Top 5 Best Places To Live In Ancaster, Ontario

Ancaster is a small town with a lot of history. Originally established in 1793, it became one of the first influential European communities in Ontario. Due to Ancaster being the largest industrial and commercial centre by 1823, the town is a significant part of Eastern Canada’s history.  In 2001, Ancaster merged with the city of Hamilton.

Ancaster is also known as the City of Waterfalls with approximately 10 breathtaking waterfalls surrounding the area, not to mention the Niagara Falls Escarpment right outside the town.

On This Page: Meadowlands, Maple Lane Annex, Pinecrest, Ancaster Heights, Greenside Acres, Our Reviews

Now mixed with modern amenities, Ancaster has a small-town feel with many historical artifacts that take residents back hundreds of years. An affluent community, Ancaster is located on the western outskirts of Hamilton.  Development is strictly controlled in the historic village core of Olde Ancaster to preserve as much of the area’s history as possible. There is no other place like Ancaster, Ontario. Many travel from far and wide just to show their families a piece of important history, and the residents take pride in knowing their families have easy access to learning more about the past.

Along with being a town with such a rich historical background, Ancaster has plenty to offer its residents. Many enjoy living the small-town life while having direct access to the city of Hamilton. All amenities that cannot be found in Ancaster, can be found just a short drive away. The entire town is surrounded by farmland and forests to allow residents to have easy access to outdoor activities with up to 40 km of hiking and biking trails.  It’s also located along the Niagara Escarpment so the local geography is absolutely breathtaking. Ancaster Village features many fully accessible walking paths for residents to stroll through and enjoy the local businesses along the downtown centre.

Many truly believe that Ancaster is a hidden gem, blinded by the hustle and bustle of Hamilton and Toronto. The housing affordability compared to the big cities nearby is exceptional, and that is a definite selling factor to prospective residents.  When deciding whether or not to make the move to Ancaster, many residents want to know which neighbourhoods are the best. To simplify the process for prospective homeowners, we have compiled a list of the top 5 best places to live in Ancaster. Here are our picks!  

Meadowlands of Ancaster

Meadowlands of Ancaster is located to the northeast of Ancaster and is conveniently located off Highway 403. This newer neighbourhood boasts modern homes that also fit the historical aesthetic of the town. Meadowlands of Ancaster is one of the wealthiest and most ethnically diverse neighbourhoods in the area. Several different bus routes traverse throughout the neighbourhood for easy economical access to the surrounding amenities.

Meadowlands Real Estate

This neighbourhood features newly built homes with some homes currently being developed. There is a variety of construction styles to choose from. Meadowlands of Ancaster is very family-friendly and mostly holds young families along with a few retirees.

Most homes within this neighbourhood are single-family homes with between 3 and 5 bedrooms. There are also a few attached homes and apartments as well. The median cost of homes in this subdivision is around $1.1 million.

Meadowlands Education

There are several schools located within the Meadowlands community:

• Tiffany Hills Elementary School
• Ancaster Meadow Elementary School
• The Ancaster Senior Public School is located within a 10-minute drive from the Meadowlands neighbourhood.

Commutes To Cities Near Meadowlands

• Hamilton, ON - 11.8 km via ON-403 E (14 minutes)
• Toronto, ON - 75.9 km via ON-403 E (1 hour, 10 minutes)
• Burlington, ON - 24.4 km via ON-403 E (23 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 81.8 km via Queen Elizabeth Highway (56 minutes)

Local Amenities & Activities

Most daily living amenities can be found within the Meadowlands community. There are establishments such as Costco and Home Depot, as well as numerous restaurants that will fulfill any craving. Meadowlands Power Centre provides all the shopping residents could dream of.

For outdoor activities, the Hamilton Golf and Country Club which is a 100+-year-old course with private access is a short 5-minute drive away and provides everything needed to have an amazing day of golf. Meadowlands Community Park holds an ample amount of room for picnics and sports. There is a baseball field as well as a playground and tennis court. There is also a walking path that surrounds the park, allowing families to achieve some exercise while enjoying the beautiful weather.

