Why Barrie Is One of Ontario’s Hottest Cities
We don’t select locations for future developments arbitrarily. Instead, we look for regions that already have the infrastructure and amenities to become sustainable, forwarding-thinking urban neighbourhoods. That’s why we chose Barrie as the home of one of our upcoming communities.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Simcoe just 40 minutes north of Toronto, Barrie has been turning heads lately, and it’s not hard to understand why. The city has low crime rates, a booming economy, and rapidly falling unemployment rates. In a recent article, BuzzBuzzNews described Barrie as “posed for inevitable growth”. But that’s not all. Here’s why more and more people are making the move from the GTA to Barrie:
Easy to get around
You don’t have to live in Toronto’s downtown core to know what a nightmare traffic is these days. Even GTA suburbs experience congestion on a daily basis. This is just one of the reasons why living in Barrie is so appealing. Traffic in Barrie is light, which means you can get just about anywhere in around 10 minutes.
However, it isn’t just travel within the city that’s easy. With regular GO Train service out of two stations, heading to Toronto for work or play is a breeze. And when it’s time to relax and unwind, you’ll benefit from living at the gateway to Ontario’s cottage country.
Packed with everyday amenities
When you’ve got a hectic schedule, having a grocery store, pharmacy, or daycare close by can make all the difference. In Barrie, there’s no shortage of these everyday amenities. The site of our upcoming community on Essa Road, for example, is just around the corner from everything you need. You can stock up on groceries at Zehr’s, fill prescriptions at Shopper’s Drug Mart, snag deals at Costco or Walmart, and grab a coffee at Starbucks. And if you have a family, you’ll find schools and childcare centres right in the neighbourhood.
Home to a range of outdoor activities
If you enjoy staying active outdoors, you’ll have lots of options to choose from in Barrie. The city features over 300 hectares of scenic park space, over 88 km of public trails, and a gorgeous waterfront spanning 5 km along Lake Simcoe. In the summer, you can soak up the sun at one of the city’s five beaches or choose from a range of water activities, including sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. And when the temperatures start to drop, hit the slopes at Horseshoe Resort or Snow Valley or make the short trip to Blue Mountain or Mount St. Louis Moonstone.
Lots to do and eat
You don’t have to love summer or winter sports to enjoy living in Barrie. The city has lots to offer indoors too. For example, when you need a dose of retail therapy, you can take your pick from Georgian Mall, Park Place, or the nearby Tanger Outlets in Cookstown. You’ll also find a range of movie theatres, sports bars, gaming facilities, and performing arts centres for your next date night. And when you’re craving a good bite, head to one of Barrie’s 200+ restaurants, which feature pub fare, fine dining, ethnic cuisine, and everything in between.
The perfect place for convenient modern living
At One Urban, our mission is to make modern life simpler and more convenient. In Barrie, we’ve found the perfect place to make this happen. The city isn’t just a safe, centrally located hub full of economic promise. It’s also home to a range of amenities that make it easy to tackle chores, enjoy your favourite activities, and create lasting memories with friends and family.