There’s a lot to love about living in Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes, which is why both areas have been growing steadily in recent years, welcoming relocators from across Ontario, Canada, and beyond.
However, moving to a new area isn’t always easy, especially if you’re not too familiar with the local landscape. One challenge in particular for many incoming buyers is finding the right community. As long-standing local real estate agents (and proud locals), we’re here to help.
In this blog, we’ll touch on just about everything you need to know about Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes – including each area’s top communities. Let’s get started!
Jump to Section
- A World of Opportunity
- Where is Durham Region?
- Where is Kawartha Lakes?
- What Makes a Great Neighbourhood?
- Top Communities in Durham Region
- Top Communities in Kawartha Lakes
- Making Your Move
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A World of Opportunity
Home to great people, welcoming communities, beautiful scenery, and endless educational and employment opportunities, there’s a lot to love about living in Durham Region or Kawartha Lakes.
Actually Affordable Housing
One of the most compelling reasons to start your home search in Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes is affordability. Out here, you’ll find some of Ontario’s most accessible communities – including some of the few places where you can still find properties under 1 million dollars near the Greater Toronto Area.
Communities For Everyone
Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes boast a variety of wonderful communities, each with something special to offer. No matter what your perfect neighbourhood looks like, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from as you search for your new home.
Interested in Country Living?
Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes are both great regions to explore if you’re thinking about transitioning to life in the country.
Sought-after neighbourhoods like Brock Township, Blackstock/Nestleton, Greenbank/Seagrave, rural Kawartha Lakes, and Sunderland are peaceful and private yet within reach of larger communities. Not to mention, there are plenty of desirable rural properties out here too.
When we say rural, we don’t just mean farms and agricultural properties. Thanks to the area’s unique geography, there are lots of amazing cabin-style and waterfront homes in Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes as well.
Where is Durham Region?
Durham Region is big – 2,500+ square kilometres big to be exact! If you’re looking at a map, it’s just east of Toronto. From there, it stretches along the shores of Lake Ontario eastbound all the way to Northumberland County. From the lake, the area reaches as far north as the eastern shores of Lake Simcoe. Altogether, Durham Region is home to about 700,000 people.
Moving out of Toronto? You’ll find even more helpful advice in these blog posts!
- How to Maximize Your First Home by Moving Outside of Toronto
- Can I Hire a Toronto Realtor® in Durham Region?
- 5 Things to Know Before You Buy a Home in the Country
Where is Kawartha Lakes?
On the map, the City of Kawartha Lakes is just east of Durham Region. However, if you type Kawartha Lakes in your GPS, you might notice that there’s no individual town with this name – so, why is that?
Kawartha Lakes isn’t like your typical city where you’ve got a handful of close-quarter neighbourhoods surrounding a single centre. Instead, Kawartha Lakes is actually made up of 24 different towns and villages, which are spread out across a 3,000 square kilometre area.
Just like Durham Region, one of Kawartha Lakes’ best features is its location. In fact, some residents commute to the city daily for work. It’s a fairly reasonable commute if you’re driving, but there are also reliable transportation options.
As you might expect, water is a big part of life in Kawartha Lakes. In fact, many Kawartha Lakes communities are connected by the Trent Severn Waterway, a scenic 386km water route connecting rivers, lakes, locks and canals across Ontario. In the warmer months, residents often travel from one community to the next by boat, canoe, or kayak instead of driving.
Kawartha Lakes’ Lock 32 (located in Bobcaygeon) was actually the first lock built on the waterway. It’s one of many popular hotspots for mooring, boat camping, picnicking, and beyond.
What Makes a Great Neighbourhood?
When it comes to finding a place that truly feels like home, picking the right neighbourhood is just as important as choosing a property. So, what makes a great neighbourhood?
A Sense of Community
First and foremost, a great neighbourhood should have a strong sense of community. When local residents are proud and passionate about their neighbourhood, it creates a welcoming and rewarding environment.
Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes are all about community, and the local spirit is tough to miss! Along with the general atmosphere of connectivity, every community and neighbourhood hosts local events, festivals, and celebrations throughout the year to bring people together and enjoy what makes each place special.
Schools & Education
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect family home, one important detail to consider is education. Your kids’ school will play a big role in their development, so it’s a good idea to do your research in advance. Luckily, Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes are home to a number of great schools for all ages and grades.
Top Communities in Durham Region
When some people think about Durham Region, they really just think about the larger cities and towns right outside of Toronto. In reality, there’s much more to Durham Region than just Oshawa or Ajax.
