Is Burlington a good place to live?
Yes. Burlington is one of the GTA’s most liveable cities for families and downsizers. It has a walkable lakeside downtown, safe neighbourhoods, good schools, three GO stations and the Niagara Escarpment for hiking. A typical detached home was about $1.18 million in September 2026, well below Oakville.
- Best for: families, downsizers who love the lake, and commuters to Toronto, Oakville or Hamilton.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): $840,600 composite; detached $1,182,500; townhouse $661,200; condo $504,000 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 45–55 minutes from Burlington GO to Union Station on the Lakeshore West line.
- Neighbourhoods to know: Downtown, Roseland, Shoreacres, Aldershot, Tyandaga, Millcroft, Orchard, Headon Forest and Alton Village.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About Burlington, Ontario
Burlington’s heart is its waterfront downtown along Brant Street and Lakeshore Road, with Spencer Smith Park, the Burlington Pier, restaurants and festivals such as the Sound of Music Festival and Ribfest.
South Burlington has established lakeside neighbourhoods like Roseland and Shoreacres, while north of the QEW the city stretches to the Niagara Escarpment, with Mount Nemo, the Bruce Trail and rural north Burlington.
Burlington has three GO stations on the Lakeshore West line, Joseph Brant Hospital and quick access to the QEW, 403 and 407.
| Fact | Burlington |
|---|---|
| Population (2021 Census) | 186,948 |
| Region | Halton Region |
| Area | About 186 km² |
| Benchmark price, all homes (Sept 2026) | $840,600 |
| Benchmark price, detached (Sept 2026) | $1,182,500 |
| GO stations | Aldershot, Burlington, Appleby (Lakeshore West) |
| Major highways | QEW, 403, 407 ETR |
| Hospital | Joseph Brant Hospital |
📍 Burlington, Halton Region, Ontario
Burlington Neighbourhood Guide
Downtown Burlington
Downtown along Brant Street and Lakeshore Road has restaurants, shops, Spencer Smith Park, the pier and a growing number of condos.
- Spencer Smith Park and the pier
- Brant Street shops and dining
- Burlington Performing Arts Centre
- Joseph Brant Hospital nearby
Roseland / Shoreacres
South Burlington’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, with large lots, mature trees and lakefront estates close to downtown.
- Large lots and mature trees
- Lakefront estates
- Nelson High School nearby
- Close to downtown and Appleby GO
Aldershot / Tyandaga
West Burlington near the Royal Botanical Gardens and Aldershot GO, with mature neighbourhoods and Tyandaga’s homes near the golf course.
- Aldershot GO station
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Tyandaga golf course
- Quick access to Highway 403
Millcroft / Headon Forest
North-central Burlington neighbourhoods from the 1980s–90s, with parks, trails, the Millcroft golf course and good schools.
- Millcroft golf course
- Parks and trails
- Popular family neighbourhoods
- Close to the QEW and 407
Orchard / Alton Village
Burlington’s newest neighbourhoods, in the northeast near Appleby Line and the 407, with modern homes, Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School and the Haber Recreation Centre.
- Dr. Frank J. Hayden SS
- Haber Recreation Centre
- Newer homes and towns
- Highway 407 access
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Burlington | walkable lakeside living | Condos, towns, older detached | Mid to upper |
| Roseland / Shoreacres | luxury lakeside homes | Custom and character detached | Luxury |
| Aldershot / Tyandaga | established homes near nature | Detached, some towns | Mid to upper |
| Millcroft / Headon Forest | established family homes | Detached, semis | Upper |
| Orchard / Alton Village | young families | Newer detached, semis, towns | Mid to upper |
Burlington Demographics
Who lives in Burlington?
Burlington attracts families, commuters to Toronto, Oakville and Hamilton, and many downsizers and retirees who like the waterfront and downtown.
Growth and housing demand
Growth is focused on downtown and around the GO stations, where mid- and high-rise condos are planned, while the Greenbelt protects rural north Burlington. Prices were down about 3% year over year in September 2026.
