Whether it be the high Toronto real estate prices, the chaotic energy of the city or the need for a larger home with a yard, there are many reasons why some Toronto residents trade the convenience of living in the city with living in a smaller community, despite having to commute into the city for work. With Toronto home prices as high as they have been and with the introduction of higher interest rates bringing down the average sale price of many of the GTA communities that saw substantial gains during the pandemic, now could be a good time to consider making a move to one of the top 10 communities in the GTA with a GO station listed below. Purchasing a home in a community that has a GO station isn’t only beneficial to you if you work in Toronto and need to commute, it is also a selling feature that attracts potential buyers should you decide to sell in the future.
Below is a list of the top 10 communities in the GTA that have a GO station (in no particular order):
#1 Oakville
Oakville is one of the most desirable and affluent communities outside of the City of Toronto. It is home to many executives who commute into Toronto’s Financial District for work. Many professionals choose Oakville as their home due to its good schools, access to the waterfront and reasonable commute time to Toronto via the GO train.
Below are the average sale prices for all property types in Oakville at the time of this blog (August 2022)
Detached $2,035,091
Semi-detached $1,090,045
Townhomes $1,101,040
Condo apartments $938,359
Condo townhomes $829,093
#2 Port Credit
Port credit is known for its stunning waterfront which was rated as number one in the GTA. This family-friendly community consists of a wide range of demographics, including professionals who work in the Financial District and families who are looking for a quieter lifestyle versus living closer to downtown Toronto. Port Credit is home to the Port Credit Yacht club and is a lively spot during the summer months when the weather is nice. The Port Credit GO Train station makes it convenient for professionals to commute to and from work on a daily basis.
Below are the average sale prices for all property types in Mississauga which Port Credit is a part of. The pricing is based on prices at the time of this blog (August 2022)
Detached $1,589,123
Semi-detached $982,556
Townhomes $1,005,494
Condo apartments $628,116
Condo townhomes $798,552
#3 Unionville
Unionville, located in the City of Markham, is one of the most charming communities just north of Toronto. Unionville has a historical main street that consists of many different shops, cafes and restaurants just steps from Toogood Pond where many children and families skate during the winter months. Along with its large beautiful homes and one of the top golf courses in the GTA, Unionville is a popular community for those who are looking for a family friendly community not far from the city.
Below are the average sale prices for all property types in Unionville/City of Markham at the time of this blog (August 2022)
Detached $1,708,333
Semi-detached $1,182,644
Townhomes $1,155,546
Condo apartments $707,776
Condo townhomes $875,375
#4 Markham Village
Similarly to Unionville, Markham Village is the older area of the City of Markham and also includes its very own main street, which, like Unionville, includes many different shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. The area consists of large lots which has resulted in builders tearing down many of the older and dated homes and building new larger luxury homes. The Go station located on Main Street Markham makes it convenient for those who need to commute to Toronto for work. Markham Village is a great community for families who are looking for a place to live with a true small town community vibe.
Below are the average sale prices for all property types in Markham Village/City of Markham at the time of this blog (August 2022)
Detached $1,708,333
Semi-detached $1,182,644
Townhomes $1,155,546
Condo apartments $707,776
Condo townhome $875,375
#5 Vaughan
The City of Vaughan is one of the fastest growing communities in the GTA and includes several small communities within it such as Maple, Kleinburg and Woodbridge. The area consists of both residential homes as well as some newer low-rise and high-rise condo buildings. Vaughan is a desirable community among families and professionals who commute to work as there is easy access to highways such as the 407 (east & west) and 400 (north & south), and it also has its own GO station.
Below are the average sale prices for all property types in Vaughan at the time of this blog (August 2022)
Detached $1,697,375
Semi-detached $1,116,357
Townhomes $1,080,793
Condo apartments $690,996
Condo townhome $931,602
#6 Aurora
Aurora was once a small town but has grown substantially over the years. Although the photo above highlights the beautiful farm land and landscape you will find in the surrounding areas of Aurora, the main area of Aurora where most residents live is made up of residential homes of all sizes. Aurora is also home to large estate size lots in communities with winding tree-lined streets that provide a a good amount of privacy. Aurora has become a popular community for those who commute to work and who appreciate living in a community filled with beautiful homes with spacious lots.
Below are the average sale prices for all property types in Aurora at the time of this blog (August 2022)
Detached $1,625,138
Semi-detached $908,000
Townhomes $987,375
Condo apartments $718,650
Condo townhome $1,116,500
#7 King City
King City is known for its small town vibe, historical homes, large lots and stylish new construction subdivisions. The area has a main street down Keele Street which includes a variety of local shops, restaurants and other businesses. The King City community consists of a variety home types including heritage homes around King Road and Keele Street, large lots with custom homes and bungalows as well as new construction subdivisions that cater to a range of home buyers including first time buyers. For those who are looking for a quieter lifestyle than living in the busy city and who are willing to commute to work, King City might be a good option to consider.
Below are the average sale prices for all property types in the King Township at the time of this blog (August 2022)
Detached $1,912,794
Townhomes $1,108,000
Condo apartments $632,500
#8 Stouffville
Once known for mostly farm land and an older community with a small main street, Stouffville has changed drastically over the last decade and a half. These days, you will find new construction subdivisions that are either brand new or approximately fifteen years old along with an older part of town with homes that have existed for quite some time. Main Street Stouffville has many different shops and businesses along with several restaurants. Although it has grown over the years, it still has a small town vibe to it. Many residents commute to Toronto for work via the GO Train.
Below are the average sale prices for all property types in Stouffville at the time of this blog (August 2022)
Detached $1,414,811
Semi-detached $988,375
Townhomes $956,669
Condo townhome $588,000
#9 Pickering
Twenty years ago you wouldn’t hear about professionals from the city flocking to Pickering. However, Pickering has drastically changed over the years and has a lot to offer those who are looking for a larger home with a larger lot in an area not too far from Toronto. These days you will find many executives who have chosen to call Pickering home. With its beautiful waterfront, sense of community and more, it’s a popular community for those who are looking for more of a suburban vibe while still being close to the city. The Go station and easy access to Highway 401 makes it convenient for those who commute into the city for work.
Below are the average sale prices for all property types in Pickering at the time of this blog (August 2022)
Detached $1,270,758
Semi-detached $902,714
Townhomes $859,336
Condo apartments $609,845
Condo townhome $727,042
#10 Whitby
Whitby is home to several large corporations such as BMW, Sony Canada and others which employ many of the local residents. Like Pickering, Whitby has its own beautiful waterfront and also a historical main street with Heritage buildings. There are a variety of home styles in the area and the pricing is typically more affordable when compared to other communities in the east end of the GTA such as Picking and Markham.
Detached $1,100,690
Semi-detached $857,500
Townhomes $849,250
Condo apartments $681,667
Condo townhome $706,500
With so many great options in the GTA to consider, I’m confident that you will be able to find the right home for you. To assist you with your search, I’ve included the GO system map below which shows all of their stops in the GTA.
Credit: GO Transit
If you are thinking of making a move out of the city to one of these great communities or any other great community in the GTA and have questions about selling, buying or the market in general, feel free to contact me at any time as I am happy to answer your questions for you.
*All sale prices above are based on July 2022 stats which are released in August 2022.
