Is Vaughan, Ontario the place for you? There are a lot of great things to love about Vaughan, and this article will help you understand:

• Vaughan, Ontario Demographics
• The Pros and Cons of Living in Vaughan
• Step-By-Step Guide to Moving to Vaughan
• Where Should I Live in Vaughan?
• Vaughan Average Home Prices 2021

By the end of the article, you should be able to determine if Vaughan will be a good place for you to start your home search.

Vaughan, Ontario Demographics

Vaughan is a city in Ontario, Canada, with a population of more than 340,000 people — and it’s growing quickly! While the vast majority of Vaughan residents understand English, 1/3 of the population is made up of visible minorities, and Vaughan is known as having some of the highest concentrations of Southern European Canadians, Eastern Europeans, and Jewish people in Ontario. In fact, it’s estimated that as much as 31% of the population is Italian, and another 8% are Russian. At least 4% of the population is Jewish.

Vaughan is about 40km north of Toronto proper, just around a 30-40 minute drive. Vaughan is conveniently connected to the GTA’s transit system via York Region Transit buses, Toronto’s GO Train stations, and the TTC. 

How Much Does it Cost To Live in Vaughan?

The majority of homes in Vaughan, Ontario make more than $150,000. However, the average household income is $105,351, so there is a good amount of variation in income levels, and many homes make well below the $100,000 mark. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Vaughan, Ontario

There are lots of great things (and a few not-so-great-things) about life in Vaughan, Ontario. To know whether Vaughan is the right place for your family, you’ll need to decide what amenities you need in your personal life and your community. Here are some of the pros and cons of living in Vaughan:

Pros of Living in Vaughan

• The Location
  Vaughan is located a good distance outside of downtown Toronto, but it’s close enough to the city to give you easy access to the city’s amenities. You can take advantage of easy access to concert venues, sports events, schools and universities, city parks, festivals and events, and Lake Ontario waterfront within a short drive, and still get home to a Suburban lifestyle at the end of the day.
  
• Vibrant, Family-Friendly Neighbourhoods
  Vaughan is a world-class city with a community vibe that can’t be beat. With schools of every type (private schools, french-immersion public school, English public school, and religious-based education), recreation centres and parks, and plenty of family-friendly activities to keep your kids busy, Vaughan is an excellent city for families. Plus, plenty of Vaughan’s neighbourhoods are vibrant and full of activity, such as Kleinburg, home to McMichael Art Gallery, events like an annual Christmas tree lighting, Canada Day festivals, and the popular Binder Twine Festival.
  
• Active Lifestyle
  Vaughan is home to Copper Creek Golf Club and plenty of places to hike, canoe, bike, or ski. You can also visit Kortright Centre for Conservation, take a walk at Reptilia Zoo, or go for a walk at Sugarbush Heritage Park.
  
• TTC and Great Transit
  Vaughan has access to Toronto’s TTC Transit system, and GO Train. You can use both the GO Train and the TTC Subway system to access Toronto and other areas within the GTA, so if you don’t want to struggle with the busy GTA highways, you can work in other areas and commute using public transportation.

Cons of Living in Vaughan

• A Very Suburban Feel
  It’s difficult to list this in the ‘cons’ since, for some people, the calmer suburban vibe of Vaughan may actually be a pro! But if you’re considering moving to Vaughan, you should know that you won’t experience the same busy city vibe you get if you live in Toronto, or even in Mississauga, Etobicoke, or North York.
  
• The Traffic
  Vaughan traffic can be notoriously difficult to navigate, and you can spend a lot of time driving from place to place. The suburban nature of the city has created bordered neighbourhoods with very few cross streets, creating congestion on almost every major road, especially during the busy morning and evening commute.
  
• Touristy Attractions
  Vaughan can be riddled with tourists, especially in the summer months. Canada’s Wonderland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, a number of Golf Clubs, many wineries, and the aforementioned Kortright Centre for Conservation and Reptilia Zoo draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. These visitors also contribute to the congested traffic in the area.

Step-By-Step Guide to Moving to Vaughan, Ontario

If you’re considering moving to Vaughan, here are some steps you can take NOW to ensure your move is smooth and free of unnecessary hassles.

1. Narrow down your neighbourhood choices. From downtown condos and a busier city vibe to quiet, upscale neighbourhoods, and every family-friendly neighbourhood in between, Vaughan has something for everyone. Choose 3-5 communities you think would be best for you or your family to live in.

2. Make your list of must-haves and nice-to-haves for your new home. In a busy seller’s market, knowing exactly what you need and what you can do without will help save you plenty of time when you’re looking at homes.
   
3. Get pre-approved. When you see a home you love, you’ll want to put an offer in right away. Having a pre-approval will allow you to do just that – with no delays that could cost you the house! Being pre-approved also helps you know exactly what you can spend so you don’t spend time looking at homes that might be out of your budget.
   
4. Let Justo’s realtors show you around! We’re really knowledgeable about Vaughan’s neighbourhoods. We know how to help you estimate your commute, give you tips about where the best areas are for your lifestyle, and can even help you find a home close to the amenities you need, like great schools. Unsure about where you should look for a home in Vaughan? We can help with that, too! Our agents will compile a list of homes in areas that are suitable for your lifestyle, and help you narrow down the options.
   
5. Explore the city. Find out if you really want to live in Vaughan by spending the day in the city. Go to a few of the city’s favourite restaurants or coffee shops, walk around some popular neighbourhoods and parks, and even do a dry-run of your work commute. You’ll discover what life will be like in the city and help you decide if it’s the right place for you. Pro tip: Bring your spouse or partner if you have one! Make sure you’re on the same page, and that Vaughan will be a good place for you both to live.
   
6. Find your perfect home and make an offer. When you’re ready to purchase your home, Justo’s realtors will help you with every detail. Our lawyers can help you with all of the tricky paperwork and our industry partners will guide you through mortgages, home inspections, and other processes that may feel overwhelming. Justo’s full-service brokerage makes sure you’re informed and feeling in control throughout the entire process, and we offer you cashback on the purchase of your new home in Vaughan.

Where Should I Live in Vaughan?

Vaughan has plenty of beautiful, established neighbourhoods that are great for singles or families. Here are some of our favourites:

Kleinburg – Definitely one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Vaughan, Kleinburg is an estate community with gorgeous, well-developed landscapes and streets. Kleinburg considers itself a village within Vaughan and has its own BIA. Its European vibe and quaint streets are full of top-notch restaurants and coffee shops. Residents love how simple it is to walk around the downtown area and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the shops.

East Woodbridge – This is probably the best family-friendly neighbourhood in Vaughan. Mostly single detached homes, over 90% of the people in this community own their property, and most homes have children. East Woodbridge has 8 public schools, 11 Catholic schools, and 3 private schools as well as 17 parks and community recreation centres.

Sonoma Heights – Perfect for families who want a strong community vibe, people in Sonoma Heights have a strong sense of connection to one another and to the area, and also tend to live there long-term. This neighbourhood also has 9 Catholic schools and 8 public schools as well as plenty of parks and rec centres to keep everyone busy.

Vaughan Average Home Prices 2021

At the end of 2021, the average detached home in Vaughan, Ontario is selling for approximately $2,000,000. The average cost of a townhome is $1,200,000 and the average condo sells for $688,000. 

If you’re in the market for a home in Vaughan and you would like to see what the city has to offer, contact Justo today. We’ll be glad to show you around some homes in the city and help you decide if Vaughan is the right place for you.