“Being less than an hour away from Toronto, we’re seeing more middle-aged families and couples moving into Mono Mills. They’re drawn towards the abundance of space, endless options for hikes and outdoor activities,” explains Raza Rizvi, a Zoocasa Realtor. “We expect this demand to continue post-pandemic as more families are being drawn away from larger cities in search for more open space.”
For those looking to embrace small-town living, the charming town of Alton may be the perfect place to buy. As the tourism and entertainment hub of the surrounding neighbourhoods, residents will enjoy visiting the Alton Mill Art Centre, the Millcroft Inn and Spa, and the TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley Golf Course. The homes in Alton are detached and on large lots, with a few estate homes and custom homes having been built over the last few years. Alton has no public transit, grocery store, or family doctor in the town, but these services are available in Orangeville, only a 10-minute drive away. There is a small public school within the community, but high school students should be expected to bus to a neighbouring town for school. For parents looking for a private school option, the Hill Academy (which specializes in athletics) was recently relocated here.
Alton had earned a reputation as a desirable and trendy small town long before the pandemic drove people there. Over the last five years, prices in the neighbourhood have increased by 134.4%, the most out of any community in Caledon. After the initial shock of pandemic lockdowns faded, sales activity returned to yearly normals. During this time, pricing grew by 32.3%, bringing the average sale price in 2020 to $1,029,796.
“Alton has a great small-town charm with a host of historical and cultural sites, as well as a quaint downtown with boutiques, shops and restaurants” explains Rizvi. “Listings are hard to come by, but for any that do, there’s a sharp increase in the number of viewings and the homes are selling within days.”
Similar to Mono Mills, Peel’s number one best community to buy real estate in, Alton is one of the more affordable places to buy real estate in Caledon, ranked third out of all nine neighbourhoods. Although with limited inventory, listings are scarce, if you’re able to find a property Alton offers a chance to enjoy the peaceful Caledon at a fraction of the cost of nearby neighbourhoods.
Meadowvale is one of Mississauga’s most sought-after communities, well-known for being a quiet and family-oriented neighbourhood. This established community in the city’s northwest has long been desirable for couples and young families and was home to more than 100,000 residents as of 2009. The streets are filled with older townhomes and detached homes on larger lots, with spacious back split and side split homes being common as well.
Although the neighbourhood feels distinctly suburban, there are a number of convenient amenities nearby, like the Meadowvale Town Centre for shopping, or the newly renovated Meadowvale Community Centre for staying active or visiting the library. Mississauga’s second largest MiWay station is also located in the area, which makes taking public transit easy for residents, and nearby Go Stations and Highway access provide plenty of other options for commuters.
Despite the neighbourhood’s charm, it maintained a mid-level price point, which has contributed to its appeal for young families and first-time buyers. Over the last five years, prices have jumped 66.2%, making it one of the top 10 growing communities in Mississauga. When the pandemic reached Ontario, like many GTA neighbourhoods, the real estate market entered a holding pattern of sales while buyers and sellers were hesitant due to the new lockdown measures. However, as the region adjusted to the new normal both sales and prices picked up – with Meadowvale pricing growing 15% year over year, to an average of $744,968 in 2020.