Aurora is a suburban town in York Region with one of the highest income levels in the country, and consistently appears on lists for the best places to live in the nation. Located 45 minutes north of Toronto, Aurora is surrounded by premier golf courses, filled with parks, close to lakes, home to excellent schools, next to Highway 404, and abutting the Oak Ridges Moraine. Yonge Street serves as the main arterial road in Aurora, and doubles as the town’s Main Street.

Aurora Village is the town’s charming hub of activity, where residents go to shop, eat, connect, and explore. Homes in Aurora come in a variety, from heritage and Victorian-style properties, luxury estate homes with moraine vistas, and ranch-style bungalows, to contemporary properties and modern townhomes, lowrise condos, and smaller detached homes perfect for first-time buyers. Families looking for a quiet place to raise kids that’s close to nature and amenities for active lifestyles will love this community.

Situated right above Aurora, Newmarket is a tight-knit York Region town with a thriving business sector. Job opportunities are plentiful here, and Newmarket is home to many urban amenities as well as greenspaces and excellent transportation access, as it’s bordered by Highway 404. Active families love Newmarket for the balance between parks and nature, culture, shopping and restaurants, recreation, history and heritage, and entertainment. Community hotspots include Elman W. Campbell Museum, NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, historic downtown Newmarket, Fairy Lake Park, and Upper Canada Mall—one of the largest retail outlets in York Region.

Many types of homes can be found in Newmarket, including semi-detached homes, bungalows and split-level properties, and some townhomes. Real estate closer to the centre of town includes a wider range of options such as two-storey mid-century and modern homes, two and three-storey townhomes, and bungalows on spacious lots, as well as some new developments. Downtown Newmarket is where you’ll find heritage homes in a range of architectural styles, lofts, townhomes, ranch-style bungalows, and a few apartment buildings. Newmarket is also home to Victorian properties and upscale subdivisions featuring large homes and impressive streetscapes.

East of Aurora and Newmarket lies the largely rural town of Stouffville. A family-oriented community, residents in this area are surrounded by farmland and conservation lands, but are easily able to commute throughout the rest of the GTA via GO Transit and Highway 404 access. Main Street is the centre of activity in Stouffville, as it runs through the downtown. Here, residents can enjoy the small-town ambiance while strolling the picturesque streets lined with heritage homes and century-old buildings.

Spend the day popping into the quaint restaurants and pubs, welcoming bakeries and coffee shops, and independent clothing boutiques and antique shops. Homes in Stouffville date as far back as the 1880s, and feature grand Victorian and Edwardian homes as well as Arts & Crafts-style homes from the early 1900s. There are pockets of bungalows, ranch-style homes, and split-level properties. There are also a number of newer townhomes, semi-detached homes, and lowrise condos.

Vaughan is a city in York Region located immediately north of Toronto, east of Brampton and west of Richmond Hill. A highly multicultural city, Vaughan is a welcoming and vibrant place to plant roots. Here you’ll find excellent retail options, fine restaurants, several parks and greenspaces, and excellent transit. Major highways 404 and 407 run through the city, so it’s easy to get around town and to neighbouring communities in the GTA. Vaughan is also home to Canada’s Wonderland, the country’s largest theme park. The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Vaughan’s Kleinburg neighbourhood is Canada’s largest publicly-funded gallery focusing on domestic artists’ works.

Vaughan is a great place to settle for families who want to be close to the city without sacrificing the peace and quiet of the suburbs, commuters, and first-time buyers. Real estate in Vaughan Metropolitan Centre comprises sleek, modern condos, while a mix of large homes on premium lots, semi-detached and townhomes can be found in neighbourhoods like Woodbridge. Many of the larger homes in Vaughan back onto greenspaces like golf courses or conservation lands, or feature views of the Humber River.

Directly north of Scarborough and east of Richmond Hill, Markham is a thriving York Region city known for its strong East Asian community, and the Pacific Mall—the largest Asian indoor market in North America. The Unionville neighbourhood is the city’s popular area, home to a historic downtown and lined with heritage properties. With three Go Transit stations and highways 404 and 407 cutting through the city, getting around the city and the GTA is incredibly convenient. The northern half of Markham is largely rural, so residents looking to settle in this city have the choice between urban living or country comforts.

Homes in Unionville range from heritage homes of the 19th and 20th centuries, to townhomes and boutique condos, as well as the occasional infill home. There are also estate homes on large lots, and traditional detached single-family homes in typical subdivisions of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Outside of this neighbourhood, real estate in the rest of Markham includes heritage homes, detached homes with garages, newer townhomes, ranch-style bungalows, split-level homes, and custom-designed properties. The options for real estate are abundant in Markham, and there is truly something for everyone.

The third-most populous city in York Region, Richmond Hill lies just south of Aurora, in between Vaughan and Markham. Richmond Hill provides residents with the best of both worlds as this urban community is situated on the picturesque Oak Ridges. Surrounded by natural beauty and the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with the convenience of urban amenities is a strong pull for potential buyers looking into this neighbourhood. Farmer’s markets, the Oak Ridges Trail, golf clubs, parks, Wilcox Lake, David Dunlap Observatory, and Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts are just some of the popular points of interest in the city.

Highways 404 and 407 connect Richmond Hill with the rest of the cities in the Greater Toronto Area in minutes. Like much of the GTA, real estate in Richmond Hill is incredibly varied. There are custom-designed homes on large lots, townhomes, semi-detached and detached bungalow and two-storey houses, newer mid-rise and high-rise condos, heritage estates, infill properties, luxury properties, and the master-planned community, Observatory Hill. Most neighbourhoods in Richmond Hill are quiet, tree-lined streets with well-kept lots, perfect for families.

