Brampton is, without doubt, a good place to live and it is ranked among the top 15 Canadian cities to live in Maclean’s “Canada’s Best Communities 2021” list. The city is located about 40 kilometers northwest of downtown Toronto, right by Toronto Pearson International Airport.
With 4,110 hectares of parkland, 835 parks, open spaces and valley lands, 328 sports fields, 279 kilometers of recreational trails, 13 spray pads, six community gardens, four leash-free areas, and more than 25 community centers, it remains one of the best places to live in Canada.
Although Brampton’s rise to become a modern urban center is relatively recent, the city’s history can be traced back to the early 1800s. Formerly known as Buffy’s Corners until immigrants trooping in from northern England renamed the village, Brampton experienced massive growth throughout the 1800s, and by 1852 had enough residents to be incorporated as a village.
In 1867, Brampton was selected as the site for the Peel County Courthouse Jail and Registry Office, both of which still stand in the Peel Heritage Complex.
Brampton has become one of Canada’s most prominent immigration hubs, with people trooping in from all around the world. The Brampton real estate market is considered an alternative to the more exorbitant and busier cities of the Greater Toronto Area.
The city once referred to as The Flower Town of Canada has witnessed a whole lot of changes and growth in recent years and has no intention of stopping. Indeed, the city of Brampton is a wonderful place to relocate to because it has a vibrant community, an enviable location, an outdoorsy mentality, and peaceful, safe neighborhoods.
What are the Best Neighborhoods to Live in Brampton?
Well noted as one of the best cities to live in Canada, many people are moving to Brampton and going to nearby areas for work. Howbeit, if you choose to live in Brampton, here are top neighborhoods to consider;
Downtown Brampton
Noted as one of the oldest sections of Brampton, downtown Brampton offers a unique feel, different from the usual expectations one has of a downtown core. It features a small town, relaxed feel, but within a big city.
The area is densely tree-lined and boasts of historical landmarks and heritage properties showing its Victorian roots. Indeed, those residing in this neighborhood have access to a wide array of restaurants, parks, entertainment, cultural do’s, retail staples, and fashion outlets which are always a short and scenic walk away.
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is a new neighbourhood in Brampton, more renowned for its Thursday Farmers’ Market during the summer. This area is made up of streets between Mayfield Road, Mississauga Road, Bovaird Drive, and Creditview Road.
It is very well designed to be a walkable, vibrant community where neighborhood amenities are easy to locate within a short distance of every home. Have it in mind that the focal point of this neighborhood is a beautifully designed central public square that features water that turns into a skating rink in the wintertime.
Heart Lake
This neighbourhood offers a slower-paced environment and is known to attract home buyers who prefer to spend time in green spaces. Note that the neighborhood is quiet generally, as there isn’t a lot of street noise or city clamor.
Reports have it that over 85% of the population of this neighborhood own their home and the rest are renters. The most visible housing types in this part of Brampton are single detached homes and townhouses. Also, note that a good part of the housing growth in this neighborhood happened between 1980 and 1990.
Bramalea
This is, without doubt, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Brampton as well as one of the largest: it covers Highway 410, Bovaird Drive, Airport Road, and Steeles Avenue.
This neighborhood has a Civic Centre with a theatre and library, a bus terminal that is a popular transportation hub, a regional shopping center, and a parkland trail system illuminated by a multi-purpose super park that even features a petting zoo, amphitheater, and ski hill.
Also note that this neighborhood offers a vast range of housing stock not commonly found in a single neighborhood, and includes everything from town homes and small detached houses to executive homes, condominiums, and high-rise rental apartment buildings.
Vales of Castlemore
This is another wonderful and modern place to consider in Brampton. It takes only a short walk to reach primary schools from most homes in Vales of Castlemore and it is often ideal for residents in Vales of Castlemore to buy groceries by walking. The neighborhood is well known for its relaxed ambiance.
It is very easy to reach public green spaces in the neighborhood since there are about 20 of them nearby for residents to check out. It is also very quiet as noise from the streets and other parts of the city is not even an issue. The homes in Vales of Castlemore are some of the newest and largest Brampton has to offer.
Pros and Cons of Living in Brampton
Just like any other city, Brampton has its own fair share of pros and cons. Owing to that, anyone looking to live in this city is first advised to carry out extensive research beforehand to be sure it suits their needs. Here are notable pros and cons of living in Brampton.
Pros
Young, Diverse Community
The city boasts of the youngest population in the entire Greater Toronto Area, with the average age of residents currently at 36.5 years. A good number of young families with small children move to the city and, according to the statistics, Brampton’s population of those aged between 0 to 14 years has increased by 5.2% since 2011.
Great Location
Brampton is noted for being in an enviable location; well situated in the Region of Peel, close to the heart of the Greater Toronto Area. It also provides easy and convenient access to other big cities like Mississauga, Vaughan, and even Toronto itself.
