Winter in Toronto is lovely, but nothing beats the delightful ambiance of small towns in Ontario. Here are twelve of Ontario’s most charming and prettiest small towns! Whatever time of year you come, you’ll discover a diverse range of activities in Ontario’s prettiest little towns.
Napanee town
Napanee is one of those up-and-coming retirement locations that is still flying under many people’s radar. While it is renowned for its proximity to Lake Ontario and the 401, the major lure in this region is Charleston Lake, a fantastic investment for cottage enthusiasts who cannot afford Muskoka pricing. Napanee is also on the outskirts of Prince Edward County (see above). Greater Napanee was rated in the top 300 of Moneysense’s prettiest town to live in Ontario, Canada, in 2018, the most recent year of rankings.
Alexandria
Alexandria, Ontario, is one of the province’s few examples of a near-perfect blend of French and English-speaking residents. In reality, French is the town’s official language, which is one of just a handful in Ontario. It’s a wonderful spot to visit or a great place to settle for bilingual persons or couples where each spouse speaks one of these languages. Real estate in this section of the province is also quite inexpensive.
Alexandria is a hidden gem that has everything you need. There is a golf and country club nearby. A beachfront park on Mill Pond is a haven for nature lovers. The church of Saint-Finnan, the Precious Blood convent, and the ancient Alexandria Station are among examples of notable local architecture. Its location, nearly midway between Ottawa and Montreal, also makes it an excellent home base from which to day travel to any of these cities.
Collingwood
Anyone who has visited Collingwood knows that it is one of the greatest locations in the province to be. Summer at Wasaga Beach and winter at Blue Mountain make this Ontario’s playground year-round. Collingwood is a wonderful option for people seeking an exquisite village active in the summer and calm enough throughout the slower seasons. According to MoneySense, it is one of the top 100 greatest locations to live in Canada.
Penny Preston, a Collingwood resident, enjoys the winter season. “At 75 and up, snowshoeing appears to be safer than skiing, so that’s what I like to do here,” she explains.
Picton (Prince Edward County)
Picton is known as “Ontario’s Gastronomic Capital,” and it is home to one of the province’s most intriguing wine regions. The town and surrounding county are teeming with colorful, one-of-a-kind stores, artisans’ boutiques, and marketplaces. Sandbanks Provincial Park is located along the Lake’s shoreline, and it is only the beginning of the magnificent beaches in this area.
Picton is in Prince Edward County, which MoneySense ranks as a top location to live based mostly on financial statistics and other data. Access to health care and vibrant arts and sports community are two notable qualities of Prince Edward County that contribute to its greatness. On the other hand, the comfort of living here, the attractive landscape, and the freshness of Lake Ontario winds do not fit into a spreadsheet.
Carp
Another prettiest towns in eastern Ontario with a waterfront and close proximity to Ottawa. Carp also benefits from a mix of low-cost real estate and a wealth of local character. Starting with Diefenbunker, there are various reasons this is a fun trip. Anyone with a survivalist mindset might be wise to reside in Carp, Ontario! Other surrounding jewels, such as Dunrobin Shores, are also interesting trips for bargain hunters. Carp is also renowned in UFO lore, where a claimed crash here is still referred to as “a classic case in ufology,” albeit this is disappearing from memory.
Newcastle
And Newcastle is another unappreciated treasure on Lake Ontario’s shoreline. Just outside the GTA yet bursting with small-town charm that makes it worthwhile to visit. Because of its proximity to Toronto, it is an ideal real estate investment, even for retirees. Clarington is favorable such as MoneySense, with high average family income, healthy growth, and low crime.
Simcoe
Specifically, Simcoe may be the definition of a calm little town. Hamilton, the next large city, is about an hour away. Looking for peace and quiet? You can find it right here. It is also an excellent spot to retire for those who like spending time on the lake. Lake Erie is the hottest of the Great Lakes, and some nearby beaches are breathtaking. While Turkey Point is a famous destination, Long Point is one of the province’s best-hidden secrets just a little farther down the road. Marinas dot the shoreline around here, and it’s difficult to imagine a more gorgeous location on a hot summer day than fishing or boating on Lake Erie or Long Point Bay.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake, another picturesque tiny Ontario town, is well-known as a wine tourism destination. Real estate prices in the area are steadily rising. Niagara-on-the-Lake is busier and more expanding than the other tiny Ontario towns on this list, making it a smart investment (even in retirement). Because of its pleasant weather and vibrant arts and sports scene, the town is #54 on MoneySense’s 2017 lists.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is conveniently located at the southernmost tip of Ontario (where the weather is warm). There are lots to do here, from visiting local vineyards to visiting beaches around Lake Ontario and seeing the worldwide hotspot of Niagara Falls. You may also take the QEW to Toronto or cross the border for shopping in Buffalo. People enjoy Niagara-on-the-Lake and the surrounding region because they can find almost whatever they want, including the touchstone of happy retirement: quiet. “I appreciate the greatest calm here,” says Dorothy Murphy, a local senior.
Paris
Paris is a lovely, calm village amid southwestern Ontario. For a good cause, it’s been dubbed “the prettiest town in Canada.” Paris is built on a steep elevation, providing spectacular views of the Grand River greenspace, which runs through the city’s heart. Historic buildings, modest stores, attractive restaurants, cobblestone walks, and miles of footpaths make this a popular destination for residents and visitors alike.
Paris is a fantastic location to live. Mary is a senior who relocated here from out of town and enjoys how the community dresses up for the summer. “The landscape here is actually extremely stunning,” she remarks.
Goderich
Goderich is known as “the prettiest town in Ontario, Canada,” for a good cause. The town is designed on a unique hub model, with all streets radiating from the main center. During the summer, the town center is nicely planted. You may stroll from downtown to the coast of Lake Huron, one of the world’s largest and most magnificent bodies of pure water.
Manotick
And another hidden treasure in eastern Ontario. We could have chosen any of the communities in the Ottawa Region, but this one is exceptional. It is located directly on the Rideau River, with plenty of open shorelines. Watson’s Mill and the Watson’s Mill dam are lovely local attractions that, if they were closer, would make this hamlet a popular weekend getaway for GTA residents. It is home to a variety of attractive new developments and structures. Still, it differs from other overdeveloped areas in that it has committed to preserving its past by carefully regulating expansion and working closely with developers.
Dorchester
Dorchester is another desirable town that blends calm village life with closeness to a big city and all the comforts, activities, and health care you’ll ever need. According to Canadian Real Estate Magazine, it is an example of economical living and low crime and a great potential real estate investment neighborhood.
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