If you’re looking for a dynamic city on the edge of Toronto, with a rapidly developing urban core and plenty of parkland to escape into at a moment’s notice, then Richmond Hill is the city for you. Located a little over 30 kilometres north of the Toronto city centre, Richmond Hill rises above the Greater Toronto Area in terms of the variety of its homes for sale in Ontario and the diversity of its population. Due in no small part to its distance from downtown Toronto, Richmond Hill has grown into a place of its own that residents young and old have come to cherish.
More About Richmond Hill, ON
Richmond Hill is a big rectangle, some 15 kilometres long and about eight wide. The majority of its 195,000 population lives in the southern half of the city, far more developed than the northern half. Most of Richmond Hill’s housing and businesses are located south of Elgin Mills road; the remainder of the city is a mixture of hayfields, parkland, and kettle lakes left over from the Ice Age. Much of this land is protected, ensuring that Richmond Hill residents will have plenty of open spaces to enjoy for many years to come.
This area is perfect for both families and young people looking to live in an area near Toronto and has a life of its own. On the Yonge Street corridor, you’ll notice a major growth in new housing and small businesses. In fact, small businesses account for the majority of the economic strength of Richmond Hill. This is a testament to the influx of immigrants into Richmond Hill that gives the area a vibrant feel and plenty of fantastic restaurants to boot.
Fun Fact: Richmond Hill is one of the few municipalities in Canada with a light pollution ordinance, meaning you’ll see more stars here than you will anywhere else in the Greater Toronto Area.
Real Estate in Richmond Hill, ON
When it comes to homes for sale in Richmond Hill, Ontario, keep two things in mind.
You’ll find more home diversity here than you will throughout much of the GTA.
Thanks to Richmond Hill’s open space and dynamic city layout, you can find neighbourhoods along pristine lakes and downtown condo high-rises, all within a few miles of each other. Richmond Hill has classic suburban homes for sale, the one-story big yard houses that are so common in Toronto. You can also find many detached, modern-style homes with two storeys, front porches, and great schools nearby.
Luxury-Level Homes For A Great Price
If you took any new home in Richmond Hill and put it in a Toronto suburb like Scarborough, it would list for an extra $500,000. The homes for sale in Richmond Hill are some of the nicest you can find for the price in the Greater Toronto Area. As more people continue working from home and no longer see the need to commute into Toronto for business, the value in these homes will seem too good to be true.
The median listing price for a single-family home in Richmond Hill, ON is $1,400,000, about $150,000 less than detached homes in Toronto. Richmond Hill has seen home values appreciate nearly 50% over the last five years, despite the slump in prices in 2017-18, resulting from a mortgage stress test that saw prices immediately begin to appreciate again. Homes for sale here are usually bought within 15 days on the market. Interestingly, Richmond Hill reports higher housing inventory than sales, which means this city is one of the few places in the Greater Toronto Area that can qualify as a buyer’s market.
In Richmond Hill, you can expect to find luxury homes for sale that usually range from $1,400,000 to $3,000,000. These houses inhabit neighbourhoods that have had time to mature, which means plenty of old trees and shade in the summer. In short, the area looks “lived in,” which can be comforting for people who’ve lived in suburbs so new their homes still smell like paint.
If you want to live closer to the action, we highly recommend you check out properties on Yonge Street. New condos here go for around $500,000 to $800,000 and offer Richmond Hill residents a pedestrian lifestyle otherwise unknown in a city where most people get around by car.
Popular Neighbourhoods in Richmond Hill, ON
Yonge
If you’re looking to live a city-centric lifestyle, Yonge is the area for you. This neighbourhood is closest to the local GO station, meaning that, even though you live 30+ kilometres from the Toronto city centre, it’s only a train ride away. This neighbourhood is growing faster than most parts of the city, so get in now and watch it grow!
Oak Hills
Oak Hills is the polar opposite of Yonge. Here you’ll find a huge variety of homes for sale to choose from, from two-storey modern houses, one-storey mid-century mainstays of Richmond Hill real estate, and plenty of closely-grouped detached houses that ensure the neighbourhood keeps a cozy feel.
Richvale
This area is great for people who value active lifestyles. Richvale has tons of shopping opportunities, golfing opportunities, and educational opportunities, all within walking distance for neighbourhood residents. Also, thanks to its location at the southwest corner of the city, you’ll have easier access to major highways in the GTA.
