Source: Remax
If you ask any person who left the GTA in the last two years, the common response will be Barrie, Milton, Bowmanville, etc. However, there is a lesser-known migration occurring to the east. This migration is specifically directed at Gloucester, the eastern portion of Ottawa, and possibly some of the surrounding areas that many GTA Residents could not locate on a map 5 years ago.
As of today, this migration is occurring rapidly.
When the Numbers Stop Making Sense
When comparing the costs of living in the outer GTA versus Gloucester, one of the first issues is that moving to Milton or Stouffville doesn’t help solve the issue of wanting to live in Toronto. While you may pay GTA-adjacent prices for a longer commute, you’re still competing with every other family who made the same decision. What’s changed? The price of a detached home in Whitby has increased over $250,000 in the last decade alone. You’ve moved 1 hour further west and managed to save nothing.
In Gloucester, while the home may be larger and have a larger lot, the price of the property is often 50% to 75% less. This is not just a rounding error. This equates to approximately 5 additional years of retirement or having enough money set aside for your children’s education or buying another vehicle.
While the initial savings may be appealing, the true advantage of purchasing a home in Gloucester lies beyond just saving money, for example, property taxes in Gloucester are generally significantly lower than those found in the GTA.
With regards to heating and insurance, these are generally comparable to those found in the GTA. Another factor to consider is that due to no speculative surge, the market in Gloucester is much more stable than some of the newer GTA outer-ring municipalities.
Why Commute Time Matters Less Than It Used To
Time spent travelling often takes precedence over actual distance travelled. As an example, if you are forced to travel an hour each way on the 401 to get to work, this time spent travelling is often considered worse than travelling 100 km.
Alternatively, while travel times in Gloucester may be slightly longer than within the GTA proper, they are nowhere near as lengthy as commutes from Brampton/Milton/Whitby/etc. Also, as there are fewer commuters, road congestion is generally less severe than seen throughout the GTA.
Many families have been able to avoid commutes altogether thanks to remote work options. Prior to covid-19, individuals were generally tied down to working from their employer-provided office location. Today however, this is largely irrelevant. If you are fortunate enough to have an employer that allows you to work remotely with reliable internet connection capabilities, then your primary consideration will likely shift from “how far am I willing to commute?” to “where do I actually want to live?”
While Gloucester does provide families with access to amenities located in downtown Ottawa, many families find themselves drawn to this option simply because of the overall quality of life offered. While many of us would agree that our ideal location would be closer to Toronto, others recognize that there are numerous benefits associated with settling in a quieter environment outside of Toronto's core.
Day-To-Day Life In Gloucester
One challenge faced when attempting to describe day-to-day life in Gloucester is accurately capturing the experience using data. Gloucester is not simply a quiet bedroom community with one strip mall and a Tim Hortons. Rather, it contains multiple established neighborhoods complete with good schools and easy access to outdoor activities including proximity to the Ottawa River. As well, families living in Gloucester will have access to all of the cultural attractions and amenities available through Ottawa's central business district.
Comparatively speaking, while many of the GTA's newest outer-ring suburbs offer prospective buyers affordable housing opportunities, these locations lack adequate supporting infrastructure necessary to service their burgeoning populations. Examples include lack of pediatricians accepting new patients and limited school capacity.
Community Without The Exorbitant Cost
Another key benefit of choosing to reside in Gloucester includes avoiding the "newcomer" stigma. Due to rapid suburbanization of areas surrounding Toronto during recent years, many outer-suburban neighborhoods remain relatively unestablished. This results in newcomers facing isolation as a result of lacking relationships with existing neighbors. On the other hand, Gloucester features an established neighborhood dynamic composed of both new and long-time Residents alike. Newcomers therefore benefit from being surrounded by familiar faces and friendships formed prior to arrival.
Planning Your Move
Moving a household can be a complex task regardless of whether you are moving within Ontario or crossing provincial borders. Regardless of whether you are relocating from one end of the GTA or moving from the GTA to Ottawa (or vice versa), it is essential to research reputable moving companies experienced in inter-provincial moves. Residents making the move often rely on experienced local companies such as First Rate Movers when relocating to Gloucester and the greater Ottawa area.
Additionally, local movers will possess familiarity with various aspects of your move that are unique to Ottawa (such as which streets have restricted parking for moving trucks). Local movers will assist you in completing tasks such as arranging elevators in condominium buildings and booking reservations for utility hookups ahead of schedule. These details make a significant difference between a smooth transition into your new residence versus potential headaches that may arise during or immediately after your relocation.
Items To Address Prior To Relocation
Prior to executing your relocation plans, there are several items you should address. Health card transfers are surprisingly simple considering you will remain within Ontario; however utility hookup schedules can sometimes take weeks or months prior to activation. School registration deadlines vary depending on school boards; Ottawa-Carleton's process differs from Peel/York school board processes as well. All of these processes require advance planning.
Advantages:
- Homes offer significantly lower purchase prices compared to similar homes in the GTA outer ring ($200k-$300k+).
- Commute time to downtown Ottawa will typically range between 20-30 minutes.
- Neighborhood infrastructure exists prior to the arrival of thousands of new Residents annually.
- Carrying costs such as property taxes relative to home value are generally lower than those found in the outer-GTA areas.
- Stable economy provided by government employment opportunities located throughout the region including in Kanata.
Trade-Offs:
- Leaving behind an existing network of friends/family/dentist/etc.
- More logistical planning required than average cross-town move due to provincial boundaries.
Smaller city amenities exist within Ottawa (large concerts/sports teams/gourmet restaurants etc.) compared to larger urban centres. - Ottawa winters can be harsher than many GTA families experience.
- Employment flexibility is crucial. If you need to travel to Toronto occasionally for business purposes, the financial benefits of relocating to Gloucester disappear quickly.
Is Gloucester Ultimately Worth It?
For many families priced out of the GTA, the answer is becoming clear. Gloucester offers more home for your money, a welcoming community, and a better quality of life.
It may not get the same attention as the GTA's fast-growing suburbs, but that's part of its appeal. Before making your decision, spend a weekend exploring Gloucester, visit a few neighbourhoods, and talk to a local real estate expert. You may find it's not a compromise at all. It could be the fresh start you've been looking for.
