One of the upsides of the pandemic was it challenged the way we think about how we work and live. When millions of Canadians began working remotely, many realized that they were no longer restricted to living close to the office. Instead, they could choose homes that better fit their lifestyle.
The Durham Region has become a hotspot for remote workers. In fact, even before the pandemic, many people were choosing to buy real estate in the Durham Region over Toronto and other cities in Ontario. These are just a few reasons why the area is so appealing to remote workers.
Affordable Housing
It’s no secret that housing prices in Toronto have skyrocketed over the past decade. Why pay more if you don't actually have to live right in the city? The Durham Region offers affordable alternatives to Toronto housing prices.
Home buyers will find a range of homes to suit all budgets in the Durham Region. Housing prices can be very reasonable in some of the more rural areas like Clarington, Bowmanville, Brooklin, and Courtice.
The prices may be a bit higher in more densely populated municipalities such as Whitby, Oshawa, Pickering, and Ajax. However, you will probably get more for your money than you would in Toronto, particularly when it comes to lot size and proximity to the water.
Green Living
Looking to live a healthier, more environmentally conscious lifestyle? The Durham Region is renowned for its parks, green spaces, and nature preserves. Many of the communities sit directly on the shores of Lake Ontario, while others are surrounded by forests and agricultural lands.
If you love outdoor activities, this is the place to be. The area is home to hundreds of hiking trails, cycling paths, skating rinks, basketball courts, and more. There are also a number of ski resorts nearby.
It's easy to immerse yourself in nature when you live in the Durham Region. Take a break from work and head to the Greenwood Conservation Area to explore 700 acres of forests that are teeming with wildlife. The McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve is great for bird watching.
Proximity to Toronto
If you’re worried that your remote position may not be a permanent arrangement or that your company might switch to hybrid working, it’s nice to know that it’s easy to commute to Toronto from the Durham Region.
Many communities in the Durham Region have become bedroom cities of Toronto because of their close proximity and GO Train connections. For example, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa and Whitby all have GO Train stations that will take you right into Union Square.
Commute times to Toronto depend on where you live in the Durham Region and the traffic conditions at any given time. In general though it usually takes about an hour to travel to Toronto from most of the communities in the Durham Region.
Excellent Schools
If you’re a parent who works from home, you know how time-consuming it can be to organize kids for school. One of the great things about the Durham Region is that there are plenty of schools for all ages, so you won’t have to add long commutes to your day.
There are over 131 schools in the Durham Region that fall under highly-rated Durham District School Board. These include English language schools, French language schools, and Catholic schools. There are also a number of private schools to choose from.
The Durham Region is also home to a number of post-secondary schools including Trent University, Ontario Tech, and Durham College. This makes it an excellent place to live for those who want to work remotely and study at the same time.
If you’re working remotely and considering moving to the Durham Region, explore our real estate listings to find the perfect home for your ideal work-life balance!
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