The History of Burlington
Much like the rest of the area, Burlington has a rich and exciting history and has played a significant role in the development of modern-day Canada. Burlington sits on the land of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, who were the original inhabitants of the area hundreds of years ago.
In 1669, the area was settled by French explorer, Rene Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, which is where La Salle Park gets its name. About 100 years later, Mohawk military leader, Joseph Brant was granted a significant tract of land in the area, which ushered in the next couple hundred years of Loyalist settlement.
After the American Revolutionary War, the area saw a wave of Loyalist and British immigration, with many new residents clearing significant land to create farmlands. Between 1820 and 1850, timber was the area’s biggest export.
The 1900s saw Burlington transform into a major agricultural centre as well as other industries such as basket weaving, canning, ice harvesting, and more. Today, these industries are no longer part of the city’s diverse economy. Instead, Burlington has become a prosperous urban centre with a population of almost 200,000 people.
Where is Burlington?
Burlington is situated on the northwestern shores of Lake Ontario between Oakville and Hamilton. With Milton located to the north, Burlington is the largest municipality in the greater regional municipality of Halton and also comprises the western end of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Burlington is also considered to be the centre of what is known as the “Golden Horseshoe” area, tucked away between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario.
Burlington Economy
Along with neighbouring cities like Hamilton, Burlington, Ontario has a strong, diverse economy that includes a variety of industries and large employers. Some of the most prominent economic drivers in the area include food processing, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, environmental, packaging, electronics, and more.
Among the largest employers in the area are businesses such as Cogeco Cable, Evertz Microsystems, and Boehringer Ingelheim. However, there are also numerous large public sector employers in the area including the Halton District School Board and Joseph Brant Medical Centre.
With such a diverse economy, Burlington is home to many well-paying jobs that appeal to young professionals and families looking to establish roots.
Burlington Demographics
Burlington has a population of about 200,000 people as of 2021. Like many cities in the GTA, Burlington is a diverse and active city. Residents come from various ethnic backgrounds including English, Scottish, Irish, German, French, East Indian, and more. At 24.5%, Burlington meets the national average for minors under 18, and at 15.4% has a higher population of seniors than the national average.
The average age for a Burlington resident is slightly older than the national average at 40 years old. This signifies that Burlington is a great city for established young families, professionals, and retirees.
The diverse economy, excellent housing options, and proximity to other cities in the GTA provide a great backdrop for a variety of individuals and families to prosper.
Education in Burlington
As a popular community for families, Burlington is well-known for its excellent school systems. The area is served by both the Halton District School Board and the Halton Catholic School Board. Some of the most prominent public schools in Burlington include:
- Aldershot School
- Burlington Central High School
- Nelson High School
- Frank J Hayden Secondary School
- M.M. Robinson High School
Burlington is also home to several Catholic Schools such as:
- Assumption Secondary School
- Notre Dame Secondary School
- Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School
Private Schools are also popular in Burlington and some of the best private schools include:
- Blyth Academy
- Burlington Royal Arts Academy
- Fern Hill School
- Halton Waldorf School
With proximity to Hamilton, post-secondary students also have many options in Burlington. The McMaster University DeGroote School of Business is located in Burlington along with Oxford College of Arts, Business, and Technology.
Burlington Infrastructure
Burlington is well-served by public transportation and access to major highways and traffic arteries for drivers.
Burlington Transit is the main public transportation provider in the city and the entire transit system is designed around the city’s three major commuter GO Stations at Appleby GO Station, Aldershot GO Station, and Burlington GO Station respectively.
Drivers in the area also have easy access to major roadways such as Queen Elizabeth Way, Highway 403, 407, and Dundas St., providing numerous options to commute by car.
Although Burlington does not have its own commercial airport, it does have easy access to the major airports in Toronto, Toronto Pearson, and Billy Bishop, as well as Hamilton’s John C. Munro Airport.
Burlington residents have access to Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital. With a wide catchment area, the hospital also serves residents in Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, and parts of Flamborough. An interesting fact about the hospital is that it was actually the first hospital in Canada to build a pandemic response unit in April 2020. The hospital continues to provide service and lead the way for patient care in the area.
Arts and Culture in Burlington
Along with its great conveniences and infrastructure, Burlington is simply a nice place to live. Don’t believe us? It’s been ranked by both MacLeans Magazine and MoneySense Magazine as one of the best places in Canada to live. The reason? In our opinion, it has to be the city’s excellent green space and fantastic local amenities.
