Much like every other city in Canada, the city of Vaughan is also home to multiple cultures living together in harmony and peace. According to MoneySense Magazine, Vaughan was listed among the best places to live in Ontario in 2018. This city offers plenty of growth options to the residents regarding the profession, business, economy, or personal life and high quality of life to the multi-cultured residents.

The pros and cons of living in Vaughan are almost equally balanced. The pros include amazing location, vibrant neighborhoods, and good public transportation. On the flip side, it has crowded hospitals, local gang activity, and heavy traffic.

Vaughan is one of the first municipalities outside of the Toronto area to have its own TTC subway service. This offers shorter commute times, and residents can commute to and from work without sacrificing hours away from their families. Moreover, the city also enjoys being home to a modern downtown area with a multitude of business and entertainment options. It is also a proud host to Canada’s first smart hospital worth $1.6 billion to enhance patient care experience with state-of-the-art technology.

Vaughan is not just another city in Ontario but also a hub of ever-growing economic development, first-class business ventures, and affordable housing options. The local authorities and Council and City staff offer a wide array of affordable housing opportunities for those who cannot easily find accommodation.

What Are the Pros of Living in Vaughan, Ontario?

Vaughan, Ontario, is home to modern facilities, world-class amenities, vibrant neighborhoods, and an enhanced healthcare system for the residents. There are countless pros to living in this area, and families can call this their permanent home. From shorter commute times to booming economic opportunities, it has everything to offer at your fingertips. Let’s explore some of the top-most benefits of living in this city and see how you can benefit from the living environment here. Here are the positives and negatives of living in Vaughan;

1. Amazing Location

This city is located in the heart of GTA, making it one of the most accessible and multi-dimensional places in the region. Moreover, the residents can enjoy the serenity of a small town, but the business opportunities of a big city. Additionally, trips to other areas, facilities, and communities are a short commute, and you can quickly gain access to anything you want. It is in proximity to:

Downtown Toronto
Rogers Centre
BMO Field
Air Canada Centre
Canada’s Wonderland
Vaughan Mills
Blue Mountain
Snow Valley

You can access all the nearby attractions and amenities without having to drive for hours. However, you can come back home at the end of the day and enjoy a suburban living environment without the noise of metropolitan areas.

2. Vibrant Neighborhoods

Just because it is a local suburban area does not mean that the entire community is dull and lifeless. Vaughan is home to some of the liveliest and vibrant neighborhoods in the Greater Toronto Area, such as:

Kleinburg
Woodbridge
Maple
Thornhill
Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

These neighborhoods are packed with hidden gems, fun hotspots, and plenty of recreation settings and events throughout the year. From Binder Twine Festival in Kleinburg to Canada’s Wonderland in Maple, you will find everything you need to stay active, joyous, and happy in the area.

Besides attractions, there are also wonderful eatery options, from Coffee Culture to famous Emily’s Bakery, you will find a wide variety of tasty menu at an affordable price.

3. Public Transit System -TTC

Other than the previously mentioned TTC subway, GO transit is another amazing public transportation option that the residents can enjoy. It will take you around Toronto, reduce your commute time, and refrain from putting any toll on your financial budget. It is one of the most reliable, fastest, and affordable public transit systems in the area.

You can also catch the TTC subway, which became a part of the city during the York Spadina Subway extension in 2017. This transportation system will take you around the inner boundaries of the city as well as the GTA. If you feel like GO transit is too crowded for your taste, the TTC subway is here for you without sacrificing the quality of transport or commute time.

Currently, the local transportation authorities are adding six new subway stations to the city’s transit system, therefore enhancing the residents’ overall transportation experience. These stations will reduce commute times even more, and these will also offer access to anywhere in GTA within 30 minutes.

4. Family-Oriented Neighborhoods

If you are currently living with your happy family and thinking of moving to Vaughan, Ontario, the amenities listed above will be meaningless without a good educational system or family-oriented amenities. This is why you should know that the city focuses many of its resources and time on making it accessible and perfect for families with kids. From top-notch educational institutes to family-friendly recreational places, Vaughan has it all.

It is a safe suburban area for kids, and the local authorities do their best to provide a family-friendly environment for the residents without giving up the city’s vibrant tone. From French Immersion to faith-based schools, the authorities promote and value diversity for the multi-cultured residents.

If you are looking to have fun with your family, you can visit the local Lego Discovery Centre, a fun place for kids and adults alike. You can find out more about the different events and options in the city and take a look at the City of Vaughan’s official website.

What Are the Cons of Living in Vaughan, Ontario?

While Vaughan offers many perks at your disposal, there are a few cons and drawbacks of living here. These may not be that much of an issue for everyone, but these are worth noting to understand the region in a better way. Let’s explore the cons associated with living in Vaughan, Ontario.

1. Heavy Traffic

Since this place is near Toronto, it invites heavy traffic and the hustle and bustle of a busy city to the roads. The 400 runs right through the heart of this region, and this is a naturally busy road. It connects all the major hubs of this region and the surrounding areas, so it is almost always busy with heavy traffic. Moreover, the 400 is especially busy during peak hours, and this can often mean a noisy environment for the areas close to the road.

As one of the most used highways in Ontario, the 400 is almost always busy with traffic. Therefore, this city can get as busy like Toronto. However, if you want to look at the big picture, you will be happy to know that the heavy traffic also means closeness to more amenities within the city limits.

2. Organized Crimes

This place used to be a hub of organized crimes back in the day until the local law enforcement authorities took care of this issue. The Terrace Banquet Hall shooting incident in July 2013 claimed two lives and killed the famous mobster Salvatore Calautti. Following this incident, the Regina Sports Café shooting incident in April 2014 killed another mobster Carmine Verduci.

The place was littered with organized crimes, mob hits, territory wars, etc. However, now, the law enforcement authorities have controlled the crimes in the area, and the current crime rate is as low as 619 per 100,000 people. In 2019, the York Regional Police collaborated with Italian State Police on Project Sindicato. This 18-month long operation helped seize over $35 million worth of homes and equipment used by criminals and local gangs in the area.

3. Crowded Hospital

Yes, this suburban area offers some of the best healthcare options to the residents with Canada’s first smart hospital, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. However, it used to be one of Canada’s largest cities without any hospital in the past. Therefore, the only hospital in the area may offer enhanced patient care but is almost always crowded. Patients often have to wait in queues before getting to the doctors. This may be a problem as there are limited staff members to cater to any emergencies.

The nearest full-service hospital is the Humber River Regional Hospital. It is hours away and will take a lot of precious time when patients need to be addressed immediately. Another option is the Brampton Civic Hospital in Brampton and the Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital in Richmond Hill.

What Do I Have to Say?

Vaughan, Ontario, is a great place to live for families looking to settle down in a suburban area with all the modern amenities and facilities of a busy city. From powerful educational institutes to local fun hotspots, you will find everything here. There are supermarkets, chain stores, family-owned businesses, and fresh produce centers to cater to your dietary or shopping requirements.

You can also enjoy four distinct seasons in this suburban area and enjoy summer and winter in all its glory. The abundance of outdoor recreational activities is just another prime example of the high quality of life. Vaughan is an excellent option for those who want the feel of a small suburban area without giving up the facilities of a modern-era lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Vaughan, Ontario