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Summary

This Ontario city with European charm is one of Canada's 'best affordable' spots to live

You can find homes for under $500,000.

Lead Writer, Travel

If you're in the market for a new home, you may want to look at listings in this Ontario city. The community was recently named one of the "best affordable places to live" in Canada and you can score properties for under $500,000.

There's no need to move to a remote town in order to find some cheap real estate. This city offers bustling streets, vibrant shops, a lively food scene and more.

It's brimming with historic limestone buildings, many of which will have you feeling like you've taken a trip to Europe.

Here's what to know about this affordable city.

Kingston, Ontario was ranked as one of "Canada's Best Affordable Places to Live" by Maclean's. The article, which included 10 cities from across the country, looked at lively cities where the benchmark price of a house falls below the national average of $700,000.

In Kingston, a city with a population of 132,485, the benchmark price for a home is $559,000, according to Maclean's. However, you can still "score completely reno'd properties well under $500,000."

Many of the affordable homes can be found in the city's upper end, and you can discover bungalows priced under $600,000 in areas like Polson Park and Hillendale.

So, what does Kingston have to offer?

The area is known as the "Limestone City" due to its unique architecture and buildings. You can enjoy European vibes, cozy cafes, cute local shops and "postcard-perfect wraparound views of Lake Ontario," according to Maclean's.

It's also full of attractions, such as boat cruises, Fort Henry, trolley tours and the Kingston Penitentiary. Not to mention, it's close to the Thousand Islands where you can find all sorts of hikes and nature experiences.

Other Ontario cities that made the list were Windsor and St. Catharines.

If you're looking for a change of scenery and affordable city life, Kingston may be you dream destination.

Explore this list   👀

    • 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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