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8 Best places to live in Ontario – small waterfront towns

Written by Land Ark

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March 22, 2024

These waterfront villages and small towns are some of the best kept secrets in Ontario, Canada. If you are looking for a more natural lifestyle, and affordable homes for sale, you won’t want to miss these under-rated, but spectacular, places.

1. Westport, Ontario

Rightly nicknamed the “Jewel of the Rideau,” Westport is the best of all worlds. It is within 30 km of more than 25 scenic lakes, nestled within tranquil forests. It has a walkable village, complete with schools, restaurants and a range of amenities. Considering Westport is only 60 km from Kingston, it’s incredible how perfectly you can see the stars in town. There are also plentiful new homes for sale including highly coveted bungalows built on generous lot sizes. Residents come to Westport for the natural beauty and stay for the well-connected community.

2. Deep River, Ontario

Population: 4,000 

Along the Ottawa River, Deep River is quickly growing in popularity. When the town’s population boomed due to wartime efforts at a nearby nuclear facility, Deep River was intentionally designed to be a model community that focused on green space and community facilities. Excellent planning shines to this day. The village has its own schools and daily amenities, lots of hiking trails and renowned fishing spots.

3. Morrisburg, Ontario

Population: 2,300

With a bustling, historic main street and stunning St. Lawrence scenery, Morrisburg has more amenities than most towns of its size, including multiple schools, parks, shops and the magical Upper Canada Village. It is only an hour drive to Ottawa, but residents may never want to leave this tranquil community where houses are much more affordable than other communities along the river.

4. Bayfield, Ontario

Median House Price: $600,000

Founded in the early 19th century as a milling community, Bayfield’s main street features well-preserved Victorian-era buildings. Now, the “village by the bay” is perfect for a small-town, sandy-beach walk to the ice cream shop. Schools are 20 km away in Goderich, and London is a 70 minute jaunt.

5. Nipigon, Ontario

Population: 1,600

Nipigon, on the northern shore of Lake Superior, is by far the most remote town on this list. This pretty town is 100 km from Thunder Bay, schools and essential amenities are right within this historic mining community. Nicknamed the “gateway to the north,” it features a stunning rugged coastline, endless outdoor recreation opportunities, and shockingly low housing prices.

6. Port Stanley, Ontario

Population: 2,500

Port Stanley is known for its historic charm, clear-waters and bustling beachy arts scene. It is only 15 km from St. Thomas and commuting distance from London. Port Stanley is a popular tourist destination in summer, though residents claim the community-feel never fades throughout the seasons.

7. Southampton, Ontario

Population: 4,000

Known for sandy beaches, hiking trails, proximity to MacGregor Point Provincial Park and its historic lighthouse, Southampton is another small town where residents find peace in a slower pace of life. 20 km to Port Elgin, Southampton is known for arts, scenic beach views and maritime charm.

8. Port Franks

Population: >1000 year-round, with more residents in summer

Nicknamed the “Beach Haven,” Port Franks boasts a beautiful sandy beach on Lake Huron’s Lambton Shores. The quaint main street is 10 minutes from the wildly popular Pinery Provincial Park, and hosts a marina nationally recognized for cleanliness and accessibility. It has basic amenities in town, and primary and secondary schools 15 km away in the towns of Grand Bend and Forest.

Shhhhh! Let’s keep this on the down low!

If you are dreaming of being next door to nature, connected to neighbours, embracing quiet and starlight, and not breaking the bank on real estate, these villages and small towns might just be your next move!