Communities
in Southern Ontario

Are you considering moving to one of Ontario's pretty communities, or considering relocating your family in Canada?

Perhaps you are looking for a wonderful place near the beach or countryside for a family holiday or honeymoon?

It is wise to learn all you can about the various places, before you decide to move there.

However, it has been my experience that choosing a smaller town, such as the city of London , Ontario, in which to settle, would be a better choice - not that I have anything against Toronto - I don’t, but it is so easy to get lost in a city of 5,000,000 people.

In a smaller town, such as Kitchener (pop 414,500), Brantford (pop 90,000) or St Thomas (pop 33,236), the opportunities for housing and employment are still excellent, and you will find the people friendly and approachable.

The twin communities of Kitchener-Waterloo have an interesting history.
Here, in small-town Ontario, apartment buildings are not as tall, folks are more neighbourly, businesses are more accommodating, streets are not as congested, store clerks are not as busy and generally, there is not the same hustle & bustle that you get in a great big city.

Some communities in Southern Ontario are geared to particular industries, for example the city of St Thomas is home to the Ford Automotive plant in Talbotville which employs 2,400 people, and also to other manufacturing plants connected with the auto industry.

This is a thriving, energetic city with good schools, lovely parks and lots of open spaces and great community facilities.

The city of St Thomas is in the heart of Elgin County.

Similarly,the city of London, Ontario is known as a "white collar" city, with head offices of the London-Life Insurance Company here and the offices of banks and other insurance companies. London, which sits on the Thames River, is the home of the University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College.

There are also Aircraft manufacturing, Auto repair & Sales, the Kellogg factory, the Canadian Head offices of 3-M, the Scotch-Tape people.

The Labatt and Carling beer companies were both founded here.

Another one of my favourite Ontario communities is the city of Brantford which was known for many years as the home of the Massey Ferguson plant, which made tractors for the farming industry.

Now with a population of 86,400 people, the pretty city of Brantford was where my family spent our first Canadian winter - for those who lived through the snowy winter of 1977-78 you may remember that there were snow drifts up to the tops of front doors during that winter.

I had never seen so much snow in my life! What a shock for a girl from England's industrial north.

Not far from Brantford is the small town of Paris , set on the banks of the Grand River, this small town is worth a visit during the annual Cobblestone Festival.

One of my favourite cities to visit in this area has always been Stratford , Ontario, on the banks of the peaceful River Avon. Like it’s namesake in England, you will find here, all things Shakespeare!

Not far away from Stratford, is pretty St Marys which is a lovely town with an abundance of Limestone architecture.

This is a quaint small town with an old-fashioned feel.

In the summer months there are lots of activities going on in and around this community.

Just to the west of London you will find Strathroy which is a community of around 13,000 people, and it is the largest community in Middlesex County.

If you like Turkey, this is the place to visit during the June for their annual Turkey-Fest celebrations! This is a week-end of live entertainment, rides and fun.

In the northern part of Southern Ontario you will find the community of Collingwood which is famous today for the Blue Mountain Ski Resort and much more.

On the main street you will find "Victorian Elegance", a store that is wonderful, both inside and out! There are two floors of Victorian Gift ware & Collectibles.

In the fine weather there is also a garden and Tea Room for your enjoyment, serving light lunches, afternoon tea and desserts.

Set in the lovely Southern Ontario countryside, Ingersoll is a great place to live and work.

Another pretty Ontario town is Simcoe which is south of Brantford along highway 24, and on highway 3 east of Delhi and Tillsonburg.

When you reach Windsor , Ontario, you have gone just about as far south as you can go, and still be in Ontario! Set on the bank of the Detroit River, this vibrant, international city is the home of the head offices of the Chrysler Corporation of Canada.

Leamington is a half-hour drive from Windsor, and is on the shore of Lake Erie, close to Point Pelee National Park and is known as the "Tomato Capital of Canada" because of the vast quantities of tomatoes grown and processed there, at the Heinz plant in town.

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Links For Communities

St Thomas
Located just 20 minutes south of the city of London, home of the Ford plant in Talbotville, the Elgin County Railway Museum, statue of Jumbo and beautiful city parks, St Thomas is a great place to live and work

St Marys
This is a pretty, historic town with great limestone architecture, and the largest swimming pool in Canada!

Stratford
With the Shakespeare Festival each summer, boating on the River Avon, this town has lots to offer to residents and visitors

Strathroy
Don't miss the festivities at Turkey Fest, held each summer here in the Turkey Capital of Ontario!

Brantford
The home of Wayne Gretzky and Alexander Graham Bell, the scenic Grand River runs through this lovely city

Paris
This small Ontario town is also on the banks of the Grand River as it winds its way to Lake Erie

Aylmer
Home to a small population of Amish and Mennonites, the Ontario Police College and some great residential architecture, Aylmer is a really pretty town

Simcoe
An interesting small town, close to Lake Erie

Windsor
One of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada, located just across the river from Detroit, Michigan, Windsor is a busy University city with a thriving economy

Leamington
Known as the Tomato Capital of Canada, this town of 28,000 inhabitants is the home of the Pelee Island Ferry, the MV Jiimaan

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