Strategically located on the west shore of beautiful Lake Simcoe at the junction of Highway 11, 400, and 27, Barrie is the Gateway to the North as virtually all traffic heading north passes through Barrie on Hwy 400. With it’s growing population of more than 150,000 in Barrie and almost 200,000 in the metro area making it the 21st largest city in Canada in terms of metro area population per the last census.

Barrie’s central north location… just 87 km from Toronto Pearson International Airport, and 110 km from Downtown Toronto, makes commuter access to all major centers across the region accessible via Hwy 400, 11, 27, as well as, Hwy 404. Although its primary manufacturing base diminished in the 1980s and 1990s, today its economy is largely built around education, healthcare, information technology, and service sectors. Barrie continues to be a preferred destination to buy a home, enjoy the quality of life, and raise a family.

Regardless of age, home buyers recognize the importance of healthcare and proximity to hospitals in the area. Barrie’s RVH (Royal Victoria Hospital) is the largest primary care facility in Central Ontario with over 380 physicians and 2500 staff providing excellent care and specialty services including cancer care, stroke services, orthopedics, intensive care, mental health, and interventional radiology. As a popular retirement destination, Barrie also offers many clinics, pharmacies, medical services in VON, and St. Elizabeth’s, a great transit system including Wheel-Trans and more.

One of the most exciting aspects today and going forward are the developments that will affect Barrie’s attractiveness as the most progressive residential and commercial center of Central Ontario. The following 3 major initiatives are reshaping the future of the City of Barrie and will continue to make it one of the best places in Central Ontario to live, work, raise a family, or retire:

Hwy 400 lane expansion and new industrial/commercial hubs are currently being developed, particularly north of Hwy 9, with the goal of bringing jobs further north to support ongoing population growth in the region, while easing GTA gridlock. The value of these business parks is to provide capital and operational cost savings while tapping into a large, educated, and motivated workforce in the region. As a result, the benefits of choosing a home in the Barrie area will be even more attractive as more of these business parks come to completion.

If you’re considering making a move to Central Ontario, although home values tend to be higher than other Simcoe County communities, homes in Barrie will appreciate in value faster, with future developments bringing new vitality and energy to our waterfront cityscape. Bold architectural innovation, environmental preservation, and better land utilization will keep this city as a premier lifestyle destination. You owe it to yourself to come and explore.