Mississauga,
established in 1968, is on Toronto's west border and has grown in less than fifty years to become the
sixth-largest city in Canada. It is connected all around by MiWay and GO transit services, which link it to
Oakville, Brampton, Milton, and Toronto itself. But don't let that growth fool you: despite being part of the
Greater Toronto Area metropolis, Mississauga has over 480 parks and 327 km of trails to explore within. It also
connects to the rest of the world by Canada's largest and busiest airport, Pearson International, which services
1,100 flights a day. Another fun fact: KFC's Colonel Sanders made Mississauga his home for a quarter-century!
This is an idyllic city to live in, providing its residents with just about anything they could ask for.
Due
to Mississauga's recent growth, the city now has over 125,000 detached and semi detached properties, 35,000
townhouses and more than 70,000 apartments, and these last two numbers will increase to about 46,000 and 100,000,
respectively, by 2031. The city's many neighbourhood districts feature a broad spectrum of attractive
environments:
City
Centre is the area that surrounds the iconic Square One shopping mall and the city hall at the heart of
Mississauga. The city centre has grown extremely quickly as a neighbourhood in recent times, and is expected to
continue at the same pace. This community is marked by the high-rise, high-end condominiums that stand here. There
are also some older condominiums and detached homes. The residences in this area value between $400,000 to about
$1500,000. One
of the most beloved and notable places in Mississauga is Streetsville, "the Village in the City". It
certainly lives up to its title, what with the small-town feel of historic buildings, little shops, restaurants,
cafés, you name it. Streetsville is a charming and gentle getaway from the malls and skyscrapers. The homes
here are in a melange: older bungalows, newer estates, and everything in between, with many of the larger homes
being worth over $2,000,000.
Lorne
Park enjoys the reputation of being an upper-class area where homeowners have detached properties ranging from
more aged mid-twentieth century houses to newer luxurious estates. Lots in Lorne Park are usually worth between
$1,000,000 and $5,000,000+.
Applewood's quiet
suburban streets are home to all manner of properties: detached, semi-detached, condominiums and townhouses, with
prices ranging between $400,000 for some townhouses to over $1,000,000+ for the higher-end detached homes. The calm
of parks and trees, as well as the ease of access to both Toronto and the Mississauga city centre makes for an
optimal location for family living. The
oldest community in Mississauga is Port Credit, which remains one of the highest-tier areas to liive in, with
luxury townhomes and condominiums on the beautiful waterfront. Some properties in Port Credit are pre-Second World
War but renovated to contemporary elegance. Expect prices for homes to be around $1,500,000+.
Central
Erin Mills is a comfortable suburban neighbourhood which features townhouses, condominiums, detached family
houses, and luxury estate homes. The range of prices here is between $400,000 and $1,500,000, allowing a family to
win a home for around $500,000 or $850,000 on a desirable street. Just
north of the city centre is Hurontario, enjoying great access to Square One and making a location in high
demand. There are condos, townhouses, semi- and detached homes here, ranging from around $400,000 to
$1,000,000+.
Lakeview is
a waterfront community with easy access to Toronto and Lake Ontario, where properties range from at the very least
$400,000 to $2,000,000 and above. For the most part, the properties are detached, smaller, and older, with some
being from before the Second World War. Nevertheless, the newer and larger homes in the area push values
up.
Lisgar features
fairly recent homes, with a mix of detached and semi-detached properties, although there are a few townhouse
complexes and condos. Lot sizes are typically on the small end, but the neighbourhood is quite affordable at around
$500,000 to $750,000 and more.
East
Credit, also known as Heartland, has a suburban balance between semi-detached, detached, and townhouse
properties. The properties of East Credit are marked by the green of grass and trees, valuing between $500,000 and
$1,000,000, allowing affordability levels for everyone.
Rathwood is
a family-oriented suburban neighbourhood that contains detached, semi-detached, townhouse and condominium
properties, from smaller homes and condominiums at $500,000 to larger and newer family homes at around $1,000,000+.
Many of these properties are around 30 years old or newer. The borders of Rathwood extend all the way to
Toronto.
Sheridan features
yet another suburban community, known for its large detached two-storey and backsplit homes. There are also some
condominiums and smaller properties in this community with mature trees in Sherwood Forrest (not a typo). The price
point varies from around $500,000 to $2,000,000 or more for more luxurious estates.
Mineola is
a desirable community of detached homes, usually divided into East and West. The Mineola West community is marked by
the woods, where homes cost $1,500,000 to $3,000,000+ or even more for a custom build. In Mineola East, the setting
has more of a suburban feel with older homes, smaller lots and fewer trees, but the values still top
$1,000,000.
Clarkson has
a wide gamut of properties: from smaller townhomes, to semis and detached houses, to multi-million-dollar lots by
the waterfront. Clarkson is always gaining value due to its proximity to Lake Ontario, various parks, schools and
the community centre. Values for properties here are about $450,000 for townhouses, and up to $5,000,000 for the
high-end lots on the lake.
Erindale is
a community on the Credit River, consisting mostly of detached and semi-detached properties built in the 1970s and
1980s. The Credit Valley Golf and Country Club calls this area home and raises its desirability. Prices in Erindale
are between $700,000 and $1,000,000+for bungalows, split-level, and two-story homes, while the higher-end houses are
worth upwards of $1,500,000+. The
University of Toronto in Mississauga (or UTM) is also located here. UTM is a small and calm campus within a short
walk of Erindale Park, with a public-access sports centre, pool, and shuttle to the St. George campus of the
University of Toronto. It has the air of being in its own placid valley, at once away from and connected to the rest
of Mississauga.
