Burlington, ON, is a vibrant and livable city that offers all the amenities expected from a large metropolis, but it still maintains a small-town charm. Named the Best Community in Canada by Maclean’s Magazine in 2019, the city appeals to families looking to thrive in a calm environment among beautiful natural features. Conveniently located in the centre of the Golden Horseshoe, Burlington real estate offers easy access to major highways, commercial airports, and the U.S. Border. It also boasts excellent neighbourhoods with some of the best homes for sale in Ontario. Keep reading to know more about what makes Burlington such a great place to live!
More About Burlington ON Real Estate
Burlington, ON, is located in the Regional Municipality of Halton and has around 207,000 people. More than half of the city’s area of 187 square kilometres is rural and comprises parks, conservation areas, and the Niagara Escarpment. This part of town is mainly used for agriculture and conservation purposes. On the other hand, Burlington’s south-end is on the banks of Lake Ontario, and it’s densely populated and urbanized. This area boasts the city’s downtown and most of the city’s neighbourhoods.
Burlington ON Real Estate Market
The Burlington, ON, real estate market is dynamic and diverse, with the majority of the housing stock located south. Most homes for sale in Burlington, Ontario, are comfortable single-family detached homes, highly desirable among families and retirees. Additionally, there are modern beachfront condos for single purchasers and couples in the downtown area and sizable country states if you head north.
Most of the detached homes for sale in Burlington, ON, are situated in suburban communities and tend to have three or more bedrooms. Some of the popular features in the city include a garden or front lawn, a backyard, and frequently a pool. The average detached home lists for about $2.5M and sells after being on the market for approximately 11 days. The ownership rate in the area is pretty high, with 79% of the residents being dwelling proprietors.
The rest of the Burlington’s real estate market is made out of semi-detached properties, townhomes, and low-rise and high-rise condo buildings, some of which have stunning waterfront views of Lake Ontario. A unit in Burlington can have an average price tag of $800,000 for those who prefer the perks of a maintenance-free, urban lifestyle. Most of the dwellings in Burlington have construction dates ranging between the pre-’60s and the ’80s.
Burlington Neighbourhoods
Burlington is composed of 20 distinct neighbourhoods that offer diverse lifestyles and housing alternatives. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Roseland: Roseland is one of Burlington’s most notable and tasteful neighbourhoods, a hot spot for young families and empty nesters. Its streets look like they have been taken out of a fairytale with quaint historic houses and bungalows standing in spacious lots with impeccable gardens. Roseland boasts top-notch schools, green spaces, and amenities. Many dwellings are located along Lakeshore Road, with gorgeous Lake Ontario views.
- Palmer: Conveniently located at the city’s centre, this mature community is one of Burlington’s most affordable neighbourhoods for families with small children. Palmer is known for its tree-lined undulating streets and a housing stock mostly made out of detached split-level homes from the ’70s and ’80s. Palmer has good schooling options, beautiful parks, recreational activities, and plenty of shopping and dining options.
- Aldershot: Home to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Aldershot is a waterfront neighbourhood located in the west end of Burlington. The quiet area is known for its large senior population but has recently seen a growing number of young families relocating on comfortable homes constructed in the ’40s and ’50s and lately renovated. Restored and newly built condos are also in high demand. Schools, parks, pools, services, and attractions are also great.
- Longmoor: Located in the heart of Burlington, Longmoor is a modest and family-centred community with low traffic and plenty of public spaces to go for a bike ride, have a playdate, or enjoy a long walk. Single-family detached properties are a prevalent dwelling type here, most built between the ‘60s and ‘90s. The neighbourhood has several primary public schools, parks, amenities and public transit options.
- The Orchard: The Orchard is a pedestrian-friendly, tight-knit community with a whimsical character and beautiful homes for sale. The majority of the properties are detached and semi-detached with big backyards, but also townhomes with charming features like front porches and dormers. Community parks and sports fields abound here, as well as elementary schools at walking distance, trails among ravines, and convenient amenities.
