Wahi’s Where to Live 2023 Oshawa / Durham
Top ranked GTA neighbourhoods to consider for your next move
Oshawa / Durham
Moving to the GTA but not sure where to live?
Your search ends here. We crunched the numbers for 400 neighbourhoods in five Greater Toronto Area (GTA) regions and ranked the top-three neighbourhoods in 11 categories. Categories are based on different lifestyles, needs and interests such as families, retirees, foodies, shopping, nature lovers, nightlife and more. The right neighbourhood is waiting for you.
Best Neighbourhoods for Families with Young Kids
FIT FOR A FAMILY We've compiled a list of the best neighbourhoods in Durham for families with young children. These communities were ranked according to several factors: the proximity to elementary schools; the amount of park space in the community; access to amenities, like grocery stores; and how quiet the neighbourhood is. Municipality: Pickering If you're looking for family living at its best, you've come to the right place. Parkland, forested areas and affordable real estate make this a desirable neighbourhood for families. It has five primary schools and is only 30 minutes from Toronto. Municipality: Whitby This neighbourhood is ideal for families interested in community building and access to activities and programs all over town. Municipality: Whitby Home to numerous parks and green spaces for families to enjoy, Rolling Acres also boasts many local restaurants and recreation centres. Municipality: Whitby This neighbourhood is ideal for families interested in community building and access to activities and programs all over town. Municipality: Whitby Home to numerous parks and green spaces for families to enjoy, Rolling Acres also boasts many local restaurants and recreation centres.#1
Amberlea#2
Blue Grass Creek#3
Rolling Acres#2
Blue Grass Creek#3
Rolling Acres
Best Neighbourhoods for Families with Teenagers
TERRIFIC FOR TEENS In search of a neighbourhood where older kids won't get bored and can get around on their own? Then check out these top-ranked neighbourhoods in Durham for families with teenagers. Our top choices are based on several factors: nearby high schools and parks; proximity to shopping; and the cycling and pedestrian friendliness of the area. Municipality: Ajax This community has an arts and music scene that will keep teens entertained all-year round. Uptown Ajax has a downtown vibe with its pool halls, patios and outdoor music festivals. It has two local high schools and is close to an expanse of parkland. Municipality: Ajax This historical hamlet has all the amenities of a modern community, which makes it a great choice for families with teens. Municipality: Pickering Close to Pickering Town Centre, this neighbourhood is complete with tennis clubs and a rec complex for swimming, hockey, squash and more. Municipality: Pickering This historical hamlet has all the amenities of a modern community, which makes it a great choice for families with teens. Municipality: Pickering Close to Pickering Town Centre, this neighbourhood is complete with tennis clubs and a rec complex for swimming, hockey, squash and more.#1
Uptown Ajax#2
Pickering Village#3
Liverpool#2
Pickering Village#3
Liverpool
Best Neighbourhoods for Retirees
THE RIGHT PLACE FOR RETIREES Settle down in one of these leading Durham neighbourhoods for seniors. These communities received high marks for a number of attributes including: a variety of amenities within walking distance; access to parks; and the area's peacefulness. Municipality: Whitby For those who want to be part of an engaged yet serene community with access to nearby amenities, activities and programs, this is the place. Find everything you need in this neighbourhood, including lots of park space and a passion for arts and culture. Municipality: Oshawa Known for its many parks and trails, this neighbourhood lets you experience the great outdoors right at your doorstep. Municipality: Oshawa A modern rec centre and network of hiking trails in the nearby conservation area make Taunton a desirable neighbourhood for retirees. Municipality: Oshawa Known for its many parks and trails, this neighbourhood lets you experience the great outdoors right at your doorstep. Municipality: Oshawa A modern rec centre and network of hiking trails in the nearby conservation area make Taunton a desirable neighbourhood for retirees.#1
Blue Grass Creek#2
Samac#3
Taunton#2
Samac#3
Taunton
Best Neighbourhoods for Pet Lovers
PERFECT FOR PETS Check out our list of the best pet-friendly places to live in Durham. These neighbourhoods are known for their park space and walkability, making them a great choice for those who cherish their furry friends. Local dog parks and pet stores add to the allure of living in one of these communities. Municipality: Oshawa This tranquil neighbourhood is a pet lover’s paradise. With numerous lush green spaces, paths and a trail along Oshawa Creek, your pet will have more than enough space to stretch their legs. Municipality: Whitby With 14 parks in total, you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to taking your pet out for a walk in this neighbourhood. Municipality: Oshawa Parks, waterways, trails, wooded areas - you can find it all in Eastdale-Donevan. That makes finding pet-friendly green spaces easy. Municipality: Whitby This historical hamlet has all the amenities of a modern community, which makes it a great choice for families with teens. Municipality: Oshawa Parks, waterways, trails, wooded areas - you can find it all in Eastdale-Donevan. That makes finding pet-friendly green spaces easy.#1
Centennial#2
Blue Grass Creek#3
Eastdale - Donovan#2
Blue Grass Creek#3
Eastdale - Donevan
Best Neighbourhoods for Car-Free Living
