Leaving Toronto? You Should Consider Moving to Hamilton

With the impacts of successive lockdowns and an increasingly high cost of living in Toronto, the last year and a half has seen an exodus of people looking to move out of Toronto. More and more people are working from home full-time or several days a week, which means they don’t have to worry so much about commuting long distances to work. Also, depending on where in the city you live, you might have developed an aversion to crowds, have limited access to green space, and as life returns to the city, traffic is getting worse. But what do you do if you’re ready to say goodbye to Toronto but not ready to say goodbye to city life?

With a fantastic combination of urban city life, quiet residential streets, and wondrous nature, Hamilton just might be the city for you. Read further to learn what’s making Hamilton a burgeoning region and why moving to Hamilton might be the right decision for you.

Hamilton Realtors

With more and more people choosing to make the move to Hamilton, there are more realtors specializing in the area and what it has to offer. With the help of realtors like Michael St. Jean Realty specializing in Hamilton and its surrounding areas, finding your dream home in the area will be that much easier.

Affordability

For many people fleeing Toronto, affordability is usually a significant factor. While, like most other areas of Canada, house prices have gone up during COVID, living in Hamilton is more affordable than living in Toronto, and specialized realtors can help you buy at a fair price. At publication date, the average price for a detached home in Hamilton is $854,825, which is several hundred thousand dollars cheaper than the average price of a detached home in Toronto.

In fact, the cost of living site Numbeo estimates that not only is housing cheaper, but groceries, restaurants, cinema tickets, clothing, and more are cheaper in Hamilton than they are in Toronto.

Unlimited Nature

When you think of Hamilton, you might not think of green space and nature. But being located on both the Niagara Escarpment and the Lake Ontario waterfront, wherever you are in Hamilton, you’re never far from the hundreds of kilometres of walking and biking trails, more than 100 waterfalls, and countless stunning views.

Many scenic locations are just a stone’s throw away, including Webster Falls, Dundas Valley Conservation, Escarpment Rail Trail, Albion Falls, the Bruce Trail, Tiffany Falls, Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation, Bayfront Park, and more.

Well Connected

Whether you’re a driver or an avid public transportation user, it’s easy to get from Hamilton to Toronto. Accessible by Highways 401 and 403, Hamilton is located about forty-five minutes west of Toronto, and it’s less than an hour’s drive to Niagara Falls.

If you don’t drive or prefer not to, two GO Stations are located downtown, easily connecting you to Toronto and Niagara.

Hamilton also has a local public transit system known as the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), which has more than 50 routes serving the area.

Culinary Scene

Hamilton’s culinary scene started gaining attention years ago and has shown no sign of slowing down. Don’t be fooled into thinking that Hamilton represents small town dining. There is a wide variety of cuisine offered at Hamilton restaurants. Visit the Berkeley North Restaurant in Hamilton for a distinctively West-Coast-style menu or check out the popular India Village Restaurant in Ancaster for South Asian food. Cascata Bistro in nearby Carlisle offers made-to-order pizzas and vegetarian options in their quaint restaurant while The Ship in Hamilton is a go-to for excellent pub fare. If Japanese food is on your mind, make a reservation at the five-star Namu Restaurant and Bar in Dundas. If you are craving steaks, head to Edgewater Manor Restaurant on the shores of Lake Ontario in Stoney Creek.

Hidden Gems and World-Class Attractions

You won’t have any trouble finding things to do in Hamilton. Some world-class entertainment is in the vicinity to check out on your days off, including the Hamilton Farmers’ Market, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Dundurn Castle, African Lion Safari, and the HMCS Haida National Historic Site.

Moving to Hamilton will provide you with many of the same benefits as Toronto, but with a smaller price tag and more of a balance between the infrastructure of a city and the feel of a small town.

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