singingringingtree

We are trying to narrow down by research areas in Ontario which might suit us before we fly out for a look-see. Does anyone have any knowledge of Georgina, Keswick, York County in general? Looks perfect from internet research, but personal views are much more useful.

We are looking for nice, safe community (not too huge and sprawling), good secondary school, leisure activities, work ops, good shopping, transport links to Toronot, access to water for sailing, canoeing etc.

Also, Bellvillle has been recommended.

Any comments, good and bad, would be very much appreciated.

Thanks, Lara

dbd33

Not sure what water you're thinking of sailing on in Georgina or Keswick, there's plenty of water but that's because much of the land is swamp. Belleville is, of course, on lake Ontario so there's plenty of sailing there, but if it's small boats that interest you and you won't need to go to Toronto every day you might also want to have a look at Orangeville.

Novocastrian

Georgina, Keswick (pronounced kez-wick) are on Lake Simcoe so at least they have the water access you want. But for work opportunities, shopping, transport links to TO, they come up a bit short.

York Region (note, not York County) starts just north of the amalgamated city of Toronto. I live in its southernmost area (see handle) and around here we have all the amenities you're looking for, except immediate access to (large) lakes.

skigordi

We live in northern York Region (Aurora) and I would say we have all the access and facilities you need. There are still a lot of nice areas although the growth is very fast and in some areas overwhelming. Keswick etc has a lot going for it in terms of location, lake and cheaper housing. However as someone said it is still suffering a bit for good links to TO though it is going to improve I think. There is a lot of investment happenign up there and a ot of growth planned, so if you want a good investment and don't nee dto go to TO that often it could be a great option.

Gordon

dbd33

If you have a water front property that's true but those estates are, I think, a bit beyond the reach of most of us. If you can't afford a lakefront property then access to the water is pretty limited; there are a few boat launches but if you swim from them then the owners of the waterfront property come out and shout at you. The public parks are back behind the houses and across the road. Moving back from Lake Simcoe, I would say that the area bounded by Beaverton, Uxbridge, East Gwillimbury and Georgina is largely swamp. It's ok if you don't mind mosquitoes but prices on mls can be misleading; 20 acres isn't a lot if 1 is island and 19 pond.

Novocastrian

True enough. But the OP didn't mention swimming. Canoeing and sailing are possible on Simcoe even if you don't have a private launch site. Of course Lake Simcoe is so shallow, you might just prefer to wade.

singingringingtree

Your area sounds good. What are the schools like? We would be looking for son to do grades 11 and 12 and daughter possibly to go to college.

singingringingtree

All this information is so useful, thanks very much. There is nothing like local knowledge, and with so little time to cover such a huge area and make such a major decision it helps to take this into account when refining our search.

Had no idea about the swampy areas! V worrying. We have a mozzie problem here and I don't want more of the same over there.

Lara

skigordi

I wouldn't pay too much attention to dbd...yes we have the bugs but just like everyone else. The winters are cold and wet and the summers are dry and apart from the current season I haven't noticed these 'swamps' around here. There is extensive sailing on Lake Simcoe and I believe you can access via the canal an even larger area.

Novocastrian

Hmm. Just yesterday, Judy suggested I should write a wiki article on Richmond Hill. I told her that I didn't think anyone would read it. I might have to re-consider.

The schools (there are several) are OK. Both my sprogs survived with only minor damage.

http://www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/

dbd33

Whereabouts would you be working? That's the key to choosing a location.

Novocastrian

Oh, and college. Not far from York University, access to U of T possible but a bit of a commute. Seneca College has a campus in RH and another one in King City a bit further north. Half a dozen other colleges around the GTA.

In live in York Region 4 as defined by mls, www.mls.ca to get a feel for real estate values.

dbd33

I guess you haven't been to Zephyr or Udora or across the 47/12/7 to Scugog, that or you failed to notice the many "road subject to flooding signs". This place http://www.dogsatcamp.ca/ is unreachable from the west in spring.

The existence of the drainage canal which you mention is, in fact, a bit of a hint that there's a lot of water about.

singingringingtree

OH looking to lecture at college or uni - or teach managment training. Probably looking at bigger town/city to work in. We thought we would settle somewhere before looking for work, pension kicks in at 50 so we would have a cushion when we come out.

Novocastrian

skigordi will correct me if I'm wrong, but a further advantage of RH compared to Newmarket/Aurora/Keswick is that we are south of the range for blackfly and (most) mozzies.