Ontario is a stunning province with a lot to offer to both visitors and potential residents. Located in the east-central part of the country, it is the second-largest province in Canada and has a diverse population of over 14.7 million people. With its beautiful panoramic views and breathtaking landscapes to explore, Ontario’s natural beauty is a huge asset for those looking for a new place to call home in the region. If you are considering investing in Ontario real estate, keep reading below to learn more about all this part of Canada has to offer.

Ontario is Canada’s economic engine and a world-famous cultural hub with an abundance of things to do and events to attend all year round. The province is frequently divided into two areas: the South and the North. The majority of the population is living in Toronto and the southernmost region of the province. The Northern area is thinly populated, mainly due to its harsh winters and heavily forested territories.

Ontario is the ultimate destination for nature lovers in Canada. The province is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country with over 70 million hectares of forest, 250,000 lakes (including four of the five Great Lakes), five national parks, including Georgian Bay Islands National Park and Bruce Peninsula National Park, around 340 provincial parks, and 295 conservation reserves. Not to mention the province offers one of the world’s most impressive natural wonders: Niagara Falls.

With a land area of 908,607.67 square kilometres, the province is filled with lush forests, majestic waterfalls, scenic trails, and dramatic cliffs. Its rich biodiversity is one thing that makes Ontario a top adventure destination. If you are looking for outdoor activities in Ontario, there is no shortage here. The most popular options include hiking, ziplining, bungee jumping, All Terrain Vehicle experiences, skydiving, boating, fishing, canoeing, rafting, and kayaking.

To complement the natural marvels, the province is home of two of the most cosmopolitan cities in Canada: Toronto and Ottawa. Toronto, the largest metropolitan city in the country, is also one of the World’s Safest Cities on the planet and one of The World’s Best Cities. 

Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, is another gem in Ontario. The city is a great place to live and explore. Clean, environmentally conscious, not overly crowded, and with a strong reputation of being a quiet and family-oriented place, Ottawa has countless big-city amenities, excellent historical sites, and a welcoming and diverse population.

Living In Ontario

Life can look very different depending on which part of Ontario you decide to settle in. If you aim to call Toronto your home, you’d probably experience a vibrant, fast-paced, and exciting city life. But if you seek a more calm atmosphere or beautiful rural areas are more to your taste, you’ll find the most charming small-towns in Ontario, including North Bay, Sarnia, Cornwall or Peterborough.

Living costs in Ontario can be high compared to other Canadian provinces, mainly because tax rates can be pretty high there. However, Ontario’s median income is roughly $73,000, which is higher than the Canadian average. 

People from all over the world have come to settle in Ontario, turning the province into a melting pot of communities of different backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and ethnicities. Toronto has an undeniable international quality and a reputation of being a welcoming and friendly place with over 140 spoken languages and dialects! 

Ontario Schools

The school system in Ontario is among Canada’s well-respected ones. The provincial education is publicly funded, providing quality instruction for children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Ontario has 72 school boards, and all students may be enrolled in public, French, or Catholic schools. The province has more than 900 high schools and a post-secondary education built on a system of world-leading institutions. Most of Ontario’s universities are well-ranked and internationally recognized. Queens University, University of Western Ontario, and York University, are among the top colleges.

Ontario’s Climate

The climate in Ontario is considered to be humid continental. The province has warm to hot summers, especially in its Southern region. Winters are considered to be pretty cold, with below-zero temperatures and heavy snowfalls. Spring and Autumn tend to be milder, with stable temperatures and more precipitation, especially near the Great Lakes area.

Ontario’s History

Ontario has a rich history that started approximately 11,000 years ago. In those days, the region was inhabited by different Indigenous groups including the Algonquian and the Iroquoian. Everything changed in 1600 with the arrival of the Europeans.

The French explorer Étienne Brûlé was the first to travel around Ontario, followed by Henry Hudson, who claimed the Hudson’s Bay area for Great Britain. After the Seven Years War, from 1756 to 1763, most of Ontario’s territories belonged to the British.  The immigration, and the subsequent conflicts that arose with Quebec and the First Nations, caused a territorial division of the area in Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Québec) under the Constitutional Act of 1791.

In the 19th century, and after many rebellions and conflicts, the Canadas unified. However, until 1867, the parties agreed to a federal union with the other British colonies. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia join Quebec and Ontario, becoming the first provinces of the new Nation of Canada.

How Ontario Got It’s Name

There is no consensus about the origins of the province’s name, but what is known is that it comes from an Indigenous term. Some people believe the area took its name from Lake Ontario, which derives from Ontarí:io, the Huron word for “great lake”. It is also possible that the term Ontario comes from the word skanadario, or “beautiful water” in Iroquoian languages.

Economy In Ontario

Ontario has a strong, mature, and highly diversified economy that has been thriving for many years. It is considered one of Canada’s wealthiest provinces thanks to its contribution of around 38% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Ontario leads in manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and mining, but the service industry is considered the main economic activity in the province.

The manufacturing industries in Ontario are solid and include automotive, technology, pharmaceuticals, information, and communications. Additionally, the mining industry produces gold, nickel, platinum, and group metals. The province is also the second-largest producer of copper. The agriculture sector has corn, soy, tobacco, and fruits (including grapes for wine). Dairy and cattle farms are typical in the province as well.

The Ontario service industry makes up over 76% of its economy and is responsible for 79% of its healthy employment rates. Business and financial services are significant examples of the service sector in Ontario, along with professional, scientific, technical, and arts and culture services.

Real Estate In Ontario

The housing market in Ontario remains pretty dynamic and competitive despite the challenges the real estate landscape in the area has faced in recent years. This makes the province a great place to consider investing in a property right now. Home buying intentions across Ontario’s main cities are pretty stable, with most dwelling offerings being single-detached homes.

If you dream of being a homeowner in the province, many houses for sale in Ontario are worth checking out. Depending on the city, there are various property styles available to fit different tastes and budgets. That includes single and semi-detached homes, townhouses, condos, and duplexes. The average price for a property is around $600,000.

Ontario’s world-famous attractions and landmarks make the province a magnet for new residents. Families are more prone to investing in larger, more spacious houses in the suburbs of large cities or small towns due to the possibility of working remotely.

Transportation In Ontario

Ontario is a massive province, but its efficient and extensive transit system makes it incredibly easy to get around. Toronto has one of the largest public transit systems in North America and the third-biggest one in the world in terms of passenger usage. Buses, streetcars, and the subway are all great ways to move in the city. In Ottawa, the public transportation network is OC Transpo, operating the city’s bus network and the O-Train light rail system.

Traveling between smaller cities in Ontario is best done by bus, and some of the province’s inter-city bus leading companies are Greyhound and Ontario Northland. You can also travel throughout Ontario by train, with VIA Rail Canada, using water taxis, your car, a bicycle, or by air. The main airports in the province are the Toronto Pearson International Airport and the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.