In addition, the city is quite close to the busiest airport in Canada. Toronto Pearson International Airport can be found 20 kilometers south of the city, featuring an extensive network of domestic and international flights.
Viable Housing Market
Agreeably, the real estate market in Brampton provides more appealing housing options than other cities in the Greater Toronto Area. Brampton also boasts of one of the highest rates of home ownership in the GTA at 80%, and this goes to show that residents here prefer acquiring their own homes instead of renting them.
Low Cost of Living
The cost of living in Brampton is much more considerate than in most parts of the Greater Toronto Area. Reports have it that families spend an average of about $6,000 per month, especially when compared with Toronto, where the cost of living is around $7,270 per month.
Parklands Galore
This city is also renowned for its flowers, and it boasts no fewer than 3,600 hectares of parkland spread across 850 parks and 217 kilometers of well-maintained nature trails. Aside from the many fantastic and well-maintained gardens in this city, Brampton is also home to a large number of soccer pitches, football fields, and ball diamonds. Golf is a celebrated sport and the city has at least 8 fantastic golf courses for players of all levels.
Cons
Rising Population
A city that attracts a lot of people can be a good thing especially since it helps the city develop, however, it also entails that there are too many people around and suddenly you have an overcrowded place.
Indeed, Brampton has remained very popular in recent years, and the population has grown exponentially by nearly one hundred thousand people in less than ten years. Have it in mind that this is a remarkably high increase in a relatively short space of time and only looks to keep this pace over the years to come.
High Unemployment Rate
One of the most notable disadvantages of population growth is the lack of job opportunities. According to reports, Brampton has a high unemployment rate: it is about 6%, and competition for jobs has become even fiercer in recent times. It is not as easy for an average person to find a job in the city, and it is known to be much harder for a new resident.
Traffic
One of the first things people complain about in Brampton is traffic congestion. Truth be told, the traffic is bad, all the time, and this has been a major issue for people looking to navigate the city.
Aside from massive population growth in this city, note that continuous construction on the roads and a large number of dangerous intersections have not only led to steady poor traffic flow, but also a high number of traffic accidents every day. And this entails that drivers in the city have to endure some of the most exorbitant car insurance rates in the country.
Inadequate Health Facilities
Unlike other cities in Canada, Brampton is seriously lagging in healthcare facilities. Note that having just one big hospital for this ever-increasing population has also affected the wait time. And this means that residents most often have to travel to Mississauga and other nearby cities to use the medical facilities.
Cost of Living in Brampton
This is a very wonderful city known for its outstanding quality of life and numerous opportunities. However, if you are considering moving to or living in Brampton, you should consider the cost of living especially since living in this city comes with a lot of complexities.
Food and Groceries
Food is quite expensive in Brampton, and some of the groceries are not readily available and are therefore more expensive. Residents are often advised to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the local markets where they are generally a little cheaper. In terms of food and groceries, reports have it that couples with two children would try to eat at home more often than going out, and will spend around $240 on restaurants and $1,292 on groceries.
Transportation
Anyone living in Brampton can choose to commute by car, which is very frequent here. However, note that the cost of two car payments and gasoline for a family runs about $1,435 per month, with public transit costing around $120 per month. Also note that this city has some of the highest insurance rates in Ontario, with an average of $200 per month, to a yearly total of $2,392.
Rent and Utilities
This is indeed one of the most notable factors that drive up the cost of living in Brampton. According to experts, mortgage payment in the city averages (not counting taxes and insurance) around $1780 per month, and rent on a three-bedroom apartment in Brampton averages to about $1,550. Utilities will more or less add around $65 and $280 to that number.
Childcare
Have it in mind that childcare costs in Brampton are noted to be higher than in other parts of Canada, with an average of $1,302 per month for infants. However, for after-school care and full daycare, you should expect to spend a total of $650 per month.
Housing Cost
Note that the price per square meter to acquire a property in Brampton city center is around $5,262 and about $3,822 outside the downtown core. Have in mind that this is approximately half of what you might have to pay in Toronto. However, even with the more affordable rental and property prices in Brampton vis-à-vis Toronto, note that you may still have to travel each day if you continue to work in Toronto.
Other Factors
In the city of Brampton, the cost of having your phone plugged in is $214 per month, and the internet is around $254 to $334 per month. Also, note that a household with two gym memberships will invest around $314 per month and $88 on clothing for all four family members. Additionally, going out for lunch a few times a month will add $67 to monthly expenditures, while other household goods and amenities cost $375 per month on average.
Conclusion
Indeed, Brampton remains one of the best places to live in Canada. If you are looking for a city that is multicultural, affordable and within very close distance of Toronto, then this is one of the best cities to consider. However, note that Brampton has its pros and cons just like any other place in Canada. But generally, it’s a very good place to live, work, and grow your family.