But is Kitchener the best city to live with your family? Is downtown Kitchener safe? Scroll down below to learn in-depth about living in Kitchener!
The Sweet Perks of Living in Downtown Kitchener
1. Proximity to Major Cities with Easy Transit Access
Downtown Kitchener is strategically located in the Horseshoe Region between Waterloo and Cambridge. The city is just an hour’s drive away from Toronto and Hamilton.
Kitchener is also located close to the USA border. So, to get to cities like New York, you just need to hop in your car and boom, you will arrive there in hours. Amazing, right?
And if you do not want to rely solely on your private car to get in and around Kitchener, you can also go for public transport options. The ION light rail transit system offers residents easy access to major destinations within the city.
Also, Kitchener is connected to the GO Transit network which can take you directly to Toronto and Hamilton. So, reaching major cities in Canada from your new house for sale in Kitchener won’t be a hassle.
2. Comfortably Live Here on a Small Budget
Kitchener is the best place for aspiring homeowners who want to be a part of the big scene in Canada but cannot afford the high cost of living in Toronto. The price of homes for sale in Kitchener is way much lower than in Toronto. Currently, the average price of a home in the city is around $750,000 while in Toronto it is over $1.2 billion. So, you can have a place to call your own in Kitchener without stretching your finances too thin.
Apart from the affordable housing, the cost of living in Kitchener is also low so you can live here comfortably with your family without breaking the bank. The property tax rates, utilities, transportation, and grocery costs are more wallet-friendly than in Toronto.
3. City Authorities Prioritise Safety Above All
As you are moving to a new city with your family, the one question that will be bugging your mind is “Is downtown Kitchener safe to live in?
According to Statistics Canada, the total crime rate in Kitchener is 1% lower than the national average. But the violent crimes reported in Kitchener is 1,073 per 100K people while it is 792 in Ontario.
However, don’t get disheartened by the not-so-good crime rate in Kitchener. The city authorities of Kitchener are trying their best to bring the high crime rate under control. They are allocating money towards community policing where police officers work closely with the community to address crime issues.
The government authorities are also bending over backwards trying to make downtown Kitchener a safe place to live in. They are doing so by improving lighting in the area, installing security cameras, and increasing the patrolling of police. So, you can now put the dilemma of “Is downtown Kitchener safe?” to rest.
Crime Rates in Kitchener as of November 2023
Source: Numbeo
Safety in Kitchener as of November 2023
Source: Numbeo
4. Top-Notch Education Is Available for Your Kids Here
Another reason why you should be hunting for “houses for sale in Kitchener near me” is because the city has an excellent education system. So, if you have kids or are planning for it in the future, this is the perfect city in Canada for you. The city has the two best post-secondary institutions renowned all over Canada - Conestoga College and Wilfrid Laurier University.
The public schools in Kitchener are run by two boards - Waterloo Region District School Board and Kitchener-Waterloo Catholic District School Board. The city also has some reputed private schools like St. Mary’s Catholic High School, St Nicholas Catholic School, and others.
For Homeseekers in Hamilton:
5. Easily Snag a Job in This Thriving Economy
The bustling tech scene and economy in the city are driving the eyes of many towards homes in Kitchener for sale. The Silicon Valley of the North is home to a number of big brand companies such as Google, Blackberry, Shopify, D2L, and lots more.
The job market in Kitchener is also quite solid with a range of opportunities in top industries. Be it technology, manufacturing, retail, or healthcare, you can land any job in the city easily. Kitchener’s job market is expected to thrive further in the coming years as many more young and growing companies are showing up in the city.
6. Green Spaces Everywhere
Kitchener houses for sale are not only trending in the market due to the urban amenities provided by the city. Immigrants prefer this city over others in Canada due to its small-town, laid-back vibe. The city has tons of breathtaking landscapes and green spaces where you can unwind and connect with nature.
There is the enchanting historic Victoria Park where you can sunbathe in the summer with your kids and huddle up with a cup of hot chocolate in the winter. Aside from the Victoria Park, Kitchener has over 200 parks. You can hop onto McLennan Park during the weekends for a game of baseball with your little ones or teach your kid to skate in Breitmar Park.
There are also tons of dog-friendly parks in Kitchener where your furry buddies can run and frolic freely. And how can we forget the Chicopee Ski and Summer Resort? From skiing to volleyball and biking, this resort is the perfect place to spend the weekend at any time of the year.
7. Never a Dull Moment in the City
Kitchener has a host of different festivals and events that are celebrated each year. So, you can rest assured there will never be a dull moment in the city after you buy a home for sale in Kitchener.
The most trending of all festivals celebrated in this city is Oktoberfest. It is a nine-day festival that has been celebrated in the city ever since 1969. Bavarian cultural fare, mouth-watering food, a keg-rolling barrel race and a 5-kilometer run are the best highlights of this festival.
Another happening event that is celebrated in August in the city every year is the Blues Festival. It is a four-day festival where residents can enjoy blues music. This festival sees a footfall of 150,000 people every year.
And if you are a foodie, you can have the best time at the Kitchener-Waterloo Food and Wine Festival. Here you can delight your palette with local culinary delights and wineries from across the world.
Your Dream Home Awaits in Kitchener!
As you have seen, Kitchener is the best place for you and your family to call home. From a bustling economy to excellent educational institutions, Kitchener has a lot to offer. So, seal the deal on that house for sale in Kitchener you have set your heart on and prepare to move to the city.