TOP 5 NEIGHBOURHOODS IN HAMILTON, ONTARIO

Hamilton is a big city with a small-town feel. The population is over 800,000, but residents will tell prospective homeowners that it is the best place to live. Many residents of Ontario are choosing to relocate to Hamilton to escape the hustle and bustle of Toronto.

Jump to the Top 5 Neighbourhoods: Corktown, Westdale, Strathcona, Central Hamilton, Kings Forest, Read Our Reviews

Hamilton is located on the Niagara Escarpment which provides residents with beautiful nature trails, picture-perfect landscapes, and of course waterfalls. This is one of the biggest selling points, as prospective homeowners are relocating to Hamilton to enjoy the city's small-town nature, and having easy access to the outdoors is always a plus.

The dining and nightlife scene in Hamilton is unbeatable. With a vast array of restaurants and entertainment available to those who live in Hamilton, there’s always something to do or see. The award-winning restaurants in Hamilton have something to offer for everyone, no matter what they are in the mood for.

Many of our clients want to know how much the cost of living in Hamilton is. After all, money decides where a homeowner can move to. Sometimes, the cost of living in other areas is too exponential for prospective homeowners to commit to buying a house in that area. Hamilton has affordable houses for all residents. Compared to Toronto, consumer prices including rent/mortgages are around 15% lower in Hamilton. The cost of childcare is also considerably lower, with prices averaging around 33% lower than childcare costs in Toronto. Mortgage interest rates are about 9% lower in Hamilton compared to Toronto as well. The lower cost of living is the exact reason why residents of Toronto, and other areas of Ontario, are choosing to seek the calm and quiet environment that Hamilton has to offer. With a lower cost of living, prospective homeowners have the ability to choose the perfect home without having to worry about paying their bills.

After figuring out what the cost of living is in Hamilton, many start to wonder where in Hamilton they should live. Hamilton has several unique neighbourhoods. To create a big picture of the town, we have compiled a list of the top 5 best neighbourhoods to live in Hamilton, as well as all the amenities each has to offer!  If you have any questions - please don't hesitate to contact our Hamilton Real Estate office for more information or to talk with a realtor familiar with Hamilton and its nearby communities!

Corktown

Corktown bears a great deal of history and is filled with character. Located in the heart of it all with proximity to public transportation, parks, shopping, restaurants, and more, this neighbourhood is perfect for families and young professionals. Home prices in the area are higher than the city average, but still relatively low when compared to nearby cities. All amenities are within walking distance.  Read more about Corktown Real Estate and view listings!

Corktown Real Estate

Corktown is full of history and the homes in this neighbourhood are century-style to complement the great amount of history the city has. Most of the homes in this neighbourhood are either single-family, connected, or condominiums.

The average cost of a home in the Corktown neighbourhood is around $406,934.

Corktown Schools

There are multiple schools nearby that are both private and public.

• Queen Victoria Elementary School
• Colin MacDonald Alternative School
• Lynwood Charlton Compass Section 23

Commutes To Cities Near Corktown

• Toronto, ON - 83.9 km via ON-407 W (1 hour, 21 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 73.4 km via Queen Elizabeth Way (50 minutes)
• London, ON - 129 km via ON-403 E (1 hour, 20 minutes)
• Brantford, ON - 41.7 km via ON-403 E (35 minutes)

What’s Nearby?

The Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area sits on the Niagara Escarpment and has two main waterfalls for Hamilton residents to enjoy. This area has nature trails to frequent as well as the yearly spring raptor migration. Thousands of raptors use the updrafts from the gorge over the span of a few weeks, and is the highlight of Hamilton residents’ spring!

Sam Lawrence Park is located within the Corktown neighbourhood. The park boasts a vast array of colourful wildflowers, walking trails, as well as a rock garden for families to enjoy.

The Escarpment Rail Trail runs through Corktown Park and travels all the way to Albion Falls. Enjoy a nice walk through town with the family, and end the walk with the highlight of watching the falls! 

Westdale

Many McMaster University students and professors live in Westdale, which makes it a university community. Hence, the community offers a vibrant and eccentric atmosphere, although the University goes to great lengths to ensure that each resident feels at home. The neighbourhood is highly convenient, because there are many amenities nearby, such as shopping and restaurants.

Westdale Real Estate

The Westdale community was established in the 1920s. These properties tend to be more spacious and a little older than the small and modern homes for sale in Hamilton Centre. There are single-family homes as well as a few condos that are rarely listed.

The average home value in Hamilton can range between $600,000 and $850,000.

Westdale Schools

In addition to McMaster University, there are several public and private schooling options near the Westdale neighbourhood.

• Westdale Children’s School
• Dalewood Senior Public School
• Westdale Secondary School

Commutes

• Toronto, ON - 68.6 km via ON-403 W (1 hour, 9 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 87.6 km via Queen Elizabeth Way (54 minutes)
• London, ON - 127 km via ON-403 E (1 hour, 16 minutes)
• Brantford, ON - 39.7 km via ON-403 E (30 minutes)

What’s Nearby?