Cooksville
is just southeast of the city centre and features a diversity of housing: older bungalows, huge condominium
apartment buildings, detached and semi-detached homes. Lots in this well-connected area range in price between
$400,000 and $1,000,000.
South
Erin Mills has many parks and affordable housing that offers families with kids plenty of suburban recreational
space. Detached and semi-detached homes in this area were built between 30 and 40 years ago. Some of the more
prestigious residences cost between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000, while more affordable family properties, including
condos, value starting at $400,000.
Churchill
Meadows is a community high in demand in Mississauga. While the lots are typically small, the values of homes
in Churchill Meadows reflect the desirability of the area, which has parks and schools that allow for comfortable
family living. Properties here are worth around $400,000 for low-rise condos and townhomes, $600,000 for detached
houses, and $1,000,000+ and above for luxury lots.
Meadowvale is
a quiet area of high-value properties at affordable prices, which may sound bizarre, but just like Churchill
Meadows, the demand for this area is constantly pushing house values up. Prices here range from $500,000 to about
$1,000,000 or less, and homeowners enjoy the park trails and the two manmade lakes, Aquitaine and Wabukayne, that
create a means for recreation and relaxation.
Meadowvale
Village, distinct from Meadowvale, features newer housing in a community established long ago; most of the homes in
this neighbourhood are not yet 20 years old. Meadowvale Village is peaceful and contains mostly detached and
semi-detached properties starting at $450,000 and ranging up to over $1,000,000 at the highest tier. The proximity
of highly-ranked schools attracts many homebuyers with the prospect of starting a family.
Mississauga
has a vast variety of points of interest, from the busy to the quaint:
The
city centre contains many of the most recognisable landmarks of Mississauga, including the City Hall, Celebration
Square, Central Library, the Absolute World Towers and Square One Shopping Centre, the largest mall in Ontario
sprawling over 2,200,000 square feet featuring over 360 stores and services. Celebration
Square is a key venue for festivals and other celebrations, not least of which are New Year's Eve and Canada
Day, complete with magnificent fireworks displays and concerts. It's a wonderful place to skate in the winter,
with hot cocoa and poutine nearby. In the summer, the multitude of picnic-style public viewings of movies will keep
you coming back. The
Absolute World Towers are the tallest buildings in Mississauga and serve as a useful geographical marker: they can
be seen from dozens of kilometres away, making it easy to find your way back to the city centre. The memorable and
feminine design of these condominiums has earned them the moniker "Marilyn Monroe Towers". The
Benares Heritage House, the Bradley Museum Complex, and the Leslie Log House serve as vestiges and museums of
heritage and olden times, always featuring something new and fascinating. Adamson Estate is a hugely popular spot
for wedding photo ops, carrying the enchanting old-world aura with Lake Ontario to boot. For
those who fancy catching the odd opera or comedy, the Living Arts Centre and Meadowvale Theatre have performing arts
and dramas in spades. And while you're planning your next trip to the theatre, why not drop by the concert hall
for a musical performance by the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra as well?
If
you're interested in the myriad of green spaces that Mississauga has, good news! Just about everyone here lives
within walking distance of a park or walking trail. Mississauga boasts 2,988 hectares of parkland, with over 250
playgrounds for the kids. Here are just a few:
Jack
Darling Park - a mesmerising lakeside picnic area, perfect for a morning stroll to feel the air coming off of the
lake. Fantastic place to hang out with friends or family.
Erindale
Park - an immense green space, perfect for barbecuing, hiking, throwing the frisbee around, or enjoying the tranquil
appeal of the Credit River (whether you're fishing in it or allowing yourself to be hypnotised by the flow as
your ice cream starts melting).
Lakefront
Promenade Park - a stunning area next to Adamson Estate for moseying along Lake Ontario, having a picnic, and having
a look at the elegant boats the members of the Mississauga Sailing Club dock there.
Kariya
Park - a graceful and Japanese-themed mini-oasis near the city centre, symbolising the relationship between
Mississauga and Kariya, Japan, who have been sister-cities for over 35 years. A relaxing and meditative spot in the
heart of the busy city.
Brueckner
Rhododendron Gardens - a park containing an enormous collection of publicly-owned rhododendrons, with over 800
plants from the late Dr. Brueckner's private collection. Accessible at any time of the year, these gardens are a
sight for sore eyes.
Rattray
Marsh Conservation Area - don't let the name fool you, this is a magnificent and captivating location for
exploring the beauty of the marsh and forest. It includes a boardwalk leading through the most enchanting parts of
the woods, one of Mississauga's most cherished promenades.
As
for the more animated facets of the city, there are numerous festivals that city is proud to invite and
hold:
Carassauga
- the festival that calls Mississauga its one and only home. It is an annual multicultural festival featuring ethnic
arts and cuisine, with pavilions stationed all over the city showcasing music, performances, and visual arts.
Fantastic experience for all ages.
Toronto
Wine & Cheese Festival - the one that makes amateurs into connoisseurs. Not only is there wine and cheese
tasting--that much is apparent--but there is also live music, cooking demonstrations, and a mixology centre to learn
from the best.
Southside
Shuffle Jazz & Blues Festival - a festival that invites you with live jazz and blues music, and keeps you there
with the smell (and then taste) of barbecue. Incredible celebration of musical creativity and skill.
Amacon
Mississauga Rotary Ribfest - the paradise for meat lovers. Chefs and teams from all over North America compete to
make the perfect ribs, chicken, pulled pork, signature sauces, etc. Exquisite trip for the taste buds. Vegan and
vegetarian dishes are also served.
Mississauga
Waterfront Festival - set in the spectacular area of Port Credit, this festival has concerts, craft vendors, rides
and attractions for kids, celebrity guests, and plenty more festivities to enjoy.