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All the Reasons Why Vaughan Might be the City For You
The extension of the TTC Line 1 subway in December 2017 to Vaughan has transformed the city from a sleepy suburb in York Region to a stand-alone, bustling metropolis. With the construction of the subway, many condominiums have been built in the surrounding transit hub, and more are expected in the future. As a result, Vaughan has become a vibrant and dynamic urban community with a pedestrian focus, offering an array of homes, parks, offices, and retail outlets that can rival even Canada’s largest cities. Whether you’re looking to move or make a real estate investment, Vaughan could be the top choice for you.
Is Vaughan a Good Place to Live?
Yes, to put it simply, Vaughan is a fabulous city to live, work, and play. Vaughan offers everything from a busy downtown and arts and cultural scene to lovely parks and convenient transit & shopping. Vaughan, formerly referred as “the city above Toronto,” is now recognized in 2023 as a rising top-tier metropolis.
Downtown Vaughan Metropolitan Centre
The new Metropolitan Centre is establishing Vaughan as a top-tier city. The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) is the city’s new downtown centre, and it is intended to serve as the city’s financial, economic, and cultural centre. This revolutionary master-planned development was proposed to bring 25,000 inhabitants and 11,500 jobs to the city by 2031, but it is already on track to exceed estimates due to increased demand. The completion of the 15-storey KPMG Tower and the PwC building that houses a large YMCA and a Public Library offers residents local employment opportunities.
Within the KPMG Tower are the following companies:
- KPMG
- BMO
- GFL Environmental
- Harley-Davidson Canada
- Marc Anthony Cosmetics
- Miller Thomson
Transportation at the VMC
Many people who are considering moving to Vaughan may be wondering how far is Vaughan from Toronto? Luckily, it only takes a single 45 min ride from the VMC Subway Station to reach downtown Toronto’s Union Station. This great news for any of you who might need to commute to a downtown job as it is a direct ride without any transfers. It’s an even shorter drive (Approx. 30-45 minutes) for those with access to a vehicle.
The VMC Mobility Hub in Downtown Vaughan also houses the Smart VMC bus terminal and the vivaNext bus rapid transit station, connecting residents to places around Toronto and the GTA.
Commuting to School
Students living in the VMC are only a 5-minute drive from York University, 35 minutes from the University of Toronto, and 40 minutes from Metropolitan Toronto University (formerly known as Ryerson University).
For those with younger children, you will find several highly ranked elementary & secondary schools in Vaughan too. The majority of elementary and high schools are located in the more suburban neighbourhoods such as Vellore Village, East Woodbridge, Patterson, Maple, Beverley Glen, and Kleinburg.
Nature Lover’s will Fall in Love with Vaughan’s Nature Reserves
The abundance of trails, local parks, and conservatories in Vaughan provide a rare opportunity to experience nature in the middle of the city.
The famous Kortright Centre for Conservation, located in the northern part of Vaughan, is well-known for its over 800 acres of beautiful forests, meadows, ponds, the Humber River, and a 16 km trail network for hiking and snowshoeing. The Kortright Centre is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, amphibians, and mammals.
The Kortright Centre is also well known for its extensive educational programming on sustainable living, renewable energy, and conservation. The center offers a variety of courses, workshops, and events for all ages, including school programs, camps, and adult workshops.
In addition to its environmental education programs and natural attractions, the Kortright Centre also offers facilities for weddings, corporate events, and other private functions. It has several event spaces, including a banquet hall and a rustic outdoor pavilion.
The Kortright Centre for Conservation is an important destination for those interested in environmental conservation and education in the Toronto area. It is widely recognized as a leader in sustainable living practices and has won several awards for its programming and facilities.
Did You Know? Vaughan is Top Canadian Golf Destination!
Vaughan’s National Golf Club of Canada is often recognized as the best course in Canada. It was designed by famous architect Tom Fazio and has fast, tough greens and dramatic undulations.
What Kind of Shopping and Entertainment Can You Find in Vaughan?
Vaughan Mills Mall, one of Canada’s largest retail complexes at 1.3 million square feet, attracts 13.5 million people every year. It has over 250 retailers and a plethora of high-end outlet shopping, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom Rack, Coach, Hugo Boss, and an enormous Bass Pro Shops.
For those of you who prefer a more boutique shopping experience, Kleinburg Village offers a collection of unique shops and European-inspired cafes and patios. Located in the northwestern edge of Vaughan, you can take a relaxing stroll down Kleinburg’s famed main street lined with historic homes tucked among lush vegetation.
Fun Places to Visit in Vaughan
Canada’s Wonderland is one the GTA’s best amusement parks to visit whether it’s summer or winter! The 330-acre amusement park has over 200 attractions including 17 exciting roller coasters and a 20-acre water park with 17 water slides. While some of the rides close in the winter, Wonderland also hosts a spooky experience during its Halloween Haunt event in the autumn and a spectacular Winterfest event during the holiday season full of festive cheer, ice skating, interactive attractions, crafts, and photos with Santa.
Types of Homes in Vaughan
The Vaughan real estate market is not only limited to condo apartments. It consists of variety of homes:
- Detached houses
- Semi-detached houses
- Townhomes
- Stacked townhouses
- Condo townhouses
- Condo apartments
Although, a significant portion of homes near the VMC are condos, detached homes can be found in neighbourhoods such as Maple, Beverley Glen, Woodbridge, Vellore Village, and Sonoma Heights. All of these suburban neighbourhoods in Vaughan provide a family-friendly lifestyle away from noise and traffic.
House prices in Vaughan have steadily increased throughout the years. Despite interest rates increasing recently; from November 2022 to December 2022, average detached home sale prices increased by 11.8% according to TRREB MLS’s December Market Watch Reports.
Raising a Family in Vaughan
Living in Vaughan means you have the best of both worlds. While you can enjoy the tranquility of its quiet neighbourhoods, you’re never far from transit or stores. Many shops, restaurants, and bus stops are a short walk away.
Furthermore, Vaughan has all of the neighbourhood amenities you could be looking for. Playgrounds, splashpads, tennis courts, skate parks, sports facilities – all are available throughout Vaughan for families to enjoy.
A Multicultural Community
You’ll find the population is quite diverse and multicultural – 105 different languages are spoken and 21% of York Region’s recent immigrants reside here.
Is Buying Vaughan Real Estate Expensive?
Vaughan real estate is not yet as pricey as it is in downtown Toronto, however it is also not notoriously inexpensive either. Vaughan is the fifth most expensive area in the Greater Toronto Area, according to Zolo.
As of January 2023, the average sale prices of homes in Vaughan (according to data from TRREB MLS Market Watch Report):
- Detached home: $1.8M
- Semi-detached: $1.11M
- Townhouses: $1.06M
- Condo apartment: $694K
Many investors choose Vaughan real estate over Toronto real estate because Vaughan condominiums are competitively priced while still having subway connection. Furthermore, townhouses in Vaughan provide additional space for much lower price tag.
The Best Way to Learn About Vaughan
Vaughan is unquestionably one of the best areas in the GTA to buy an investment property. In fact, it is Canada’s sixth richest city. It also boasts a rapidly expanding real estate market with steady annual increases in house prices.
The best way to learn about Vaughan is to visit it yourself. A local and experienced real estate agent will be able to tell you about the different communities and show you properties according to your needs! Often buyers who are looking to move in a few years should also look at pre-construction properties in Vaughan too.