Whitby, Ontario is the quintessential lakeside GTA city. Sitting comfortably between Ajax and Oshawa, Whitby is a sleepy suburban bridge between the waters of Lake Ontario and the farmland that stretches north unbroken all the way to the forests in the north of the province. Whitby has a population of 135,000. Its residents are renowned for their friendliness, sense of communal cohesion, and appreciation for their city’s balance of natural beauty and urban development. If you’re looking for a home for sale in Ontario and want to live in a relaxing community on the outskirts of Toronto, Whitby, ON is right up your alley.
More About Whitby, ON Real Estate
Whitby is one of eight cities found in Ontario’s Durham region. Just like its neighbours Ajax and Oshawa, it sits right alongside the Ontario lakeshore and is about an hour’s drive from the Toronto city centre. Most of southern Whitby is retail-oriented and industrialized, while the northern part of the neighbourhood is mainly residential.
Whitby is primarily an affluent, family-centric community that rises early in the morning and goes to bed early at night. You can expect the days to be quiet for the most part, with community events happening all throughout the year. Whitby readily welcomes newcomers, and it takes no time at all to feel ‘part of the neighbourhood.
Whether you want to spend every weekend out on the lake or exploring the countryside to the north, Whitby is small enough to facilitate adventurous excursions in any direction with ease. You’ll only encounter traffic on the big roads leading to Toronto, and then only around rush hour. Overall, Whitby is a safe, calm city to raise a family in.
Whitby, ON Real Estate
Just like the rest of the Greater Toronto Area, Whitby’s real estate has seen a huge spike in home prices over the last two years and, just like the rest of the Greater Toronto Area, Whitby’s home prices seem to be settling back into pre-pandemic levels of appreciation. Though home values are falling in the short term, the underlying health of the local market that drives home appreciation is strong.
The average price for a single-family home in Whitby, ON is $1.2 million, still 20% higher than it was last year. Though prices are trending downwards, the market is still hot, and most homes for sale in Whitby stay on the market for an average of just seven days before selling.
Homes for sale in Whitby come from just about every era of housing that you can find in Ontario in equal measure. You can find plenty of houses built before the ‘40s, as well as plenty of houses built post-2000. Unlike areas of Toronto where every house dates back to the 50s, homes for sale in Whitby have a vibrant and youthful air about them, but maybe that just comes from the fact that nearly every single-family house has a pool in the backyard.
Whitby is a homeowner city, with single-family detached homes making up nearly 75% of the available housing, and nearly 85% of Whitby residents own their homes rather than rent. The majority of homes are two stories and feature three or more bedrooms, perfect for growing families.
Top Whitby, ON Neighbourhoods
Port Whitby
Port Whitby is almost too small to qualify as a neighbourhood, but residents there insist it’s one of the best places to live in Whitby. Here you’ll be right by the water, with immediate access to the marina and the large Iroquois Sports Centre. If you want to stay active on land or on water, Port Whitby is the best neighbourhood to call home. You’re also right next door to the local GO station, so commuting by rail is super easy for those living in Port Whitby.
Pringle Creek
Pringle Creek is your typical suburban neighbourhood with close-knit single-family homes. Most of the homes for sale here are large, two storeys, with big front yards and private pools in the back. You’re also within walking distance of Whitby’s town centre.
Williamsburg
For anyone commuting either to Toronto or anywhere else around the GTA, Williamsburg is the neighbourhood for you. Here you’ll have quick access to the 401, 407, and 412, dramatically shortening time spent on the road for work and travel. Williamsburg is a newer neighbourhood and is almost entirely residential.
Rolling Acres
Rolling Acres is just northeast of the heart of Whitby and is a super family-friendly residential neighbourhood. Houses here are a bit more spread out than elsewhere in Whitby, with larger lawns, more mature trees, and cooling backyard pools perfect for hot summer days.
Blue Grass Meadows
How can you not love a neighbourhood with a name like Blue Grass Meadows? This neighbourhood is an even mix of parkland, low-density residential streets, and a corner of urban amenities that provides a walkable, balanced lifestyle for the lucky residents that get to call Blue Grass Meadows home.
Whitby, ON Schools
Schools in Whitby, ON score significantly higher than the Toronto average. All public schools in Whitby are governed by the Durham District School Board, which is headquartered in Whitby. Whitby’s residents have over two dozen public schools to choose from for their children’s education. The Durham Catholic District School Board also operates several top-of-the-line schools that are popular with Whitby residents. Here’s a quick look at some top schools in Whitby.
Blyth Academy Whitby
Secondary School
209 Dundas Street East, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 7H8
Henry Street High School
Secondary School
600 Henry Street, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 5C7
Sinclair Secondary School
Secondary School
380 Taunton Road East, Whitby, Ontario, L1R 2K5
Fallingbrook Public School
Elementary School
155 Fallingbrook St, Whitby, ON L1R 2G2
Jack Miner Public School
Elementary School
144 Whitburn St, Whitby, ON L1R 2N1
St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School
Elementary School
55 Twin Streams Rd, Whitby, ON L1P 1N9
Whitby, ON Jobs
Whitby is still primarily a commuter city, while working-from-home might change that in the long run. While business in Toronto is still the main economic force fuelling Whitby, the city is also home to a steel mill and has significant investments in the pharmaceutical industry.
Whitby, ON Transportation
There are only two directions to worry about Whitby: west and east. Most Whitby residents get around by car and take the 401, 412, and 407 on a daily basis whenever they need to head out of the city. If you want to get adventurous and brave the waters of Lake Ontario, Whitby’s harbour will allow you to do that. Whitby also has its own GO station which makes commuting by rail possible.
Things to Do in Whitby, ON
Despite its reputation as a sleepy suburb, there’s still quite a lot of fun to be had living in Whitby. Whitby’s residents can take advantage of the Iroquois Park Sports Centre, an enormous sports centre that features numerous tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, batting cages, a soccer patch, many ice pads, and more! If there’s a game that can be played, you can play it at the Iroquois Park Centre. Water sports are also a big part of Whitby life as well as weekend jaunts into the countryside.
FAQ about Whitby, ON
What is the zip code for Whitby, ON?
L1M
Where is the nearest commercial airport in Whitby, ON?
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is 65 kilometres away.
What is the average price for a single family home for sale in Whitby, ON?
$1.2 million
