Why Move to Oakville, Burlington, or Milton? Halton safest region in Canada and GTA
December 17th, 2011 Categories: Around Kerr Village, Latest Real Estate Market News & Stats, Oakville Real Estate News, Oakville Town Planning & Development, Real Estate News, Why Move to Oakville?
Thinking of moving to Oakville, Burlington or Milton?
For the fourth year in a row, Halton region (which comprises Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Acton) has been ranked the safest regionial municipality in the Greater Toronto Area, and in Canada.
This distinction, according to Maclean’s magazine, a major Canadian magazine, in its 2010 rankings. These rankings are based on crime data from Statistics Canada. Conversely, Prince George, B.C. was given the title of Canada’s most crime-ridden city.
According to the Oakville Beaver today, Regional Chair Gary Carr said “This achievement is the result of our residents, businesses and local municipalities, working together with Halton Regional Police to ensure that this is a safe place to live, work, raise a family and retire.”
Wayne and I attended a recent meeting of the West Kerr Residents Association, the neighbourhood where we live, and the local police officer assigned to our community spoke on pro-active work that he is doing to ensure safety in the area. This is one of the reasons why so many people that are moving to Canada from other countries choose to settle in the Oakville-Burlington-Milton area.
Call Wayne or Hilary Shantz NOW at 905 599 3311 to find out more about moving to Halton Region.
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What I love about living in Oakville!: Note from newcomer to Oakville
October 12th, 2011 Categories: Client Stories and Testimonials, Oakville Real Estate News, Why Move to Oakville?
Oakville lighthouse at dusk
Just received this unsolicited note today, from Donna Joyce, our new friend and client who moved here a year ago from Victoria, B.C., with her family.
I do write a lot of positive things about living in Oakville, but thought readers might like to hear directly from an Oakville newcomer, whom we met from her contacting us on this blog.
“Hello Hilary and Wayne:
We are enjoying all the fall colours and the change of season, though we certainly have been spoiled lately with the lovely continuing warm weather. Every morning when I wake up I remark that it is another beautiful day in Oakville.
Thus far our experience has been wonderful – including trips to the medical clinic, hospital and medical specialists. We had no problem getting a wonderul family doctor. People have such passion for what they do and make you feel so welcomed and at ease. It is farily easy to get around and I just love the downtown core. The ambience and beauty as well as the lovely shops give that small town feel. I can certainly see that Oakville is becoming the most livable town in Canada. It is a very clean and safe community.
George's Square downtown Oakville. Pedestrian friendly!
With walking and hiking trails and cross-country skiing too, one forgets that we are also close to a major city as well as other beautiful places to visit for a day trip. The international airport is approximately a 20 minute drive on the toll highway and we noticed how family-oriented this community is – with wonderful sports facilities, outdoor recreation, shopping, plenty of schools and the brand new hospital which will be built within a couple of years. When you see people out jogging and walking their dogs, it makes you feel safe.
Thank you again for welcoming us and for helping us find this wonderful home and area in which to live. Happy to hear that your move went well and someday when I downsize, I know I will have many choices from the different types of homes that Oakville has to offer and I can count on your expertise again.
Always looking forward to your informative newsletters,
Best Regards,
Donna Joyce”
If you have moved to Oakville recently please share what you like about living in this wonderful town.
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Most Livable town: “Livable Oakville” official plan finalized
May 16th, 2011 Categories: Green Trends, Historical Oakville, Oakville Real Estate News, Oakville Town Planning & Development, Why Move to Oakville?
Oakville, most livable town in Canada
Some of you may be aware that the Town of Oakville has finalized a comprehensive official plan called “Livable Oakville” to help keep plans on track for Oakville to deserve the moniker of “Most Livable town in Canada”.
In a recent survey of residents (conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights), 800 residents chosen randomly were asked:
“What are the greatest challenges facing Oakville in its goal of being the most livable town in Canada?”
Top challenges identified were:
Cost of living 9%
Town expansion 8%
Public Transportation 8%
Parking 8%
While in previous years growth and development were identified as the greatest challenges facing Oakville, the good news is that Oakville is dealing with growth in a responsible and sustainable way, according to the survey.
