Barrie is ideal for anyone who loves swimmable beaches, challenging ski hills, and an abundance of parks space. In fact, there are over 90 parks in this vibrant and attractive city, covering over 300 hectares scattered throughout the city.
More about Barrie
The City of Barrie is located in Central Ontario, Simcoe County, Canada, on the western shore of Lake Simcoe.
Barrie is situated at the north end of the Greater Golden Horseshoe, an industrialized and densely populated area of Ontario. According to the 2011 census, the city has a population of 136,063, which makes it the 34th largest city in Canada, while the census metropolitan area (CMS) has a population of 187,013, which makes it the 21st largest CMA in Canada.
We Love Barrie
According to Moneysense Canada, Barrie is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, largely because it is a great place to live. It was also ranked 73rd out of 190 on the 2013 list of Canada’s best places to live.
Barrie is conveniently located with great destinations a short drive away. The city not only boasts serene natural surroundings, but also fun activities and lively entertainment. Barrie’s small town feel, its beautiful waterfront, and its heritage downtown, create a charming community, while the industry and growth are turning Barrie into a lively hub.
Here are five reasons why you may consider living in Barrie:
1. Fast, Convenient Access to Nearby Destinations
Barrie is located in a central area of Ontario with easy access to a variety of outdoor attractions and urban centres. The highway is easily accessible from anywhere in town, and from there, it’s a one-hour drive to the heart of downtown Toronto to the south, or a one-hour drive to the ski hills and spas of Blue Mountain to the West. And it’s an even shorter drive to various areas of cottage country, farmlands, and great hiking trails.
2. Amazing Recreational Activities and Sports
The city of Barrie prides itself on its parks, beaches, boating, skiing, and snowboarding. With 300 hectares of park space, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy in Barrie. It’s also Central Ontario’s Premier Waterfront City, which means you can enjoy a relaxing day at one of the region’s beautiful waterfront beaches.
3. Safe to Live
Barrie has a high quality of life, partly due to the low crime rate of the area. Statistics Canada claimed that the overall Crime Severity Index for Barrie in 2011 was valued at 60.6.
4. Medical Service
There are four medical clinics in Barrie, in addition to the Royal Victorian Hospital (RVH), providing sufficient medical and dental care for Barrie’s population, including those who do not have a family physician or dentist, or perhaps are unable to reach them for any number of reasons.
5. Cost of Living
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) states that incomes of Barrie residents tend to be higher than the income that’s needed to own a home. And it doesn’t hurt that the city also has a range of housing options at great and affordable prices.
Live or Invest in Barrie
Indeed, there are so many reasons why you would want to live or work in Barrie. So if you are in need of financing your new home in the area or making a property investment in Barrie, please contact us at Northwood Mortgage™ – Stability, Savings, and Service.