Is Pickering a good place to live?
Yes. Pickering is the closest Durham city to Toronto and one of its most popular with commuters. Pickering GO has the shortest Durham ride to Union, the city has waterfront neighbourhoods on Frenchman’s Bay, and the new Seaton community is adding thousands of homes. A typical detached home was about $1.06 million in September 2026, among the highest in Durham.
- Best for: Toronto commuters, families moving east from Scarborough, and buyers wanting new construction in Seaton.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): $866,800 composite; detached $1,061,300; townhouse $603,300; condo $465,500 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 35–45 minutes from Pickering GO to Union Station on the Lakeshore East line.
- Neighbourhoods to know: Bay Ridges, West Shore, Rougemount, Liverpool, Amberlea, Highbush, Seaton and City Centre.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About Pickering, Ontario
Pickering is Durham’s gateway to Toronto. It has the shortest GO commute in the region and direct access to Highway 401 and to the toll-free section of Highway 407 East, which begins at Brock Road.
South Pickering is built around Frenchman’s Bay, with the Nautical Village, marinas and waterfront trails, plus established neighbourhoods like Bay Ridges and West Shore. Central Pickering is anchored by Pickering City Centre, where condos are rising near Pickering Town Centre and the GO station.
North Pickering is changing fastest. Seaton is a large planned community that will eventually be home to tens of thousands of residents, while rural hamlets like Claremont and Greenwood keep a country feel.
| Fact | Pickering |
|---|---|
| Population (2021 Census) | 99,186 |
| Region | Durham Region |
| Area | About 231 km² |
| Benchmark price, all homes (Sept 2026) | $866,800 |
| Benchmark price, detached (Sept 2026) | $1,061,300 |
| GO station | Pickering GO (Lakeshore East) |
| Major highways | 401, 407 (toll-free from Brock Rd east) |
| Growth area | Seaton planned community |
📍 Pickering, Durham Region, Ontario
Pickering Neighbourhood Guide
Bay Ridges
Bay Ridges sits on Frenchman’s Bay, close to the Nautical Village, marinas, waterfront trails and Pickering GO.
- Walk or bike to Pickering GO
- Frenchman’s Bay and marinas
- Nautical Village dining
- Waterfront Trail
West Shore
West Shore is Pickering’s western waterfront neighbourhood, with mature trees, larger lots and Petticoat Creek Conservation Area nearby.
- Petticoat Creek Conservation Area
- Lake Ontario access
- Mature, quiet streets
- Close to the Toronto border
Rougemount
Rougemount, near the Rouge River and the Toronto border, is one of Pickering’s premier neighbourhoods, known for custom homes on large lots.
- Custom executive homes
- Oversized lots and mature trees
- Rouge National Urban Park nearby
- Closest Pickering area to Toronto
Liverpool / Amberlea / Highbush
Central and west Pickering family neighbourhoods north of the 401, with established homes, parks, Altona Forest and popular schools such as Pine Ridge Secondary.
- Pine Ridge Secondary School
- Altona Forest trails
- Close to Pickering Town Centre
- Larger lots in Amberlea
Seaton
Seaton is a large planned community in north Pickering with brand-new homes and modern layouts, as schools, parks and shops continue to open.
- Brand-new construction
- Builder warranty
- Growing schools and parks
- Close to Highway 407
Pickering City Centre
The area around Pickering Town Centre and Pickering GO is becoming the city’s urban core, with new condos, shops and civic buildings.
- Walk to Pickering GO
- Pickering Town Centre
- New condo towers
- Pickering Casino Resort nearby
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Ridges | waterfront living near GO | Post-war detached, semis, towns | Mid to upper |
| West Shore | quiet lakeside streets | Detached on larger lots | Upper |
| Rougemount | executive homes near Toronto | Custom and executive detached | Luxury |
| Liverpool / Amberlea / Highbush | established family neighbourhoods | 1970s–90s detached and semis | Mid to upper |
| Seaton | brand-new homes | New detached, semis, towns | Mid to upper |
| Pickering City Centre | condo buyers and commuters | Condos, stacked towns | Entry to mid |
Pickering Demographics
Who lives in Pickering?
Pickering attracts commuters who work in Toronto, families moving east from Scarborough, and young families buying new homes in Seaton. It is diverse, with strong South Asian, Caribbean and Filipino communities.
Growth and housing demand
Seaton is one of the largest planned communities in the GTA and will add thousands of homes over the next decade. City Centre is also intensifying with condos near the GO station. Prices were down about 4% year over year in September 2026.
