Condo Living in Oakville
A town that has perfected upscale suburban living is just thirty minutes east of Toronto along Lake Ontario’s shoreline—Oakville. When you drive down Lakeshore Road in Downtown Oakville or walk on the boardwalk at Bronte Harbour, it is easy to understand why people are willing to pay top dollar to live in this town. The condo market features stunning waterfront high-rises with views worth a million dollars and quaint boutique buildings nestled among century-old trees.
The schools here are excellent (which makes it ideal for families), the parks are tidy, and you get the feel of a small town even though Toronto is just around the corner. That is why Oakville always finds itself on the ‘best places to live’ lists—the city knows how to make people feel both privileged and welcomed at the same time.
Weekends in Oakville are never dull. The main strip in the Downtown area is like something out of a film set—small boutique stores where the owners know the customers personally, galleries featuring local artists, and restaurants where you can sit and observe people. Bronte Village offers a relaxed beach town atmosphere with ice cream parlours and eateries near the harbour.
Need a culture fix? The Oakville Centre can attract big names in theatre, music and comedy. When the weather is pleasant, Bronte Creek Provincial Park is my first choice—miles of trails, a farmhouse built in the 1900s that you can visit and a pool that is a blessing during the hot summer months.
Golf enthusiasts love Glen Abbey because that is where Tiger Woods made that famous shot in 2000. Erchless Estate is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, as it was the home of Oakville’s founders. If you time it well, the Waterfront Festival, held towards the end of August, is worth the long queues, as it features live music, food trucks, and fireworks over the lake.
Stunning Architecture in Oakville
Walking through the old part of Oakville is like stepping into a different era, as the historic district is filled with beautifully preserved Victorian and Edwardian homes built by the town’s first shipping and lumber barons. The Oakville Club, founded in 1908, is situated right on the harbour and boasts the classic atmosphere of an old yacht club, but it is also open to new members. The Sixteen Mile Creek Community Centre is a modern architectural masterpiece that has won numerous awards for its design, glass usage, and sustainable building techniques.
Also, the new Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital is quite fascinating and will make you forget you’re in a hospital due to the natural light and design elements. One of the most admired structures is the Queen Elizabeth Park Cultural Centre, which transformed a former high school into a beautiful arts centre while preserving its historical appearance. If you are considering buying a lakefront condo, then the Shores and the Coveside buildings offer you the chance to enjoy views of Lake Ontario from your floor-to-ceiling windows—the view of the sunset alone is worth the price tag.
Great Food in Oakville
Oakville has a spectacular restaurant scene. Cucci is well-known to host families for special occasions—their homemade pasta is incredible (try the short rib ravioli), and the service is luxurious yet not too formal. And there’s Paradiso, which has been around for ages and does it so well—it’s classy but not snobbish, with a Mediterranean menu that changes with the seasons. Dinner with a view? Bronte Boathouse offers a view of sailboats gliding on the water as you enjoy fresh fish, possibly swimming in the water just that morning.
Located in a beautiful old building, The Gingerman offers elevated comfort food, craft beers, and a wine list so extensive, it will make you want to cry. Something different is Maro’s Bistro, which serves Lebanese food and is a lot better than your average shawarma joint. If you celebrate a major occasion, then Jonathan’s old-world French food and the service that accompanies it are worth every dollar. Local foodies go to Noble Bistro to eat—the menu is seasonal, and the chefs seem to enjoy what’s in season that week.
Transportation in Oakville
Many Torontonians have made Oakville their home because getting to and from the town is easy. The GO train from Oakville Station will take you downtown in 30 minutes, no traffic, just time to read or email. If you prefer to drive, the QEW passes through the town and will get you into downtown Toronto in 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic. Going north, you can take Highway 407 and pay the tolls to avoid QEW traffic.
It is easy to get around the city, and Oakville Transit buses operate in the central neighbourhoods, shopping areas and GO stations. The town has added bike lanes in abundance over the past year, especially in the new north end developments. If you’re a cyclist, the Waterfront Trail is beautiful—you can cycle to Toronto if you’re adventurous.
