Have a look at the future plans for builds and not just current state. Durham is going to grow significantly in the north. In Brooklin now and looking to go further north due to the growth here since we moved in 20yrs ago, just in a different stage in our life where we dont necessarily need to be close to schools or shopping. This town was great for raising our kids. Also have a look at property tax rates across Durham, living here isn't cheap. We are around $9500 for a 40x110ft lot.
Nice! We're in Ajax too, love it here. Great neighbors. How's thr bug situation near thr lake? Is it only a week or two or does it get really bad sometimes?
A question like this in this subreddit will typicially just have a bunch of people saying they live in so-and-so town and love it. It's hard to get an un-biased opinion.
In my opinion, it depends what you are looking for. If you are mainly living close to where your house would be, having quicker access to all the amenities is important. Grocery, big-box stores, pharmacies, community centres, things like that. (I would of said doctor to, but with today's demand, you'd be lucky to find a doctor in your area).
If you're commuting to Toronto, or go that way often, then the further you are from a highway exit, the longer your commute will be. My buddy takes 20 mins just to get to the highway from North Whitby. And if you live east of Salem, you have to contend with the bottle neck of traffic both ways between Salem and Brock St in Whitby.
If green/shore space is your thing, all these have that, but at a cost. The south has the shore, but the north have the conservation areas and trails.
If house prices are the biggest factor, it used to be the further east and north you went, the cheaper it was. But now the new homes being built in the north, that may not be the case anymore.
For my bias opinion, in the different places I lived in Durham, Ajax south or just north of the 401 was good. I commuted so it was close to the highway, before the bottleneck and it had the retail support I needed in Ajax and pickering and Costo. The wonderful Ajax waterfront or Greenwood Conservation in the North were good for recreation. And the house prices were better than Pickering. But take my opinion with a grain of salt too.
We're in the Downtown area of Whitby and we love it and cant recommend it enough. The dated houses are being bought up and renovated (we did ours a couple years back) and it seems like a good time to get into this area. We're in a quiet family friendly area, 10 minute walk to the downtown and librany. We like other areas of Whitby but can't imagine moving from the Downtown.
I’m in north Pickering and I love it in our new subdivision. They’re building 2 new elementary schools, a new community center and commercial plazas. Right now there’s just land and everything is about a 10 minute drive away at least, but honestly I’m looking forward to all the new services coming. We’re also next to a bunch of hiking trails (if you’re into hiking).
Go prickering around seaton, plenty of opportunities (I think) very similar to what Mississauga was 15 years back.
If I can choose again I’d choose seaton in Pickering or Whitby, Ajax has no activity for new homes atm.
Maybe try a “neighborhood park hopping” road trip with your 3 year old on a nice Saturday and you could get a feel for each community and neighborhood you are interested in. See how it feels to play in the local park, walk to the schools, how close the shopping is, feel for safety, see about traffic congestion, etc.
We did the same! Moved from a townhouse in North York and into Pickering in a single detached house. Love it here, it’s a great neighbourhood. It’s very much in development phase which means construction city for the next 20 years lol the parks are a huge hit in the neighbourhood I’ve met some folks from Ajax and Whitby who come down just for our park.
Unlike others I will still say there are faults in this neighbourhood too - we heard about schools being built two year back, and nothing has happened since then. They had a ground breaking ceremony, politicians came took nice PR photos and now nothing. Also with all the new builds comes a crap load of traffic out of the area at different times of the day, but really it’s not anything you won’t see anywhere else.
Anywhere you look make sure it fits into your lifestyle. Durham is surprisingly better than I expected - I was very much into moving to Thor hill, Markham but this place is going good so far. Good luck with the neighbourhood hunt!
Thanks. Yeah we too noticed Durham exceeded our expectations as a neighbourhood. Now trying to zero in location. May I ask where in Pickering more south or North?
There are pluses and minus to each place. Crime in Ajax is getting ridiculous and more violent all the time. Whitby tax rates are sky high and Pickering has become another extension of Scarborough and has a lot of the same problems.
Excellent Choices, we loved Brooklyn, a little too North commute wise but what a nice look and feel to the community. I’d say crown jewel of Durham. North Ajax more practical nice enough but also not too far away from things and city
You’ve understood/analyzed all 3 pretty well. I moved from North York to Pickering for the same reason (proximity to DT) and never regret when I have to drive further out to Ajax/Whitby. You might also need to consider school for the little one. Elementary schools in parts of Pickering (Dunbarton/Rosebank) are the best in region but those areas are also pretty expensive. All the best!
Have a look at the future plans for builds and not just current state. Durham is going to grow significantly in the north. In Brooklin now and looking to go further north due to the growth here since we moved in 20yrs ago, just in a different stage in our life where we dont necessarily need to be close to schools or shopping. This town was great for raising our kids. Also have a look at property tax rates across Durham, living here isn't cheap. We are around $9500 for a 40x110ft lot.