Environmental concerns are at the forefront, when making decisions. Concern over growth has dropped substantially since 2004.
“Livable Oakville”, the Town’s adopted Official Plan, establishes a new policy framework and identifies the growth areas of Midtown (a provincial Urban Growth Centre), Uptown Core, Palermo Village, Kerr Village, Bronte Village and Downtown Oakville. I will be reporting more on each of these growth centres in future.
The new plan also introduces new policies relating to:
- The mission statement and guiding principles
- General policies
- Land use designations
- Special policy areas
- Implementation tools and interpretation
For more details about this see the Town of Oakville website
If you liked this post see also:
Oakville 2011 Citizens Survey – Oakville is tops in livability say residents
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NEW Mattamy North Oakville Homes: You can now pre-register
January 22nd, 2011 Categories: North Oakville Development, Oakville Real Estate News, Oakville Town Planning & Development
Developing lands north of Dundas in Oakville
This is a heads-up to let you know that Mattamy Homes has now begun pre-registrations on their website for this developer’s first offering of homes in North Oakville (lands above Dundas).
Expected to be called “The Preserve”, this new development will be located east of Neyagawa and just north of Dundas.
Many people were disappointed that the Woodland Trails housing community being offered by Starlane and Rosehaven were both SOLD OUT in a matter of days, before they could take a look at them. These companies prioritized appointments for the public based on the order in which they pre-registered on their websites. So you may wish to go to the website now to pre-register if you are interested in this development.
Mattamy is the largest land owner in the North Oakville area. To read more about plans for lands north of Dundas in Oakville, see my earlier posts:
Oakville Development North of Dundas: What’s Happening?
News on NorthOakville Development: OMB Gives Approval for Greenbelt
To access Mattamy’s website pre-registration page: http://www.mattamyhomes.com/GTA/Communities/Oakville/North-Oakville/Registration.asp
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Fall 2010 housing market to improve (Re/Max)
October 8th, 2010 Categories: Halton Real Estate, Latest Real Estate Market News & Stats, Mortgages, Economics, Finance, Oakville Real Estate News, Real Estate News
Gairloch Gardens, view of Lake Ontario,. Oavkille
You may wish to read this recent article entitled “Fall housing market to improve”, based on findings by Re/Max.
One always has to temper opinions of real estate brokerages, as they tend to be a bit optimistic about predictions, however there are some good points made.
Mortgage experts are predicting that prime – which is now at 3% – will be staying at this level for the next several months.
FOR MORE DETAILED INFO ON LOCAL MARKET CONDITIONS, CALL HILARY, YOUR OAKVILLE REALTOR, AT 905 599 3311.
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No Oakville power plant! Victory party at Julia’s in downtown Oakville!
October 8th, 2010 Categories: Downtown Oakville, Green Trends, Oakville Events, Oakville Real Estate News, Places to Eat, South East Oakville
No Oakville power plant: Mayor Rob Burton, Hilary Shantz, Karen Khoury celebrate.
The mood was JUBILANT as C4CA (Citizens for Clean Air) members and locals streamed into Julia’s last night!!
For me it was still sinking in: How AMAZING a victory this is for Oakville, and for those of us who live in South East Oakville!
The possiblity of this dangerous and environmentally hazardous 900 megawatt power plant had certainly cast an ominous cloud over the area, and impacted property values.
Folks, not only is this a victory for Oakville, but for all the GTA, as the Premier has said there will not be a plant of this kind in the GTA area.
Wayne and I chatted with Mayor Rob Burton as we walked into the party together. Astute legislation on the municipal level by Mr. Burton along with intense and unrelenting lobby efforts by C4CA made all the difference!
This one-year long fight has been like David going up against Goliath.
Having Erin Brokovich come to Oakville last week (read Toronto Star article on her visit), along with the appointment of a full-time executive director, showed that Oakville residents were redoubling their efforts, AND NOT BACKING DOWN!
No Oakville power plant! Wendy Burton (wife of Mayor) Wayne Shantz
A huge big thank you to all those who gave time and resources to this fight.
