Between the economic hubs of Waterloo, Hamilton, and Toronto lies a city that is considered one of the best alternatives to the high-ticket Canadian cities. We are talking about the Royal City of Canada “Guelph.”
Guelph is a charming city located in southwestern Ontario, about 70 kilometres west of Toronto. With a population of over 150,000, aspiring homeowners are drawn towards houses for sale in Guelph due to the quaint lifestyle of the city. This Canadian city offers the perfect blend of a small-town feel with urban amenities, minus the hustle and bustle of affluent cities.
However, will Guelph be the perfect fit for living with your family? Would you and your kids enjoy it there?
Well, there is no definitive answer to this – everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to choosing the city to live in. But, in this blog post, you will find some pros and cons of living in this Royal City of Canada. This can help you better decide if you should buy a house for sale in Guelph and move to the city with your family.
The Good and Bad of Living in Guelph
|
LIVING IN GUELPH | |
|---|---|
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Safe city with low crime rates |
Long and cold winters with significant snowfall |
|
Excellent schools and family-friendly amenities |
Shift in the city’s character due to increasing student population |
| Conveniently, located near major urban centres in Canada. |
The public transit system doesn’t cover all areas effectively |
Perks of Calling Guelph Home
PRO #1 – Takes the Top Spot When It Comes to Safety
- In 2023, Numbeo ranked Guelph as the 4th safest city in Canada with a safety index of 85.99.
- The crime rate index of Guelph in 2022 was 38.6, much lower than the national average of 55.3.
The above statistics clearly indicate one thing – Guelph stands tall as the safest, crime-free city in Canada. Compared to all the other cities in Canada, Guelph always manages to get a top rank among the safest places in terms of violent crime and property crime. So, whether you are planning to settle down in the city with your family or are buying a house for sale in Guelph for better job opportunities, rest assured this place is a safe harbour.
PRO #2 – Ideal Spot to Raise a Family and Buy a Home Sweet Home
Every year, the Royal City of Canada welcomes over 1500 permanent residents. But there is one segment of the population who leans towards Guelph more than others and that is families with kids.
With its low crime rates, excellent schools, and abundance of green spaces and amenities, Guelph is the ideal city for living with your family. The Fraser Institute ranked Guelph’s school system as the 15th best in Ontario in 2023. The city also has over 350 parks, trails, and green spaces.
The average price of houses for sale in Guelph is more wallet-friendly than those of larger cities like Toronto. The median price of single-family homes in Guelph is around $700,000 to $1 million. So, you can easily own your property in this city without stretching your finances too thin.
PRO #3 – Traveling from Guelph to Anywhere is Super Easy
Another major perk of buying a house for sale in Guelph, Ontario is its central location. The city is located strategically near major cities, airports, and public transit networks. Whether you are commuting from work, exploring the nearby cities, or welcoming visitors from the airport, getting to and from Guelph is a breeze.
Driving from Guelph to Toronto takes around 45 minutes and to Waterloo is only 30 minutes. In case you don’t have a private car, you can catch the GO Train from the Guelph Central Station and reach Toronto in just an hour and 15 minutes. For travelling by air, the Toronto Pearson International Airport is just an hour’s drive away from Guelph.
Downsides of Calling Guelph Home
CON #1 – The Cold Can Go from Pleasant Cool to Unbearably Chilly
No doubt, buying a house for sale in Guelph will bring along with many perks. But note down this – the cold weather can sometimes be unbearable.
The city has a bad reputation for its unpredictable climate and that is something potential residents should consider. While living in the city, you must brace up for heavy snow as Guelph receives around 127 cm annually. This is more than the national average of 76 cm. The city sees light to heavy snowfall for almost 82 days each year.
When it is not snowing, the weather is mostly chill. Summers are also not typically scorching like in other cities in Canada. The temperatures during the summer months rarely surpass 26°C. So, if you have already started touring houses for sale in Guelph, brace up to face the freezy temperatures.
CON #2 – The Student Population Is Shaking Up the Laid-Back Vibe of the City
In the past few years, the student population in Guelph is growing by leaps and bounds. This has undoubtedly brought a lot of good to the city. The prices of houses for sale or rent in Guelph are shooting up the roof benefitting homeowners and rental property investors. However, the influx of student population also has brought many challenges for the residents of Guelph.
The city is slowly transforming from a quaint place to a university town. This means more hustle and bustle, more partying, and other student-related activities. So, if your family prefers more peace in their day-to-day life, Guelph may not be the ideal city.
CON #3 – The Public Transit System in the City Is Not So Convenient
The public transit system in Guelph is quite developed and robust. However, as more outsiders are buying houses for sale in Guelph and making the city home, the public transit system is failing to keep up with the growing population.
The public transit system in Guelph more or less covers most areas in the city center but not all. Some areas of the city such as suburbs and newer developed areas cannot be reached by public transit. As a result, residents have to rely on private vehicles for travelling around the city. This leads to increased traffic congestion, pollution, parking expenses, and more such issues.
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So, Should You Buy a House for Sale in Guelph and Move to the City?
It is totally up to you whether you choose to make Guelph your home or not. Yes, the city has its fair share of drawbacks. But there is rarely any city in Canada which tops the list in every category. So, carefully weigh the pros and cons, think it through, and figure out what matters the most to you and your family.
