Located along the bank of Lake Ontario and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River, Kingston is an energetic city in Ontario that offers a stable and quality lifestyle to its residents with excellent educational opportunities, top-of-the-line healthcare facilities, and gratifying entertainment and activities. If you’re looking at homes for sale in Ontario and are considering relocation to Kingston, ON, keep reading to learn more about this active city.
More About Kingston Real Estate
Like a typical city along a waterfront, Kingston’s heart is positioned along the water’s edge and the land expands north of Hwy 401. Kingston was founded in 1673 as a French trading post between Montreal and Toronto and is also known as the Limestone City for its historic and grand buildings made from local limestone. The city was originally referred to as “The King’s Town” or simply “King’s Town” in recognition of King George III, but was later shortened to just Kingston.
Kingston used to be the county seat for Frontenac County, but it is now separated from the County of Frontenac and stands as Ontario’s 10th-largest metro area with a population of over 133,000 people. It has a growing city centre, while still in an abundance of farms and woodland.
Kingston, ON Real Estate Market
While there were some homes here before the 1960s, a huge portion of the homes for sale in Kingston, ON were built during the ‘60s thru ‘90s, and are made up of brick and siding. Half of Kingston real estate is single-detached homes, usually with three to four bedrooms and 1-2 garage bays. The rest are a mixture of townhomes and condos.
Since Kingston is a place of its own, the real estate here can be relatively affordable compared to other major cities. Kingston homes for sale are usually on the market about 10 days before going under contract. Single-detached homes sell on average for $1.14M and Kingston townhomes are usually listed for around $699K. Condos are listed at a range with a price difference based on bedrooms. For instance, a 2-bedroom condo can be found for around $546K, while a 1-bedroom condo is about $460K.
Home Prices In Kingston
- Average detached house price: $1,144,000
- Average condo price: $539K
- Average townhouse price: 699K
Kingston Neighbourhoods
Overall, Kingston, ON is a pleasant city with several desirable neighbourhoods to choose from. Here are some of the top neighbourhoods in Kingston.
Greenwood- A large neighbourhood ideal for families with elementary-aged children. Greenwood has low crime rates, decent schools, amenities, excellent bungalows, and two-storey homes primarily built in the ‘90s.
Midland Park- A master-planned neighbourhood located near Hwy 401 with newer high-end single-detached homes with just over 1,400 people. As mentioned, the homes are pretty sweet, with a plethora of amenities close to home, low crime rates, and fairly decent schools.
Westwood- A mature neighbourhood that’s ideal for families with older children. When it comes to being the most desirable place to live in Kingston, this could be it as it has A to A+ ratings! Westwood offers the top amenities, well-kept single-detached homes built primarily in the ‘80s, great schools, and low crime rates.
Kingston Schools
Overall, Kingston is an ideal place to raise a family and their schools reflect that. There are over 35 elementary schools and five secondary public schools operated by the Limestone District School Board that serves Kingston as well as the counties of Addington, Frontenac, and Lennox. Both the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Boards provide learning for those seeking an education through the Catholic faith. For those who speak French, there are two school boards that offer secondary schools in this area: Conseil des écoles publiques de I’Est de I’Ontario and Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est. There are also several adult education opportunities through the Limestone School of Community Education.
Top schools in Kingston include:
Elementary Schools in Kingston
Winston Churchill Public School
- 530 Earl St, Kingston, ON K7L 2K3
- 613-542-6441
Welborne Avenue Public School
- 190 Welborne Ave, Kingston, ON K7M 4G3
- 613-389-0188
École Catholique Cathédrale
- 301 Johnson St, Kingston, ON K7L 1Y5
- 613-546-7555
St. John Catholic School
- 736 High Gate Park Dr, Kingston, ON K7M 5Z9
- 613-389-4388
Truedell Public School
- 641 Truedell Rd, Kingston, ON K7M 6W6
- 613-389-2560
Secondary Schools in Kingston
Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School
- 130 Russell St, Kingston, ON K7K 2E9
- 613-545-1902
Kingston Secondary School and Module Vanier
- 145 Kirkpatrick St, Kingston, ON K7K 2P4
- 613-544-4811
Frontenac Secondary School
- 1789 Bath Rd, Kingston, ON K7M 4Y3
- 613-389-2130
Holy Cross Secondary School
- 1085 Woodbine Rd, Kingston, ON K7P 2V9
- 613-384-1919
École secondaire catholique Marie-Rivier
- 711 Dalton Ave, Kingston, ON K7M 8N6
- 613-546-5270
Universities and Colleges in Kingston
- Queen’s University- Founded in 1841, Queen’s University is one of the oldest universities in Ontario with a large student population of about 25,000 and is located near downtown Kingston.
- Royal Military College of Canada- Founded in 1876, this is the only military university in Canada that provides training for officer cadets and other members of the armed forces and civilians.
- St. Lawrence College- Students can earn baccalaureate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in behavioural psychology, trades, microelectronics, and business.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kingston Real Estate
What is the postal code for Kingston, ON?
K7K is the postal code for Kingston, ON.
