Feb. 16, 2021

Durham Region is a fantastic municipality in Southern Ontario that makes up the east-end of the Greater Toronto Area. The region has a great mix of rural and urban cities and towns and is filled with beautiful landscapes and farmlands. The bigger cities, such as Oshawa, Pickering, and Ajax, are perfect for urban living without the crowds of a city like Toronto. The rural communities such as Greenbank, Nestleton, and Sunderland are perfect for quiet country living. Whatever lifestyle best suits you, there is a perfect place to match in Durham Region. The following is a list of some of the very best places to live in, in Durham Region.
Port Perry
Port Perry is a charming, small community of approximately 9,455 people. The town is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the summer when the shops are in full swing, the park is full of activity, and the waters of Lake Scugog are the perfect temperature for boating, tubing, and fishing. Port Perry has a rich history and many of the buildings have been restored to their original state, adding an old-time feel to the character of the town.
Real Estate
The Port Perry real estate market is filled with several new developments as well as historical homes dating back to the mid 1800s. Most of the homes for sale in Port Perry are detached, single-family homes along with a few rowhomes and fantastic retirement residences.
The average cost of real estate in Port Perry is approximately $728,228. There are dozens of large estates situated on sizable plots of land. Surrounding the town is plenty of farmland, making up picturesque landscapes and a quiet, country feel.
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Education
Port Perry falls under the jurisdiction of the Durham District School Board as well as the Durham Catholic District School Board. DDSD is made up of 131 schools and approximately 70,175 students. DCDSB consists of forty-four elementary schools, seven secondary schools, one adult education centre, and one continuing education centre.
The public schools found in the Port Perry community include:
Port Perry High School
R.H. Cornish Public School
S.A. Cawker Public School
Prince Albert Public School
Private schools found in the Port Perry community include:
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Children’s House Montessori School
What To Do
Residents of Port Perry are able to enjoy dozens of annual events and festivals. The beautiful Palmer Park, located in the heart of Port Perry, is host to incredible excursions including Canada Day celebrations, the Santa Clause Parade in the winter, several car shows, and so much more.
Port Perry and the surrounding area are home to an incredible array of craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Right in the heart of Downtown is Old Flame Brewery and just outside of town are Ocala winery and the newest addition to Durham Region, Slabtown Cider Co.
The Great Blue Heron Casino is a large draw to the town of Port Perry. This grand casino has been a staple of the community for many years and is situated on Scugog Island on the edge of Port Perry.
Commutes
Port Perry is conveniently located within an hour’s drive to some of southern Ontario’s hottest destinations. From the vibrant city of Toronto to cottage-country Peterborough to trendy Vaughan to the beaches of Cobourg, there are countless attractions, amenities, and natural resources to explore.
Toronto: 83 kilometers via 407 W / 404 S (55 minutes)
Peterborough: 66 kilometers via ON-7A E / ON-115 N (54 minutes)
Vaughan: 73 kilometers via Durham Regional Road 2 / 407 W (49 minutes)
Cobourg: 87 kilometers via Durham Regional Road 2 / 407 E (57 minutes)
Brooklin
Brooklin is a trendy village in the town of Whitby. The area used to be primarily farmlands and expansive open grounds. With the popularity of commuting for work in the last few decades, developers took advantage of the ideal location and constructed beautiful neighbourhoods to meet the demand. The close proximity to Toronto makes Brooklin one of the top homes in the Greater Toronto Area.
Real Estate
Homes for sale in Brooklin are primarily made up of attached and detached single-family homes. The steadily growing population has called for a multitude of new developments to sprout, forming several beautiful subdivisions.
Brooklin is a bedroom community, most of the residents commute to the GTA for work. Many of the locals prefer quieter living outside of the hustle and bustle of Toronto. The average cost of such a luxury is approximately $932,747.
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Education
Brooklin falls under the management of the Durham District School Board as well as the Durham Catholic District School Board.
There are eight elementary schools in the area including:
Meadowcrest Public School
Winchester Public School
Brooklin Village Public School
Blair Ridge Public School
Chris Hadfield Public School
St. Leo’s Catholic School
St. Bridget Catholic School
Blessed John Paul II Catholic School
There are five high schools in the area including:
Brooklin High School
Donald A. Wilson Secondary School
Saint-Charles Garnier Catholic School
All Saints Catholic Secondary School
Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute
What To Do
There is so much going on in Brooklin that it’s easy for residents to find something that appeals to them. The historic downtown core is home to dozens of diverse dining establishments, unique retail shops, delightful spas, and plenty of local businesses.
