Homes For Sale in Georgina

Transportation

Shopping, Food and Nightlife

Greenery & Character

Why live in Georgina?

Georgina is a lovely place to call home, especially if you want to escape the big city and enjoy a quieter slice of life. Everything is more laid-back in Georgina. Whether it’s the town’s distance from Toronto (roughly an hour by car) or its proximity to the lake that forces residents to slow down, you will enjoy a much more relaxed lifestyle in this Ontario town. Whether you're retired or looking to raise a family, Georgina is a very peaceful place to do it. Plus, with this sleepier lifestyle comes low crime rates, making it a safe place to live for all ages. It is also more affordable. Striking a balance between the high cost of living in the city of Toronto and the expensive homes that dominate cottage country in Muskoka, the housing market in Georgina is strong but affordable. Although prices are on the rise, many buyers can still find affordable homes here, and they’re likely to be more spacious than anything you would find in Ontario’s big cities. Further, what attracts so many people to Georgina is the recreational activities and unparalleled opportunities to get outdoors. First, the town is located right on Lake Simcoe, which means plenty of beaches, swimming, fishing, and boating. Some of the area’s best swimming locations include Bonnie Park, Clarendon Beach Park, Holmes Point Park, Willow Beach Park, and North Gwillimbury Park. As for hiking, Metro Road Tract, Sibbald Point Provincial Park, and Arnold C. Matthews Nature Reserve have all kinds of trails for hiking, walking, cycling, snowshoeing, and more. Lastly, other not-to-be-missed attractions in Georgina include the Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives, the Georgina Military Museum, Crock A Doodle Georgina, Briars Golf Club, Pines of Georgina Golf Course, and Turkey Shoot Brewing Co.

Quality and diversity of education in Georgina

The York Region District School Board runs the various public elementary and high schools in Georgina, as well as the surrounding areas of Markham, Vaughan, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Richmond Hill, King, and Whitchurch-Stouffville. A few of the largest public schools in the area are Keswick High School, Georgina Access District High School, and Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Academy. Meanwhile, private schools nearby include Pathways Centre for Education Private School and Georgina Academy. As for post-secondary, there are several major universities and colleges around Georgina. For instance, Georgian College is in nearby Barrie and there are plenty of institutions in and around Toronto. These include the University of Toronto, George Brown College, York University, Seneca College, Ontario Tech University, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Humber College, Sheridan College, Toronto Film School, and the Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCAD).

Most populous cities in Georgina

The main neighbourhoods and communities that make up Georgina: Keswick, Sutton West, Willow Beach, Roches Point, Belhaven, Jackson's Point, Baldwin, Virginia, Pefferlaw, Port Bolster, and Udora.

Quality of infrastructure for Georgina

York Region Transit (YRT) operates a network of local bus routes throughout York Region, which includes Georgina. Currently, Metrolinx’s GO Transit system does not extend all the way to Georgina. However, it does have stops in Barrie and East Gwillimbury. Generally, most residents of Georgina get around by car, which is made easy thanks to the town’s proximity to Highway 400 and Highway 404. If travelling by air, locals will have two of the city’s largest airports at their disposal, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Both take just under an hour by car. Finally, Georgina has its own health facility, the Georgina Health Centre in Keswick. However, there are also several other hospitals nearby like Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie and Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket. Further south in Toronto, you will also find some of the top-rated hospitals in Canada, like 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 Georgina

York Regional Police are responsible for upholding the safety and security of Georgina. That said, the crime rate in the town is very low. It is well below the national average and natural disasters are rare. This makes it an extremely safe place to call home. Emergency services can be contacted 24/7 by calling 9-1-1.

Georgina property market

Georgina remains one of the few places around Toronto that is still affordable. Yet, housing prices are on the rise, making now a good time to invest. The housing market in Georgina is largely dominated by bungalows, detached homes, and semi-detached homes, though there are some townhomes and condos, as well. Given its lakeside location, you will also find several cottages and seasonal homes in Georgina.

Standard of living in Georgina

The standard of living is high in Georgina. The quaint, small town feel coupled with the excellent educational opportunities, safe neighbourhoods, and affordable housing make it a lovely place to call. Plus, the town is located on the south shore of Lake Simcoe, which means there is plenty of fun to be had year-round.

Something wonderful about Georgina

Georgina has a fascinating history. It was named after King George III by the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, Sir Peregrine Maitland. The town officially became known as Georgina in 1818 and was only settled after the War of 1812 came to a close. The first land grants were issued to retired military officers, veterans of the Napoleonic Wars, and veterans of the War of 1812. Thus, at its start, Georgina was largely populated by wealthy, aristocratic families, along with military officers and English landholders. Due to the high standing of its early inhabitants, Georgina became known as an urban playground for the wealthy. Those living in major cities like Toronto would visit Georgina in the summer to enjoy the lake and the various activities that came with it. It was in the late 19th century that many cottages and seasonal homes started popping up along the lakeshore. Another cool part of Georgina’s history is that it became popular with several literary figures, like Stephen Leacock, Mazo de la Roche, Peter Gzowski, and Lucy Maud Montgomery.