The Most Gorgeous Housing Markets in Canada
If beauty is on your priority list as you look for a new home in Canada’s housing markets, you’ll find plenty of options in this gorgeous country with everything from idyllic beaches to soaring mountains, sparkling lakes, and magnificent architecture.
With so many great offerings, it’s not easy to narrow them down, but there’s little doubt that these are some of the most gorgeous housing markets to consider for your search.
Quebec City, Quebec
The only walled city that still exists north of Mexico on the North American continent, Quebec City is stunning. A UNESCO World Heritage treasure, it sits on Cape Diamond and has the look of a traditional European town complete with cobbled streets, 17th-century architecture, and vibrant cafe culture. Chateau Frontenac is a dramatic feature of the city skyline and one of the most photographed buildings in the country.
Despite its stunning looks, the median home price is $315,000, making it much more affordable than most of Canada’s other beautiful housing markets. While the Old Town is a focus for tourists, other neighborhoods offer unique charms of their own, including Montcalm, St-Jean-Baptiste, and St-Roch with a wide range of outstanding shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Whistler, British Columbia
One of the top destinations for skiing in the world, Whistler is overlooked by the towering Blackcomb Mountains with famous world-class slopes and an extensive network of hiking trails. Its stunning landscapes make it an outdoor adventurer’s paradise with opportunities for all kinds of other water sports like snowshoeing and even bobsledding. In addition to hiking, during the warmer months, residents and visitors alike enjoy incredible zip lines, including the Sasquatch, the longest in all of Canada and the U.S.
Whistler village is a picture-postcard, especially in the winter with the rooftops dusted in snow. While it’s a small mountain town with a population of less than 12,000, there’s no shortage of restaurants, shops, and nightlife, with the apres-ski scene one of the world’s best too. Anyone who wants to be surrounded by mountains should check out the real estate for sale in Whistler.
Banff, Alberta
Another great option for mountain lovers, Banff is located right inside Banff National Park.
While it’s home to just a few thousand, millions of visitors arrive every year. Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, it offers small-town charms, access to three ski resorts, stunning beauty with glacier-fed lakes, and abundant wildlife. Overlooked by Mount Rundle, the town itself offers spectacular views along with a thriving arts and culture scene with the wilderness never far away.
Victoria, British Columbia
The capital city of British Columbia, Victoria sits at the southern tip of Vancouver Island and is often recognized as one of Canada’s most beautiful cities. It’s one of the most British in North America, and it’s also home to breathtaking Butchart Gardens while offering ocean and mountain views.
The housing market in Victoria is red hot, with the average single, detached home at over $1 million. But if you can swing it, not only are jobs plentiful with a strong and diverse economy, it’s a great place to start a business with many self-employed people here.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Located in wine country, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a beautifully preserved 19th-century village on Lake Ontario and a community with many wineries, each of which has a unique story. It’s less than a 30-minute drive to famous Niagara Falls, which lies along the border of Canada and the U.S., but there are many falls throughout this lush region, though smaller than its namesake. Plus, there are many gorgeous hikes with trails winding through dense forests and impressive escarpments.
Plus, your dollar will go a lot farther here than Toronto, which means you could buy a home on sprawling acreage instead of a place no bigger than a shoebox.
