A vibrant and impressive community within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Town of Oakville is a beautiful lakeside town with a strong heritage, preserved and celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Founded in 1857, this striking town has become one of the most coveted residential and business centres on the shores of Lake Ontario, and for good reason.
This thriving municipality of about 211,000 residents provides all the advantages of a well-serviced urban centre, while also maintaining its small-town ambiance. Along Historic Downtown streets, Oakville offers a mix of converted 19th century buildings which accommodate over 400 fine shops, services and restaurants.
In summer 2017, MoneySense.ca ranked Oakville as Ontario’s best place to rise children as well as the province’s 4th best place to live overall. The rankings looked at factors such as crime rate, taxes, weather and affordability. With a median household income of $111,468 and average value of primary real estate of $879,261, it understandably stands out in terms of maintaining a very high standard of living. In addition, Oakville also boasts the country’s 3rd best weather. It makes sense that plenty of the people living in Oakville would rather commute to Toronto than live there. A 30-minute drive from downtown Toronto, and an hour’s drive from Niagara Falls and the U.S. border, Oakville boasts an $88 million tourism industry, with over 900,000 visitors annually.
Residents and visitors enjoy theatre, dance, music and comedy performances at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. They can visit the museum at Erchless Estate, located in the home of the Chisolms, Oakville’s founding family. Other points of interest include galleries, historical societies and local architecture, especially in heritage neighbourhoods.
Among the many special attractions and activities for the whole family, Oakville’s annual Midnight Madness and Jazz Festival draw crowds from around the GTA. The community also provides plenty of recreational opportunities. Golfers can play at one of seven golf courses, including PGA-recognized Glen Abbey Golf Course, which has hosted the Canadian Open for many years.
Enjoy over 2,400 acres of park space, many with groomed hiking trails, or join a recreation centre which provides programs for all ages. For boaters, Oakville features two picturesque harbours with docks and slips for sail and powerboats.