Maple Lane Annex

The Maple Lane Annex is located to the northeast of Ancaster and also borders Meadowlands of Ancaster. With a mix of newer and older homes, the historic charm of Ancaster is also met with modern amenities. This family-friendly neighbourhood has lots to offer prospective homeowners.

Maple Lane Annex Real Estate

Maple Lane Annex is a diverse neighbourhood made up of both newer and older homes that are backed up against green fields. There are also a few newer executive-style townhouses near Highway 403. The Field of Fiddler’s Green is a subdivision within the Maple Lane Annex that features a newer housing development as well.

The area features both owned and rented homes, with the majority of them being owned. The homes sit on decent-sized lots that allow families to have privacy while still maintaining a friendly atmosphere.
The median price for homes in this neighbourhood is around $899,900.

Maple Lane Annex Education

There is one school located within the Maple Lane Annex neighbourhood:

• Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School

These schools are within a 10-minute drive of the Maple Lane Annex neighbourhood:

• Ancaster Meadow Elementary School
• Ancaster Senior Public School

Commutes

• Hamilton, ON - 12.6 km via ON-403 E (11 minutes)
• Toronto, ON - 76.8 km via ON-403 E (57 minutes)
• Burlington, ON - 25.3 km via ON-403 E (19 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 85.4 km via Queen Elizabeth Highway (52 minutes)

What’s Nearby?

Maple Lane Annex is mostly made up of family homes, therefore most daily living amenities will be found just a short distance away in the Meadowlands of Ancaster community. That is where most residents go to find chain grocery stores such as Costco.

Within the Maple Lane Annex is Avondale Food Stores, and Produce Express which have almost everything a resident would need for grocery shopping.

Maple Lane Park is a small park located within the community as well. It has a full playground with a walking path that surrounds the park. This is the perfect place for a quick play date or a simple afternoon picnic.

For other outdoor activities, residents can find Lindley’s Farm and Market which allows visitors to pick their own produce amongst other fun family activities.

Pinecrest

The Pinecrest neighbourhood is located on the eastern side of the Hamilton Golf and Country Club. The myriad of large trees in Pinecrest creates a unique sense of privacy. It also gives off a rural feel while still being located close to everything.

Pinecrest Real Estate

Most of the homes in the Pinecrest neighbourhood are older homes that were built in the late 90s and into the 2000s. Mostly, there are single-family homes that hold between 2-4 bedrooms. These homes also sit on larger lots which provides residents with an ample amount of space and privacy.

The median cost of homes in this neighbourhood is around $1 million.

Pinecrest Schools

There are no schools located inside the Pinecrest neighbourhood, but there are several schools within a 10-minute drive. They are:

• Rousseau Elementary School
• Ancaster Meadow Elementary 
• Ancaster Senior Public School

Commutes To/From Cities Near Pinecrest

• Hamilton, ON - 11.1 km via ON-403 E (12 minutes)
• Toronto, ON - 75.3 km via ON-403 E (55 minutes)
• Burlington, ON - 23.8 km via ON-403 E (20 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 83.6 km via Queen Elizabeth Highway (52 minutes) 

What’s Nearby?

The Hamilton Golf and Country Club is located on the eastern side of the Pinecrest neighbourhood. This 100+-year-old private golf course is the ultimate way to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors with or without the family.

All amenities are located just a short drive away in the Meadowlands of Ancaster community.

Lower Mills Falls is located only 6 minutes away from the Pinecrest neighbourhood and has a significant amount of history. Named after the four mills that were once located in the area, three of them were destroyed and a limestone flour mill was put in their place. Now the Lower Mills Falls is a limestone waterfall that gets as thick as four feet at the base. There are many hiking and biking trails around the vicinity of Lower Mills Falls and the other waterfalls in the surrounding area for families to enjoy.

Pinecrest Park is located within the neighbourhood and has a full playground with an ample amount of room for picnics!

Ancaster Heights

Ancaster Heights is a wonderful neighbourhood located on the northern side of Ancaster. Being one of the bigger subdivisions of Ancaster, there is a unique ethnical diversity to the area that allows residents from all backgrounds to feel at home. This quiet neighbourhood is family-friendly and has a very private atmosphere. With Tiffany Falls just outside the neighbourhood, this area is highly sought after by prospective homeowners.

