Finding Your Dream Home on a Budget:
Affordable Areas Around Toronto to Buy a Home.
The Toronto housing market can be tough to crack, with high prices making it difficult for many people to find an affordable home. However, there are some neighbourhoods in and around Toronto that offer more reasonable prices without sacrificing on quality of life.

Durham Region
- One option is Durham Region, which includes cities like Oshawa, Ajax, Whitby, and Pickering. While the average home price in Toronto hovers around $1 million, homes in Durham Region can be found for an average of $700,000.
- Despite being located outside of the city, Durham Region has plenty of amenities, including shopping centres, parks, and recreational facilities. And with easy access to Toronto via the GO Transit system, living in Durham Region doesn't mean sacrificing a city lifestyle.
- It has an estimated population of around 710,000 people.
- The government's growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which covers the area from Niagara Falls to Peterborough, sets out a vision for sustainable growth and development in the region. The plan includes targets for population and employment growth, as well as policies and strategies to support this growth.
Hamilton
- Another affordable option is Hamilton, located about an hour west of Toronto. With an average home price of around $600,000, Hamilton offers a more affordable market without sacrificing on quality of life.
- The city is known for its natural beauty, including hiking trails, waterfalls, and the Niagara Escarpment. It's also home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as a variety of restaurants, shops, and recreational facilities.
- Major highways and the GO Transit system providing easy access to Toronto, Hamilton is a great choice for those who want the best of both worlds.
- Hamilton has an estimated population of around 576,000 people.
Barrie
- Located north of Toronto, Barrie is a smaller city that is quickly growing in popularity among homebuyers.
- The city has a growing housing market, with an average home price of around $700,000. Barrie has plenty of amenities, including shopping centres, parks, and recreational facilities, and is located close to Lake Simcoe, making it a popular spot for outdoor activities like boating and fishing.
- The Ontario government has designated Barrie as a "growth area" under its Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which aims to promote sustainable growth and development in the region. This designation means that the city is expected to accommodate a significant amount of population and employment growth in the coming decades, and will receive support from the provincial government to plan and implement this growth.
Kitchener-Waterloo
- Kitchener-Waterloo is located in the heart of southwestern Ontario, making it easy to travel to other cities like Toronto, Hamilton, and London. It is also located near several scenic areas, including the Grand River and the Bruce Trail.
- Kitchener-Waterloo is home to a number of large employers, including tech companies like Google, Shopify, and BlackBerry. There are also a range of jobs in manufacturing, finance, and healthcare. This makes it a great place to live for those seeking job opportunities.
- Compared to other major urban centers in Ontario like Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo is generally more affordable in terms of housing costs. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to get into the housing market or for families looking for more space.
- The average home price in Kitchener-Waterloo is around $700,000.
If you're interested in buying a home and taking advantage of what these areas have to offer, consider reaching out to The Real Estate Empire. Our team of experienced real estate professionals can help you find the perfect home in these vibrant and exciting region. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you make your move a success.