With over 1,400 acres of parkland in the area, Burlington residents are known for enjoying their time outdoors. There are 115 parks in the city, making Burlington a fantastic community for those who want to be surrounded by greenspace with plenty of opportunity to take part in outdoor recreation. Bruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment are closeby as well as other amazing parks and conservation areas such as LaSalle Park, Mount Nemo Conservation Area, and the Royal Botanical Gardens. There are also many local parks, sports fields, public pools, playgrounds, dog parks, and more.
No matter what your tastes are, Burlington has something to offer for anyone looking to do some shopping. Whether it’s taking a stroll through the downtown core with its specialty shops, high-fashion boutiques, and local artisans, or hitting the mall at Mapleview Centre or Burlington Centre for all your name-brand shopping spree needs, Burlington has it all.
Heritage, arts, and culture are all very important in Burlington. The city’s rich history, creative artists, and culture-loving residents enjoy taking in all aspects of arts and culture in the area. Whether you want to take in some visual art at the Art Gallery of Burlington or a performance piece at the Burlington Centre for Performing Arts, there is always something happening to stimulate your imagination.
The city of Burlington has a wide array of community sports and clubs available, everything from basketball, badminton, cycling, golf, and beyond. The city also has numerous pools, skating rinks, community centres, and other facilities to promote sport and healthy living in the area.
Chances are, you will work up an appetite exploring everything Burlington has to offer—so it’s a good thing that the city is also chock full of amazing restaurants and eateries to try. Whether you’re craving a vegan brunch experience at Lettuce Love Cafe or you want to impress a date at Spencer’s at the Waterfront, there’s a dining experience waiting for you here. There is a healthy mix of high-end eateries and quick bites in the city, so no matter what you’re in the mood for, Burlington’s food scene has you covered.
The city of Burlington is also home to numerous exciting community events throughout the year, from Ribfest and Jazz Fest in the spring and summer to the Festival of Trees and Burlington Holiday Market in the winter, there is always something going on.
Burlington Neighbourhoods
Within the greater area of Burlington, we see many smaller neighbourhoods and micro-communities that offer significant benefits depending on your unique needs and lifestyle. For example, if you’re looking for exclusivity and trendy condos, look in Downtown Burlington or Corporate.
Families would enjoy the quiet streets, access to green space, large lots, and homes in neighbourhoods like Alton Village, Elizabeth Gardens, Headon Forest, Brant Hills, and Longmoor.
Those seeking a more exclusive address should look in many sought-after neighbourhoods like Millcroft and The Orchard, while commuters would do well in communities such as Pinedale and the Plains.
Neighbourhoods like Dynes and Palmer are often overlooked compared to some of the other, more flashy, Burlington communities, but they are both up-and-coming neighbourhoods with excellent potential. While other neighbourhoods like Aldershot were once known for housing an ageing population are now becoming revitalized with younger families moving in.
Burlington Real Estate Affordability
Burlington is one of the more expensive cities in the region. With its excellent schools, high-end properties, and proximity to other parts of the GTA, Burlington is a highly sought-after and desirable city. Here’s a look at some of the average Burlington real estate prices from 2020:
$1.3 Million
Detached Homes
$735,000
Townhouses
$563,000
Condo-Style Homes
Most Common Property Types in Burlington 150
Burlington is known for its diverse housing options, and each neighbourhood has its own distinct style. For example, in the central areas, Burlington real estate would consist mostly of condos for sale, while more rural areas of Burlington are better known for their sprawling lots and large, established homesteads.
Many surrounding Burlington neighbourhoods are well-established, mature communities with a mix of large and modest detached houses. Tree-lined streets, lots of access to parks and amenities, as well as private, well-groomed lots are common. Many of these homes were built earlier with significant renovations and upgrades made more recently.
Although Burlington real estate is among some of the most expensive outside of Toronto, the properties, land, amenities, and services provide great value.
Interested in learning more about real estate in Burlington? Check out our past market report blogs here.
Burlington Homes For Sale
Many buyers choose Burlington because of its mature, established neighbourhoods, large properties, and fantastic community services and amenities. Many homes for sale in Burlington consist of single-family detached homes in older neighbourhoods. Burlington communities such as Alton Village, Aldershot, Elizabeth Gardens, Brant Hills, Longmoor, and Headon Forest are known for their large, established homes with significant land, private yards, large driveways, and spacious interiors.
Neighbourhoods like Mountainview, Dynes, and Palmer are also up-and-coming communities with great homes for sale. Although the properties here are typically more modest, it’s common to see older homes in the area with significant renovations and improvements made to make them more modern and efficient.
The Orchard, Shoreacres, Tyandega, and Millcroft also have a few homes with significant land and luxury amenities. These properties would be considered to be estates rather than regular single-family detached dwellings.