Ancaster Heights Real Estate

Most of the homes are a bit older but have a distinct brick colonial aesthetic to match the historical significance of the town. Situated on larger lots, the homes have privacy, but not enough to deter neighbours from becoming great friends.

Most of the homes in Ancaster Heights are single-family homes, and the median price of them is around $900,000.

Ancaster Heights Education

There are several schools in the surrounding area of Ancaster Heights:

• Strata Montessori Adolescent School
• Rousseau Elementary School
• Ancaster Senior Public School

Commutes To/From Cities Near Ancaster Heights

Commutes

• Hamilton, ON - 12.3 km via ON-403 E (14 minutes)
• Toronto, ON - 76.5 km via ON-403 E (55 minutes)
• Burlington, ON - 25.0 km via ON-403 E (22 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 84.8 km via Queen Elizabeth Highway (53 minutes)

What’s Nearby?

All daily living amenities are within a short drive across Highway 403 into Meadowlands of Ancaster.

Tiffany Falls is right outside Ancaster Heights to the north. This picturesque 21 meter high waterfall is easily reached by a short wooded trail. Many families love going on short trips to Tiffany Falls for easy exercise.

The Iriquoia Heights Conservation Area is located 11 minutes away and also holds hiking and biking trails for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. 

Greenside Acres

Greenside Acres is located along the western side of the premier Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster. Greenside Acres Park envelopes a portion of the neighbourhood with trees to create a wooded forest feel. The plethora of trees throughout the area provides a sense of privacy for residents, as well as creates beautiful scenery.

Greenside Acres Real Estate

Most of the homes within Greenside Acres are a little older. Generally, there are mostly single family homes with beautiful colonial architecture to match the historical aesthetic of the town. Most homes here are between 3-5 bedrooms.

The median price of homes in this neighborhood is around $791,000.

Greenside Acres Education

There are no schools located within the Greenside Acres neighbourhood, but there are several in the surrounding area.

• Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School
• Ancaster Meadow Elementary School
• Ancaster Senior Public School

Commutes To/From Cities Near Greenside Acres

• Hamilton, ON - 14.3 km via ON-403 E (12 minutes)
• Toronto, ON - 78.5 km via ON-403 E (55 minutes)
• Burlington, ON - 27.0 km via ON-403 E (21 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 87.1 km via Queen Elizabeth Highway (52 minutes)

What’s Nearby?

There are a few small grocery stores that residents like to frequent near the Greenside Acres neighbourhood. Fortino’s has everything needed to do a grocery run, and so does Shopper’s Drug Mart. Anything else a resident of Greenside Acres may need can be found less than 10 minutes away in Meadowlands of Ancaster.

The premier Hamilton Golf and Country Club borders the Greenside Acres neighbourhood, and is a private course. Many residents have a private membership to the course, due to its proximity and how easily accessible it is.

The Morgan Firestone Arena is located right outside of the neighbourhood and allows residents to enjoy some ice skating or get rowdy while watching a game of hockey. Right next to the Morgan Firestone Arena is the Sulphur Springs Trailhead which leads to where hot springs come out of the mountain. These springs were used to feed the Sulphur Springs Hotel’s mineral spa that was established in the 1800s. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and some outdoor exercise and then have a soak in the springs. 

See What A Happy Golfi Team Client Says About our Work in Ancaster on Google!

We worked with Chris Sarievski of the Golfi Team to buy our new home in Ancaster this July in just 2 weeks. We were completely thrilled with Chris and the whole process was seamless...we highly recommend him! He is extremely knowledgeable about the market, professional , proactive, a great listener and is highly client-focused...and a super nice family guy to boot :). What really impressed the heck out of us (and surprised us to be honest) is that Chris pointed out issues that he saw and we had missed in the houses we were viewing...now that's honesty with a capital H. Chris was able to leverage his extensive network to connect us with the reputable tradespeople we're going to need, a terrific home inspector, a local lawyer and even movers. In our mind, this is above and beyond service excellence. Give him a call, you won't be disappointed.
Sara & Jonathan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We're Proud of our 4.9 rating across over 1147+ reviews on Google