Wahi’s Where to Live 2024 Oshawa / Durham Top ranked GTA neighbourhoods to consider for your next move Oshawa / Durham City of TorontoMississauga / PeelMarkham / YorkOakville / Halton 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. #1Amberlea 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. Browse Homes View Guide #2Blue Grass Creek Municipality: Whitby This neighbourhood is ideal for families interested in community building and access to activities and programs all over town. #3Rolling Acres Municipality: Whitby Home to numerous parks and green spaces for families to enjoy, Rolling Acres also boasts many local restaurants and recreation centres. Browse Homes View Guide Browse Homes View Guide #2Blue Grass Creek Municipality: Whitby This neighbourhood is ideal for families interested in community building and access to activities and programs all over town. Browse Homes View Guide #3Rolling Acres Municipality: Whitby Home to numerous parks and green spaces for families to enjoy, Rolling Acres also boasts many local restaurants and recreation centres. Browse Homes View Guide 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. #1Uptown Ajax 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. Browse Homes View Guide #2Pickering Village Municipality: Ajax This historical hamlet has all the amenities of a modern community, which makes it a great choice for families with teens. #3Liverpool Municipality: Pickering Close to Pickering Town Centre, this neighbourhood is complete with tennis clubs and a rec complex for swimming, hockey, squash and more. Browse Homes View Guide Browse Homes View Guide #2Pickering Village Municipality: Pickering This historical hamlet has all the amenities of a modern community, which makes it a great choice for families with teens. Browse Homes View Guide #3Liverpool Municipality: Pickering Close to Pickering Town Centre, this neighbourhood is complete with tennis clubs and a rec complex for swimming, hockey, squash and more. Browse Homes View Guide 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. #1Blue Grass Creek 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. Browse Homes View Guide #2Samac Municipality: Oshawa Known for its many parks and trails, this neighbourhood lets you experience the great outdoors right at your doorstep. #3Taunton Municipality: Oshawa A modern rec centre and network of hiking trails in the nearby conservation area make Taunton a desirable neighbourhood for retirees. Browse Homes View Guide Browse Homes View Guide #2Samac Municipality: Oshawa Known for its many parks and trails, this neighbourhood lets you experience the great outdoors right at your doorstep. Browse Homes View Guide #3Taunton Municipality: Oshawa A modern rec centre and network of hiking trails in the nearby conservation area make Taunton a desirable neighbourhood for retirees. Browse Homes View Guide 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. #1Centennial 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. Browse Homes View Guide #2Blue Grass Creek 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. #3Eastdale - Donovan Municipality: Oshawa Parks, waterways, trails, wooded areas - you can find it all in Eastdale-Donevan. That makes finding pet-friendly green spaces easy. Browse Homes View Guide Browse Homes View Guide #2Blue Grass Creek Municipality: Whitby This historical hamlet has all the amenities of a modern community, which makes it a great choice for families with teens. Browse Homes View Guide #3Eastdale - Donevan Municipality: Oshawa Parks, waterways, trails, wooded areas - you can find it all in Eastdale-Donevan. That makes finding pet-friendly green spaces easy. Browse Homes View Guide 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. #1Bay Ridges 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. Browse Homes View Guide #2Downtown Ajax 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. #3Liverpool Municipality: Pickering Five bus routes serve Liverpool, which is becoming increasingly transit-oriented as new development spouts by Kingston Road. Browse Homes View Guide Browse Homes View Guide #2Downtown Ajax 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. Browse Homes View Guide #3Liverpool Municipality: Pickering Five bus routes serve Liverpool, which is becoming increasingly transit-oriented as new development spouts by Kingston Road. Browse Homes View Guide 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. #1Amberlea 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. Browse Homes View Guide #2Rougemount Municipality: Pickering Rouge Park is the go-to spot for jogging and basketball, while the various trails are ideal for cyclists and hiking enthusiasts. #3Dunbarton Municipality: Pickering Whether you like swimming, skating, tennis, or fitness studios, you'll find it all at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. Browse Homes View Guide Browse Homes View Guide #2Rougemount Municipality: Pickering Rouge Park is the go-to spot for jogging and basketball, while the various trails are ideal for cyclists and hiking enthusiasts. Browse Homes View Guide #3Dunbarton Municipality: Pickering Whether you like swimming, skating, tennis, or fitness studios, you'll find it all at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. Browse Homes View Guide 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. #1Highbush 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. Browse Homes View Guide #2Amberlea Municipality: Pickering Roughly equidistant from Rouge National Urban Park and Frenchman’s Bay, Amberlea has many smaller parks within its own boundaries, too. #3Rosebank Municipality: Pickering Winding waterways and conservation lands ensconce this secluded neighbourhood offering peace and quiet with a beautiful backdrop. Browse Homes View Guide Browse Homes View Guide #2Amberlea Municipality: Pickering Roughly equidistant from Rouge National Urban Park and Frenchman’s Bay, Amberlea has many smaller parks within its own boundaries, too. Browse Homes View Guide #3Rosebank Municipality: Pickering Winding waterways and conservation lands ensconce this secluded neighbourhood offering peace and quiet with a beautiful backdrop. Browse Homes View Guide 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! #1Pickering Town Centre 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. Browse Homes View Guide #2Central Oshawa Municipality: Oshawa There is no shortage of shopping options - many within walking distance - in this bustling neighbourhood, better known as Downtown Oshawa. #3Pickering Village 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. Browse Homes View Guide Browse Homes View Guide #2Central Oshawa Municipality: Oshawa There is no shortage of shopping options - many within walking distance - in this bustling neighbourhood, better known as Downtown Oshawa. Browse Homes View Guide #3Pickering Village 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. Browse Homes View Guide 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. #1Central Oshawa 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. Browse Homes View Guide #2Pickering Town Centre Municipality: Pickering As Pickering’s buzzing commuter hub and shopping destination, Pickering Town Centre has scores of take-out and dine-in options. #3Downtown Whitby Municipality: Whitby From stone-fire pizzas to Mexican-Indian fusion cuisine, Downtown Whitby’s diverse eats make it a bona fide culinary contender. Browse Homes View Guide Browse Homes View Guide #2Pickering Town Centre Municipality: Pickering As Pickering’s buzzing commuter hub and shopping destination, Pickering Town Centre has scores of take-out and dine-in options. Browse Homes View Guide #3Downtown Whitby Municipality: Whitby From stone-fire pizzas to Mexican-Indian fusion cuisine, Downtown Whitby’s diverse eats make it a bona fide culinary contender. Browse Homes View Guide 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.
