Where Is the Best Place to Live in Ontario? Jeff & Katie

Are you in the market for a new home and are wondering: Where is the best place to live in Ontario? The answer is easy. Obviously, Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes are the best, safest, and most beautiful towns you’ll find anywhere in all of Ontario. Blog over!

We jest, obviously, but we can never help but get caught up in the excitement of our favourite hometown. It’s where we live, it’s where we enjoy the best places to eat and take our dog out to explore a day on the town. It’s also where we concentrate most of our efforts on helping clients buy and sell real estate. By the time you’re finished reading this post, you may become just as passionate and enthusiastic about the area as we are!

Planning on relocating to Peterborough or the Kawarthas? Start by downloading our comprehensive Relocation Guide.

A Guide to the Best Small Towns in Ontario

If you prefer peaceful living to hectic big-city living, the towns of Kawartha Lakes are some of the best places to live in Ontario. Here, you will have access to stores, great independent restaurants and ice cream shops, and essentially every convenience modern life offers. Not to mention the best part of the region, let’s not forget the presence of over 250 beautiful, shimmering lakes. The entire lifestyle comes with a generous dose of tranquillity, fresh air, and the wide open spaces reminiscent of rural living.

Kawartha Lakes isn’t concentrated in a single area, but is spread out over the region with numerous villages and towns. Lindsay is the biggest and most populated of all, which could be the perfect compromise if you enjoy lakeside, rural living without straying far from big-city amenities.

The towns of Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon (yes, that of the Tragically Hip “Bobcaygeon” fame) are not quite as metropolitan as Lindsay, but certainly earned their laurels when discussing the best place to live in Ontario. What they lack in size, they make up for in trendiness and overall cool factor. People come from all over to visit these beautiful towns in Ontario. Especially in the summertime and in the fall, to partake in exciting water activities and all things that go along with it, including regular treks to some of the best ice cream shops you’ll ever find. Who wouldn’t want to settle down here?

If countryside living is more your speed, then Woodville might be the place for you. With a population of approximately 700 residents amid trees, parkland, and fields interspersed with residential pockets, this is one of the most scenic and safest place to live in Ontario.

Nowhere compares to Kawartha Lakes, not just as a place to visit, but as a place to put down roots. Learn more in the posts below:

Welcome to Peterborough Living

As the Gateway to the Kawarthas, Peterborough deserves a spot on the top places to live in Ontario. It has literally everything: great shops, countless dining opportunities, bars, cafes, waterfront restaurants, community centres, parks, trails, ice rinks, a historic lift lock, and excellent schools, along with an entertainment scene that rivals that of Toronto. (Yes, we said it.)

Easy access to major highways means the perfect weekend getaway is a short drive away. You can find sparkling, crystal-clear lakes for all of your freshwater needs, from swimming and building sandcastles to kayaking and bragging about your latest catch. Not that you need to go far to enjoy any of that—Little Lake is right here in the city. This is also the site of some of our most famous events, including Peterborough Musicfest, Canada’s longest-running free music festival.

Right here on the home front, you have access to everything you can possibly want or need, even a breathtaking waterfront. The Trent-Severn Waterway flows right through the heart of Peterborough, and it’s one of our most popular attractions all year long.

As one of the most scenic cities, filled with green spaces and parks, Peterborough is hands down our favourite place to live in Ontario. Local libraries and community centres feature abundant programming for all ages. This means there is never a shortage of fun things to do that are both entertaining and educational.

Do you want to get to know Peterborough even better? The posts below will help paint the picture:

Fascinating History and Culture

When it comes to history and culture, Toronto has nothing on Peterborough. If you were wondering how “Peterborough” got its name, look no further than our founder, Peter Robinson. He was part of a large-scale immigration plan for nearly 2,000 Irish immigrants.

Soon afterwards, Peterborough became known far and wide as a centre for commerce and manufacturing. The location close to the Trent Canal system was a major factor in Peterborough’s quick development.

Fun fact: In 1884, Peterborough earned the nickname “The Electric City”. This is because it was the first place in Canada to boast electric street lights. Just imagine, being the first place where the kids knew to come in for dinner because the lights came on. If you want to explore our storied past in more detail, check out the Peterborough Museum & Archives or Hutchinson House Museum.

Are you thinking about buying your next home in Peterborough, Ontario? Start your research by reading the posts below:

The Perks of Peterborough Life Are Endless

Safety, an elevated lifestyle, and affordability all in one package make for one of the best places to live near Toronto. In fact, in all of Canada. Peterborough checks off all of these boxes and more, especially when it comes to buying a house.

Entry-level buyers or retirees drawn to condo life have their options laid out for them. Convenient, modern, well-maintained, and upscale units are available for a fraction of the price you’d pay for cramped quarters in Toronto.

If you want to upgrade to single-family living, Peterborough is one of the most affordable places in Ontario. If you’re looking to invest, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better opportunity. Peterborough offers a diverse population that ranges from students and young professionals to growing families and retirees. There’s no doubt about it; Peterborough is ideal for investors, and it’s an even better place to work and live.

Is there a move coming up for you? Our Peterborough real estate agents are committed to helping you get results. Reach out to team@jeffandkatie.ca or call 705-243-9797 to start the conversation today.