It’s February, love is in the air – and there’s no better time to share my love for my hometown of Burlington.
During the pandemic, a lot of buyers ended up looking a lot further outside of Toronto than they would have when in-office work was the norm. This allowed them to stretch their dollars further and get more bang for their buck with bigger homes on more land. Many were finally able to get that backyard they always wanted, four walls to call their own in a detached house, or a location a little closer to the green spaces they love.
They ended up discovering new cities, towns, and neighbourhoods they hadn’t considered or even known about – one of those is Burlington. My family and I have lived there since long before the pandemic, and for good reason: we love the easy access to highways, the great schools, and everything else the city has to offer. But the biggest bonus is how close we are to nature: living in Burlington means we’re always within a walk or a short drive to amazing parks, conservation areas, and naturalized green spaces.
There’s a lot to love in Burlington – including some truly amazing neighbourhoods. Here’s a quick list of my top 5:
Photo credit: property.ca
The Orchard
For me, this one is #1 because it’s the one I call home. But I’m not alone in my fondness for this neighbourhood: once homeowners establish themselves here, they rarely leave.
Named after the old apple orchards on which the area was built, this is a cozy community that was clearly designed with families in mind. A quick drive will take you past multiple parks, arenas, walking trails, retail, and no fewer than seven schools. And you have direct access to Bronte Provincial Park via the Bronte Park ravine, with incredible views year round.
Photo credit: property.ca
Millcroft
This neighbourhood attracts two kinds of buyers: families looking to upsize into larger homes with bigger lots and wide, tree-lined roads and downsizers looking for “lock up and go” executive towns. Golfers love it too – many homes border Millcroft Golf Club, a tight but conveniently located course that runs right through the middle of this pretty neighbourhood.
There’s great access to many schools, retail and natural spaces. This is definitely a higher-end area: the average Millcroft detached home will run you close to the $2M mark. But you still get way more square footage for your money than you would in the 416.
Photo credit: burlingtonculturalmap.ca
Shoreacres
Shoreacres is a beloved (and highly coveted) area for a few reasons. It has a wonderful mix of charming older homes with big lots and newer builds and renovated properties that have been attracting well-heeled professionals and young families from out of town. John Tuck and St. Raphael are some of the top-rated schools in the province. And if you take a quick walk down the road, you’ll see lakefront megamansions, the lovely historic Palletta Park and Mansion event space – and truly magnificent views of the lake.
Photo credit: City of Burlington
Tansley
Tansley has a variety of options when it comes to home types, with condos, towns, and larger detached homes with space to spare. And you’re close to the incredible Tansley Woods Community Centre, which has multiple pools, a library, and other helpful resources. Food options are fantastic, with lots of health food stores like Nature’s Emporium and restaurants such as (one of my go-tos) El Inka Peruvian restaurant. And of course (and this is a recurring theme in Burlington!), there’s easy access to walking trails and peaceful wooded areas nearby.
Photo credit: Parks Canada
Aldershot
Don’t think I forgot to include a more affordable option! If you’re looking for a home that won’t break the bank (as much), Aldershot definitely has some options. Located in the westernmost part of Burlington (bordering Hamilton), it’s where you’ll find older homes that need a bit of TLC, but are on generous lots and simply require your personal touch.
This is also one of those places where there are lots of mature trees – and friendly neighbours who will be happy to lend you a cup of sugar. Plus, this area is home to the Aldershot GO station, which makes commuting into TO pretty easy.
An added bonus is the nearby Royal Botanical Gardens. It’s the largest botanical garden in Canada – you can wander the gorgeous 2,400 acres (it may take you a few trips to see it all!), exploring the local flora and fauna.
Want to check out some homes in one of these wonderful Burlington neighbourhoods? Get in touch – I’ll take you for a tour, and we can stop for a coffee at my favourite local spot.