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Our Top Burlington Neighbourhoods for Families

May 25, 2023 | Burlington

No matter how much you search, you will be hard-pressed to find a more family-friendly city than Burlington. Think of the convenience, festivals, shopping and dining opportunities and other amenities of Toronto. Now imagine them in a tranquil setting where your children can safely play on your front lawn. 

We could talk for hours about the many incredible parks and playgrounds that encourage children to stay active and social. When it comes to the quality of the schools, Burlington holds its own, even when compared to some of the bigger cities in the province. 

These are just a few reasons Maclean’s Magazine has ranked Burlington as the Number One Community in Canada and why Moneysense Magazine rated it as the #1 mid-sized city to live in Canada for four consecutive years. What can you expect when browsing for a potential new home? Let’s take a look at some of the most family-oriented neighbourhoods in the area.

Alton Village

Located on the northern border of Burlington, Alton Village is the newest master-planned community in the city. It’s also one of the most scenic communities, with spectacular views of the Niagara Escarpment. The picturesque beauty of Alton Village, combined with ultimate convenience, makes this a sought-after destination for families of all types. A quick trip to Walker’s or Appleby Line (literally walking distance!) leads to a plethora of big box stores, specialty boutiques and dining options. There are also two Starbucks locations in Alton, one of which is a drive-thru.

Alton Village is home to some of the best-ranked public and Catholic schools in all of Burlington,  including Alton Village Public School, St. Anne’s Catholic Elementary School, and Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School. If you’re looking for private options, Fern Hill, Blyth Academy, and Glen Arbour Academy are some of your top choices!

There’s no shortage of parks and recreation in Alton Village, as this neighbourhood was designed with families in mind. The Haber Recreation Centre is the heart of the community, providing an indoor gymnasium and public library, and Norton Park located opposite Haber has everything you could ask for with multiple sports fields, a skate park, splash pad, playground and there’s even a dog park with off-leash area.  

The real estate landscape in Alton Village is primarily comprised of beautiful, contemporary detached homes predominately built by Fernbrook Homes and Sundial Homes.

Learn more about Alton Village by reading our community guide right here.


Thinking about buying or selling a home this year? The following posts will help you plan your next steps:


The Orchard

Located in northeast Burlington bordering Oakville along Bronte Creek Provincial Park is The Orchard. This neighbourhood is another top choice for families at a more affordable price point than Alton Village. The Orchard offers a sense of community which is one of the top priorities for residents living here. It’s not uncommon for neighbours here to know one another by name, and you’ll often find residents enjoying time outdoors in this master-planned community.

What can you expect to find around the neighbourhood? Plenty of parks, pedestrian-friendly streets and paved woodland pathways make this one of the most walkable areas in Burlington. Residents here love having Bronte Creek Provincial Park as its immediate neighbour, which is home to numerous trails, cross-country skiing and more. You’re also nearby numerous shopping plazas and restaurants, another reason The Orchard is a premium choice for many families in the city. 

All year long, you’ll encounter children playing happily in the many parkettes and playgrounds sprinkled around the community. When not playing, the neighbourhood kids may be studying at highly rated schools such as Orchard Park Public School, Alexanders Public School, Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School, or private alternatives like  Waterdown Montessori School and Ashwood Glen School

The Orchard real estate offers a variety of two-storey detached, townhouse and semi-detached homes, predominantly built by Mattamy Homes, with plenty of space for each member of the family. 

Still curious about The Orchard? You’ll discover more in our community guide right here.

Millcroft

Convenience meets nature in Millcroft, an affluent neighbourhood located in central Burlington. A golfer’s paradise, Millcroft was built around the Millcroft Golf Course, a highly coveted feature of this neighbourhood. You may even spot “watch for golfers” warning signs on the streets. But you don’t have to be a golf enthusiast to enjoy the great outdoors in this upscale neighbourhood. Baseball diamonds, playgrounds, splash pads, and walking trails abound, providing wholesome recreational activities for children and the young at heart. 

As with most Burlington neighbourhoods, Millcroft is well served by public education, with Florence Meares Public School and Charles R. Beaudoin Public School close at hand. Highly rated private schools such as Fern Hill, Halton Waldorf School and Burlington Royal Arts Academy are available for those who prefer an alternative education for their children.

The housing market is made up of large houses, primarily built by Monarch Homes, on oversized lots that provide plenty of space to set up your own backyard escape – some of which back onto the golf course, and executive townhomes – including those that are bungalow-style, a rare find in the city.

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about Millcroft in our community guide right here.

Brant Hills

Another neighbourhood located next to the Niagara Escarpment, Brant Hills is practically synonymous with “family-friendly.” The Brant Hills Community Centre and adjacent park are the glue that holds the neighbourhood together, providing a broad range of recreational activities for children. 