Schools in Burlington
Public and Catholic schools
Nelson High School
Public secondary · south BurlingtonConfirm catchment with HDSBBurlington Central High School
Public secondary · downtownConfirm catchment with HDSBDr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School
Public secondary · Alton VillageConfirm catchment with HDSBM.M. Robinson High School
Public secondary · north-central BurlingtonConfirm catchment with HDSBCorpus Christi Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · north BurlingtonConfirm catchment with HCDSBNotre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · central BurlingtonConfirm catchment with HCDSB| Board | System |
|---|---|
| Halton District School Board (HDSB) | English public |
| Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
McMaster University in Hamilton is about 15 minutes away, and Mohawk College and Sheridan College’s Oakville campus are also close.
Transit and Getting Around Burlington
Aldershot, Burlington & Appleby GO
Lakeshore West trains run all day from Burlington’s three stations to Union Station.
Highways
The QEW and 403 run through the city, and Highway 407 ETR crosses north Burlington.
Local buses
Burlington Transit connects neighbourhoods to the GO stations, downtown and the malls.
Approximate commute times from Burlington
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (GO) | 45–55 min | Lakeshore West from Burlington GO |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 45–70 min | QEW / Gardiner |
| Hamilton | 15–20 min | Highway 403 / QEW |
| Oakville | 10–15 min | QEW |
| Pearson Airport | 30–40 min | Highway 403 / 407 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in Burlington
Parks & Nature
- Spencer Smith Park
- Burlington Pier
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Mount Nemo Conservation Area
- Bruce Trail
Shopping
- Brant Street and downtown
- Mapleview Shopping Centre
- Burlington Centre
- Appleby Line shops
- Burlington farmers’ markets
Recreation
- Haber Recreation Centre
- Burlington golf courses
- Tansley Woods Community Centre
- Paletta Lakefront Park
- Cycling and hiking trails
Culture & Events
- Burlington Performing Arts Centre
- Sound of Music Festival
- Ribfest
- Art Gallery of Burlington
- Joseph Brant Museum
Burlington Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $840,600 |
| Detached | $1,182,500 |
| Semi-detached | $873,000 |
| Townhouse | $661,200 |
| Condo apartment | $504,000 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -2.81% |
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.
Roseland, Shoreacres and lakefront homes trade well above the city benchmark. Aldershot and central Burlington offer more attainable detached homes.
Downtown condos and towns near the GO stations are the main entry point, and popular with downsizers.
Pros and cons of living in Burlington
Pros
- Walkable lakeside downtown
- Three GO stations
- Escarpment trails and gardens
- Safe neighbourhoods and good schools
- Lower prices than Oakville
Cons
- Longer GO ride than Oakville
- QEW and 403 congestion
- Downtown condo construction
- Fewer new subdivisions
Buying or selling in Burlington? 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 Burlington
Yes. Burlington is a very liveable city for families and downsizers, with a lakeside downtown, safe neighbourhoods, good schools, three GO stations and the Niagara Escarpment close by.
In September 2026, the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all home types in Burlington was $840,600. By type: detached $1,182,500, semi-detached $873,000, townhouse $661,200 and condo apartment $504,000 (TRREB).
About 45 to 55 minutes from Burlington GO to Union Station on the Lakeshore West line, with all-day service.
Roseland and Shoreacres for luxury, Millcroft and Headon Forest for established family homes, Orchard and Alton Village for newer homes, and downtown for walkable condo living.
Yes. In September 2026 Burlington’s composite benchmark was $840,600, compared with $1,128,800 in Oakville.
Burlington is known for its waterfront downtown, Spencer Smith Park, the Sound of Music Festival, Ribfest, the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Niagara Escarpment.
Burlington is served by the Halton District School Board, the Halton Catholic District School Board and two French-language boards. Confirm catchments before you buy.
Burlington is in Halton Region and is usually considered part of the Greater Toronto Area, as well as the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
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.