Burlington also has several new developments including townhouses that are perfect starter homes for first-time buyers with a substantial budget and new families alike. Learn more about Burlington homes for sale here:
Burlington Condos For Sale
Most condos for sale in Burlington are located in the downtown area and lakefront neighbourhoods. These centrally-located developments are built for comfort and convenience. With beautiful amenities such as fitness rooms, pools, party rooms, and more.
Burlington condos for sale range in price and it’s very common to see a building feature more affordable units alongside luxurious penthouses. The appeal of buying a condo in Burlington is the location and its views. Most condos come complete with lakeside views, exceptional luxury features like open-concept floor plans, high ceilings, gourmet kitchens, and spa-like bathrooms.
These condos are the perfect opportunity for young professionals, downsizers, and investors in the market. Learn more about Burlington condos for sale here.
Burlington Real Estate Services
No matter which way you look at it, Burlington is a fantastic place to live, work, and play. It’s a vibrant community with a lot to offer. And for buyers, sellers, and investors alike, Burlington presents an excellent opportunity for making moves in the real estate market. The key is to work with a Burlington real estate agent who knows the nuances of the area—Michael St. Jean Realty is that company.
Buying with Michael St. Jean Realty
When you choose to buy your next home with Michael St. Jean Realty, you are putting your trust in some of the best Burlington real estate agents available. We leverage the full resources of our team to help you find the right home to match your needs and maximize your investing potential. In addition to our exceptional advice and service, when you buy with Michael St. Jean Realty you can expect:
- One of the top real estate teams in Canada representing you and protecting you.
- Access to real-time MLS listings before the general public.
- Access to power of sales and estate sales
- Insider access to new developments before they’re open to the public.
- A team available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to show you properties before missing out
- Expert negotiation to help you get the property you want at the best price.
- Access to the best financing rates and terms available.
Learn more about our buying process here:
Selling with Michael St. Jean Realty
Selling your biggest investment is not something you should take lightly. At Michael St. Jean Realty, we know how important it is to have a successful and positive selling experience. Whether you are selling your first condo and moving up into your forever home, or you are selling your family home to downsize into a smaller condo, we are here to help.
As some of the most trusted real estate agents in Burlington, we offer high-impact selling services. With our experience, market knowledge, and local insight, we can help market and sell your home for the highest possible price on your terms.
Learn more about our selling process here:
FAQ
Burlington is one of the most family-friendly cities in the GTA. With beautiful mature neighbourhoods, quiet streets, and a vibrant local community scene, Burlington has a lot to offer families both young and old. Combined with the fact that Burlington is home to some of the best public, private, and Catholic schools in the area, you are left with a city that was practically built for you and your family.
Compared to other cities such as Hamilton, Burlington real estate is slightly on the higher side when it comes to average price. However, if you consider the area’s beautiful neighbourhoods, safe streets, and community amenities and services, the area still presents a great value for those with the budget to afford it.
Real estate in Burlington is some of the most sought-after and exclusive in the region. Each neighbourhood has its own unique style and niche, but some of the most ‘exclusive’ communities would be The Orchard, Shoreacres, Tyandega, and Millcroft. These are well-established communities that feature properties that would probably be considered ‘estates’ rather than single-family homes.
Due to the prices, Burlington homes for sale are often not the first choice for first-time buyers. However, it is not impossible to buy your first home in Burlington. Many areas have new developments, townhouses, and even condos that are more affordable and suitable for first-time buyers. Additionally, up-and-coming neighbourhoods like Dynes and Palmer are both well-established and still somewhat affordable.
Burlington real estate is booming right now and many investors are setting their sights on the local condo market. Burlington condos are predominantly downtown and with more built each year, present a great investment opportunity for many. Whether you’re downsizing, planning for the future, planning for your children, or you own multiple properties, it’s worth checking out the Burlington condo scene.
Commuting from Toronto to Burlington is popular, and many residents do it every day. Thanks to its proximity to the big city and many transit options, commuting from Burlington to Toronto is relatively easy by car or train. For drivers, there is Highway 403 and for public transit, there are numerous stops throughout Burlington that will take you into the city.
Finding a local Realtor® in Burlington should be your first step when you decide to buy or sell a home. A local agent knows the market, has connections in the area, and can work closely with you to develop a clear strategy for achieving your goals. Local Burlington agents know buyers and sellers, they have experience in what has worked for homes like yours in the past, and they can advise you on the best way to navigate the specific market you are in.
The best way to find a local Burlington real estate agent is by doing your homework. Talk to friends and family, look at who is currently selling other properties similar to yours, and make note of who’s appearing on TV and radio. A local agent will be prominent in your area. It’s also a good idea to interview your Burlington real estate professional once you find them. Ensure they have a game plan and a strategy to meet your needs, make sure you’re comfortable with them, and that you are confident they can help you.
