Best Canadian Neighbourhoods for Big-City Lovers with Kids

Young families in major urban centres across the Canadian real estate market have to contend with a tidal wave of financial challenges, particularly housing and childcare. Whether in Toronto or Vancouver proper, low- and middle-income millennial families have limited home-ownership options beyond condominium units. In fact, a new report from RE/MAX reveals that condos have become not only the most-common choice for first-time buyers, but increasingly for move-up buyers as well. With that said, big city living offers some amazing benefits that you’ll never find in a small town, including great connectivity, proximity to work and play, and distinct neighbourhoods, each with their own flavour and a unique sense of community. So, where are some of the best big-city Canadian neighbourhoods suitable for households with kids?

RE/MAX recently published the findings of its 2024 Liveability Report, which assesses the various neighbourhoods that are best-suited to people with a variety of needs, including families with kids. Let’s find out where these neighbourhoods are situated.

1. Winnipeg, Manitoba

A notable barrier to entry in the Winnipeg real estate market is that inventory levels have been minimal, meaning that prices are higher compared to years ago. Experts say that if you find a home in the Winnipeg area that satisfies 75 percent of your needs, then it would be preferable to choose that house rather than waiting for a better option.

Consider this development in recent years: Much of the demand in Winnipeg and the surrounding area is being driven by big-city lovers with children, suburban families, and move-up buyers.

According to new figures from the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board (WRREB), the average price of a detached home in Winnipeg is around $433,000. Condo prices have averaged just below $300,000.

The best neighbourhoods for big-city lovers with kids:

• Bridgewater Trails
• Devonshire Park
• North Kildonan
• Sage Creek

2. Toronto, Ontario

Yes, Toronto is one of the world’s most expensive housing markets. Yes, a single-family home is north of $1 million. Yes, Toronto is generally costly across the board. But is buying a home in Toronto proper or in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) still doable for a typical middle-class family of four? Industry experts assert that the most significant challenge for prospective homebuyers is searching for a want rather than a need.

Indeed, searching for a “forever home” in your first journey in the home-buying process is a difficult endeavour. As a result, experts argue that this mindset needs to change. Instead, big-city lovers with kids need to be realistic and work closely with a real estate professional. Whether this means purchasing a condominium rather than a townhome or moving to East York rather than Midtown, realism is paramount.

The average selling price for a detached home is about $1.1 million, according to the latest statistics from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB).

The best neighbourhoods for big-city lovers with kids:

• The Annex
• College and Bathurst

3. Montreal, Quebec

Is it time to improve your French? Maybe. Still, Montreal is one of Canada’s most livable and most desirable cities. Additionally, there are several neighbourhoods in the Quebec municipality that appeal to all sorts of living situations, from families to young professionals without children.

Surprisingly, home prices in Montreal are modest compared to other cities and the national average. According to data compiled by the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPARB)., the median price for a single-family home in the Montreal housing market is about $585,000. The median selling price for a condo is just above $411,000.

The best neighbourhoods for big-city lovers with kids:

• Francois-Perrault
• Outremont
• Outremont Park
• Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension

Married with Children

Raising a child in Canada costs an average of $17,235 per year for a two-parent household, according to Statistics Canada. Raising two kids could cost middle-income parents more than $500,000, the federal statistics agency noted. In total, Canadian families can expect to spend nearly $300,000 from birth to age 17.

In today’s high-cost economic climate, it is not unusual for families to continue supporting adult children.

“Generating estimates of the cost of raising a child is complex, and spending on children is highly variable across different types of families,” the report published in September 2023 stated. “An additional challenge is the growing importance of the costs incurred for adult children who live with their parents.”

This is why it is imperative to be realistic in your homebuying adventure, choosing a home that suits your needs and your budget. Canada is immense, and the real estate market provides families with a diverse array of communities tailored to your liveability standards.