Karen Khoury, Brenda Potter-Phelan, Nancy Robertson: as busy professionals and mothers, you sacrificed a great deal of personal time. We appreciate your hard work.
Rob Burton, thanks for your excellent leadership in fighting this.
My question is : When they make a movie about this, who will play the key roles? 
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Mayor Burton asks Premier to reconsider power plant in South East Oakville after Connecticut explosion
February 9th, 2010 Categories: Green Trends, Oakville Real Estate News, Oakville Town Planning & Development, South East Oakville
Explosion of a natural gas-fired plant in Connecticut on Sunday left two dead and five injured.
One of the casualties is a Hamilton, Ontario native. See article from Toronto Star “U.S. power plant blast triggers fears in Oakville“.
In a letter sent to the Premier’s office, Mayor Burton stated that the explosion clearly demonstrates that there are health and safety risks associated with locating power plants within communities, and called on the provincial government to protect the residents of Oakville from these risks. The letter concludes by asking the government to find a more appropriate site for a power plant to meet the future electricity needs of Southwest GTA.
Earlier on Monday, Mayor Burton discussed the tragedy in Connecticut.
“Our thoughts go out to the families of those were killed or injured in the explosion,” said Mayor Burton. “Council and I are united in our determination to protect the health and safety of our community. I want to see what evidence the Ontario Power Authority and the Minister of Energy relied upon for their belief that it’s safe to put power plants next to residential areas. So far, they’ve refused to recognize any danger, but that cannot continue after what has just happened in Connecticut.”
TransCanada has proposed to build a 900-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant at 1500 Royal Windsor Drive in Oakville. The proposed site is less than 400 metres from homes and schools.
“Many residents including myself plan to attend a meeting with Transcanada this Wednesday 7 p.m. at the Oakville Conference Centre.”
In March 2009, Council passed an interim control by-law to provide the town with sufficient time to do planning studies to formulate appropriate policies and zoning rules before any power plant over 10 megawatts could be located in the Town of Oakville.
Meanwhile in South East Oakville where residences and schools are in close proximity to the proposed plant, locals continue to fight and protest. More news to come….
Read also:
Outrage in Oakville over power plant
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10th Annual Art and Artisans by the Lake at Appleby College in Oakville – April 19-20, 2008
April 8th, 2008 Categories: Food for Soul and Spirit, Oakville Events, Oakville Real Estate News, Things to Do in Oakville, Why Move to Oakville?
Mark your calendars for an exciting Oakville art show Saturday April 19th and Sunday, April 20th.
This is the 10th Annual Art and Artisans by the Lake to be held on the beautiful 52–acre campus of Appleby College, located on the shores of Lake Ontario, 540 Lakeshore Road West. The exhibit will be held in the Arena, between 10 and 4 both days.
Sponsored by the May Court Club of Oakville, this annual event showcases original works of the highest quality from Canadian artists and artisans. Original paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and mixed media will be exhibited. All entries will be juried.
Funds raised will go to the Halton Emergency Shelter and the Halton Women’s Place.
One of the artists being profiled this year is Jacqueline Dravetz, of Burlington, Ontario. I visited Jacqueline and her husband Warner in their lovely home in Burlington which they are currently renovating.
Here is Jacqueline after a day of horse-back riding in her dining room with one of her paintings.
Having worked for many years as a registered nurse, Jacqueline discovered her talent with the brush six years ago. Since then she has devoted herself full-time to painting, exhibiting and doing portraits. She is currently enrolled in the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto where she is learning to perfect the old master tradition of realist painting and portraiture.
Jacqueline has a special gift for portraits of people and pets. To find out more about Jacqueline’s work visit www.jdart.ca.
Hope to see you at the art show!
FOLKS, THE SPRING MARKET IS HERE! LOOKING TO FIND THAT DREAM HOME OR SELL YOUR CURRENT HOME? GIVE HILARY A CALL NOW AT 905–257–3633.
