Homes For Sale in Norfolk County

Transportation

Shopping, Food and Nightlife

Greenery & Character

Why live in Norfolk County?

Sitting on the north shore of Lake Erie, Norfolk County is part of Ontario’s south coast. Roughly halfway between Hamilton and London, and not far from Niagara or Toronto, the city has an unbeatable location. Not only do you have access to many of Ontario’s largest cities, but you also have all the benefits that come from being in a small city on a breathtaking Great Lake. Norfolk County’s small size means residents are never more than ten minutes from beaches, breweries, golf courses, parks, and even the office. Although the municipality has long been popular among cottage-goers, it has only recently seen a surge in its permanent population. This is in large part due to its convenience, affordability, and natural beauty. Did you know that the northern shores of Lake Erie, where Norfolk County is located, are known as the Gold Coast of Ontario? It’s true. This is due to the fact that Lake Erie has several white sand beaches and crystal clear water, making it feel like something in Australia or the Caribbean. This lakeside access means that Norfolk County residents can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, like boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, diving, and more. A few of the most popular spots to see are Port Dover Beach, Turkey Point Beach in Turkey Point Provincial Park, Long Point Public Beach, and Long Point National Wildlife Area. A little further inland you will find all sorts of hiking, walking, and snowshoeing trails at Deer Creek Conservation Area, Backus Heritage Conservation Area, Haldimand Conservation Area, and Waterford North Conservation Area. Beyond the area’s breathtaking scenery, Norfolk County is known for its thriving food and culture scene. They have several top-notch restaurants, bars, golf courses, farmers’ markets, and even a lavender field (Apple Hill Lavender). Norfolk County also hosts several festivals throughout the year, like the Waterford Pumpkin Festival. Given the area’s proximity to Niagara, it likely won’t come as a surprise that Norfolk County also has many quality wineries worth checking out, such as Burning Kiln Winery, Frisky Beaver Wines, Blueberry Hill Estates, and Hounds of Erie Winery. Other attractions worth checking out in Norfolk County include Whistling Gardens botanical garden, Port Dover Harbour Museum, Waterford Antique Market, Lighthouse Festival Theatre Corp, and Long Point Bird Observatory. Finally, one more reason to live in Norfolk County is that it is affordable and yet it is still close enough to other major city centres that you can take advantage of the economic opportunities available there.

Quality and diversity of education in Norfolk County

The Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board provide public education to Norfolk County residents, with the former operating a total of 58 elementary and 14 secondary schools in the region. The top public schools in Norfolk County include Waterford District High School, Valley Heights Secondary School, and Delhi District High School. Meanwhile, private school options in the area include Glen Meyer Old Colony School, Walsingham Christian School, and Bethel Baptist Academy. When it comes to post-secondary education, Norfolk County is home to Fanshawe College - Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus. However, you also have plenty of other options to choose from given the municipality’s proximity to London, Hamilton, Toronto, and St. Catharines. For example, northwest of Norfolk County in London, you will find the University of Western Ontario (known as “Western,”), and to the northeast in Hamilton, there is Mohawk College and McMaster University. Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph are also immediately north of Norfolk County, which are home to Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Guelph. Getting into Toronto, there are even more colleges and universities to choose from, many of which are highly-ranked, like 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 Norfolk County

The main communities in Norfolk County are Delhi, Courtland, Clear Creek, Green’s Corners, Langton, Houghton, Long Point, Nixon, Port Dover, Port Rowan, Turkey Point, Simcoe, Walsh, Waterford, Vittoria, Port Ryerse, and Silver Hill.

Quality of infrastructure for Norfolk County

Ride Norfolk is the transit authority responsible for providing public transportation within the region of Norfolk County. They operate a series of bus routes that transport passengers throughout the municipality. Getting out of Norfolk County using public transportation is a little trickier as Metrolinx’s GO Transit does not currently have a station in the region. That said, there is a GO Train station just over an hour away in Aldershot, which can take passengers to Toronto Union Station in under an hour. There is also a Via Rail station in nearby Brantford, which can transport passengers into downtown Toronto, as well as to other parts of Ontario, Quebec, and beyond. As for airports, the John C. Munro International Airport in Hamilton, London International Airport in London, and Waterloo Regional Airport in Waterloo are all just over an hour away. Toronto Pearson International Airport, the largest airport in Canada, is also accessible, taking roughly an hour and a half by car. Generally speaking, most people in Norfolk County get around by car. Thankfully, this is made easy due to the many major highways that run through the municipality, like Highway 3, Highway 403, and Highway 401. Healthcare facilities in and around Norfolk County include Norfolk General Hospital and Brantford General Hospital. Chedoke Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital, Juravinski Hospital, and St. Joseph's Healthcare are in Hamilton, while St. Joseph’s Hospital and University Hospital - London Health Sciences Centre are in London, all of which can be reached in an hour.

Safety and security for Norfolk County

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are tasked with keeping residents of Norfolk County safe. That said, Norfolk County has long enjoyed a reputation as being one of the safest communities in Ontario, with crime rates far below the national average. The area also rarely experiences natural disasters. As with anywhere in Canada, emergency services are always available at 9-1-1.

Norfolk County property market

Whether you’re looking to settle in Norfolk County permanently or buy a cottage, it still remains one of the most affordable yet scenic parts of the province. A hidden gem on the north shores of Lake Erie, buying here will be a great investment. Compared to other popular cottage countries in Ontario, like Muskoka, or major cities like Toronto and Hamilton, Norfolk County is far more affordable. Given its small size, the property market here is largely dominated by detached homes, semi-detached homes, townhomes, bungalows, and cottages, though there are some condos and apartments as well.

Standard of living in Norfolk County

Those who live in Norfolk County experience a high standard of living. Thanks to the world-class educational opportunities, proximity to major cities, safe, family-oriented communities, and lakeside locale, Norfolk County offers a quality of life largely unheard of in Ontario. If you want somewhere that offers the best of both worlds between cottage and big city living, Norfolk County is for you.

Something wonderful about Norfolk County

Norfolk County is a year-round destination. Unlike other cottage countries in Ontario that shutter during the cold months, Norfolk County continues to thrive. This is due to its vibrant city centres and outdoor winter activities. For example, locals and tourists alike can continue visiting the area’s many wineries, breweries, restaurants, and shops in Port Dover, Simcoe, Waterford, and beyond, as well as partake in activities like snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, and cross-country skating.