Your Guide To Rural Living Near The GTA

July 25th, 2022 / Community

Do you love the convenience of life in the GTA but hate the big city stress? It might surprise you to know that there are several rural areas close to Toronto that you can get to in an hour or less. Country life does have its share of benefits:

Less stress. When you drive through the countryside, you can feel the tension leaving your body. The air is fresher, and you have so much open space around you. At night, you can look up and see more stars than you ever will in the city.
Less expensive. $1 million can buy you a condo or medium size townhouse in Toronto if you’re lucky. But you get a lot more house for your money in the country. You can get a sprawling four-bedroom home with an oversized backyard, a driveway and a garage. In addition, you’ll save every year because your property taxes will be lower.

Are You Really Ready For Rural Life?

Living in the country may sound like paradise, but don’t pack your bags just yet. There are also some drawbacks to consider. Many city people move to the country for the peace and quiet, only to find themselves missing the noise!

You may also find yourself missing some of the conveniences you took for granted in the city. Think of running simple errands, for example. Shopping areas are few and far between, and each grocery trip requires you to be far more thorough and organized. Rural areas don’t offer much in the way of public transit, so a car is a must if you want to get around.

There are other things to consider before buying a rural property, including your water supply. In the country, you may have to rely on well water or a cistern.

Well water is generally safe to drink, but you’ll have to inspect the caps and casings regularly to ensure they don’t become contaminated. If a boil water alert goes into effect, you’ll want to make sure that all water you drink or cook with comes to a roiling boil for at least a full minute.

In addition, you’ll want to have your water regularly tested just to be safe.

A cistern filled with municipally treated water is safe to drink and cook with, but you’ll have to have it cleaned and inspected at least twice a year.

Many country dwellers install a water softener to remove heavy metals, making the water taste better, more comfortable to bathe with, and less likely to leave a ring around the bathtub.

Internet speed is another aspect of country living you want to consider before moving. Rural internet providers have a reputation for being slow and spotty. Though connections have improved with 5G, LTE and 3G services, you may want to carefully consider your move if you rely on your internet connection for work.

Is moving to the country too big of a step for right now? Here are some other beautiful areas to consider:

If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and have decided rural life is for you, the next step is to figure out where to go. Let’s look at some of my favourite places that give you the best of both worlds and are a short drive away from Toronto.

Caledon

Scenic beauty and a world of outdoor adventures await you in Caledon, a small town in the Regional Municipality of Peel in the Greater Toronto Area. If you ever need to get to the city, Toronto is approximately one hour away, or you can reach Brampton in about 33 minutes.

Caledon is most famous for cycling. Its vast trail network includes the Caledon Trailway, the Trans Canada Trail, the Greenbelt Cycling Route and the Bruce Trail.

Other outdoor activities include pick-your-own farms, corn mazes, beautiful wineries and gardens. Caledon may have once been the best-kept secret in the GTA, but is now the 19th fastest growing community in Canada, according to Maclean’s Magazine!

Erin

The Village of Erin is located about 80 km northwest of Toronto, and it’s easy to fall in love at first sight. Though mainly a rural area, the downtown is charming and historic, full of fun, unique shops and restaurants you can’t find anywhere else.

Many people have never heard of Erin, but to those who know, it’s famous for its fantastic dining options. The downtown core is loaded with eateries with fantastic patios where you can enjoy a refreshing drink on a hot summer afternoon. The Erin Farmer’s Market runs every Friday from June to September and is your opportunity to experience the local “artisans of tastes.”

Like Caledon, Erin is a fantastic place for sports lovers. You’ll find endless hiking and biking trails to explore, and beautiful parks with picnic tables, gazebos, playgrounds, ball diamonds and ice rinks.

Your real estate options include spacious detached homes, side split houses, bungalows and townhouses.

Do you have questions about buying or selling? You may find what you’re looking for here:

Uxbridge

Located 64 km northeast of Toronto, Uxbridge offers a thriving art community and a gorgeous landscape. The town is nestled in the valley on the northern slope of the Oak Ridges Moraine, and the scenic beauty in all directions will take your breath away.

With a network of 220 managed trails and protected green spaces, Uxbridge has become known as the “Trail Capital Of Canada.”

It’s also the place to be when the snow falls! There are three major ski hills, all within a short distance of each other, and the new skating trail on Elgin Pond is not to be missed.

The downtown core offers a refreshingly unique experience. You can delight your tastebuds on every corner with the many fine dining options, casual pubs, cafes and delicious bakeries. In between snacks, you might decide to do a little shopping. Instead of big box stores, you’ll be thrilled to discover countless independent boutiques and artisan studios offering handmade clothing, gifts, jewellery, furniture, and more.

Unlike in the city, you won’t find the usual cookie-cutter homes in any of these rural areas. Each house has character and style, with single-family homes, bungalows and townhouses available.

Are you ready to explore your options for rural living near the GTA? I’d love to help you get started. Reach out today with any questions you may have.