Is Milton a Good Place To Live?

Marketing Team • November 5, 2021

Whether you’re new to Ontario or simply looking for a new place to call home in the capital province—Milton, Ontario is one city that should be on your radar.

The town of Milton is located in the south western part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), right in the middle of the Golden Horseshoe region of southern Ontario.

In the last two decades, the population of Milton Ontario has seen a steady growth which is now well over 100,000 residents. In fact, between the years 2001 and 2011, Milton was the fastest-growing municipality in Canada with a growth rate of 56.5% in the latter half of the decade.

Are you looking to buy a home in the GTA or Toronto? Here are four reasons why you should live in Milton.

Embracing Diversity, Highly-Skilled Talent, and Families

Milton is a growing city with a bold vision for the future. This makes it an attractive place for young families looking for quality education, professionals in the technology and knowledge space who prefer active living and green spaces, and entrepreneurs looking for business opportunities.

Milton is dedicated to cultivating an inspiring environment for entrepreneurs and academics. With close proximity to some of Canada’s top schools, companies, and the GTA—you won’t be short of employment or research opportunities here.

Don’t let Milton’s small population fool you either—this town is brewing with character, excitement, great schools, and a tight-knit community, making it a great place to raise a family, start a business, and to call home. Between the years 2001 and 2011, Milton was the fastest-growing municipality in Canada, achieving a growth rate of 56.5% in the latter half of the decade.

The Milton, Ontario population continues to grow at a steady pace even today. In fact, estimates have predicted that it will double by 2031, reaching 228,000 citizens.

Plus, Milton has an appealingly low 3.4% residential property tax compared to other cities in the GTA, which makes the cost of living more affordable than the surrounding larger cities, and will encourage more people to move in. Compare that figure to that of Oakville at 3.9%, Mississauga at 4.5%, and Brampton at 5.2%.

A Strong Education System And Great Schools

The small-town atmosphere in Milton has surprisingly attracted young families. Considering its low population, this town has a healthy selection of English-track and French Immersion elementary school options, and great secondary schools.

The top five elementary schools in Milton include:

EW Foster Public School
Chris Hadfield Public School
Anne J. MacArthur Public School
Irma Coulson Public School
Martin Street Public School

The top secondary schools in Milton include:

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School
Bishop P.F. Reding Catholic Secondary School
Craig Kielburger Secondary School
Milton District High School

The tight-knit community structure of Milton also cultivates an opportunity for healthy social development amongst children and adolescents. There’s a great mix of educational programs, extracurricular activities, and other community programs available.

And you won’t be left out if you’re looking for new opportunities as an adult. Milton is dedicated to cultivating an inspiring environment for entrepreneurs and academics. Living in Milton means you have direct access to Mississauga, Toronto, Hamilton, Markham, and other GTA cities.

Among our 16 eminent post-secondary institutions are Wilfrid Laurier University, which should especially be of interest to business students looking to attend Canada’s most prominent co-op program for the subject.

Another excellent institution is Conestoga College, home of the province’s fastest-growing student bodies at 23,000 registered students. You’ll find the type of material you need here, whether it’s in business, engineering, IT, sciences, or the trades.

Milton is also close to Toronto, which means you have direct access to the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and York University. Plus, the University of Toronto even has a campus in Mississauga, so there’s no need to travel into downtown Toronto if you don’t want to.

Those with post-secondary education, which 73% of Milton residents have, will appreciate the city’s investment into the MEV Innovation Centre for kickstarting a new generation of young business owners and startups living in Milton.

Close Proximity to Toronto—”the Big City”

You may be planting new roots in this part of town, or maybe you’re just relocating from a nearby town. Either way, Milton is significantly close to Toronto, meaning commuting to work or completing your city-wide errands and festivities won’t be a pain. When you need your dose of city life, sports games, and concerts, you’re covered. Toronto is easily accessible thanks to direct access to the 401, 407, and a variety of smaller highways.

Just because you get all the benefits of the big city, doesn’t mean you miss out on that “small town” feeling. Milton still hangs on to its classic roots, with open farmlands everywhere and 19th- century homes that let you get away from the hustle and bustle when you need it.

Outdoor Activities No Matter the Season

You’ll never run out of things to do in Milton, Ontario. The nature enthusiast in all of us will be delighted to know about the local conservation areas and natural parks, spanning acres of park land, including the nearby Niagara Escarpment. Whether you’re a cycler, a camper, or even a rock climber, there are plenty of trails and nature zones to enjoy throughout the year.

Cycling gets special attention in Milton. Our Mattamy National Cycling Centre is a hotspot for Canadian cycling enthusiasts.

All the Amenities You Need

Milton is known for its rich sense of community—especially in the summer months, when families spend most of their time outdoors.

This city hosts a myriad of street events, including the Downtown Milton Street Festival and the Milton Farmers’ Market. It’s also home to a few scenic parks for your leisure time. For families, it really is a great place to call home.

Modern conveniences, such as the wireless infrastructure and smart traffic investments by the local government, and historical charm combined with inviting shops, intimate restaurants, bars and cultural experiences, make up a vibrant Milton downtown core for the community to enjoy.

In 2016, Milton was recognized as one of Canada’s best places to live. And even today, it still remains one of the top locations to live in Ontario, with the most beautiful views of nature and a plethora of new things to discover.

Milton is home to some of the best golf courses in the GTA, a short drive away from Lake Ontario, and provides easy access to popular destinations throughout southwestern Ontario. Additionally, the city plans to invest over $4.2 million in designing and building parks throughout 2021. This initiative aims to create new parks, including:

Community parks
District parks
Linear parks
Neighbourhood parks
Village squares

The truth is: there’s never been a better time to move to Milton.

A Robust Plan For Future Growth

Town Hall is ready to take on the rising population with a robust strategy for the future growth of the city. Among the goals set by Town Hall are:

Ethically preserving natural and agricultural land and heritage sites
Building public transportation services that will allow for pedestrians and cyclists to explore the city safely
Compact neighbourhood designs with plenty of options for housing
Encouraging sustainability through reduced carbon emissions

Proper planning will enable healthy and controlled city development while avoiding potential issues like urban sprawl.

Yet Always Connected With Our Historical Roots

All the way back in the early 19th century, a man by the name of Jasper Martin of Newcastle hit land and built a mill on the creek. What he didn’t realize was that the soil he was standing on would eventually become Milton, Ontario. The name actually comes from a poet named John Milton, who actually never visited the city before.

Since then, the town became a center for industry and went through several changes throughout its lifetime before it became the Ontario city we know of today. If you’re interested in learning more about the origins of Milton, the city proudly keeps historical records at the Halton Region Museum and the railway museum.

The Housing Market Is Appreciating

Let’s face it—Milton hasn’t always been the first choice for Canadians. However, this town’s most recent stats prove that the Milton real estate market is transforming rapidly.

The average price of a home is now over $1 million, with several hundred new listings per month. If you currently live in Milton and you’re looking to sell, research proves that you can do that in just eight days.