What makes Oshawa and Whitby the next hot new home destinations?

As prospective homebuyers have looked outside the Toronto core in search of more affordable lowrise homes in recent years, many of them have headed to Hamilton, Burlington, Milton and other points west.

This migration may soon change.

Indeed, according to the ReMax 2021 Housing Market Outlook, Durham is poised for strong growth, post-COVID-19.

ReMax expects the Durham housing market to continue to see a healthy amount of interest and activity over the next 12 months.

In fact, ReMax expects Durham to be one of the hottest markets in Ontario for the balance of the year, forecasting a 14-per-cent increase in average residential prices, compared to just six per cent for Ontario overall.

As for the new home market, the Building Industry and Land Development Association reports total new home sales of 55 in February 2021, compared to 76 in February 2020 and just 19 in 2019.

Convenient natural location just east of Toronto along Hwy. 401 is among the reasons Whitby and Oshawa draw attention. With Whitby just 59 kms from Toronto and Oshawa 62, commuting is a real option – particularly with recent GO Transit improvements and the expansion of Hwy. 407.

Expanding attractions

As with any growing municipality, Whitby and Oshawa 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, Durham forms the east end of the GTA. Whitby 59 km from Toronto, Oshawa 62 km. Durham population 645,862; Oshawa 159,458; Whitby 128,377.

Key landmarks

• Lynde Shores Conservation Area
• Oshawa Botanical Gardens
• Oshawa Centre
• Tribute Communities Centre

Select housing developments

OSHAWA

• Dreamscape
  By Fieldgate Homes
  fieldgatehomes.com
  
• Eastmore Village
  By Delpark Homes
  eastmorevillage.ca
  
• O North Urban Towns
  By Greycrest Homes
  greycresthomes.com
  
• UC Uptowns
  By Tribute Communities
  ucuptowns.ca
• Whitby Meadows
  By Fieldgate Homes
  fieldgatehomes.com
• Winchester Estates
  By Menkes Developments
  menkes.com

WHITBY

• Whitby Meadows
  By Paradise Developments
  paradisedevelopments.com
  
• Station No. 3
  By Brookfield Residential
  brookfieldresidential.com
  
• The Trails of Country Lane
  By Heathwood Homes
  heathwood.com