Guelph – future ready, here and now

Known as the “Royal City” for its historic connection to the British royal family, Guelph has been transitioning for years, from a small university town into one of the province’s fastest growing and well-balanced economies.

And that means growth, employment and opportunity.

Boasting a healthy local economy, with growing agriculture, education, healthcare and manufacturing sectors, Guelph continues to attract newcomers – yes, students attending the well-known University of Guelph – but also a skilled labour force and homebuyers looking for lifestyle and better affordability than in the Greater Toronto Area.

“Guelph is the perfect location for homebuyers seeking to make the most of life’s experiences,” Shelley Barclay, new home sales specialist at Terra View Homes, one of the area’s homebuilders, told NextHome. “From our expansive trails and waterways to internationally recognized arts and cultural events, to diverse restaurants and craft breweries, the Royal City has something for everyone.

“It’s one of Canada’s fastest growing communities, and boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country,” she says.

Adds another local homebuilder, Mike Taylor, managing partner of Granite Homes, “Guelph has a lot to offer to homebuyers, from its strong job market, particularly with institutions such as the University of Guelph, to a variety of recreational options in its numerous parks and trails. Guelph’s sense of community and relatively affordable housing compared to larger Ontario cities make it an attractive place to settle down. Additionally, Guelph is well-connected by major highways and public transit, enhancing its accessibility.”

"A lot of what makes Guelph so appealing to homebuyers comes down to a combination of sustained development and a deep understanding of the community's needs,” says Jennifer Muller, vice-president of sales, marketing and culture, Reid’s Heritage Homes. “We've been building in the area for more than 45 years, and we've seen firsthand how the city's unique blend of opportunities, from career prospects to community involvement, continues to draw people in. Guelph is a self-sustaining city with great proximity to major highways, making it an ideal location for those who value both convenience and quality of life. The presence of the University of Guelph plays a big role too, driving local innovation, creating jobs and fostering a vibrant student community. Add to that the relative affordability compared to the GTA, and it's easy to see why so many are choosing to make Guelph their home.”

FROM PAST TO PRESENT

Innovation has always been part of Guelph’s history: The wire coat hanger was invented here in the 1920s; it’s where five-pin bowling was invented; a University of Guelph research team created the Yukon Gold potato; and the city was home to North America’s first cable TV system. Perhaps the most memorable, Colonel John McCrae, author of the poem “In Flanders Fields,” was born and raised in Guelph.

Respectfully, though, while celebrating the past is important, today, Guelph is all about progress.

Indeed, local city-building and community development is guided by the Guelph. Future Ready Strategic Plan. Approved in 2019, the plan guided city council’s priorities and staff’s work towards making Guelph an inclusive, connected, prosperous city “where we look after each other and our environment.” In June 2024, the city released data that showed as of December 2023, 77 per cent of the strategic initiatives in the Future Ready plan were either completed or have been significantly advanced.

The city now looks ahead to the next stage with Future Guelph Strategic Plan for 2024-27, designed to build on the successes of the previous strategic plan.

Key to the city’s growth is an emphasis on advanced manufacturing, among the largest employers, as well as educational services, agri-food and biotechnology.

The renown University of Guelph, in fact, is one of Canada’s top comprehensive universities. The veterinary medicine program ranks first in Canada, third in North America and in the top 10 worldwide. U of G is ranked No. 5 in Canada in Maclean’s University Rankings in 2024 in the Comprehensive category, and tops in research dollars. The Ontario Agricultural College is ranked No. 1 in Canada for agricultural science and helps put the school 18th in the world for food science and technology.

Guelph benefits from a strong location, situated just north of Hwy. 401, affording easy access to Toronto in the east and London to the west. It also connects to Hwy. 7 for travel to Kitchener-Waterloo and Acton, and Hwy. 6 for access to Hamilton to the south.

HAPPY GUELPHITES

All of this has local residents feeling pretty good about life in Guelph. Nine in 10 Guelphites, in fact, feel they have a good quality of life, and are happy with City services, according to a June 2024 survey.

The survey, conducted between March 22 and April 8, asked residents to share information about satisfaction with the current level of City programs and services, views toward property taxes, overall decision-making and priority-setting, equity in service delivery, customer service, communication, and their perception of quality of life in Guelph.

“The survey results show that the pressures of inflation, increased cost of living, and housing affordability are impacting Guelph residents, as is the case in communities all across Canada,” says Jodie Sales, general manager, Strategy Initiatives and Intergovernmental Services. “Despite these pressures, the satisfaction survey indicates that Guelph residents overall feel they have a good quality of life and are satisfied with the services provided by the City. We recognize there is more work to be done to continue improving services to the community in areas of affordable housing, equity and accessibility.”

Among the most important issues facing the city, according to the survey, are housing availability and affordability.

HOUSING MARKET

Like most housing markets in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada, Guelph has experienced some spotty results recently – but things are looking up.

Results from the Guelph and District Association of Realtors for June 2024 show that sales and prices were down from June 2023, but are showing signs of recovery, with plenty of choice for buyers.

