What Are the Top Neighbourhoods in Canada’s Biggest Cities?

In recent years, households have broadened their horizons in the Canadian real estate market, choosing to plant roots in suburbs and rural communities. However, whether they needed to head back to big city life for work and school or they did not enjoy residing outside of a major urban centre, families returned to the city.

Metro Vancouver is poised to reach three million residents this year. Calgary is experiencing meteoric population growth. Toronto quietly saw its metro area population increase by nearly one percent in 2023. Halifax is quickly becoming one of the major urban areas in the country.

Suffice it to say, that despite the immense size of Canada, people are still deciding to live in cities.

So, with a broad array of individuals selecting one of Canada’s major cities to call home, where are some of the top neighbourhoods in these places? Well, RE/MAX recently published the 2024 Liveability Report, studying neighbourhood qualities and attributes coast to coast that matter to Canadians, whether they are exploring home ownership opportunities or they already own a home.

What Are the Top Neighbourhoods in Canada’s Biggest Cities?

Here is a breakdown of the top neighbourhoods in Canada’s largest cities:

Vancouver, British Columbia

Accessing one of Canada’s largest cities and one of the world’s most expensive housing markets can already be an overwhelming task. But finding the top neighbourhoods in the Western urban centre should not be. While there are about a dozen different areas of Vancouver to choose from, the Liveability Report identified Kitsilano as one of the best neighbourhoods in the city today, mainly due to the price point, desirable homes, a sense of community, and close amenities like the beach and ocean.

Calgary, Alberta

Are you interested in joining your fellow Canadians and relocating to one of the hottest cities in the country? If so, you should become acquainted with the Calgary neighbourhood of Downtown West, which is considered a gateway to the city core, whether by public transit, foot, or car. One of the reasons for the newfound love for this area has been the many office conversions that generated foot traffic and renewed retail interest. While there are single-family homes in Downtown West, the community is highly dense and primarily comprised of condominiums.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Like a bag of potato chips, you can’t just pick one neighbourhood in Saskatoon. The city enjoys lots of top-notch communities that satisfy the objectives of households, whether close to schools or a surplus of attractive real estate options. Industry experts say that the top four neighbourhoods in Saskatoon are Brighton, Nutana, Silverspring, and River Heights.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Winnipeg real estate market is not only affordable but also provides homebuyers with plenty of options. There is affordability in the west end, Summerlea is an up-and-coming neighbourhood, and Bridgewater Trails possesses many vital liveability factors considered important to the typical Canadian. Whether you want proximate amenities or local events, Winnipeg has no shortage of neighbourhoods to choose from.

Toronto, Ontario

North America’s fourth-largest city is rich in exceptional neighbourhoods tailored to the needs of a diverse range of families. The family-friendly areas of Leaside, Midtown for young professionals, and South Etobicoke for households that want some distance from the downtown core. Suffice it to say, there are plenty of options to choose from in Toronto. Since the Toronto real estate market is expensive in general, it all depends on the type of property and liveability aspects.

Ottawa, Ontario

From the Rideau River to the east to the Rideau Canal to the west, Ottawa has plenty of well-known neighbourhoods. While many people believe that Ottawa is all about politics, a glimpse into the neighbourhoods scattered across the nation’s capital can confirm that there is more to Ottawa than just Parliament Hill. Experts have identified Sandy Hill as the most liveable neighbourhood in Ottawa as it is surrounded by nature, academia, downtown shopping, the House of Commons, and public transit.

“The neighbourhood’s storied past, natural beauty and community programs and events make it one of the ‘most liveable’ neighbourhoods in Ottawa,” the report stated.

Montreal, Quebec

What is one of the top neighbourhoods in all of Canada? It is Le Sud-Ouest, which is the most liveable neighbourhood in Montreal. Believe it or not, this area is comprised of smaller communities, such as Little Burgundy, Griffintown, and Saint-Henri. It is certainly an urban pocket of Montreal that offers exceptional walkability. From historic architecture to proximity to parks, Le Sud-Ouest is a remarkable part of not only Montreal but all of Canada.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Atlantic Canada real estate market has transformed in recent years, with various local housing markets witnessing dramatic growth. Halifax is a perfect example of what has happened to the East Coast since 2020. What makes Halifax appealing is that home prices are below the national average of $700,000, and there is a long list of affordable, up-and-coming, and top neighbourhoods in the municipality. But what would be the best neighbourhood that stands out? It would have to be Woodlawn/Creighton Park. With a price point below $600,000, the neighbourhood is also close to urban amenities, while the homes offer character and charm.

Lots of Top Neighbourhoods to Choose From

Canada is one of the greatest countries on the planet. Millions of people worldwide want to live in this country because of its beauty and charm. The nation’s neighbourhoods, whether in British Columbia or Ontario, are the chief selling points for anyone who wants to live there.