Schools in Richmond Hill, ON
Richmond Hill is renowned throughout Toronto for the quality of its schools. In fact, when talking about the city’s quality, the schools are the most cited example of why it’s great to live in Richmond Hill. You’ll be dealing primarily with the York District School Board, which operates 27 primary schools alone in the city, with additional middle schools and high schools. So, from primary and secondary schools, both public and private, Richmond Hill is a great choice to settle down with your child’s education in mind. Here’s a brief list of some of the top schools in Richmond Hill that you should check out.
- Bayview Secondary School
- St Theresa Catholic High School
- Richmond Hill High School
- Alexander Mackenzie High School
The Economy in Richmond Hill, ON
Richmond Hill is generally an affluent city, and this in large part explains why the area is home to so many small businesses and entrepreneurs. The mainstays of the Richmond Hill economy lie in business, finance, management, and administration. The restaurant industry cannot be ignored. When asked about Richmond Hill, most residents will bring up the growing culinary reputation of their city, a reputation built on the myriad Southeast Asian food options found from one end of Richmond Hill to the other.
Transportation in Richmond Hill, ON
Most residents of Richmond Hill get around by car, as this city was developed with suburban modes of life in mind. You have quick access to the 407 and 404, which border the city to the south and east, respectively. If you’re a biker, you might find the hills of the city quite fun and challenging, and the parks on the northside of Richmond Hill will soon become favourite routes for Sunday pleasure rides. Richmond Hill is connected to Toronto by the Go Transit system, using the Richmond Hill Line. Residents also can fly out of the small domestic Buttonville Airport or the Toronto-Pearson International Airport.
Distance to Major Cities
- 36 Kilometres to Toronto, ON
- 95 Kilometres to Hamilton, ON
- 139 Kilometres to St. Catharines, ON
- 199 Kilometres to London, ON
- 453 Kilometres to Ottawa, ON
FAQ for Richmond Hill, ON
Where is the best place to live in Richmond Hill, Ontario?
You can’t go wrong with Langstaff, Mill Pond, or Doncrest
How Much is a House in Richmond Hill, Ontario?
Usually around 1.4 million dollars.
How far is Toronto from Richmond Hill, Ontario?
About fifty minutes away
What is the area code for Richmond Hill, Ontario?
905
What county is this city in?
York County
Top Things to Do in Richmond Hill, ON
- Visit the David Dunlap Observatory
This observatory is the whole reason that Richmond Hill has a light pollution ordinance. Located in the southern part of the city, the observatory, outbuildings, and the surrounding park are all favourite relaxation spots for residents. Check it out, and you might learn a thing or two. - Go to the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
We’d go so far as to say that this performing arts centre is one of the best to be found in the Greater Toronto Area. With great acts coming through all year long, playing music of all genres, and focusing on local musicians, the RHCPA will be the main attraction for any Richmond Hill resident with an appreciation for the arts. - Eat at Pho Tai Bac
We’ve mentioned how important the culinary scene is becoming in Richmond Hill, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention at least one great restaurant in the area. Pho Tai Bac is unassuming on the outside. On the inside, they’re serving some of the best Vietnamese food you’ll find in the city. - Relax at Bond Lake
Bond Lake is wide and deep, and completely natural. It was created in the aftermath of retreating glaciers, so hanging around the lakeshore here is like revisiting the Ice Age. Walk around the trails that encircle the lake and take in the natural beauty. - Shop at the Hillcrest Mall
The undisputed favoured shopping centre in Richmond Hill, Hillcrest Mall, has been a commercial mainstay for decades. With over a hundred shops to peruse and even a farmer’s market, you’ll want to make weekly visits to Hillcrest to see what’s new. - Concerts in the park
In the summer, Richmond Hill residents come out to Mill Pond Park to sit on the grass and listen to great music in the cool evenings. Most shows are dedicated to great artists from times gone by, such as Bob Marley, the Bee Gees, and Roy Orbison. - Visit the Burr House Craft Gallery and Tea Room
This quaint little historic house offers relaxing simple activities like pottery and weaving that are great breaks from busy modern living. Come by on a lazy afternoon, drink some tea, and have a nice, relaxing time. - Play a pickup game at the Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park
This park has everything. Here you can skateboard, play baseball, soccer, basketball, ice skate, and even bocce ball. They also have soccer leagues which, if you loved playing soccer as a kid, you should definitely join to dust off your dribbling skills. - Relax at Wilcox Lake
This is another one of those kettle lakes which, like Bond Lake, is a leftover from the ice age. Wilcox is a lot larger than Bond Lake and offers more things to do, like boating and fishing, and is located way up at the city’s northern edge. - Visit the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre
Get in touch with the history of Richmond Hill through guided tours and insightful exhibits located at the heritage centre. The heritage centre sits at the heart of the city and features exhibits on every aspect of the city’s life from the late 1700’s up to the present day.
