Is Pickering in Ontario (Canada) a Good Place to Live?
Have you heard of Pickering, a beautiful city located in Southern Ontario? Are you looking for a new house? Are you thinking, Is Pickering (Ontario) a good place to live? Is it safe to move in? What are the pros and cons of living in sub-urban cities? Let's get answers to your queries.
Pickering (Southern Ontario)
Pickering is a unique city to settle down in Southern Ontario. It is primarily a residential community, family-friendly with parks, cultural attractions, and great outdoor recreation opportunities. Are you considering moving to Pickering or debating a different city in Ontario? It is essential to look at what the city entails.
Pickering was officially incorporated in 2000. There were over 90,000 residents, according to the 2016 census. It offers features of an enormous city, scenery, amenities, and a strong sense of community while maintaining a small-town feel.
Its proximity and easy access to Toronto while ensuring a slower-paced lifestyle make many people consider moving to this idyllic area. Languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and Arabic are also spoken around the town, although the majority still speak English.
Don't miss to explore Ajax, another beautiful city in Southern Ontario and also know if Ajax is a good place to live.
Pickering Lifestyle
Pickering is perfect for people wanting to provide their families with a suburban lifestyle. It offers anything a large city will have such as recreation centers, shopping malls, community events, and many more. It is also a major attraction for those who wish to escape the concrete jungle. The city center has over 200 shops, including Sears and The Bay. So you can spend your afternoon shopping in a quiet, suburban community. Your kids are also safe, and you get to do any activity you love doing when living in the city.
Pickering's strong sense of community is also one of the many things that draw people to it. The city has a wide range of cultural and art events. These allow the people to view and participate in exhibits, shows, and theatre. The Pickering Museum Village also shows the pride of the community while offering a glimpse back at those who came before. The city has theatres while ensuring the love of arts and culture stays alive with music from local talent.
Enjoying nature comes by itself for those living in this city. It has hectares of open space, beautiful parks, waterfront, and beach area. Your children can enjoy their evening at the lakeside splash pad while you enjoy the unique boutiques, restaurants, and live music.
The city's breathtaking scenery gives a mind-blowing experience while taking a quiet stroll through nature. Connect with nature without leaving the comfort of your city.
Housing in Pickering
Pickering is one of the most affordable cities out of the 23 regions of the Greater Toronto Area. The average housing price in Pickering is around $1.1 million, which is affordable compared to other cities. However, the hot housing market seems to have cooled off a bit! Let's see will the housing market crash in Ontario or its just a little price correction of the overpriced real estate industry!
The Province of Ontario has also designated Pickering as an urban growth center to receive more development allowances and population.
There are several areas where you can choose to live in. Places like Claremont are best if you are interested in stepping back from city life and having a rural feel.
The Frenchman Bay area is perfect for people that enjoy staying in the city.
Smack dab is also a stone's throw from transportation, dining, shopping, and other modern activities.
Amberlea, Duffin Heights, and Rosebank offer a more traditional, suburban setting to settle down and raise a family. Do you know about any other good to go places in this city?
Education in Pickering
The education offered in Pickering will set your children up for success no matter your choice of the school board. The schools are excellent and fall nothing short of providing the best schools your children need The Durham District School Board, Durham Catholic District School Board, and others have schools operating in the city.
Institutes like Blaisdale Montessori School and Durham College/Centennial College have several complementary courses and classes. There are also private schools like Pickering Christian School and Wasdell Academy. Additionally, the University of Toronto is just a few kilometers from Pickering.
Pros of Living in Pickering
Here are some of the advantages of moving to a sub-urban city with a relatively less population and open spaces:
1. Convenient and Affordable
Pickering has access to major freeways and is close to big cities, making it a great option for commuters. It is also a top choice for people who want to find higher-paying jobs at corporations. Other cities within a short commuting distance include Whitby, Brampton, and Aurora.
Anyone who knows about housing in Canada knows cities close to the Greater Toronto Area are super expensive. But Pickering is more affordable than other parts of the GTA.
The median price of a house in Toronto is much higher than its suburbs. However, the cost of a house in Pickering is still affordable. So, Pickering is a good choice if you want to live in this region. With that said, prices have risen in recent years and are likely to continue to do so.
2. Better Outdoor Recreation
Pickering is located on the shores of Lake Ontario, creating excellent outdoor recreation activities. Being able to explore the lakefront at its perks is a phenomenal experience. Some properties also allow people to rent surfboards and head out onto the water.
Pickering is also an excellent city for cycling, biking, and hiking trails. You can also go to Frenchman’s Bay Harbour to see the boats at the dock and walk around the marina near the water to enjoy its natural beauty. Other recreation activities include boating, sailing, and swimming.
3. Excellent Arts and Culture
Pickering is a great place to know cultures and have fun. This city, one of the best Toronto suburbs has several excellent arts and culture initiatives. The city hosts events throughout the year like Arts Unleashed and Culture Days to celebrate arts and culture. The Pickering Museum Village also helps preserve its history, allowing trips for students and teachers. The residents and guests can also learn about the history of Pickering.
4. Better Employment Opportunity
Living in Pickering provides good job prospects. Pickering Nuclear Generating Station has the largest employer with more than 4,5000 employees. Other major employers in Pickering include Rogers Communication, Norinco Manufacturing, Purdue Pharma Canada, and Signature Aluminum Canada Inc. etc.
Not only this, Pickering's proximity to Toronto allows residents to maximize their job prospects by looking for work in the city.
Also, don't miss to learn 7 Reasons to Live in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
Is Pickering a good place to live?
So, what can you conclude after analyzing the pros of living in this sub-urban city of Ontario. Pickering is a good place to live and one of the preferred Ontario cities with great outdoor recreation, and employment opportunities. There is also quick access to Toronto, and generally affordable housing for the region. What more to look for?
If you are staying in Pickering or planning to move there, let us know is it a good place to live. Do share your experiences and suggestions. And what do you prefer, detached or semis, or pre-construction or new construction condo units? Whichever you choose, take a wise decision.
Last Updated:
2022-12-07