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Why Move to Oakville, Milton or Burlington? Halton Region Safest in Greater Toronto Region says Maclean’s Magazine
March 23rd, 2008 Categories: Burlington Beat, First Time Buyers, Halton Real Estate, Oakville Real Estate News, Why Move to Oakville?
“Halton Region is a very safe place to live” says Maclean’s Magazine.
I was doing an open house yesterday afternoon in the new area of Bronte Woods and met two families from GTA land, one from Leaside and another that owned a home in downtown Toronto, both planning to relocate to Oakville, “for lifestyle and affordability”.
This is definitely a growing trend, and not surprising, given the relatively higher price of detached homes in Toronto, high property taxes, and now the new municipal land transfer tax which has placed an added financial burden on home-buyers.
Given the many wonderful benefits of living and raising a family in Halton, we will certainly see this trend continue.
But back to the subject of this post.
I noticed an article in The Oakville Beaver last week which said that Maclean’s Magazine recently profiled Halton as the safest place to live in the Greater Toronto Area.
Maclean’s rankings were based on 2006 per capita crime rates for murder, sexual assault, aggravated assault, robbery, break and enters, and auto theft from the Canadian Centre for Justice Studies.
To read more about why Halton is so safe, click here to access the Oakville Beaver article.
The article also says that Halton is the fourth safest region in Canada. Good news for our families and for the value of real estate in Halton. Let’s keep it that way!
LOOKING TO MOVE TO OAKVILLE, BURLINGTON OR MILTON? IT’S A GOOD DECISION! CALL HILARY AT 905–599–3311 TODAY TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR DREAM HOME.
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Bright’s Gallery of Burlington Moves to Collingwood and Hilary Hooks Up with Real Estate Blogger Marg Scheben-Edey
March 23rd, 2008 Categories: Blogs, Blogging and the Blogosphere, Burlington Beat, Fifty-five plus, Food for Soul and Spirit, Lighten Up, Oakville Real Estate News
Our family spent a ski weekend up at Blue Mountain in Collingwood over March Break. (If you were noticing I didn’t post for a few days, that’s why.)
Having just received a note from Oakville resident and neighbour of mine, Peter Bright, that Bright’s Gallery of Burlington is relocating to Collingwood this spring, I decided to check out the new gallery site, right in the Village at Blue where we were staying.
Best of luck in your new venture Peter. I am sure visitors and locals will appreciate the fine collection of Canadian artists that you profile in your gallery.
This weekend was also an opportunity for me to meet Marg Scheben-Edey of ReMax in Collingwood who has been an inspiration to me as a Canadian blogger and REALTOR.
By the time we met in person on Monday in Collingwood, we were like old friends! That’s the kind of connection that real estate bloggers have with each other.
Marg has a zest for life, a razor-sharp mind and a warm and easy-going personality.
Marg and her husband John grew up in West Oakville. Marg recalls when the land behind their Pinegrove Road house (now Speers Road) was a strawberry field and they would ride horses across the QEW to their friend’s farm on Burnhamthorpe Road. The Edey’s have been living in the Collingwood area for the last 22 years where they raised their two kids.
Our family of four were treated to a tour of Collingwood in Marg’s van.
Development in the area since I was up here last, quite a few years back, is mind boggling! It is certainly the vacation and retirement destination for many in the Golden Horseshoe and GTA.
(I chatted with a lady in one of the Village stores who had just moved up here with her husband, having traded their fast paced life in Southern Ontario for the slower recreational lifestyle of the area. She sold me a very delicious piece of home-made praline fudge.)
“No bird soars too far on its own wings” is one of my mottoes. Staying connected to people like Marg helps me to keep growing and innovating in my business.
By the way, Marg and I are hoping to help get a “Canadian Real Estate Bloggers Conference” going so that real estate professionals on the vanguard of using the internet can exchange ideas and learn from each other.
Any Canadian REALTORS interested in this? Let us know.
Check out Marg’s blog. If you’re looking to buy property in the South Georgian Bay area, she’ll take good care of you.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE SPRING MARKET! TO LIST YOUR HOME IN OAKVILLE OR BURLINGTON, PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL HILARY (905) 599–3311 TODAY!
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