Homes For Sale in Brantford

Transportation

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Greenery & Character

Why live in Brantford?

First, Brantford is only a half hour from Hamilton and an hour from Toronto, which makes it extremely accessible and convenient. For instance, if you work in the Financial District in Toronto but want to live somewhere quieter and safer than the big city, Brantford might be perfect for you. Then there’s the fact that Brantford’s cost of living is far below that of Toronto's and even Hamilton’s. One of the few affordable cities left in the Greater Toronto Area, Brantford residents enjoy a high quality of life without the high price tag. This allows buyers, especially young families and first-time homebuyers to purchase spacious homes that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. Next, Brantford is brimming with green space. There are tons of urban parks within the city itself, as well as a number of conservation areas surrounding the city. Some of the most notable are Brant Conservation Area, Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area, and Dundas Valley Conservation Area. So whether you love cycling, hiking, fishing, walking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, you can find a spot to do in Brantford. Finally, Brantford has a rich history that often gets overlooked. One of the area’s claims to fame is the fact that Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, once resided there. That is why you may hear of Brantford referred to as “The Telephone City.” It is believed that the idea for the telephone first came to Bell while he was lying on the banks of the Grand River. Beyond Brantford’s telecommunications connection, the city also has a rich indigenous history that began with the Neutral Nation, a union of Iroquoian nations who lived in the area, and later involved the Six Nations. In fact, the name “Brantford” is a nod to a Mohawk chief and a leader of the Six Nations, Joseph Tyendinaga Brant. Ultimately, between the city’s recreational activities, low cost of living, fascinating history, and proximity to Toronto and Hamilton, there are so many reasons to call Brantford home.

Quality and diversity of education in Brantford

The Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board are responsible for operating Brantford’s public and Catholic elementary and secondary schools. Some of these schools include Central Public School, Greenbriar Public School, St. John’s College, and Walter Gretzky Elementary School. Meanwhile, private educational options range from Braemar House School and Haven International School to Victoria Academy and Central Baptist Academy. Brantford’s excellent educational opportunities aren’t limited to K-12. Rather, there are a number of post-secondary options in and around Brantford, in nearby Hamilton, St. Catharines (one hour by car), and Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Right in Brantford, you will find Conestoga College, Nipissing University, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Six Nations Polytechnic. Further, in roughly half an hour, residents of Brantford can be at Mohawk College or McMaster University in Hamilton. Meanwhile, Brock University and Niagara College are an hour’s drive east in St. Catharines. Then, of course, there are a plethora of highly-ranked colleges and universities in Toronto. These include the University of Toronto, George Brown College, York University, Seneca College, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Sheridan College, Humber College, Toronto Film School, and the Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCAD).

Most populous cities in Brantford

Some of Brantford’s top neighbourhoods include Mayfair, Fairview, Greenbrier, Brier Park, Holmedale, Lansdowne, Henderson, Shellard Lane, Terrace Hill, West Brantford, and Branlyn.

Quality of infrastructure for Brantford

As one of the smaller cities in the Greater Toronto Area, Brantford’s infrastructure is still growing. That said, it still boasts top-tier healthcare and education systems and impressive public transportation opportunities for a city of its size. Brantford Transit is responsible for helping residents get around within the city itself. They operate a number of local bus routes. Meanwhile, Metrolinx’s GO Transit which serves the Greater Toronto Area does not currently have a stop in Brantford. However, there is one in Aldershot in Hamilton, which is roughly half an hour by car from Brantford. There is also a Via Rail station in Brantford, which can connect residents with Toronto Union Station in roughly one hour. The Via Rail can also take Brantford passengers elsewhere in Ontario, Quebec, and beyond. As for international travel, Brantford residents can take domestic and international flights out of John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport in Hamilton, which can be reached in just over 25 minutes by car. Meanwhile, an hour’s drive will get them to Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, the largest airport in the country. There is also Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in downtown Toronto. If you prefer to drive, it is easy to get around thanks to Brantford’s proximity to several major Ontario highways. Highway 403 and Highway 24 run directly through the city, while the Queen Elizabeth Way and Highway 407 are both nearby. Finally, in terms of healthcare facilities, Brantford General Hospital is centrally located. Plus, Hamilton’s Chedoke Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital, Juravinski Hospital, and St. Joseph's Healthcare are all a short drive away. Toronto’s many hospitals are also available, such as Toronto General Hospital, North York General Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Humber River Hospital, and the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Safety and security for Brantford

Brantford has its own police service, the Brantford Police Service. The city is one of the safest in Ontario and is at low risk for natural disasters, which means residents generally do not have to worry about crime. In an emergency, you can always call 9-1-1.

Brantford property market

The Brantford property market is strong and only getting stronger. Suburban development was introduced to the areas in the 1960s and has only risen since then. Given that it is still a relatively small city with a population of just over 100,000 people, the housing market is largely dominated by townhomes, semi-detached homes, and detached homes.

Standard of living in Brantford

Brantford offers residents a high standard of living. Between the affordable housing market, ample green space, and a wide variety of cultural attractions and amenities, it is a wonderful place to call home. It’s also very close to Toronto, which was recently ranked one of the most liveable cities on the planet. The Global Liveability Index 2023’s Liveability Report listed Toronto as one of the top ten most livable cities in the world (number nine specifically) based on factors like healthcare, stability, education, and culture & environment.

Something wonderful about Brantford

Even if you’ve never been to Brantford, you may recognize it due to its time on the silver screen. Brantford’s historic downtown has been used as a set for a number of films and television shows over the years. For example, the CBC series, Murdoch Mysteries, was shot here, with filming locations including Carnegie Building and Victoria Square. Meanwhile, the hit Hulu show The Handmaid’s Tale, based on the Margaret Atwood book of the same name, has shot scenes at Brant’s Crossing Park, Fordview Park, and Lorne Bridge in Brantford.