“Sales activity may have declined from last June, but actually pulled together a surprisingly strong surge compared to the last several months,” says association President Dillon Fraser. “Whether this was simply a number of buyers finally taking advantage of the many great deals available on the market, or sidelined homebuyers taking the Bank of Canada’s rate cut as a signal that rates are no longer climbing, remains to be seen over the coming summer months. Regardless of the reason, our inventories remain at above-average levels and prospective buyers should take note that the level of choice in the current market hasn’t been this plentiful in several years.”

The MLS Home Price Index was $816,100 in June 2024, a decline of 3.9 per cent compared to June 2023. The benchmark price for single-family homes was $915,300, down by 3.5 per cent on a year-over-year basis in June. By comparison, the benchmark price for townhouse/row units was $676,000, a decrease of 3.5 per cent, while condos were $533,600, a reduction of 3.6 per cent from year-ago levels. The average price of homes sold in June 2024 was $917,879, a small reduction of 2.7 per cent from June 2023.

NEW HOME DEVELOPMENT

When it comes to city-building – in the literal sense – it appears here, too, Guelph is on the ball. In 2023, the city met 98 per cent of its housing target by starting 1,287 housing units out of its 1,320-unit target. This resulted in a $4.68-million grant from Ontario’s Building Faster Fund.

And, true to its official direction of caring for the environment, the city strives to make homes more energy efficient. The Guelph Greener Homes program, for example, is underway with more than 74 residential energy retrofit projects completed to date, another 73 under construction and more than 350 program registrants.

“For more than 30 years, Terra View Homes has proudly been building award-winning communities in Guelph and surrounding communities – where we ourselves live, work and play,” says Barclay. “We believe that it is our responsibility to lead by example and practice environmentally conscious building. We were one of the first area homebuilders to build Energy Star homes, exclusively, and are now leading the way with Net Zero and other Green technologies. Today, all of our communities are built entirely to a Net Zero Ready standard. These homes are 80-per-cent more energy efficient than those constructed at the current regulated building code, helping homeowners greatly reduce their carbon footprint, utility bills and live a healthier lifestyle.”

True to the appeal of greater affordability in Guelph, Terra View and Granite both report a wide range of buyers, from those in search of larger homes for their growing families, and even younger first-time buyers.

“Our company is currently offering a vibrant community in Guelph called Argyle Village, which is perfect for first-time homebuyers and investors alike,” says Muller. “We're providing a range of options, including urban stacked townhomes and rear lane townhomes, all located right in the heart of the city. The area is well-established with amenities, and it's conveniently connected by great bus routes, especially in the south end of Guelph. The homes range from 800 to 1,500 sq. ft., catering to a variety of needs and lifestyles. We're also excited about another upcoming community, Block on Clair, which has already generated a lot of interest and buzz. With so many options, we're confident that buyers will find something that suits their needs in Guelph.”

“Our Northside community appeals to a wide range of homebuyers,” says Granite’s Taylor, referring to the company’s offering of two-bedroom, two-bathroom stacked townhomes in North Guelph. “Young professionals are drawn to the modern, well-designed living spaces, while downsizers appreciate the convenience and low maintenance. First-time homebuyers are attracted by the relatively affordable pricing and the opportunity to enter the real estate market.”

SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

When it comes to fun and entertainment in Guelph, in addition to plentiful trails and access to nature, Guelph also excels in the festivals department. The renown annual Hillside Summer Festival and Hillside Inside are three-day, multi-stage events hosting musicians, spoken word artists and other workshops, on Guelph Lake Island. This year’s event, held July 19 to 21, featured accomplished Canadian musicians Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and Ashley MacIsaac.

In the heart of the historic downtown area, Sleeman Centre serves as Guelph’s premiere venue for sports and entertainment. The 5,000-seat facility hosts sporting and family events, trade shows, conferences, large-scale concerts and public ceremonial events, and notably is home to the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League.

The city also has Guelph Little Theatre, Guelph Concert Theatre and River Run Centre.

Location, location, location

Located in Southwestern Ontario; population 143,740; 95 km from Toronto; 22 km east of Kitchener-Waterloo

Key landmarks

• Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate
• Gow’s Bridge
• Riverside Park
• The Sleeman Centre
• University of Guelph
• University of Guelph Arboretum
• Wellington Brewery

Select housing developments

Argyle Village | Guelph
By Reid’s Heritage Homes
Stacked and rear lane townhomes
reidsheritagehomes.com

Belwood Estates | Fergus
By Geranium
Bungalow and two-story estate homes in golf community
geranium.com

Hart Village | South Guelph
By Terra View Homes
Net Zero Ready semis, move-in ready and pre-construction 30-ft. singles, 40- and 45-ft. conservation lots
terra-view.com

Nima Trails | Northeast Guelph
By Terra View Homes
Move-in ready and pre-construction 36.7- and 40-ft. Net Zero Ready singles
terra-view.com

Northside | North Guelph
By Granite Homes
Two-bedroom, two-bathroom stacked townhomes
granitehomes.ca

Moffat Creek | East Galt
By Terra View Homes
Premium Net Zero Ready singles on 36-ft. walkout conservation lots and 38-ft. walkout and lookout lots on private cul-de-sac
terra-view.com

South River | Elora
By Granite Homes
Townhomes and single-detached homes
granitehomes.ca

The Birches | East Galt
By Granite Homes
Farmhouse style townhomes
granitehomes.ca