Oshawa Vs Peterborough: The Best City to Live In

Home buyers in Ontario have plenty of decisions to make. These choices go far beyond paint colour and whether to install hardwood or ceramic floors. Before you settle on what type of house suits your needs, you must first decide where you want to make a life for yourself and your loved ones.

There are so many charming little towns and exciting cities in and just outside the GTA. Today, we’ll focus on Oshawa, which is part of the Greater Toronto Area, and Peterborough, which decidedly is not.

If you don’t already have an idea of where you’d like to settle, this side-by-side comparison of Oshawa versus Peterborough can help you choose once and for all.

Searching for a new place to call home, with gorgeous surroundings, a supportive community, and a ton of fun activities to enjoy all year long? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Living in Peterborough!

Where Is Oshawa, Ontario?

Oshawa is officially part of the GTA, located just 60 km east of Toronto. It’s also the largest population centre in the Regional Municipality of Durham, with more than 185,000 people within the city limits.

If you crave the business of a city that is still a little less chaotic than Toronto, Oshawa might be one to consider. It is also located on the shores of Lake Ontario, so it is pretty; we’ll give it that.

How does Peterborough compare with cities and towns other than Oshawa? Find out in the posts below:

Life in Oshawa

There are some nice green spaces in Oshawa where you can reflect on nature, like the Harmony Valley Conservation Area, Oshawa Valleylands Conservation Area, and the Garden of Human Rights, which is part of the Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park. Oshawa is also home to an 11 km stretch of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, which ultimately spans more than 3,600 km.

Relatively affordable housing (compared to Toronto) makes Oshawa a solid option for younger buyers and professionals who may live in the city. On a good day, the trip to Toronto might take an hour, possibly a little less if traffic is uncharacteristically light.

During peak times, there’s no telling how long the delays might be. Some commuters will bypass the drive altogether by taking the Go Train instead. You’re still looking at an hour of travel, but with less stress. You can lose yourself in your favourite music or podcast instead of listening to honking horns and screeching brakes.

Schools in Oshawa tend to be very tech-focused, and there are several satellite campuses for post-secondary institutions, including Durham Collage and Ontario Tech University.

The Downsides of Oshawa

The municipal property tax rate is higher in Oshawa than in Toronto. Whether that’s a downside remains up for debate. Since taxes are calculated based on assessed value, you could argue that they are actually lower. However, by that metric, you may find your tax bill even lower in Peterborough thanks to more affordable housing prices.

The constant traffic is another complaint we’ve heard among Oshawa residents. Its proximity to the 401 can be a double-edged sword. It should be convenient, except the highway is always congested; if it’s not construction, it’s the weather. If it’s not the weather, it’s something else. It takes forever to get anywhere, even if your destination should be 20 minutes away.

To us, Oshawa feels a bit like “Toronto-lite.” You’re close to the big-city excitement, but not quite close enough to be overly convenient. Others have commented on Oshawa’s very industrial vibe, with commercial buildings all over. It can be a great place if you work in the skilled trades. Otherwise, some people feel that it lacks some of the stunning scenery of other cities. Like Peterborough, for instance.

The Incomparable, Breathtaking, Beautiful City of Peterborough

It’s not just us; even the commentators on Reddit admit that the scenery is gorgeous, and newcomers are taken aback by Peterborough’s picturesque natural beauty the moment they arrive. There are parks and trails at every turn, and the yards in front of many of the houses are green and adorned with trees and gardens.

Peterborough is located in Central Ontario, approximately 125 km northeast of Toronto. It is not quite as ideal if you need to commute every day since the drive will take longer from here. On the plus side, Peterborough has its own unique vibe and character.

There is no sense of “I live here, but I wish I lived in Toronto.” Everyone in Peterborough comes for its own sake. (Or they come to attend Trent University, the #1 Undergraduate University in Ontario.)

In Peterborough, residents enjoy the best of everything: excellent schools, peace and tranquillity combined with convenience, as well as an entertainment scene that even Toronto has to respect! All of this comes at a lower cost of living than you’d enjoy in either Toronto or Oshawa.

Getting ready for a move to Peterborough? The posts below can help:

A Glimpse at Peterborough Real Estate

Regardless of the housing style, age, or structure you prefer, you’d need to budget at least twice as much in Toronto compared to Peterborough. For example, a detached, spacious four-bedroom home is pretty much impossible to find in Toronto for less than $1 million.

Prices vary everywhere; however, we often have listings in Peterborough far below that amount, for properties that are larger, well-kept, and complete with driveways and ample parking.

For first-time home buyers, condos and townhouses are actually affordable, which means getting into the market here is a real possibility, not just a dream.

Retirees and downsizers also love Peterborough, partly because their equity and spending power go further, but also because there are so many fun activities and festivals to enjoy at all ages and in every season.

No matter what your background, you can find the right home in the ideal neighbourhood that factors in all of your lifestyle priorities. Whether you’re looking for vast amounts of yard space and generous square footage, a contemporary new-build, a convenient condo, or a stunning century home, your search can begin and end right here in the gorgeous city of Peterborough.

Do you have questions about Peterborough life or buying a house here? Our Peterborough real estate agents are happy to help. Reach out to team@jeffandkatie.ca or call 705-243-9797 to start the conversation today.