This Ontario city is one of Canada's cheapest and has 'button-cute' homes under $400K

You can enjoy city life without a huge price tag.

A person sitting on a patio. Right: A person standing in a harbour.

A cafe patio in an Ontario city. Right: A harbour in an Ontario city.

Lead Writer, Travel

If you're on the hunt for a new home, you may want to check out listings in this Ontario city.

The vibrant community boasts beautiful green spaces, a charming downtown and more, and you don't have to drop a ton of money in order to live there.

The city was named one of the "best affordable places to live" in Canada and you can find properties for under $400,000.

While a typical Toronto home can set you back over $1 million, you can buy real estate in this destination for half the price—without giving up the perks of city living.

Maclean's recently revealed "Canada's Best Affordable Places to Live" and St. Catharines, Ontario, was ranked among the 10 cities featured.

The article looked at bustling cities where the average home price is below the national benchmark of $700,000.

According to the article, St. Catharines is the place to be if you're on the hunt for cheap real estate. The Niagara city has a population of 136,803 and an average home price of $598,800.

Surrounded by wineries and sparkling waters, Maclean's says this mid-sized city is experiencing a "reverse migration" and is now a "happening place."

You can find a "button-cute workers’ cottage on a quiet, leafy street for under $400,000," according to Maclean's. If you have a few hundred thousand more in your budget, you can opt for a mid-century modern side split complete with a spacious backyard.

You'll have to spend a bit more if you're looking for some historic luxury though, as the mansions in the century-old neighbourhoods are priced around a million.

St. Catharines is known as "Garden City" so if you love the outdoors, this is the place for you. The area is home to beautiful parks and trails where you can stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh air.


The historic main drag, St. Paul Street, is brimming with local shops and eateries to enjoy.

You can also pop over to the charming community of Port Dalhousie, located within the city, where you'll find an antique carousel, sandy beach, bustling harbour and scenic patios.

Other Ontario cities that were named among Canada's most affordable spots to live are Kingston and Windsor.

You can find a full list of the cities on the Maclean's website.

Happy house hunting!

  • 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.

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