Should you decide to put down roots here, you will have no shortage of education options for your children, including the highly ranked St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School, Bruce T. Lindley Public School and É Élém Renaissance – a French language school rated 8 as per the Fraser Institute

Private academies such as Glen Arbour AcademyAshwood Glen School, and Burlington Royal Arts Academy are also ready and waiting to welcome your enthusiastic learner.

All types of homes can be found in Brant Hills, including detached two-storey, Colonial and Tudor styles. Many of the older generations have moved on from Brant Hills, with younger families moving in and updating the older homes to today’s contemporary style, rapidly increasing the market values here. Brant Hills also offers a wide variety of bungalows and split-level homes, which are sought after by all generations of home buyers. 

Learn even more about Brant Hills in our community guide right here.

Aldershot

Aldershot, located in southwest Burlington, is the furthest west community within and overlooks Burlington Bay, providing a hard-to-beat combination of stunning natural beauty and convenience. The Business Improvement Association boasts one of the best shopping corridors, with over 250 retailers and restaurants ready to greet you. The area has been home to a surge in revitalization, with the older strip plazas being torn down to make way for new townhomes and low-rise condos.  The neighbourhood is also home to Aldershot Farmer’s Market and hosts the annual Aldershot Community Festival. With breathtaking waterfront views, luscious gardens, and beautiful walking and cycling trails, you and your family will never experience a dull moment. 

Living in Aldershot also affords many opportunities for public education, including Maplehurst Public School, Glenview Public School, and Aldershot High School. If you prefer a private alternative, Waterdown Montessori School and Fairview Glen Montessori are popular among neighbourhood residents.

The real estate landscape in Aldershot truly offers something for everyone. From the estate-type luxury homes along North Shore Blvd, some with riparian rights, newly built modern custom homes, and more modest bungalow homes, the beautiful tree-lined streets and wide boulevards offer an attractive appeal to all home buyers. 

Want to know more about Aldershot? Check out our community guide right here.


Interested in other great neighbourhoods in the GTA? The posts below will help satisfy your curiosity:


Shoreacres

Located in southeast Burlington, you might call Shoreacres the “Millionaire’s Row” of Burlington. Take a drive down Lakeshore Rd, and the stately homes with mature trees and perfectly manicured properties will take your breath away. Here, you will find some of the most majestic homes in the city. The only thing more impressive than the architecture just may be the waterfront views, which are spectacular. 

The quiet streets are safe and scenic for walking and cycling, and this is one of the best communities for children to play in. As you’d expect, Shoreacres has excellent public schools in its catchment area, including John T. Tuck Public School, Pineland Public School, and Nelson High School. Private education is just another thing that sets this luxurious neighbourhood apart, with  Glen Arbour Academy, Ashwood Glen School, Fairview Glen Montessori, and Appleby College conveniently located minutes away.

If a little extra space is what you’ve been dreaming of, the homes and oversized lots of Shoreacres will not disappoint. The typical house can range from 5,000 to 7,000 square feet of pure luxury. Houses here cost more than in other neighbourhoods, but you can expect to get what you pay for. 

Insider tip: If you want the luxe feel of living along Lakeshore Rd in Oakville without the Oakville price tag, homes in Shoreacres are a steal in comparison. Best of all, you don’t have to compromise on the quality of lifestyle you would want in an upscale and affluent neighbourhood.

Find out more about Shoreacres in our community guide right here.

Roseland

Welcome to Roseland, a historic and affluent community that dates back to the 1920s and features Paletta Lakefront Park, one of Burlington’s most famous landmarks. As an established neighbourhood, the streets are lined with mature trees and foliage, a particularly beautiful sight in the summer and spring when the first buds begin to bloom. 

Since Roseland is only minutes away from Shoreacres, it provides access to some of the same public schools, including John T. Tuck Elementary School and Nelson High School. And as with most high-end neighbourhoods, there are also high-quality private alternatives located nearby, such as Blyth Academy and Fern Hill.

Life in Roseland offers the perfect blend of privacy and convenience and is highly sought after for not only the top schools and sizeable properties, but you’re also within walking distance to downtown Burlington. There, you’ll find a fabulous array of restaurants, boutiques and more within its cobblestoned shopping area and the beautiful waterfront pier and boardwalk. This is arguably the most picturesque waterfront in all of the GTA! 

The houses here are a broad mix of magnificent, from heritage homes in the Colonial, Cape Cod styles to modern new builds and raised bungalows. In other words, whatever you’re looking for, you will find it in Roseland!

Want to know more about Roseland? Find out in our community guide right here.

Do you want to know more about Burlington, or are you ready to begin your home search? We know all of the neighbourhoods within Burlington and will provide you with expert guidance to find the perfect place to call home. Reach out to us at tanya@tcteam.ca or call 647-293-3785 for more information.