Many McMaster University students and professors live in Westdale, which makes it a university community. Hence, the community offers a vibrant and eccentric atmosphere, although the University goes to great lengths to ensure that each resident feels at home. The neighbourhood is highly convenient because there are many amenities nearby, such as shopping and restaurants. 

Strathcona

Strathcona is located west of downtown Hamilton. All amenities for day-to-day living can be found within walking distance. There are many restaurants and retail shopping options for residents of Strathcona to enjoy. Dundurn Castle and the Bayfront Park are just two of the many highly sought-after locations for outdoor and indoor activities for couples or the whole family.

Strathcona Real Estate

This historical neighbourhood is a community primarily made up of older residents. The quiet and tranquil nature of the neighbourhood offers a peaceful place to rest after a long day in Hamilton Centre. Home styles are either connected or single-family homes.

The average price of a home in Strathcona can range from $200,000 to $400,000.

Strathcona Schools

There is one public school and three online schools in the Strathcona neighbourhood

Strathcona Junior Public School is the only public school. Two other public schools can be found less than a 10-minute drive away in the Westdale neighbourhood.

Commutes To/From Cities Near Strathcona

• Toronto, ON - 65.9 km via ON-403 W (55 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 84.9 km via Queen Elizabeth Way (49 minutes)
• London, ON - 128 km via ON-403 E (1 hour, 14 minutes)
• Brantford, ON - 40.5 km via ON-403 E (28 minutes)

What’s Nearby?

This neighbourhood has many community parks, including Dundurn Park with its castle, Harvey Park on the waterfront and Victoria Park in the city centre. There are many historic buildings within this quiet community where you can walk virtually anywhere. Along Main Street West and King Street East in Strathcona's southern end are shopping and entertainment options.

Central Hamilton

Central Hamilton is a family-friendly community located in the heart of downtown Hamilton. This neighbourhood is often referred to as Downtown Hamilton or The Core. With the introduction of recently build condominiums, and the promise of more to come, this area is very sought after, therefore the density of the area is increasing every year. Due to being in the heart of Hamilton, all amenities are within walking distance! Enjoy the best dining options the city has to offer after visiting a few of the locally owned retail shops. Hamilton Central Hospital is also located within walking distance of the neighbourhood.

Central Hamilton Real Estate

The variety of housing offered in Central Hamilton is very diverse. There are multi-family homes, condos, single-family homes, and apartments for prospective owners to choose from. This tight-knit neighbourhood is a little on the busy side, but all the residents love the proximity to everything downtown has to offer.

The average price of homes for sale in Central Hamilton range from $500,000 to $1.9 million.

Central Hamilton Schools

There are both public and private schools located near the Central Hamilton neighbourhood.

• Hess Street Elementary
• Westdale Secondary School

Commutes To/From Cities Near Central Hamilton

• Toronto, ON - 67.1 km via ON-403 W (49 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 72.9 km via Queen Elizabeth Way (48 minutes)
• London, ON - 128 km via ON-403 E (1 hour, 14 minutes)
• Brantford, ON - 41.1 km via ON-403 E (29 minutes)

What’s Nearby?

Central Hamilton is home to Jackson Square, which holds a vast array of dining options as well as entertainment. Jackson Square also connect downtown with the Hamilton Farmer’s Market, which brings residents from all over the city together.

The Outdoor Skating Rink at Pier 8 is just a short drive away and has loads of family fun to offer.

Beasley Skate park is also located in Central Hamilton and has lots of picnic areas for families to enjoy on their well-deserved weekends and evenings.

King’s Forest

King’s Forest is one of the more upscale and luxurious neighbourhoods that Hamilton has to offer. With daily living amenities within walking distance and direct access to outdoor activities, this community is highly sought after by prospective homeowners looking to settle down in a quiet part of Hamilton. King’s Forest is one of the larger neighbourhoods, therefore it has been split into three parcels. King’s Forest A, B, and C.

King’s Forest Real Estate

The homes offered in this neighbourhood are mostly single or multi-family homes.

These homes usually range in price from $500,000 to $1.2 million.

King’s Forest Schools

There are no schools located within the King’s Forest community, but there are both public and private schools within a short commute.

Commutes To/From Cities Near King's Forest

• Toronto, ON - 72.8 km via ON-403 W (53 minutes)
• Niagara Falls, ON - 68.3 km via Queen Elizabeth Way (44 minutes)
• London, ON - 139 km via ON-403 E (1 hour, 25 minutes)
• Brantford, ON - 51.7 km via ON-403 E (40 minutes)

What’s Nearby?

Enjoy the beautiful scenery while playing a game of golf at the King’s Forest Golf Club. The pristine greens will be sure to provide a full day’s worth of fun!
Mohawk Sports Park is located within the King’s Forest community as well. This sports park is an athletic track and a public park where families gather on the weekend to watch their children compete in sports. The proximity to the King’s Forest neighbourhood is key to parents with children in sports. The Mohawk Sports Park is open for public use throughout the week to ensure every resident of King’s Forest and Hamilton gets to enjoy the beautiful sights. 

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