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12.12.2021 | Community

The Ultimate Guide to Living in Burlington Ontario

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Are you thinking about moving to Burlington Ontario? You’d be in great company!

95% of Burlington residents rank their lives as either good or excellent, and the city was named one of the best places to live and raise a family in Canada by Maclean’s Magazine. 

Burlington is nestled between two incredible geographical features, Lake Ontario, and the Niagara Escarpment. A safe and friendly community with an abundance of beautiful green space, a stunning waterfront, and a diverse economy, the city is an incredible place to live and raise a family. 

5 Fun Facts about Burlington 

  1. The city closes a road once a year for a salamander crossing. The Jefferson Salamander is on the endangered list in Ontario, and many of them have made Burlington home. So, every year, the city closes King Road for three weeks to allow safe crossing to their preferred breeding ground. 
  2. The first Canadian peach was grown in Burlington, as farming was once a significant industry in the city (the area was known as the Garden of Canada). 
  3. Scenes from the 200 film X-Men were filmed at Spencer Smith Park (as a stand-in for New York’s Liberty Island). Both Jim Carrey and Ryan Gosling spent time in high schools in Burlington, and Robert Bateman was once an art and geography teacher at Nelson and Lord Elgin High Schools.
  4. Burlington is home to the Royal Botanical Gardens, which houses one of the largest lilac collections in the world. Displaying 745 plants, the Katie Osborne Lilac Garden is a beautiful and diverse collection. 
  5. Two festivals hosted in Burlington, The Sound of Music, and RibFest are the largest free festivals of their kind in the country, attracting somewhere around 200,000 people each year. 

Demographics 

  • Population – 183, 314 
  • Median Household Income – $93, 580
  • Median Age – 43 
  • 53.5% of the population is married 
  • 64% are working age between 15-64 

(Based on Statistics Canada Census 2016)

There’s Always Something Fun to Do! 

Burlington is a family-friendly community with all the urban amenities, so it’s easy to find entertainment!  Have fun being active with waterfront activities or hiking along the Bruce Trail. The city has 31.6 kilometres of multi-use trails and 84 kilometres of multi-use pathways along roads. You’ll also find 119 parks and 5.6 kilometres of parkland on the shore of Lake Ontario.

After a day on the trails, stop by the world-renowned Royal Botanical Gardens, visit the Art Gallery of Burlington, or take in a show at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. 

You can also visit downtown for a wide array of high-end boutiques, cozy cafes, and delicious bakeries. From quaint small businesses to big box stores and two shopping centres, you’re sure to find everything you need. 

Living and Working in Burlington 

Burlington’s agricultural and commercial roots continue to shine through, while sectors such as manufacturing, and logistics continue to grow. More than 85,000 people are employed in over 13,000 businesses throughout the city.  

Close to Toronto and Hamilton, many Burlington residents enjoy living in a smaller community while working in a major city for the best of both worlds. 

As the hub of the Golden Horseshoe, Burlington has a solid economic base with room for growth. Businesses can recruit from a skilled, educated workforce or more than two million people within a 45-minute commute. 

Education 

Burlington is part of the Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic School Board, and the French Catholic School Board, with a variety of top-notch public, French Immersion, Catholic and private schools. 

Living in Burlington also puts you close to McMaster University and Mohawk College in Hamilton, and the Oakville Campus of Sheridan College.  

Burlington Neighbourhoods

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North Burlington 

Rural Burlington is the perfect area for those looking for country living. You’ll find stunning homes on large, mature lots with beautiful views. 

Alton Village is a newer community with everything you need just a short walk away. Perfect for those looking for a tranquil space close to every amenity. 

Tyandaga is a beautiful neighbourhood full of larger, estate-like homes, and is filled with parks, a golf course, and lovely trails. 

Aldershot is a more mature area of Burlington, close to The Bay, with wide tree-lined streets, a variety of housing options and a quaint village feel. 

Brant Hills is a family-oriented area in the north end of Burlington, close to the Bruce Trail, with easy access to golf courses, Burlington’s core, and highways, for those commuting to Toronto. 

Headon Forest is a well-established family neighbourhood, with plenty of detached homes on large, mature lots. It’s perfect for growing families! 

Millcroft is a prestigious golf-course community made up of beautifully landscaped homes, many of which back onto the Millcroft Golf Course. 

The Orchard backs onto Bronte Creek Provincial Park and is a family-oriented community with a wide variety of housing options.  

Mountainside is a mature community with plenty of large, beautiful lots close to the Hamilton Mountain. With a mix of new and old housing, the area offers something for everyone. 

Palmer is a mature neighbourhood close to Headon Forest, with plenty of single-family homes on nice-sized lots. You’ll find a great family feel with many locally owned businesses and services. 

Tansley is a central neighbourhood with options for everyone, no matter their stage of life. You’ll find all the amenities you need, including the Tansley Woods Community Centre with an indoor pool, play area, and party rooms. 

Corporate is not just about industry. You’ll find a wide variety of homes to choose from in a growing neighbourhood close to all the city’s amenities. 

South Burlington 

Plains is a beautiful neighbourhood with everything you need within walking distance. You’re close to the GO station, making it the perfect area for young couples. 

Maple is a lively neighbourhood with a mix of homes, including new condos and townhouses being developed. It is a great place for young couples beginning their families. 

Dynes is in the heart of Burlington, close to downtown, Lake Ontario, and the QEW, just minutes away from Oakville. 

Longmoor is centrally located in the heart of Burlington, with easy highway access, beautiful parks and recreation activities, and an abundance of lovely shops. 

Pinedale is a commuter’s dream. With a GO station, parks, trails, and a bike path, it’s a perfect escape from the city after work. 

Roseland is a beautiful area to live, with a mix of new and older homes. Close to downtown and Lake Ontario, this area has everything you need. 

Shoreacres is characterized by incredible sprawling private lots and quiet, mature tree-lined streets. You’ll find the Paletta mansion and the Lakeshore Strip with stunning homes. 

Elizabeth Gardens is a quiet neighbourhood on the Burlington/Oakville border, near the shores of Lake Ontario. 

Living in Burlington 

Right in the heart of Southern Ontario, Burlington is a beautiful family-oriented community made up of diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own unique feel. In between Hamilton and Toronto, the city offers the best of both worlds, close to large urban centres, while maintaining a wonderful community feel. Burlington is a sustainable and prosperous city and is an excellent mix of urban fun and quiet community living.