	18	$522,092	32.88%	55.40%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★★
108	Ainslie Wood	11	$497,790	62.67%	12.80%	97.60%	108.20%	101.80%	-2.41%	48.90%	★★★
109	Stoney Creek	50	$538,328	59.59%	36.48%	97.80%	95.00%	110.10%	-2.22%	65.90%	★★★
110	Aldershot	30	$721,531	66.95%	6.56%	84.90%	90.20%	147.60%	-15.13%	41.20%	★★★
111	Barnstown	18	$522,092	32.88%	56.45%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★½
112	Ainslie Wood East	11	$497,790	62.67%	12.45%	97.60%	108.20%	101.80%	-2.41%	48.90%	★★½
113	Durand (124)	12	$508,583	27.74%	28.35%	103.70%	110.50%	104.10%	3.68%	44.00%	★★½
114	Satellite City (517)	51	$527,913	62.33%	23.00%	97.90%	93.10%	108.00%	-2.13%	61.20%	★★½
115	Sheldon Creek	35	$691,814	51.03%	30.67%	101.00%	86.50%	141.50%	0.96%	54.10%	★★½
116	Chappel East	18	$522,092	32.88%	52.60%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★½
117	Chappel West	18	$522,092	32.88%	53.30%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★½
118	Havendale	34	$672,011	63.01%	16.94%	98.80%	84.10%	137.50%	-1.23%	53.10%	★★½
119	Satellite City (516)	51	$527,913	62.33%	22.65%	97.90%	93.10%	108.00%	-2.13%	61.20%	★★½
120	Waterdown	46	$656,012	59.93%	12.27%	97.00%	97.00%	134.20%	-3.04%	48.60%	★★½
121	Fruitland	51	$527,913	62.33%	23.70%	97.90%	93.10%	108.00%	-2.13%	61.20%	★★½
122	Tweedside	52	$636,316	43.84%	50.65%	98.30%	112.20%	130.20%	-1.74%	76.90%	★★½
123	Rushdale	18	$522,092	32.88%	53.65%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★½
124	Vinemount	52	$636,316	43.84%	50.31%	98.30%	112.20%	130.20%	-1.74%	76.90%	★★½
125	Durand (122)	12	$508,583	27.74%	28.00%	103.70%	110.50%	104.10%	3.68%	44.00%	★★½
126	Broughton West	18	$522,092	32.88%	52.95%	102.30%	111.30%	106.80%	2.33%	63.90%	★★½
127	Community Beach	51	$527,913	62.33%	24.40%	97.90%	93.10%	108.00%	-2.13%	61.20%	★★½
128	Lake Pointe	51	$527,913	62.33%	24.75%	97.90%	93.10%	108.00%	-2.13%	61.20%	★★½
129	Burlington (36)	36	$823,924	39.90%	27.95%	99.90%	103.10%	168.60%	-0.10%	58.70%	★★½
130	Westdale	12	$508,583	27.74%	27.65%	103.70%	110.50%	104.10%	3.68%	44.00%	★★½
131	Winona (514)	51	$527,913	62.33%	24.05%	97.90%	93.10%	108.00%	-2.13%	61.20%	★★½
132	Main Street West (121)	12	$508,583	27.74%	27.31%	103.70%	110.50%	104.10%	3.68%	44.00%	★★½
133	Winona (519)	51	$527,913	62.33%	23.35%	97.90%	93.10%	108.00%	-2.13%	61.20%	★★½
134	Burlington (33)	33	$999,907	39.55%	13.93%	98.50%	125.10%	204.60%	-1.51%	41.80%	★★½
135	Mainway	35	$691,814	51.03%	29.97%	101.00%	86.50%	141.50%	0.96%	54.10%	★★½
136	Hamilton East (29)	29	$571,884	11.47%	49.65%	104.90%	153.80%	117.00%	4.92%	54.00%	★★½
137	Bayview	30	$721,531	66.95%	6.21%	84.90%	90.20%	147.60%	-15.13%	41.20%	★★½
138	Chedoke Park	12	$508,583	27.74%	26.96%	103.70%	110.50%	104.10%	3.68%	44.00%	★★½
139	Binbrook	53	$560,312	23.46%	42.48%	104.00%	104.00%	114.60%	3.96%	61.80%	★★
140	Hamilton East (27)	27	$407,140	41.78%	80.63%	102.60%	109.50%	83.30%	2.61%	80.00%	★★
141	Burlington (38)	38	$1,346,122	44.86%	56.68%	97.10%	168.40%	275.40%	-2.90%	72.10%	★★
142	Burlington (32)	32	$647,802	63.18%	21.96%	99.00%	81.00%	132.50%	-0.97%	59.60%	★½
143	Flamborough (43)	43	$778,256	34.76%	24.08%	102.00%	99.60%	159.20%	1.99%	46.00%	★

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

Hamilton’s top 3 neighbourhoods to buy

1. Corktown

Want to live in a connected neighbourhood that values diversity, respect and inclusivity? Better still, do you want to live in a neighbourhood that was one of the original four communities comprising city of Hamilton? Corktown may be your answer.

Half a decade ago, the neighbourhood was “going through transition.” Now, it could be considered the flagship for what Hamilton can and will be like as it continues to modernize and shed its old image.

The community is walking distance from the municipal buildings and offers super-easy access to a commuter GO Station (which takes about 45 minutes to travel into Toronto). Those working in the downtown core can either walk or bike to work—making it ideal for those who don’t want to commute by car.

Many of the low-rise and higher-rise rental buildings in the downtown area can be found in Corktown, but that doesn’t mean the area only offers condos and rental suites. Among the high rises, buyers can find stunning examples of Victorian-era residences—the kind of home that helps Hamilton retain its old-world nuance and its ties to early Irish settlers.

The good news? The average price of homes in Corktown is about 5% less than in other downtown or central Hamilton neighbourhoods, and about 10% less than the average selling price of Greater Hamilton.

Given the surge in property prices in the last decade, it’s not too surprising that this neighbourhood experienced a bit of a price decline over the last year (down about 6%, year-over-year). Still, with strong five-year price growth and excellent value, when compared to surrounding communities, the numbers suggest that Corktown is poised to grow in popularity over the next few years.

2. Stinson

Adjacent to Corktown and slightly to the east of downtown Hamilton is Stinson, the No. 2 neighbourhood in this year’s ranking. Like Corktown, Stinson offers a great collection of Victorian homes (along with a few clapboard tear-downs) that are priced below the area and city averages by about 5% to 10%, respectively.

Stinson has excellent access to public transit and commuter train stations, as well as walk and bike options to downtown Hamilton. For those who love being close to nature or scenic hikes, Stinson offers access to the historic Bruce Trail. This part of the trail winds its way up the famous Hamilton Mountain and offers stunning views of the cityscape.

3. Beasley

The community of Beasley is a livable downtown ‘hood where you can eschew the use of a car. The Beasley Neighbourhood Association dedicates volunteer hours and donations to creating and maintaining bike lanes, as well as installing and maintaining basketball hoops and soccer pitches. Efforts are also being made to beautify the neighbourhood alleys—traditionally a dumping ground—and to create and support a community kitchen and garden. Meanwhile, heritage buildings in this community, like the Capitol theatre, are being lovingly restored.

Realistically, however, not all buyers are looking for the urban feel experience of downtown Hamilton. These buyers—and those looking for more commuter-friendly neighbourhoods—should consider looking at houses in Westdale, Dundurn or Kirkendall North.

Buyers looking for more established, family-neighbourhoods should look in the communities east of the downtown core, such as Raleigh, Bartonville and Burkholme.

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