Burlington Schools
Burlington, ON, has 43 schools for parents to choose from when moving to town with children. Each city neighbourhood provides public, private, Catholic, secular, and English or French-language academic institutions for students to enroll from elementary through the secondary level. According to the Fraser Institute, many of the Burlington schools exceed the provincial average academic performance on standardized testing in math, reading, and writing. A popular post-secondary institution in the city is the Burlington Campus of Oxford College, located downtown. Here are some of the best schooling options in Burlington per neighbourhood:
Central (Downtown Burlington)
- Elementary: École élémentaire Renaissance, Central Public School.
- Secondary: Assumption Catholic Secondary School
The Orchard
- Elementary: John William Boich Public School, Orchard Park Public School.
- Secondary: Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School
Roseland
- Elementary: St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, John T. Tuck Public School.
- Secondary: Nelson High School
Alton Village
- Elementary: Alton Village Public School, St. Anne Catholic Elementary School.
- Secondary: Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School.
Living In Burlington ON
Burlington has an ideal location on the banks of Lake Ontario and is only 35 minutes from downtown Toronto. The city has a plethora of great amenities, like lively waterfront areas, expansive parks, promenades, golf courses, and picturesque shopping districts. There are also world-class performing art venues and popular festivals that provide some of the best entertainment in Canada. Here are additional perks of being a Burlington, ON, homeowner:
- Burlington is located in Halton, the safest large municipality in Canada. The region has the lowest crime severity index of all municipalities with 100,000+ residents.
- The city’s location is one of its best assets. Relocating to Burlington means living close to all the amenities, landmarks and attractions of nearby cities like Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Oakville, and Mississauga.
- The northern part of Burlington comprises a fragment of UNESCO’s Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve.
- The city is a popular golf destination in Ontario. Golfers come from all over the province to book tee time in any of its 11 challenging courses. There are about 89 golf courses within 20 miles of Burlington.
- Home to several museums, art galleries, and reputed cultural venues such as the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington has a well-deserved reputation of being an eminently cultural city.
- Burlington is a dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts! From its stunning waterfront public spaces to the notable Royal Botanic Gardens and the lush escarpment trails, residents can practice various water sports, or go hiking, cycling, and caving.
- From quaint open-air European-style malls like Village Square to modern, massive shopping centres and picturesque farm markets and orchards, the city has no shortage of shopping opportunities whether you’re looking for fresh local produce or trendy fashion products.
- Burlington hosts many events year-round, some of them included amongst Ontario’s top 100 festivals. Canada Day Festivities, The Sound Of Music Festival, and Canada’s Largest Ribfest are examples.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burlington Real Estate
What Is Burlington ON Known For?
Burlington, Ontario, is known for being the home of Canada’s world-famous Royal Botanical Gardens.
What is the zip code for Burlington?
Burlington has over 400 postal codes. Here are the top ones by city area:
- Burlington East: L7N
- Burlington North: L7M
- Burlington Northeast: L7L
- Burlington South: L7S
- Burlington Southeast: L7R
- Burlington Southwest: L7T
- Burlington West: L7P
Where is the nearest commercial airport in Burlington?
The nearest commercial airport in Burlington is John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport which is 25 kilometres away.
How far is Toronto from Burlington?
Burlington is a 35-minute commute from Downtown Toronto depending on traffic conditions.
How Much is a House in Burlington?
A detached property lists at an average price of $2.5M in Burlington.
Burlington Jobs
With consistently low unemployment rates and a diversified economy that generates an annual GDP of $10.6 billion, Burlington is the ideal location if you are looking for employment or want to see your business or start-up grow. As one of Canada’s most innovative and dynamic communities, several companies offer employment opportunities in Burlington, including sectors like Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical and Life Sciences, Clean Technologies, Food & Beverage, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Professional and Technical Services. The top 5 private employers in the area are:
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Cogeco
- EMC Corporation of Canada
- Evertz Microsystems
- Sofina Foods Inc.