Where is the nearest commercial airport in Kingston, ON?
Kingston Airport, also known as Norman Rogers Airport, is a regional airport located about 7.2 km or 11 minutes away. Ogdensburg International Airport is about 120km or 1 hour and 20 minutes away.
What county is Kingston, ON in?
Kingston was a part of Frontenac County and actually served as the county seat until 1998. Kingston is now separated from Frontenac county and is the largest municipality in the southeastern part of Ontario.
Where is the best place to live in Kingston, ON?
Overall, Kingston is a pleasant city to live in, but the consensus is the west/southwest part of Kingston is the best place to live.
How Much is a House in Kingston, ON?
Average detached house price in Kingston, ON: $1,144,000
How far is Toronto from Kingston?
Toronto is about 262 km or 3 hours and 19 minutes away by car.
How far is Montreal from Kingston?
Montreal is about 287 km or 3 hours and 26 minutes away by car.
Living In Kingston
Kingston is a college town and that means there are a lot of students here. Nearly half of Kingston’s population are people attending any of the colleges. Most people don’t mind because just about everyone is friendly here, regardless of their age or status in life. The only thing to note is the neighbourhoods surrounding any of the colleges, specifically, the universities will be full of students.
Things To Do In Kingston ON
Kingston is an eclectic city with plenty to see. Visitors and locals in Kingston can enjoy the views of Lake Ontario, explore nature trails, or take in some local art. Check out these top Kingston destinations and plan your day out on the town.
- Kingston Waterfront – The Kingston waterfront is a great place to relax and enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Ontario. The area includes several parks, beautiful scenery, and pathways for bike riding.
- Fort Henry National Historic Site – Fort Henry National Historic Site is a must-see in Kingston Ontario. This historic fort offers visitors the chance to explore the past with guided tours, an interactive museum, and 17th century buildings from Ontario’s early days!
- Canada’s Penitentiary Museum – Visit Canada’s Penitentiary Museum for a glimpse into Ontario’s criminal history. The museum has over 140,000 artifacts on display to explore the world of crime and punishment in Ontario!
- Martello Alley – Martello Alley is a historic street in Kingston. The quaint cobblestone streets tell the story of a time when this area was an industrial hub, with dozens of factories and warehouses lining the shores of Lake Ontario.
- Wolfe Islander III – Wolfe Islander III is the ferry currently serving between Kingston, Ontario and Wolfe Island (Ontario). She can hold approximately 55 cars, and is end loading. As it is the only public access to Wolfe Island, Wolfe Islander III carries an average of 4900 passengers per year.
- Kingston City Hall – Kingston Ontario’s City Hall offers visitors a glimpse of the city’s past. The building was designed by Kingston native and world-renowned architect, John Lyle.
- Lomoine Point Conservation Area – Lomoine Point Conservation Area is a popular Kingston Ontario destination. The area includes an outdoor sculpture garden, many nature trails and scenic lookouts over the lake!
- Queen’s University – Queen’s University is Ontario’s oldest university. The campus has been built over the past two hundred years, but it is still a popular destination for locals and visitors alike!
- Lake Ontario Park – Lake Ontario Park is one of the most popular parks in Kingston. The park includes a fantastic public beach and playgrounds for children to play on!
- Bellevue House National Historic Site – Bellevue House National Historic Site is a popular attraction in Ontario. The historic mansion features its own formal gardens and several heritage buildings from Kingston’s past!
Kingston Day Trips
The city of Kingston is an excellent starting point for day trips. Whether you want a quiet day in a charming village or to see one of the world’s biggest tourist spots, you’ll find it all just a few hours away. Here are some popular destinations to explore throughout Ontario!
- Niagara Falls – An Ontario landmark, Niagara Falls is a must-see for anyone visiting this area. Located about 4 hours from Cambridge, you can explore the falls and take in all of its beauty on your day trip! Niagara Falls is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, and its breathtaking beauty will leave you with memories you’ll never forget. While there, you can hike the falls, go on helicopter tours, or go on the Maid of the Mist boat ride!
- Sharbot Lake – Sharbot Lake is a popular spot for locals in Kingston. The town offers an excellent beach, as well as the opportunity to explore Sharbot Tower and see the majestic views of Ontario’s rugged limestone cliffs! Only about an hour from Kingston, Sharbot Lake is an excellent destination for those who want to enjoy Ontario’s natural beauty without having to travel too far!
- The 1000 Islands – The 1000 Islands Ontario is an area with over 1,800 islands, making it a popular destination for those who love boating and exploring Ontario’s natural beauty! The area offers many beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River and has plenty to explore on both land and water. This destination is about two hours from Kingston, so you can easily make this day trip within just one full day!
- Village of Bloomfield – Visit Ontario’s Village of Bloomfield to explore its historic roots. The village is a popular destination for visitors who want to reconnect with Ontario’s past! Bloomfield has several annual events and offers guests the opportunity to explore local cuisine as well! You’ll find plenty of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts in the area. The region also offers many wineries that you can easily access from the Village.
