Richmond Hill

While municipalities directly bordering on the old City of Toronto, such as Scarborough and North York, have been absorbed into the urban sprawl that is the new City of Toronto, Richmond Hill has managed to remain independent. Though the town is colloquially referred to as part of the Greater Toronto Area, Richmond Hill remains part of the York Region and is located north of Toronto, beyond North York and east of Markham. This once small town has exploded in popularity in the last twenty years as more and more commuters seek affordable living space within daily traveling distance of Toronto.

Richmond Hill ranks among Canada's fastest growing communities, with new residents arriving from elsewhere in Canada as well as countries like China, Korea, and India, giving the town a multicultural feel. A welcoming attitude, quieter streets, 544 hectares of parkland, and a plethora of large homes are the basis of the town's motto, "A Little North, A Little Nicer," which is meant to entice residents of the hectic urban center of Toronto to migrate north and settle down. It is therefore unsurprising that many people living in Richmond Hill commute to Toronto for work.

In addition to being one of the fastest growing, Richmond Hill is also one of the most affluent communities in Canada, and the housing available in many parts of town reflects this. Planned subdivisions are where the most popular homes can be found, like the Georgian styled houses of Heritage Estates or the enormous modern mansions of Bayview Estates. Though subdivisions dominate, there is still some undeveloped farmland in the north and some more urban areas featuring town homes and apartments in the south, which is nearer to the population center of the Greater Toronto Area. Richmond Hill is not, however, an appreciable source of condos.

As you would expect in a community with an average household income above $100,000, the average price of a home in Richmond Hill is around $389,000, more than Mississauga or Vaughan. Though the averages skew toward the upper-middle and upper price ranges, there are options here for everyone. Average real estate values for town houses are only $280,000 while the average bungalow can be had for about $365,000. A two-storey home costs approximately $380,000 to $425,000. Larger homes start at $495,000 and reach into the millions.

Add the lovely homes to the plentiful green space and reasonable commute to Toronto and you've got an explanation for the immense popularity of Richmond Hill among home buyers. From central Richmond Hill the distance to downtown Toronto is only about 25km, which can be driven in 30-35 minutes in moderate traffic. Go Trains and buses running on the Richmond Hill or F Line make the trip from the Richmond Hill Station to Union Station in 40 minutes, whether it's rush hour or the middle of the night.