NO CAR? NO PROBLEM! Whether you're an enthusiastic environmentalist, prefer to get around by bike or foot, or don't own a car, these Durham neighbourhoods are perfect for you. These communities came out on top based on their convenient access to public transit, and their cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. Municipality: Pickering Scenic waterfront trails weave around Pickering’s Frenchman’s Bay, so you’ll have good reason to leave the car at home in Bay Ridges. The neighbourhood also has solid transit access, with bus routes connecting to the Pickering Parkway Terminal. Municipality: Ajax Downtown Ajax is a walkable and transit-friendly urban hub serviced by not one but two transit systems: Durham Regional Transit and GO Transit. Municipality: Pickering Five bus routes serve Liverpool, which is becoming increasingly transit-oriented as new development spouts by Kingston Road. Municipality: Ajax Downtown Ajax is a walkable and transit-friendly urban hub serviced by not one but two transit systems: Durham Regional Transit and GO Transit. Municipality: Pickering Five bus routes serve Liverpool, which is becoming increasingly transit-oriented as new development spouts by Kingston Road.#1
Bay Ridges#2
Downtown Ajax#3
Liverpool#2
Downtown Ajax#3
Liverpool
Best Neighbourhoods for Active Lifestyle
GET MOVING HERE Whether you're a fitness fanatic or just like to stay active, these top-ranked Durham neighbourhoods are the right choice for a healthy lifestyle. Pedestrian and cycling friendly, these communities offer a variety of amenities that cater to physical activity and healthy eating. There's also plenty of green space for sports and other recreational activities. Municipality: Pickering Fitness buffs can head over to Amberlea Park for a jog or some rock-climbing. If you’re more into sports, the Chestnut Hill Recreation Centre has a swimming pool, skating rink, tennis, squash and racquetball courts. Municipality: Pickering Rouge Park is the go-to spot for jogging and basketball, while the various trails are ideal for cyclists and hiking enthusiasts. Municipality: Pickering Whether you like swimming, skating, tennis, or fitness studios, you'll find it all at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. Municipality: Pickering Rouge Park is the go-to spot for jogging and basketball, while the various trails are ideal for cyclists and hiking enthusiasts. Municipality: Pickering Whether you like swimming, skating, tennis, or fitness studios, you'll find it all at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex.#1
Amberlea#2
Rougemount#3
Dunbarton#2
Rougemount#3
Dunbarton
Best Neighbourhoods for Nature Lovers
BACK TO NATURE For those who crave more green space in an urban setting, look no further than these Durham neighbourhoods. These communities received a high ranking based on several attributes: the amount of nearby park space; how quiet the neighbourhood is; and how easy it is to get around by foot or bike. Municipality: Pickering With Rouge National Urban Park right in its backyard, Highbush boasts immediate access to more than 75 square kilometers of breathtaking outdoor space to explore. Hike, camp, swim, canoe, and more in North America’s largest urban park. Municipality: Pickering Roughly equidistant from Rouge National Urban Park and Frenchman’s Bay, Amberlea has many smaller parks within its own boundaries, too. Municipality: Pickering Winding waterways and conservation lands ensconce this secluded neighbourhood offering peace and quiet with a beautiful backdrop. Municipality: Pickering Roughly equidistant from Rouge National Urban Park and Frenchman’s Bay, Amberlea has many smaller parks within its own boundaries, too. Municipality: Pickering Winding waterways and conservation lands ensconce this secluded neighbourhood offering peace and quiet with a beautiful backdrop.#1
Highbush#2
Amberlea#3
Rosebank#2
Amberlea#3
Rosebank
Best Neighbourhoods for Shopping
RETAIL THERAPY If you're into shopping, then we have the perfect neighbourhoods for you. From high-end boutiques to novelty bookstores to vintage clothing shops and more, we bring you the top-ranked areas in Durham for all your shopping needs. You won't be disappointed by the retail experience found in these communities! Municipality: Pickering In the heart of this neighbourhood is Pickering Town Centre, stocked with popular stores like Winners, Saks Fifth Avenue, Peoples Jewellers and HomeSense. Indulge in a freshly baked scone at Farm Boy before hitting the shops. Municipality: Oshawa There is no shortage of shopping options - many within walking distance - in this bustling neighbourhood, better known as Downtown Oshawa. Municipality: Ajax You'll love the diverse mix of shops selling everything from antiques to art collectibles to the latest fashions in this historic hamlet. Municipality: Oshawa There is no shortage of shopping options - many within walking distance - in this bustling neighbourhood, better known as Downtown Oshawa. Municipality: Ajax You'll love the diverse mix of shops selling everything from antiques to art collectibles to the latest fashions in this historic hamlet.#1
Pickering Town Centre#2
Central Oshawa#3
Pickering Village#2
Central Oshawa#3
Pickering Village
Best Neighbourhoods for Foodies
GREAT FOR GOURMANDS If you're into the food scene, then check out these top-ranked Durham neighbourhoods for epicureans. These communities boast plentiful restaurants and cafes, many within walking distance. From fine dining to casual eats to cool coffee houses, there is no shortage of palate-pleasing places to eat in these areas. Municipality: Oshawa Central Oshawa forms the core of Oshawa’s foodie scene. It’s long hosted Fiesta festival, an annual showcase of multicultural cuisine and traditions. New gastro pubs, cafes, and more continue opening their doors amid the local tech industry boom. Municipality: Pickering As Pickering’s buzzing commuter hub and shopping destination, Pickering Town Centre has scores of take-out and dine-in options. Municipality: Whitby From stone-fire pizzas to Mexican-Indian fusion cuisine, Downtown Whitby’s diverse eats make it a bona fide culinary contender. Municipality: Pickering As Pickering’s buzzing commuter hub and shopping destination, Pickering Town Centre has scores of take-out and dine-in options. Municipality: Whitby From stone-fire pizzas to Mexican-Indian fusion cuisine, Downtown Whitby’s diverse eats make it a bona fide culinary contender.#1
Central Oshawa#2
Pickering Town Centre#3
Downtown Whitby#2
Pickering Town Centre#3
Downtown Whitby
Wahi analyzed data from Local Logic, a location intelligence platform, to rank GTA neighbourhoods in Toronto, York, Peel, Durham, and Halton regions in 11 categories based on lifestyle, needs, goals and interests. The ranking considers neighbourhood attributes such as nearby schools, transit quality, park spaces, access to restaurants and shopping, and more.