If we zoom in on North Durham, you’ll find some of the most unique municipalities in all of Ontario – home to great people and unbeatable communities. Let’s look at a few standouts.
Port Perry, Ontario
Port Perry is one of the best communities in Durham Region (if not all of Ontario). Sure, as Port Perry residents ourselves, we may be a little biased, but trust us, there is something truly special about calling this community home.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Scugog, life in Port Perry is both down-to-earth and a whole lot of fun. If you’re a creative person, you’ll love Port Perry’s active arts and cultural scene. Beyond being home to many artists and arts patrons, there’s also a diverse collection of galleries found across town. These spaces provide an outlet for local creators to share and sell their work with their neighbours, tourists, and other artists.
Port Perry has also been growing steadily in recent years – and for good reason. Not only will you find affordable homes and a high quality of life out here, but the community’s proximity to Toronto makes it ideal for anyone who wants an escape from the hustle and bustle, without losing complete access to the perks of a major metropolitan area.
Uxbridge, Ontario
Uxbridge is another fantastic Durham Region community. Home to about 21,500 people, it’s one of the bigger small towns in the area, but it definitely feels like an independent community as opposed to another Toronto suburb.
They don’t call Uxbridge the Trail Capital of Canada for nothing. It’s located right next door to Durham Regional Forest’s impressive network of trails for hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing – making it Ideal for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. Uxbridge, much like its neighbour Port Perry, is a vibrant hub of the arts. One local staple is the historic Roxy Theatre, a vintage 50s-style cinema that plays classic movies 7 days a week.
Reputation-wise, Uxbridge is known for being somewhat upscale, and local real estate prices reflect this. However, there are still options for most budgets.
Buying a home soon? Read these other blogs next for advice on building your budget.
- What Are My Mortgage Options in Today’s Market?
- How to Budget For Your Next Home
- How to Save For a Down Payment
Top Communities in Kawartha Lakes
Kawartha Lakes isn’t your typical city – and that’s what makes it so special. Because each community has its own identity, you really get the sense that you’re in a small town. However, because each village and town belongs to the same municipality, you still get the amenities, services, and convenience typically found in a small or mid-sized city.
Lindsay, Ontario
Starting with the largest community in Kawartha Lakes, Lindsay is a charming town of about 22,500 residents. Once a best-kept secret, Lindsay’s profile has been rising in recent years, attracting all kinds of buyers.
One of Lindsay’s local highlights is the vibrant downtown, featuring fantastic spots for dining, shopping, and entertainment. There are also all kinds of events throughout the year, like park concerts, street festivals, and outdoor theatre performances.
Of course, the community’s waterside location along the Scugog River is another major draw. Whether you like boating, swimming, fishing, or simply relaxing on the dock, it’s a great place to be.
Bobcaygeon, Ontario
Just shy of 4,000 residents, Bobcaygeon is the second largest population centre in Kawartha Lakes. While that may sound small, the community itself is super vibrant. For example,
Bobcaygeon’s historic downtown area is a lively hotspot complete with shops, restaurants, and event spaces. It’s a charming destination in its own right – plus it’s just steps away from the town’s famous sandy beach.
Bobcaygeon’s natural appeal is so strong that it doesn’t just attract new residents but also tourists. The local atmosphere and scenic lock system draw in daytrippers, campers, and getaway seekers from across Canada and the US.
Fenelon Falls, Ontario
Fenelon Falls is another Kawartha Lakes gem. Like Bobcaygeon, it’s a scenic little town known for its lakeside lifestyle, local mom-and-pop businesses, tourist attractions, and nearby cottage communities. Population-wise, it’s on the smaller side (depending on what you consider small), home to roughly 2,000 people.
Little Britain, Ontario
Searching for a rustic, country-inspired atmosphere? Little Britain should be on your radar. Nestled roughly halfway between the towns of Lindsay and Port Perry, Little Britain is a laid-back yet close-knit community that’s perfect for anyone who prefers a more rural setting and relaxed pace of life.
At a glance, Little Britain might seem like a mostly agricultural community, but there’s really a variety of people who call the area home. Yes, there are working farms, but most residents are families, early retirees, and first-time home buyers attracted to the community’s pastoral vibe.
Making Your Move
Ready to start your home search? With more than 175 years of combined experience in our local market, we know everything there is to know about homes in Durham Region, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and beyond! Whatever you’re looking for, we can help you find it. Get in touch today!
Searching for the perfect place to call home? We can help. Call 905-985-7300 to reach our team or send us an email.
Book a Meeting
Whether buying or selling a home in Port Perry and the surrounding area, our team has you covered. Book a call with us today to get started.
