If you live in or are thinking about moving to Pickering, the government’s plan to refurbish the nuclear power plant may be on your mind. There is no doubt that this development will be a boon to the economy and help to provide new career opportunities for residents of the city. 

However, you may also be concerned about any environmental or health issues, not to mention how living near a nuclear power plant might impact the future value of your house. In this post, we’ll address the elephant in the room with a detailed discussion about this upcoming development.

How Nuclear Energy Works

While the last thing we want to do is bore you with a long science lecture, understanding how nuclear energy works will go a long way toward soothing your fears about living close to a power plant. So here is a quick, 30-second explanation of everything you need to know about this exciting – yet somewhat intimidating – science. Move over, NASA experts; we’re coming for you!

• Everything in the universe is made up of atoms.
• Nuclear energy is created by splitting uranium atoms in a process called nuclear fission. It’s kind of like watching a tiny snowball burst apart, although you’d need an extremely powerful microscope to see it.
• Splitting atoms releases a ton of heat, which creates steam that turns a generator, which in turn produces electricity.

Now that you know how the process works, let’s turn our attention into what nuclear energy is not.

• Nuclear power is NOT a weapon or a bomb. Yes, the science is similar. However, the development processes are entirely different in design, purpose, and scale. 
• Nuclear energy powers our cities instead of destroying them.

The tiniest amount of energy created produces more energy than a ton of coal or oil. As a result, we get much more energy with far less pollution.

Research is an essential first step before buying or selling a home. Learn more about Durham and Pickering in the posts below:

• What Is the Fastest-Growing Area of the GTA?
• Exploring Seaton: Pickering’s Hidden Gem in the GTA
• Why Should You Upgrade Your Family Home in Pickering?

What Could Go Wrong?

Thanks to the success of multiple disaster movies, it’s easy for our minds to go to a dark place when pondering nuclear energy. What if we become another Chernobyl? Could that happen, and how likely is it that everything will go wrong?

Keep in mind that many of the scientists and researchers working in the nuclear power plant also live in Pickering. If they thought for one minute that it wasn’t safe, they’d have been on an airplane to the other side of the country – if not the world – a long time ago. 

That said, accidents have happened in the past before we really understood the technology. Chernobyl and Fukushima may spring to mind. However, new advancements, stringent safety measures, and Canada’s strict, over-the-top regulations put the probability of a major incident in Pickering near zero.

If the worst were to happen, how close would be too close? You might feel safer buying a home in a neighbourhood with a little more distance between you and the power plant. If you’re particularly cautious, you might move to one of the surrounding cities even further away. However, the truth is that you are just as safe living in the neighbourhood next to the plant as you would be if you settled in a rural community 100 km away. 

Are you looking for more tips to get the maximum value when buying a new home? The posts below will give you some ideas:

• How NOT To Buy a House
• Inside the Hunt for a House in the GTA
• Should You Buy or Sell First?

Why Are People Still Moving to Pickering?

If you love all that Pickering has to offer but still feel a little nervous about the power plant, ask yourself this question: Why are so many people moving here? Pickering is part of Durham, which is by far the fastest-growing region in the entire GTA.

In fact, the current population is expected to grow by almost 75,000 people by the year 2041. New condos are being developed all over the city, including eight new buildings approved in August 2023.

Want to see the latest pre-construction projects in Pickering and around the GTA? Learn more here!

The abundance of affordable housing is highly attractive for first time buyers and young professionals, which will only add to Pickering’s economic growth. In addition, there are several reasons newcomers have their eye on the area:

• Real estate prices are lower, which means you can often get a larger home with more outdoor space and parking for much less than you would find in Toronto.
• Pickering is a fantastic place for families, especially due to up-and-coming developments like Seaton, which is already home to 1,500 residents and counting.. Our office on Brock Street is just south of this new community.
• If you’re looking for convenient living, with shops and restaurants close while being surrounded by beautiful scenery, Pickering is hard to beat.
• Pickering offers a thriving career market, making it possible to find a high-paying position close to home. In fact, the nuclear power plant is a top employer for the city!

For families and professionals who wish to enjoy a high quality of life without the cost of living usually associated with Toronto, Pickering is a safe and modern alternative that checks off all the boxes.

Do you have any other questions or concerns about buying a home in Pickering? We can tell you anything you need to know about this neck of the woods. Reach out today to info@teamrajpal.com or call 647-875-8000 to start a conversation.

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