By Sheila O’Hearn, Zoocasa
With the average cost of houses in Toronto estimated at $759,444, many priced-out home-seekers are now pondering alternatives, such as living in further GTA locations, and looking for houses and condos for sale in Hamilton, Mississauga, and Brampton. Statistics Canada notes that the median salary of $78,280 qualifies one for a maximum mortgage amount of $545,692, making Malton, Cooksville and Bramalea the top three affordable communities and within the grasp of home ownership.
Better house prices aren’t the only reason to purchase in these hoods. Buying a place along the GO-transit routes to Toronto, which is only 45 minutes away, has decided advantages by eliminating the stress of driving the car long distances on a steady basis, while enjoying the savings on insurance, gasoline, city parking and regular auto maintenance.
Zoocasa’s GO Transit Home Price infographic shows that the average home in Malton near the GO Transit station is $363,774 (Kitchener line); in Cooksville, $399,380 (Milton line); and Bramalea, just a little higher at $402,483 (Kitchener line). That’s the first piece of good news!
The second is that the Province has committed to expanding Light Transit improvements over the next 10 years, by adding more trips to the main corridors and implementing the GO Regional Express Rail (RER), in anticipation of commuter growth by 50% in 2020.
The third is that home buyers can bank on enjoying greater home value in the near future, while taking advantage of the lower price-tag – compared to Toronto detached homes – now.
Malton, Cooksville and Bramalea aren’t new neighbourhoods, but new generations are infusing each one with fresh vitality, innovation, and vision of home.
MULTICULTURAL MALTON
Northwest of Toronto and situated in northeastern part of the city of Mississauga, Malton has evolved into a homey, welcoming and unique neighborhood, with a population of 118,240, according to the 2016 Census. Malton is conveniently accessible by road, via Highway 427, Airport Road and Finch Avenue, and the main Malton GO station (train and bus) is located at Airport Road and Derry Road.
Area amenities
The Westwood Mall of 47 brand-name stores has plans for further expansion, in addition to being the location of the 4.8-starred Westward bus terminal.
The vicinity has many outdoor parks, elementary and secondary schools, and churches to accommodate the various cultures who have settled in Malton.
The Malton Greenway Trail meanders through scenic sections of Malton, including Brandon Gate Park, the bridge at Morning Star Drive, Elmcreek Park, and a marsh lookout point over Mimico Creek.
Family-oriented
The tremendous growth that has taken place in recent years is attributed to an influx of both growing families and retirees. With special emphasis on continuing to create a safe and welcoming neighbourhood, this unique community continues to be built predominantly by new Canadians from India, with the fastest growing population coming from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago. In fact, 59% of Malton consists of new Canadians who have brought their talents with them and have proudly established many businesses.
With regards to religion, Malton consists largely of Roman Catholic and Sikh practitioners, Hindus and Muslims. The Roman Catholic population is ascribed to the large number of Italian-Canadians that moved to Malton a few decades ago. The Sikh inhabitants are drawn to the neighbourhood, due to the local Sikh temple and Sikh-based school.
COOKSVILLE THRIVES ON DIVERSITY
Cooksville is a high-density neighbourhood in the city of Mississauga, and today is also referred to as the City Centre of Mississauga with a multicultural and diverse population.
Good Public Transit
Cooksville homes and condos are always in high demand because of the excellent public transit and ease of connectivity to downtown Toronto. The Mississauga Transit runs through Cooksville, makes frequent stops and offers flexible bus timings. The Cooksville GO station provides convenient bus and train transportation up to the Milton GO station (going westwards) and up to Union Station in Downtown Toronto (going eastwards).
Activities and Amenities
Both the GO Bus terminal and Mississauga Transit bus terminals are located just north of Square One Shopping Centre, which, size-wise, is a popular, one-stop destination for consumers. In addition, a wonderful array of different food stores, restaurants and ethnic grocery shops form the main streetscape.
The Cooksville Library, located on Hurontario Street, offers a variety of programs and services for all ages, including French and newcomer programs, youth camps, and more.
Trillium Health Centre on 100 Queensway West, is south of Cooksville, with a 24-hour emergency department − the largest in Canada. Across from the hospital, Cooksville Care Centre provides long-term care and support facilities, as well as retirement services. Residents are a short distance away from the multi-use Mississauga Living Arts Centre, lauded for its performing and visual arts programs, corporate meetings, community events and courses.
Open year-round, the 40,000 square-foot Playdium, near Square One, offers energetic families and kids the best in interactive, virtual and physical entertainment. The centre also boasts an 11-acre outdoor park, featuring one of Canada’s longest go-kart tracks and variable-speed batting cages.
Cooksville is home to many scenic parks, as well as notable public, private and Catholic schools and high schools.
BRAMALEA – THE LONG-ESTABLISHED “NEW TOWN”
Bramalea is a “built” neighbourhood in the City of Brampton, having been created as an innovative "new town", and developed as a separate community from the city. Located in the former Chinguacousy Township, it was Canada's first satellite community.
The Bramalea area is ideal for all kinds of households, but families are the largest group to date, with the Bramalea City Centre − one of Canada's largest shopping malls − acting as the area’s magnate, with over 1.5 million square feet of retail space and outlets.
Unusual street designations
Alphabetized streets are a concept you won’t see in just any neighbourhood. Each phase of the constructed city was built with progressing first letters of street names. It’s said that the letter designations coincided with the accompanying schools and parks and pathways. No matter what letter section you live in, Bramalea is served by the regularly scheduled Bramalea GO Station and GO Transit.
Bramalea City Centre is a mere 10 minutes away from the thriving City of Brampton.
Brampton for “Bramaleans”
With a population of approximately 523,911, Brampton is the ninth largest city in Canada and the third largest in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Residents represent more than 200 different cultures and speak more than 89 languages. Adjacent to Canada’s largest airport Toronto Pearson International, Brampton is also home to the largest intermodal railway terminal in Canada and has immediate access to an extensive network of trans-continental highways. Brampton enjoys a successful, diversified economy, boasting over 8,500 businesses. 72% of Brampton’s economic base is comprised of service-producing companies and 28% is comprised of goods-producing companies.
Eight more reasons to live in Bramalea
- As part of Brampton, inclusion in the designated Safe Community by the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Quick access to outstanding community amenities: 90 kilometres of trails and pathways and 400 parks; 120 recreation centres for families and active seniors’ centres
- State-of-the-art Brampton Civic Hospital and Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness (under development)
- Close to the beautiful Rose Theatre’s superb arts and culture scene
- BCC expansions and Shoppers World Brampton
- Close to Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning – Davis Campus, a leading centre for emerging technologies, science and business
- Close to Algoma University’s Brampton Campus
- Innovative elementary and secondary schools with specialized learning disciplines
Zoocasa is a real estate brokerage based in Toronto.
Sheila O’Hearn is a freelance and creative writer, and has worn many hats throughout her career, from general staff reporter to magazine editor. She has a keen interest in business entrepreneurship and currently writes for several outlets. Visit her at LinkedIn for more info.
