Springwater
Springwater Township, like it’s adjacent neighbour Oro-Medonte, are the most requested destinations for urban dwellers looking to leave the city and move further north in search of that more serene environment. Whether the goal is to raise the kids in a quiet community or find a home with some property, Springwater offers endless options. Also it’s particularly well suited for empty nesters looking to get away from the hustle and bustle… yet be close enough to all the amenities to have the best of a town and country lifestyle.
As one of the largest municipalities in Simcoe County with just over 200 square miles of geography, Springwater is blessed with an abundance of rich farmland and 33,000 acres of public land known as Simcoe County Forest where more than 20 million trees in an ongoing reforestation program have been planted. This program was initiated leveraging its abundance of farms, both large and small.
Residents in the region love to shop at the various Farmer’s Markets taking advantage of farm gate sales of produce, eggs and other locally grown foods.
With a population of almost 20,000, Springwater’s main centers are Anten Mills, Crown Hill, Elmvale, Hillsdale, and Minesing, each of which has deep historical roots. Newer neighbourhoods include Shamrock in Phelpston, Apto Glen, Fergusonvale, Snow Valley (which is home to approx. 7 estate neighbourhoods), Vespra Centre (with 2 estate neighbourhoods - Stonegate & Stonemanor – 430 homes) and Midhurst which like Anten Mills is a blend of the old and the new. Although Springwater fringes on the north shore of Little Lake at the edge of Barrie, it’s only other significant body of water is Orr Lake – 6 kilometres north east of Elmvale on Penetanguishene Rd (Hwy 93).
Commuting distance to the GTA balanced with the ability to buy a home with some property for less continues to attract families and professionals north with Springwater being one of the primary destinations. Millenials and those new-to-Canada are particularly interested in buying a new home versus resale as they believe there will be less to maintain. As part of Ontario’s Places to Grow Strategy launched in 2008, communities such as Midhurst, Vespra Centre and Snow Valley will continue to benefit from this migration as more new home developments are launched.
Whatever your reason for considering a move from the city… come and explore Springwater. With easy access to world-class healthcare, Georgian College, great schools, Lake Simcoe and endless shopping venues, you owe it yourself to come and experience all it has to offer.