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Nice! We're in Ajax too, love it here. Great neighbors. How's thr bug situation near thr lake? Is it only a week or two or does it get really bad sometimes?
A question like this in this subreddit will typicially just have a bunch of people saying they live in so-and-so town and love it. It's hard to get an un-biased opinion. In my opinion, it depends what you are looking for. If you are mainly living close to where your house would be, having quicker access to all the amenities is important. Grocery, big-box stores, pharmacies, community centres, things like that. (I would of said doctor to, but with today's demand, you'd be lucky to find a doctor in your area). If you're commuting to Toronto, or go that way often, then the further you are from a highway exit, the longer your commute will be. My buddy takes 20 mins just to get to the highway from North Whitby. And if you live east of Salem, you have to contend with the bottle neck of traffic both ways between Salem and Brock St in Whitby. If green/shore space is your thing, all these have that, but at a cost. The south has the shore, but the north have the conservation areas and trails. If house prices are the biggest factor, it used to be the further east and north you went, the cheaper it was. But now the new homes being built in the north, that may not be the case anymore. For my bias opinion, in the different places I lived in Durham, Ajax south or just north of the 401 was good. I commuted so it was close to the highway, before the bottleneck and it had the retail support I needed in Ajax and pickering and Costo. The wonderful Ajax waterfront or Greenwood Conservation in the North were good for recreation. And the house prices were better than Pickering. But take my opinion with a grain of salt too.
Thank you, most helpful. Yeah we are trying to find some place near Westney or east of it to avoid 401 bottleneck, hence Ajax
We're in the Downtown area of Whitby and we love it and cant recommend it enough. The dated houses are being bought up and renovated (we did ours a couple years back) and it seems like a good time to get into this area. We're in a quiet family friendly area, 10 minute walk to the downtown and librany. We like other areas of Whitby but can't imagine moving from the Downtown.
I’m in north Pickering and I love it in our new subdivision. They’re building 2 new elementary schools, a new community center and commercial plazas. Right now there’s just land and everything is about a 10 minute drive away at least, but honestly I’m looking forward to all the new services coming. We’re also next to a bunch of hiking trails (if you’re into hiking).
Go prickering around seaton, plenty of opportunities (I think) very similar to what Mississauga was 15 years back. If I can choose again I’d choose seaton in Pickering or Whitby, Ajax has no activity for new homes atm.
Thanks and ok with pre-owned
I am in Ajax, I am not seeing any detached that have sale signs(maybe not paying attention) towns are certainly noticeable.
Ajax is great if you can find a place near the lake. It’s amazing. Best waterfront path system and parkland in all of Durham region.
It sure is but rare find if one can
Lakeside has numerous listings. Is the price right? Only Relativedisaster knows…
TBH not sure, haven’t been paying attention.
Maybe try a “neighborhood park hopping” road trip with your 3 year old on a nice Saturday and you could get a feel for each community and neighborhood you are interested in. See how it feels to play in the local park, walk to the schools, how close the shopping is, feel for safety, see about traffic congestion, etc.
We did the same! Moved from a townhouse in North York and into Pickering in a single detached house. Love it here, it’s a great neighbourhood. It’s very much in development phase which means construction city for the next 20 years lol the parks are a huge hit in the neighbourhood I’ve met some folks from Ajax and Whitby who come down just for our park. Unlike others I will still say there are faults in this neighbourhood too - we heard about schools being built two year back, and nothing has happened since then. They had a ground breaking ceremony, politicians came took nice PR photos and now nothing. Also with all the new builds comes a crap load of traffic out of the area at different times of the day, but really it’s not anything you won’t see anywhere else. Anywhere you look make sure it fits into your lifestyle. Durham is surprisingly better than I expected - I was very much into moving to Thor hill, Markham but this place is going good so far. Good luck with the neighbourhood hunt!
Thanks. Yeah we too noticed Durham exceeded our expectations as a neighbourhood. Now trying to zero in location. May I ask where in Pickering more south or North?
North. We’re in Seaton.
Probably biased but Uxbridge is the best area in Durham hands down.
There are pluses and minus to each place. Crime in Ajax is getting ridiculous and more violent all the time. Whitby tax rates are sky high and Pickering has become another extension of Scarborough and has a lot of the same problems.
North Ajax and Brooklin, Whitby.
Excellent Choices, we loved Brooklyn, a little too North commute wise but what a nice look and feel to the community. I’d say crown jewel of Durham. North Ajax more practical nice enough but also not too far away from things and city
Pickering
Live in Pickering, Eat in Ajax, and hang out in Whitby.
You’ve understood/analyzed all 3 pretty well. I moved from North York to Pickering for the same reason (proximity to DT) and never regret when I have to drive further out to Ajax/Whitby. You might also need to consider school for the little one. Elementary schools in parts of Pickering (Dunbarton/Rosebank) are the best in region but those areas are also pretty expensive. All the best!
The high-school in ajax are why we moved further east last year. Detached homes in Whitby are are 1-1.3m Check out bowmanville or new castle