The beautiful Grass Park is centrally located in Brooklin and is familiar to the locals. The vast green grounds are perfect for hosting the many year-round festivities including the Harvest Festival and Christmas In The Village, as well as lazy afternoons spent picnicking and relaxing.
There are ample opportunities for recreational and educational programs for the young and old of Brooklin. The Community Centre as well as the Brooklin Branch Library offer plenty of programs including arts and crafts, nature programs, exercise programs, and more.
Commutes
The village of Brooklin is close by to several fantastic locations. The close proximity to major roads and highways, including Ontario Highways 7 and 12 as well as the 400 series, provide easy access to a multitude of incredible towns and cities.
Commutes to nearby cities include:
Toronto: 64 kilometers via ON-407 W / ON-404 S (41 minutes)
Peterborough: 79 kilometers via ON-407 E / ON-115 N (51 minutes)
Vaughan: 54 kilometers via ON-407 W / York Regional Road 53 (35 minutes)
Cobourg: 77 kilometers via ON-407 E / ON-401 E (47 minutes)
Pickering Beach
This beautiful community found in Ajax is located along the scenic Lake Ontario. Pickering Beach is east of Toronto and is a slice of picturesque scenery in the urban city. The community is surrounded by tranquil parks and quiet neighbourhoods, perfect for nature lovers and families to settle down and take in all the beautiful surroundings.
Real Estate
The Pickering Beach real estate is highly competitive and listings move quickly. The area used to be made up of luxury cottages for wealthy Toronto citizens. Now, many of these homes have been replaced by modern permanent residences and is one of the most desirable places to live in Durham Region.
Luxury homes for sale in Pickering Beach range in cost from anywhere between $550,000 to well over $1 million. The average cost of real estate in Pickering Beach is approximately $912,207.
View All Homes For Sale in Pickering Beach, ON >>>
Education
Pickering Beach locals are served by the Durham District School Board. DDSB contains 131 schools and approximately 70,175 students. Alternatively, residents can attend one of the many Catholic schools found within the Durham Catholic District School Board, which is home to fifty-two elementary and secondary schools.
Schools within the Pickering Beach community include:
Pickering High School
Ajax High School
Fairport Beach Public School
Frenchman’s Bay Public School
Southwood Park Public School
Carruthers Creek Public School
Duffin’s Bay Public School
Saint James Catholic School
What To Do
Pickering Beach is home to plenty of picturesque parks. These vast green spaces are ideal for birdwatching, picnics, walking or biking along the many scenic paths, and various sporting events. Parks in Pickering Beach include:
Paradise Beach
Lakeside Park
Kinsmen Park
John A. Murray Park
Ajax Waterfront Park
There are also plenty of shopping opportunities available to the residents of Pickering Beach. Many big box stores as well as unique local boutiques provide a diverse selection of retail. Dining options are also diverse in this incredible community. Residents can enjoy everything from small, unique eateries to craft breweries and distilleries to familiar franchise favourites.
Commutes
Pickering Beach is home to a plethora of parks and waters, but for those who wish for a change of scenery, the proximity to the 400 series makes it easy for locals to explore neighbouring towns and cities, from the bustling Downtown Toronto to the quiet of Peterborough and everything in between, residents of Pickering Beach can enjoy a multitude of activities and lifestyles.
Commutes to nearby cities include:
Toronto: 50 kilometers via ON-401 W / Don Valley Parkway (34 minutes)
Peterborough: 96 kilometers via ON-401 E / ON-35 (1 hour)
Vaughan: 56 kilometers via ON-401 W / ON-404 N (37 minutes)
Cobourg: 74 kilometers via ON-401 E (46 minutes)
Bowmanville
Bowmanville has been one of the top up-and-coming neighbourhoods for the last two decades. What was once established as a quaint and quiet farm town has grown into a much more suburban town, filled with retail shops, restaurants, and endless entertainment. With a population of over 40,000, Bowmanville has quickly become one of the most popular communities in Durham Region to settle down and raise a family.
Real Estate
Bowmanville real estate is made up of condos, detached, single-family homes, townhomes, and retirement living. There are plenty of options to choose from when perusing the listings of this charming community suitable for all lifestyles and age groups.
One-bedroom condos start around $359,900 and large, free-standing homes can cost an upwards of $1,849,000. The average cost of real estate in Bowmanville is approximately $824,945. The area is made up of friendly subdivisions, private and spacious lots, and a mixture of well-established homes along with new developments. The variety found among the listings caters to all types of people.
