Oshawa and Whitby maintaining affordability, growing in appeal
August 31, 2022
As prospective homebuyers look outside the Toronto core in search of more affordable homes, more and more buyers are heading east. Communities such as Oshawa and Whitby have plenty going for them – close enough to Toronto to benefit from easy transit and highway access, but also sufficiently distant to boast their own small-town characteristics.
Not to mention, it is home to some of the more affordable homebuying destinations in Ontario.In its 2022 Housing Affordability Report, in fact, ReMax cites Oshawa as one of the most affordable areas in the province.
Another realty firm, Royal LePage, shows strong home price growth in Oshawa and Whitby. The condo segments, in particular, are outperforming their counterparts in markets such as Toronto and Mississauga, on a year-over-year basis.
New home development is also seeing some notable growth. For example, Tribute Communities is expanding its U.C. Tower condo community with the introduction of U.C. Tower 3. Sharing a podium with U.C. Tower 2, this latest offering is designed to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers, with a variety of suite designs and sizes, and top-notch amenities and features.
What’s the appeal in the east? Its convenient natural location just east of Toronto along Hwy. 401 is among the reasons, with Pickering just 40 km from downtown, Ajax 46, Whitby 59 and Oshawa 62. Living in these areas and commuting into the city is a real option – particularly with recent GO Transit improvements and the expansion of Hwy. 407.
Expanding attractions
As with any growing municipalities, these areas also offer expanding amenity and retail options. The Oshawa Centre, for example, is the largest shopping complex in Durham and is home to more than 230 outlets. And in downtown Oshawa, of course, there’s a variety of unique shops and restaurants.
Nature is also front and centre, as Oshawa is home to wildlife preserves such as the Pumphouse Marsh, Second Marsh and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve. Oshawa Botanical Gardens boasts North America’s largest contemporary peony collection, and on Oshawa’s Lake Ontario shoreline, Lakeview Park offers many picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields, a waterfront pier and sandy beaches.
In Whitby, more than 100 parks, more than 60 kilometres of trails, including the Bio-Diversity Trail, the Cullen Central Park Trails, Otter Creek Trail and the Whitby Shores Waterfront Trail, await residents. The 670-acre Lynde Shores Conservation area is known for its wildlife and provides habitat for nesting birds.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Located east of Toronto, east GTA comprises Pickering, 40 km from Toronto, population 91,771; Ajax 46 km, population 121,780; Whitby 59 km, population 128,377; Oshawa 62 km, population 159,458
KEY LANDMARKS
Casino Ajax
Claremont Conservation Area
Frenchman’s Bay
Greenwood Conservation Area
Petticoat Creek
Pickering Town Centre
Veterans’ Point Garden
SELECT CONDO DEVELOPMENTS
Four Sixteen Condos
By Kaleido Developments
416whitby.com
Treehouse Studios
By Karmina Developments
karminadevelopments.com
U.C. Tower 3 Condos
By Tribute Communities
uctower2.ca
The Landing Whitby Harbour
By Carttera
carttera.com
About Wayne Karl
Wayne Karl is an award-winning writer and editor with experience in real estate and business. Wayne explores the basics – such as economic fundamentals – you need to examine when buying property. wayne.karl@nexthome.ca