Burlington Transportation
Since Burlington is located next to several major highways and roads and has plenty of parking spaces, residents move around by car with ease. Public transit alternatives like the GO Transit and Via Rail are available for residents without a vehicle. They can travel via Aldershot Station, Appleby Station, and Burlington Station on the Lakeshore West Line. Over 30 bus lines have bus stops close to most residences to travel around the city, while trains connect Burlingtonians with the rest of the GTA, the Niagara Region, and Kitchener/Waterloo. The city is also close to two international airports: John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Distance to Major Cities
- 20 Kilometres to Hamilton, ON
- 48 Kilometres to Toronto, ON
- 95 Kilometres to Niagara Falls, ON
- 110 Kilometres to Kitchener/Waterloo, ON
- 125 Kilometres to Buffalo, NY
Things To Do In Burlington Ontario
Burlington is a beautiful city with so many things to do for locals and travellers. Whether you are looking for family-friendly activities, outdoor adventures, or unique cultural attractions, Burlington has it all. Read on to find out how you can spend your time here:
Royal Botanical Gardens
With 2,700 acres, the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada and a National Historic Site dedicated to conserving plants and their habitats and connecting them to people of all ages. RBG has 2,400 acres of nature sanctuaries, 300 acres of gorgeous gardens, and an arboretum.
Beachway Park
This oceanfront oasis is located on the banks of Lake Ontario, offering locals a clean and fun spot to take the family on weekends. The well-groomed park boasts a soft-sand beach with clear water, a playground, seaside trails for hiking and biking, washrooms, and an ample parking area just steps away.
Burlington Waterfront Trail
Burlington Waterfront Trail is part of the 1,200-mile Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, and it’s a big local favourite to go for a stroll or bike along Lake Ontario. The area has an adjacent kid’s playground with a mini zipline and a picnic area. An ice skating rink is put in place every winter.
Spencer Smith Park
Spencer Smith Park is located in downtown Burlington, and it’s a great place for relaxing any given afternoon. Close to several cafés, ice-cream parlours and restaurants, this popular lakefront spot has a promenade, a pier, bike and walking paths, a well-equipped playground, and a splash pad for the kids, bathrooms, and picnic spots.
Mount Nemo Conservation Area
To see nature at its best in Burlington, make sure to visit Mount Nemo Conservation Area. Be sure to pack a lunch and go for a hike with your dog, have a bird-watching experience, or go caving and rock-climbing if you are extra adventurous. Going to the Brock Harris Lookout and taking in all the amazing views over the Niagara escarpment is a must.
Artist’s Walk Village Square
Village Square is a picturesque European-flavoured outdoor tiny shopping district located in downtown Burlington. Filled with twisting, cobblestone-paved alleys and charming facades, this hidden gem is a lovely place to go shopping locally or gather with friends for an after work hangout.
Art Gallery of Burlington
The Art Gallery of Burlington is every art enthusiasts’ happy place in Burlington. Part art gallery, part community centre, the place embraces local talent by promoting artists’ work through exhibitions and offers the public a broad selection of arts & crafts courses. The gallery also boasts a blooming Canadian ceramic collection of over 4,000 pieces.
Burlington Public Library
Burlington Public Library provides locals and visitors with several programs, resources, and a wide variety of reading materials. Books lovers enjoy three-plus floors full of books, music, movies, and other materials, a computer lab, a children’s play area, and an indoor aquaponic garden. Enrollment is free for Burlington residents.
Smokey Hollow Waterfall
On the border between Burlington and Hamilton and among lush forests lies a natural wonder commonly featured in postcards. Smokey Hollow Waterfall is a 10-metre-high ribbon-style waterfall surrounded by The Great Falls Loop, a 3.5-kilometre hike part of Bruce Trail. Visitors can explore the area and enjoy nearby amenities Rock Chapel Golf Centre and Waterdown Village Farmers’ Market.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre
One of Burlington’s landmarks, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is the place to go for a night of good music or entertainment in town. This is the only venue of its type in Ontario and the second one in Canada to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.
