This dreamy beach town with warm waters is one of Ontario's 'most beautiful' spots to live

It has storybook streets and coastal vibes.

A person sitting on a sandy beach. Rigth: An aerial view of a beach.​

A beach town in Ontario.

@sumanjeet.k.m.sahota | Instagram, Wirestock | Dreamstime
Lead Writer, Travel

Ontario is full of beautiful places to call home. From historic villages to lakeside gems, the province offers a variety of scenic spots to settle down.

If coastal vibes, quaint streets and sandy shores sound like your dream destination, this picturesque beach town might be worth checking out. It's brimming with charm, and Narcity readers say it's one of Ontario's "most beautiful" places to live.

Port Stanley is a dreamy harbour village nestled on the sparkling shores of Lake Erie. It's home to a cozy downtown, scenic trails and gorgeous sandy beaches.

You can spend your days popping into quaint local shops, enjoying meals on scenic patios and soaking up sun on the powdery shores.

Port Stanley's Main Beach is "one of the finest stretches of sandy beach on Lake Erie's north shore," according to the regional tourism organization, and offers fine sand and warm, sparkling waves.

There's also a smaller beach down the road, which offers a quieter experience.

Aside from the beaches, the town offers a range of local attractions, including the Port Stanley Festival Theatre and the Port Stanley Terminal Rail, which provides scenic train rides throughout the region.

According to a post on Port Stanley's Instagram page, moving to this town is a "fantastic idea." From the welcoming community to the small-town vibes, local shops, year-round events, and "the best restaurants around," Port Stanley makes a strong case for being Ontario's ultimate beach town to live in.

Compared to Toronto, real estate in Port Stanley is significantly more affordable. Zolo's current statistics indicate that the average home listing price in Port Stanley is $730,000, while Toronto has an average house price of $1,083,522.

With its dreamy beaches and storybook downtown, it's no surprise readers call Port Stanley one of the province's "most beautiful" places to live.

Port Stanley BIA Website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Lead Writer

    Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.

A burst of snow will bring up to 20 cm to Ontario this week before the cold snap ends

Temperatures will warm up but still be cold enough for "lingering" snow.