View All Homes For Sale in Bowmanville, ON >>>
Education
The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board serves the residents of Bowmanville. KPRDSB is made up of seventy-three elementary schools, thirteen secondary schools, and three adult learning centres. The school board provides education to approximately 32,035 students in the urban and rural communities found within its borders.
Elementary schools found in Bowmanville include:
Central Public School
Charles Bowman Public School
Dr. Ross Tilley Public School
Duke of Cambridge Public School
Harold Longworth Public School
John M. James Public School
Vincent Massey Public School
Waverly Public School
High schools found in Bowmanville include:
Bowmanville High School
Clarington Central Secondary School
What To Do
The locals of Bowmanville are familiar with the many fantastic amenities found within the community. The Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is one of the most popular areas of Bowmanville. The grounds are host to plenty of events throughout the year including minor grand prix races and major racing events by CASCAR, the SCCA, and NASCAR. Large music festivals and events are also held within the grounds, with available campsites to cater to the multi-day festivals.
Several events happen year-round in Bowmanville, drawing large tourist crowds as well as bringing together the communities and neighbourhoods within the area. The annual Santa Claus Parade is a huge success and boost to the community and Applefest is a staple every fall.
Commutes
The benefit of living in beautiful Bowmanville is that you’re centrally located near all the top destinations of south-central Ontario. Busy city amenities, beautiful beaches, quiet cottage vacations, and vibrant shopping districts are all conveniently located within an hour from Bowmanville. The easy access to major roads and highways makes commuting to and from these locations a breeze.
Commutes to nearby cities include:
Toronto: 77 kilometers via ON-401 W (49 minutes)
Peterborough: 65 kilometers via ON-115 N (45 minutes)
Vaughan: 81 kilometers via ON-407 W / York Regional Road 53 (51 minutes)
Cobourg: 45 kilometers via ON-401 E / Northumberland County Road 18 (32 minutes)
Uxbridge
Uxbridge is a charming suburban community established in 1850. With approximately 21,175 people, many the residents of Uxbridge are employed at one of the many manufacturing companies including Pine Valley Packaging, Koch-Glitsch Canada, and Hela Canada. Residents also have the option of commuting for work to the many surrounding areas including Toronto, Markham, and Oshawa.
Real Estate
Homes for sale in Uxbridge include a variety of single-family homes, both attached and detached, as well as condominiums and lofts. The diverse real estate makes the town perfect for all lifestyles from young professionals to growing families to retirees.
The average cost of real estate in Uxbridge is $1,474,160. Small detached homes start around $499,000 and grand estates can be found for over $5,250,000. Attached homes in Uxbridge range in cost from $375,000 to $679,000. With such an array of price ranges and housing styles, Uxbridge is the perfect place for anybody and everybody to call home.
View All Homes For Sale in Uxbridge, ON >>>
Education
Uxbridge residents are provided top-quality education by the Durham District School Board as well as the Durham Catholic District School Board. There are six elementary schools located within the borders of Uxbridge and one secondary school.
Schools found in the Uxbridge community include:
Joseph Gould Public School
Quaker Village Public School
Scott Central Public School
Uxbridge Public School
Goodwood Public School
Saint Joseph’s Catholic School
Uxbridge Secondary School
What To Do
Uxbridge is home to a delightful array of beautiful flora and fauna. With over 220 kilometers of managed trails, locals can explore the 8,000 acres of protected greenlands. These trails run through historic villages, quiet mixed forests, tranquil meadows, and scenic ponds and wetlands.
Elgin Park is situated at the very heart of Uxbridge and is known as the picnic area where John A. MacDonald relaxed after his re-election. The park is a staple of the community and features expansive green space filled with walking paths, picnic shelters, and ponds. Elgin Park hosts parades and events such as Art in the Park and the Fall Fair.
Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts can enjoy the several ski resorts in and around the Uxbridge community. There are three major locations: Dagmar Ski Resort, Lakeridge Ski Resort, and Skyloft.
Commutes
Though Uxbridge may be a smaller community, the locals can easily venture out to the bigger cities in the GTA. Toronto and Vaughan can be accessed in under an hour and Peterborough and Cobourg are just over an hour away. Major roads and access to the 400 series are easily attainable.
Commutes to nearby cities include:
Toronto: 74 kilometers via ON-407 / Don Valley Parkway S (54 minutes)
Peterborough: 82 kilometers via ON-7A E / ON-115 N (1 hour 6 minutes)
Vaughan: 63 kilometers via ON-407 / York Regional Road 53 (46 minutes)
Cobourg: 100 kilometers via ON-412 / ON-401 E (1 hour 4 minutes)