Is Burlington a good place to live and settle down?
Burlington is one of the best places to live in the Province of Ontario, Canada. The town offers residents an urban-suburban mix feel, and most residents rent their homes. Many young professionals live in Burlington, and residents tend to be liberal. Burlington is between Toronto and Hamilton and not too far from the border with the USA. There are also natural landscapes like the Niagara Escarpment and a sandy Lake Ontario beach in its downtown core.
Living in Burlington has many benefits. Its top features are amenities, a low crime rate, and culture and community. There are also plenty of local job opportunities. A visit to Burlington’s lakeside and sprawling lakefront park is a great way to appreciate its desirable beauty.
Dozens of award-winning restaurants, coffee shops, and boutique shops make the downtown area a favourite destination for residents and visitors. Read on as we walk you through some note-worthy things to know about Burlington.
## Benefits of Living in Burlington
Let's catch up with some exclusive benefits of staying in the beautiful city of Burlington:
### 1. Family-friendly Environment
Burlington provides a well-balanced life of urban fun and a peaceful living environment. You can hop down to the downtown area to enjoy modern-era restaurants, clubs, bars, nightlife activities, etc. The residential area is engulfed in a serene environment ideal for relaxing and enjoying a good night’s sleep after a long day at work. These provide an enriched family-oriented experience to the residents.
### 2. Exceptional Schools
Burlington prides itself on its high standard of education. There are schools for all grade levels and several private schools. Colleges and universities in the area help high school graduates offset the high cost of post-secondary living expenses. Burlington also has sought-after universities. They include the University of Guelph, University of Toronto, McMaster University, and others.
### 3. Recreational Activities
Burlington is located along Lake Ontario’s magnificent shorelines, providing different outdoor recreational activities for the residents. Residents can go swimming, boating, canoeing, surfing, or fishing when the weather allows. The city also has hectares of parkland, offering amazing opportunities for families, bachelors, and everyone living there. Burlington is also home to splash pads, ice-skating rinks, community centres, and golf courses. These cater to a broader set of audiences.
Do you want to enjoy quality time with your friends and family in natural beauty? If you are the one liking [fun-activities in the Greater Toronto Area](https://getnewhouse.ca/blog/what-are-best-fun-activities-in-toronto-in-ontario-in-canada-for-adults), this is an amazing choice. There are well-preserved hiking trails and parks in Burlington. They include the famous Bruce Trail, Niagara Escarpment, Waterfront Trail, Spencer Smith Park, LaSalle Park, and Lowville Park. Burlington also has one of the world’s largest lilac collections in the Royal Botanical Gardens. Your kids can run around the well-tended and well-preserved gardens.
### 4. Easy Travel
Enjoy easy and convenient access to many major GTA highways, including the 403, 401, and 407. Burlington has three GO Transit stations. They include Aldershot GO, Burlington GO, and Appleby GO. These make it easy for travelers to board GO trains, GO buses, and city buses. Burlington is within an hour's drive to Toronto Pearson International Airport and John C. Munro Hamilton. These make it easy for people planning to travel for business and leisure through the International Airport.
### 5. Modern Amenities
Burlington is rich in terms of modern amenities. The city has everything you need limits, from chain stores and supermarkets to family-owned stores. The malls in Burlington offer all the necessary items at an affordable price. There are also verified retail stores for Apple, Sephora, and other prominent brands inside these malls. Libraries, health, and wellness centres inside the city have no limits, along with coffee shops, book stores, and electronic shops.
### 6. Year-round Festival
Burlington kicks off the summer season with a Music Festival in Spencer Smith Park by the lakefront. This festival lasts for days and brings many fun options to the residents. Teen tour band concerts, kid-friendly playgrounds, dancing competitions, and eatery contests are also available. Furthermore, the residents set up exhibitions for their art pieces and stalls for outsiders and residents. The annual Ribfest festival is another popular event in the winter season. Food trucks, vendors, and local business shops operate during the festival. These add to the festival’s existing charm.
You may also like to explore [Best Toronto Suburbs for Families to Live](https://getnewhouse.ca/blog/10-best-toronto-suburbs-for-families-to-live-and-grow)
### 7. Excellent Location
Burlington is one of the best mid-sized cities in Canada. The city location allows residents to benefit from their proximity to Toronto. These help the residents avoid the inflated cost of living found in the core of the GTA. Additionally, some of Canada’s best hospitals are within the city's driving distance.
## Disadvantages of Living in Burlington
Burlington offers its residents good opportunities and reasons to be part of the community. However, it also has drawbacks that hinder a few people. Let us explore the disadvantages of living in Burlington to understand the area better.
### 1. Decline in Population
Burlington's population has declined in the past years. A decrease in a city's population has many factors. They include pandemics, conflicts, low birth rates, resident migration, and many more. The employment rate in the city also suffered because of less demand for basic services such as hotels, restaurants, and shops.
### 2. Limited Transportation
There are only three GO transit stations in Burlington. Those stations are always filled with young millennials making their way to work. Adults and families tend to own cars for shorter commute times. The city highway is also crowded because of the city's proximity to Toronto. The traffic on s 403, 401, and 407 are the worst. It can easily turn a 10-minute drive into an hour-long journey.
### 3. Expensive Housing
Houses in Burlington cost $200,000 more than their surrounding regions because it offers a higher quality of life and better options for professional career growth. Burlington also has fewer real estate listings. The listings are also expensive compared to other cities near Toronto. Therefore, buying your desired house is often an ordeal. Additionally, travelling to major metropolitan hubs from Burlington is shorter. These make the real estate options limited.
## Is Burlington a good place to live and settle down?
Are you looking for a good place to live in Canada? There can be no better option than Burlington. It is one of the safest cities to live in Canada. The city's educational institutions are top-notch. Your children will experience unique learning from elementary to University.
However, it is all based on your personal choice and preferences. If you are planning to settle in Ontario, and can afford it, do consider Burlington as one of the options. Which is your favorite city in Ontario to live and settle down? Do share with us.