If you've ever driven north on Hwy. 400 heading towards cottage country, perhaps you stopped off, the outlet mall at Cookstown. On summer weekends, anyway, the area might not boast the lightest traffic, but head off the beaten trail and into surrounding communities such as Bradford and New Tecumseth, and you'll find a lot more than a few bargains to keep you coming back.Maybe even permanently.
Bradford West Gwillimbury
Indeed, Bradford, which in 1991 amalgamated with the former Townships of West Gwillimbury and Tecumseth to form the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, is beloved for its fertile lands and rich soil. Resplendent with lush farmland, including the Holland Marsh – "the carrot capital of Canada" – forests and rivers, this area is an agricultural hotbed in Ontario.The Marsh, itself, comprises about 21,000 acres. Development in this area centres around sensitivity to such natural wonders.With financial and social responsibility in mind, Bradford West Gwillimbury says its administration encourages public participation in the decision-making process for development, to make the area a desirable place to live, work and play.And, it appears to be happening.This area, believe it or not, is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Ontario of at least 5,000 residents. According to the 2016 Census, the population of Bradford West Gwillimbury grew 25.8 per cent to 35,325 from 28,077 in 2011 – good enough for 11th in the province.
New Tecumseth
Located in Simcoe County, New Tecumseth comprises the communities of Alliston, Tottenham and Beeton.These three vibrant urban centres enjoy prosperous activity in agriculture, honey production, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing. Proximity to the 400 series highways and Hwy. 50 affords easy access to the GTA to the south and Kitchener-Waterloo to the west, among other areas, which is all conducive to business growth.Given such prosperity, people are moving here to live and to do business. According to the town's economic development office, 35 per cent of residents have moved here within the last five years. Housing development naturally follows, and several builders have projects underway here.
Location, location, location
•
Bradford West GwillimburyPopulation 35,32578 kms north of Toronto•
New TecumsethPopulation 34,24287 kms north of Toronto
Select upcoming housing developments, Bradford West Gwillimbury
•
Dreamfields by
CountryWide Homes, detached homes•
Dreamfields by
Aspen Ridge Homes, detached homes• The Forest by
National Homes, detached homes
Select upcoming housing developments, New Tecumseth
•
Willow Glen by
Brookfield Residential, townhomes•
Greenridge by
Flato Group, detached homes and townhomes•
Beeton Creek at West Country by
FarSight Homes, detached homes