We are thinking of moving from Wales to Ontario. Can anyone tell me about the Durham area? It seems to have everything we are looking for with 2 young kids. We want to live in a nice community, good schools, low crime, etc. Want to live in a nice quiet suburb, but somewhere which has good amenities for the kids. Being near to Toronto (within a few hrs drive) would be good for shows, etc. I read that Oshawa has high crime, but the internet can be misleading. Basically we want what nearly every family wants!! This is my first posting so apologies if not to standard....

Within a few hours? How many is a few? Durham Region is the largest region within the GTA and covers a 1,000 sq.miles, so close to the size of Lancashire.
It borders Lake Simcoe in the north and Lake Ontario in the south. The region still has a sizeable agricultural component. There are many small towns and communities within it that provide all that
appear you desire. You mention Oshawa, so is that target for living/working? That city is a major industrial centre in Ontario because it has auto plants there. It is certainly blue collar but I don't think crime is a serious problem. It has a number of very desirable areas with good quality housing and amenities.
For places within a couple of hours of Toronto look at Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Port Hope, Port Perry. Will you need public transit? If so, much of the Region would not have such. Most of the population would be in the southern part because of the transit into Toronto.

Durham is a big area. I grew up in Pickering. I lived in Brooklin for a few years in my 20s. When we move to Canada, I think we're going to buy a house in Ajax or Pickering. I'd love to live in Brooklin again, but I think it's going to be too far for my husband to commute. Whitby is nice as well. There are nice parts of Oshawa and some areas that aren't great. Much of South Oshawa (like anywhere near Simcoe Street South) is pretty awful. Unless the powers that be have done a major, major overhaul, I'd avoid that area. Also best to avoid downtown Oshawa. I used to volunteer at a soup kitchen there and the area was horrible.
Depending on where you are working, and how long you want to commute, Bowmanville and Newcastle are really nice too. They are in Clarington rather than Durham. As far as I know, there is no commuter train links there yet. Just as far as Oshawa. But there is bus service.

Thanks to all for your replies. I am interested in working in the power industry, and OPG have sites in Darlington and Pickering. We have family in Niagara Falls so looking for southern Ontario. My wife is canadian and grew up in Kincardine, but we feel this is a bit remote. Got 2 young kids so thinking about University, etc for them in later years. Think living near a large city/town is beneficial for amenities, like concerts, shows, etc. But do not want to live in the middle of it!! So when I say a few hours, I'm looking at 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. Best case scenerio would be living close to the OPG sites so that I was able to cycle to work (not sure in snow though!!!!!). Shortest commute really to be able to live in a nice area and kids go to good school etc.
I'm looking to come over in Oct or Nov when flights are cheaper to have a good around. In the meantime I'm using sites like this to gain as much info as possible. I appreciate any information given.
Have any of you got ideas of where I can check out when I come over? Thanks....

We have lived in Ajax for the last 8 years and are very happy here. I work downtown Toronto and can be at work in 35 minutes when the traffic isn't too bad. There are lots of things for families, the waterfront is very nice and they are not allowed to build on it. Have a look at www.townofajax.com for an idea of the many free things available - though we do pay higher taxes than those living in Toronto !!

Over the last couple of years a lot of my colleagues have moved to the Durham region (very handy for carpooling - I very rarely need to take the GO train any more). It is less built up than the west of Toronto and the road and public transit from Toronto to Pickering/Ajax/Whitby/Oshawa are pretty good. If we have a night downtown the last train is at 00.13 but there is a bus at 01.20 so we don't have to rush.

My youngest daughter is at high school in Oshawa and there are some very nice areas around her school - so you would have plenty of options of where to live if you worked for OPG.

You can send me a pm if you have any other questions.

Yep agreed Ajax is a very nice place to live.

One of them, can't remember which but would guess Pickering, is about to be shut down. Have you connections within OPG? It's a tough firm to join if you don't.

All good info. I have some connection with the Power Industry out there, but i need to do all the paperwork first. I'm confident immigration shouldn't be a problem as I'm british and my wife is canadian. No skeletons in the closet so should be ok.

A colleague of a friend of mine (still following???) has a relative in Oshawa, and has been out there numerous times. He liked it, but did admit downtown is best avoided. Same absolutely everywhere though, isn't it? He also said Whitby and Ajax were nice.
So, seems to tick all the boxes for me at this point. Now need to get over there and find an exact area.
Anyone got any info on schools? My two girls are 8 and 5.

Thanks to everyone whose replied, as it really makes a difference being able to talk about things, and being able to find things out so easily.

Any general info on the area gladly received!!