Schools in Pickering
Public and Catholic schools
Pine Ridge Secondary School
Public secondary · LiverpoolConfirm catchment with DDSBDunbarton High School
Public secondary · west PickeringConfirm catchment with DDSBSt. Mary Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · PickeringConfirm catchment with DCDSBGlengrove Public School
Public elementary · Liverpool areaConfirm catchment with DDSBVaughan Willard Public School
Public elementary · Bay RidgesConfirm catchment with DDSB| Board | System |
|---|---|
| Durham District School Board (DDSB) | English public |
| Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
The University of Toronto Scarborough and Centennial College are about 15–20 minutes west, and Ontario Tech University and Durham College in Oshawa are about 25 minutes east.
Transit and Getting Around Pickering
Pickering GO station
Lakeshore East trains run all day from Pickering GO to Union Station. A pedestrian bridge links the station to Pickering Town Centre.
Highways
Highway 401 runs through south Pickering. Highway 407 is toll-free from Brock Road eastward, a big plus for north Pickering and Seaton.
Local and rapid buses
DRT routes and PULSE rapid buses on Kingston Road connect Pickering to Ajax, Scarborough and the rest of Durham.
Approximate commute times from Pickering
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (GO) | 35–45 min | Lakeshore East from Pickering GO |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 35–65 min | Highway 401 / DVP |
| Scarborough Town Centre | 15–25 min | Highway 401 |
| Markham | 25–30 min | Highway 407 |
| Ajax | 10–15 min | Highway 401 / Kingston Rd |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in Pickering
Parks & Waterfront
- Frenchman’s Bay
- Petticoat Creek Conservation Area
- Beachfront Park
- Altona Forest
- Rouge National Urban Park nearby
Shopping
- Pickering Town Centre
- Brock Road retail
- Kingston Road shops
- Nautical Village shops
- Costco Pickering
Recreation
- Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex
- Pickering Soccer Centre
- Marinas on Frenchman’s Bay
- Golf courses nearby
- Waterfront Trail
Culture & Entertainment
- Pickering Casino Resort
- Pickering Public Library
- Pickering Museum Village
- Nautical Village restaurants
- Community festivals
Pickering Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $866,800 |
| Detached | $1,061,300 |
| Semi-detached | $779,300 |
| Townhouse | $603,300 |
| Condo apartment | $465,500 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -3.74% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
Rougemount and West Shore set the top of the market, while Liverpool, Amberlea and Highbush are the established family core. Seaton offers new construction, often with builder incentives in a slower market.
City Centre condos near Pickering GO are the most affordable entry point and appeal to commuters and investors.
Pros and cons of living in Pickering
Pros
- Shortest GO commute in Durham
- Toll-free 407 East from Brock Road
- Frenchman’s Bay and waterfront trails
- New homes in Seaton
- Next to Toronto and Rouge National Urban Park
Cons
- Higher prices than the rest of Durham
- Seaton services still being built
- Heavy Highway 401 traffic
- Busy commercial corridors
Buying or selling in Pickering? Here’s what our clients say
5-star Google reviews“As a first time homebuyer, I was so pleased with the service that was provided to us by Desemal. She was very friendly and knowledgeable about the entire process. Des was very patient with us and was very understanding about our concerns as she guided us through everything. … It took a while but in the end we found our dream home at the right price.”
“Awesome Team. I like the fact they take the time to explain important things about real estate, I have never felt rushed when choosing and viewing a property.”
“It is a pleasure working with Damali and Desemal of Thomas Team. They are very professional and tenacious in the services they provide for their clients. Another satisfied client, highly recommend for your real estate needs!”
Frequently Asked Questions About Pickering
Yes. Pickering is a good place to live for Toronto commuters and families, with the shortest GO trip in Durham, waterfront neighbourhoods, new homes in Seaton and easy highway access. It is also one of Durham’s pricier markets.
In September 2026, the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all home types in Pickering was $866,800. By type: detached $1,061,300, semi-detached $779,300, townhouse $603,300 and condo apartment $465,500 (TRREB).
About 35 to 45 minutes from Pickering GO to Union Station on the Lakeshore East line, with trains all day in both directions.
Seaton is a large planned community in north Pickering, between Highway 407 and the existing city. It is being built in phases with new homes, schools, parks and shops.
Rougemount and West Shore for executive and waterfront homes, Bay Ridges for lake life near GO, Liverpool and Amberlea for established family homes, and Seaton for new construction.
Part of it is. Highway 407 East is provincially owned and toll-free from Brock Road eastward. West of Brock Road, Highway 407 ETR charges tolls.
Yes, on average. In September 2026 Pickering’s detached benchmark was $1,061,300, compared with $929,400 in Ajax.
Yes. Pickering’s waterfront includes Frenchman’s Bay, the Nautical Village, Beachfront Park, Petticoat Creek Conservation Area and the Waterfront Trail.
Last updated October 2026. Written by Damali Thomas and Desemal Thomas, Realtors, and Jermaine Whyte, Mortgage Agent Level 2, at the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage. Data: Statistics Canada 2021 Census; TRREB MLS® HPI; Metrolinx; local school boards.
