Have you had enough of the hustle and bustle of big city life, and do you plan to relocate to a quieter, more peaceful place? We’ve got you covered! The Brampton real estate market can be considered an excellent alternative to the pricier and busier cities of the Greater Toronto Area. The city once known as The Flower Town of Canada has seen a tremendous growth in recent years and seemingly has no intention of stopping. We did some research and put together a list of 5 things you need to know before moving here. Do yourself a favour and take a look:
Great Location
Brampton has quite an enviable location, situated in the Region of Peel, close to the heart of the Greater Toronto Area. This also means that it offers easy access to other big cities like Mississauga, Vaughan and even Toronto itself. So if you ever miss the vibrant downtown core of Canada’s largest city, all you need to do is hop on a Go Train and you’ll be there in half an hour.
Another great asset is the city’s proximity to the busiest airport in Canada. Toronto Pearson International Airport can be found 20 kilometers south of the city, featuring an extensive network of domestic and international flights. Brampton is also near several major transportation routes, including Highway 401, Highway 407 and Hurontario Street.
Young, Diverse Community
According to a recent census bulletin, 73.3% of Brampton’s population are part of visible minority groups. The immigrants in the city represent 52.3% of the city’s total population of 590,950. The largest groups of minorities are made up of residents born in India, Jamaica, Pakistan and The Philippines.
Brampton has the youngest population in the entire Greater Toronto Area, with the average age of residents currently at 36.5 years. A lot of young families with small children move to the city and, according to the statistics, Brampton’s population of those aged between 0 to 14 years has increased by 5.2% since 2011.
Parklands Galore
Brampton was known for its flower growing, and it boasts no fewer than 3,600 hectares of parkland spread across 850 parks and 217 kilometers of well-maintained nature trails. The Heart Lake Conservation Area is the best place for fishing, hiking and zip lining. Gage Park is the host of numerous outdoor events held throughout the warm summer months. Eldorado Park, lying on the shores of Credit River, is the ideal place to swim, run or enjoy a romantic picnic.
Besides all these fantastic and well-maintained gardens, Brampton is also home to a large number of soccer pitches, football fields and ball diamonds. Golf is a celebrated sport here, since the city features 8 fantastic golf courses for players of all levels.
Hot Housing Market
Generally speaking, the real estate market in Brampton offers more favourable housing options than other cities in the Greater Toronto Area. The average asking price for all types of homes in the city is currently $690,888. A detached home here might set you back $796,656, while the average prices of a condominium townhouse and a condo apartment are $486,901 and $347,000, respectively, according to the Toronto Real Estate Board.
Brampton has one of the highest rates of home ownership in the GTA at 80%, so it’s safe to say that residents here prefer purchasing their own homes instead of renting them. However, if you’re set on buying a place of your own, act now before house prices start creeping up again.
Dining, Shopping and Recreation
Thanks to the cosmopolitan population of the city, Brampton has quite an exciting and colourful food scene. A wide array of diverse cafes, pubs, eateries and fine dining restaurants can be found scattered around the place—Thai, Greek, Japanese, Mexican and Indian cuisine, for example, are all represented.
Brampton is also home to 16 different malls and shopping centres, along with plenty of smaller boutiques and shops. The city’s pick-your-own farms and farmers’ markets aim to connect residents with locally-grown, fresh produce in order to strengthen the Brampton economy. Don’t forget to check out the event calendar, because many different festivals and fairs are staged here year-round.
In conclusion, the city of Brampton can be a great place to relocate to. It boasts a vibrant community, an enviable location, an outdoorsy mentality and peaceful, safe neighbourhoods. But just like any other city, it has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. That’s why anybody thinking of moving here should do a bit of research beforehand and then, if they’re won over, we feel sure they’ll find a welcoming place to call home!