With some of the most affordable real estate values in the GTA, Pickering has been a favourite place to settle for young families, commuters, and those who want to get a better bang for their buck while still being close enough to the City of Toronto. Bordering Ajax to its east and Scarborough to its west, Pickering is a blend between city life and rural living. The Oak Ridges Moraine provides a picturesque backdrop in the northern end of the city, allowing residents the opportunity to be fully immersed in the natural beauty that surrounds Pickering.

The city also borders Lake Ontario to its south, so there are a number of waterfront activities that residents can take advantage of, including boating and yachting. Millennium Square and Beachfront Park are two lakeside amenities which feature a waterfront trail and a boardwalk with spectacular views. Pickering Casino Resort is a favourite venue for locals and visitors, as it offers a vegas-style experience, from live tables to gourmet restaurants and luxury hotel accommodations.

Pickering residents are also able to indulge in quality shopping, enjoy modern recreation facilities, and be immersed in nature with the many parks and forests in the area. Housing stock in the city includes detached and semi-detached houses, townhomes, custom properties, highrise condos, several entry-level options, nautical-themed waterfront homes, and infill properties.

The Seaton neighbourhood is a master-planned community in central Pickering designed for 70,000 residents. It includes residential, commercial, and employment developments, providing a range of career, lifestyle, and investment opportunities. Created as a sustainable urban community, Seaton is integrated with a thriving agricultural community, and an extensive Natural Heritage System. There are a number of greenspaces, parks, and trails, as well as excellent education options, libraries, social facilities, and retailers catering to local residents. The mix of real estate in Seaton includes detached, semi-detached and townhomes, as well as some apartments.

Ajax is a city in Durham Region on the shores of Lake Ontario, surrounded by conservation areas and natural landscapes. Located directly east of Pickering, and west of Whitby, Ajax is a progressive and energetic waterfront town. One of the GTA’s fastest-growing communities, Ajax is home to a diverse population with over 65 languages spoken. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the many greenspaces in Ajax, including Greenwood Conservation Area, Lynde Shores Conservation Area, Paradise Beach, Ajax Waterfront Park, and Rotary Park.

Those who love the arts can take in a show at the St. Francis Centre, the town’s hotspot venue for live performances. Real estate options are plentiful in Ajax. There are a handful of gated estate homes on multi-acre lots (some built on the Oak Ridges Moraine) with views of conservation lands, detached executive homes, townhomes, modest one and two-storey detached homes, war-time bungalows, custom infill homes, waterfront cottages, condos, and the master planned communities of Salem Heights and The Hamlet.

Midtown Toronto comprises several distinct neighbourhoods bordered by Bloor Street West in the south, Bayview Avenue in the east, Lawrence Avenue West in the north, and Marlee, Oakwood, and Ossington avenues in the west. Midtown Toronto is home to several of Toronto’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, including The Annex, Yorkville, Rosedale, and Casa Loma. Some of the city’s most impressive condos are also found in midtown. The area is well-served by the TTC subway, streetcar, and buses.

Midtown’s premiere neighbourhood, Yorkville, is a trendy, upscale enclave known for its fine dining and excellent retail options, as well as its unique atmosphere, elevated by the warm lights and Victorian architecture. Amenities like popular restaurants, high-end jewelry stores, antique shops, art galleries, and premium fashion boutiques are steps away from the homes in the neighbourhood. Properties in Yorkville mainly include renovated Victorian homes built between 1870 and 1895, as well as many condo buildings.

Along the Yonge subway line, there are several highly sought-after low-rise and mid-rise luxury condos in the midtown Toronto area. There are also a handful of modern high-rises. All along Yonge Street, from Finch Avenue, throughout midtown, down to Queens Quay East, there are a range of condo buildings across types and price ranges, perfect for real estate investment opportunities.

Downtown Toronto is the city’s energetic, bustling core situated on the beautiful waterfront and packed with diverse people, iconic places, and impressive real estate. Bordered by Bloor Street West in the north, the Don Valley Parkway in the east, Lake Ontario to the south, and Bathurst Street to the west, downtown Toronto comprises several dynamic neighbourhoods catering to the city’s young, energetic, and trendy population. Transit access is highly convenient, and major roadways including the Gardiner Expressway, Lakeshore Boulevard, and the DVP allow for easy commutes in and out of downtown.

Many of Toronto’s most historic and well-known neighbourhoods are in the downtown area. This includes places like Liberty Village, King West, and West Queen West, Harbourfront, Cabbagetown, and Church-Yonge Corridor, as well as Bay Street Corridor, The Annex, Kensington Village, Trinity Bellwoods, and Little Italy. Downtown plays host to several of Toronto’s most anticipated annual events, including the iconic Toronto Caribbean Carnival, the Canadian National Exhibition, and Toronto International Film Festival.

World-class landmarks are closeby, like the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the St. Lawrence Market. Eclectic, authentic cuisines can be found around every corner, while shoppers can indulge in a range of retail options from high-end boutiques to popular consignment stores. There are quiet, family-friendly neighbourhoods with excellent schools and trendy, upbeat enclaves close to the heart of the action, as well as contemporary and convenient condo communities, so there is something for everyone in this area of the city. In neighbourhoods Kensington Village, Cabbagetown, and Little Italy is where you’ll find plenty of row houses and attached Victorian homes.

A variety of real estate is available in downtown Toronto, but this is where many of the city’s best condo options are. In King West there is a wide selection of loft spaces as well as low-rise and mid-rise condo buildings. Liberty Village is home to newer townhome condos as well as lofts. The Financial District and Harbourfront mostly consist of seek, modern high-rise condo buildings with hotel-like amenities. The range of condo options not only makes downtown Toronto a favourite for young professionals or urbanite families, but for investors as well.