Lying just 90 minutes north of Toronto and the GTA, Collingwood has understandably become a popular escape from the big city. A walk about the town quickly shows how much there is to see and do. The shops, the restaurants, and the bustling downtown core make Collingwood a beautiful place to visit. Whether you stay for a day, a weekend, or a month, you’ll never run out of things to do and experience. And then, of course, there’s the waterfront.
Collingwood is located right on the southern shore of Georgian Bay, with a paved trail that stretches for 4 km, providing outstanding views of the blue, crystal-clear water.
When it comes to vacations, Collingwood is hard to beat. But should you consider making your home here year-round? As you’ll see, many people are leaving the GTA to do precisely that. Here are just a few reasons why:
The Real Estate Opportunities
While housing prices have increased everywhere, Toronto has become prohibitively expensive for most people, especially first-time buyers. There was a time when a million-dollar house put you on par with the rich and famous. Now, that same money barely gets you an old home that likely needs extensive renovations and repairs.
As the population in the GTA grows, housing prices are expected to rise even more. Many financial advisors recommend getting out of the city for a more affordable lifestyle if you can.
Compared to Toronto, the houses in Collingwood are far more affordable. As of October 2022, the Canadian Real Estate Association reported that the benchmark price for a detached home in Collingwood was $725,700, almost half as much as you would pay in Toronto. Townhouses and condos are ideal starter properties, with median prices at $645,600 and $484,600, respectively.
And if you’ve ever dreamed of owning a house on the waterfront, it’s far more accessible in Collingwood. Properties range from $400,000 condos to multi-million dollar estates, with a median of $859,000.
Your dollar will go much further here, even when buying a luxury home.
Understanding the market should always be your first step before buying or selling property in Collingwood. Here are some of our recent posts to help bring you up to date:
- Is Now the Time to Buy an Investment Property in Collingwood?
- A Guide to Buying Vacation Property in The Blue Mountains
- What Type of Mortgage Should You Get?
The Lifestyle
What do you sacrifice should you decide to relocate to Collingwood from the GTA? For starters, you can say goodbye to the crowds, congestion, and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Even during the busiest tourist times, you will have more breathing room and less stress getting around.
You will also notice far less pollution and noise. Look up at the sky in the middle of the night, and you’ll love the unobstructed view of the stars!
A better question is, what will you gain from living in Collingwood?
One thing we love most about our town is the welcoming atmosphere and the sense of community. There are no strangers here! Everyone is friendly and willing to help each other.
When it comes to everything we love about Collingwood, there’s way too much to mention in a single post!
The Burning Question: What Is There to Do in Collingwood?
The common fear when relocating from the GTA is that anywhere else you go will feel dull by comparison. Not so in Collingwood, where you’ll find something exciting to do every day of the week.
Although the clubbing and nightlife may not be as bustling, there are still many bars, pubs, and restaurants featuring live music and entertainment. For example, 1858 Caesar Bar, Rusty’s at Blue, and The Huron Club are some evening hotspots you’ll want to check out!
Beyond the night scene, Collingwood offers an impressive list of enjoyable activities families of all ages can enjoy.
- Get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Collingwood is called a four-season playground for a reason! The stunning hiking trails, waterfront paths, and breathtaking parks are practically unlimited.
- Take a trip to the Scandinavian Spa. This famous destination spa is less than 15 minutes away and offers the ultimate chance to unwind and get away from it all.
- Enjoy a day trip to the beach. Sunset Point Beach is located right here in town and is a fantastic place for people of all ages to enjoy a hot summer afternoon.
- Explore the scenic caves. The Niagara Escarpment should be considered one of the wonders of the world! These crevices and caves descend 70 ft below the surface and are an attraction you must see at least once.
- Visit a museum. The Collingwood Museum and Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame provide fun ways to spend an afternoon while basking in the town’s rich heritage.
Once your family gets a taste of the excitement Collingwood offers, you may wonder how you ever survived the “boredom” of the GTA!
Did you know that Keleher + Co. hosts various fun and educational events throughout the year? Examples include Movie Mornings, our Fall Festival, and TEDx Collingwood.
A Growing Economy and Unparallelled Opportunities
Collingwood supports innovation! Lower operating costs make opening a business here far more feasible than in the GTA. It is widely considered one of the best small towns for startup businesses, with a growing population and a Business Development Centre committed to helping new ventures flourish. In 2019, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses ranked Collingwood as the number six best entrepreneurship community in the nation.
New businesses are the backbone of Collingwood’s economy, providing the region with career opportunities and financial growth.
Collingwood is just one of the communities in Southern Georgian Bay. Find out more in our detailed article, “What is Southern Georgian Bay?“
Should You Buy or Sell in Collingwood?
As a growing economic and recreational hub, Collingwood is an exceptional place to buy and invest in real estate. Housing values will rise substantially as more people turn their eyes to this beautiful town.
As it happens, now is also an excellent time to sell a property. Even though housing prices have dropped slightly from their peak earlier in 2022, the year-to-date average remains approximately 10% higher than in 2021. Whether you want to upsize to a larger home or downsize, selling now will provide you with a substantial return on your investment and support your future goals.
The real estate market has changed in Collingwood, but there are still plenty of opportunities for both buyers and sellers. If you are ready to move forward or just have a few questions, reach out to us today at service@KeleherCo.ca or call 705-532-9999.
