Considering buying your first home but can’t find anything bigger than a one-bedroom apartment for your current budget within the city’s limits? Interested in living in brampton which is vibrant, diverse and multicultural city with great educational options and reliable transport links to downtown Toronto? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we might have the perfect solution for you. Say hello to life in Brampton, Ontario. Understand expenses better with cost of living in Brampton.
Population and immigrant communities
Brampton’s living dynamics is both captivating and perplexing. Being one of the Canadian cities with the highest immigration rates, it’s population has drastically increased since 2011, three times more quickly than that of Ontario. The current residents stand at 600,000. Truly astonishing is the fact that more than half of Brampton’s population in the 2016 census was foreign born. 61,640 immigrants were from the Americas while 35,160 were from Europe and another 16,065 from Africa. The highest immigration figures come from Asia with 195,235 residents of which the majority are Indians, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis, and Filipinos. The rapid influx of Indians, indicates a subsequent surge of hopeful immigrants looking to settle in Brampton.
This data shows that Brampton is ranked fifth in Canada in terms of total immigrants to population ratio which is impressive to say the least. With so many people considering Brampton as their visa destination, it only highlights the beauty of life in Brampton. But what precisely is drawing so many new people towards Brampton, the birthplace of famous actor Michael Cera? Let’s find out. You may also like to read about brampton tourist places before moving to brampton.
Housing in Brampton
Choosing to settle down or rent in Brampton helps you see that Brampton is significantly less expensive than purchasing a property in the heart of Toronto, or even the surrounding suburbs. A good example is the one-bedroom apartment which is located within the Brampton city center which goes for about one thousand five hundred forty-two dollars, although there are cheaper options. For example, if one plans on staying alone or with a partner, a one-bedroom apartment is available outside downtown Brampton for approximately one thousand two hundred fifty-two dollars. If you are relocating as a spouse to Brampton with children, a three-bedroom apartment located at the downtown core of Brampton goes for around two thousand three hundred seventy-five dollars a month. However, if you are willing to commute further out of the city, accommodation can be found for around two thousand fifty dollars a month. All these figures mean that by renting a property in Brampton, you are bound to spend forty-five to forty percent less on monthly rents as compared to living in Toronto. Saves you a lot of money doesn’t it? With that savings, you can buy a ton of Maple Leafs or Raptors tickets. Or, you can now start saving for a down payment on your property in Brampton.
If the reason for your relocation to Brampton was to purchase a house that was otherwise out of your budget in Toronto, then you will be glad to learn that the average price of real estate in Brampton city center is approximately $944,297, while homes outside of the downtown area are selling for around $895,000. These figures are about 50% less than what you would pay in Toronto. Although Brampton offers comparatively cheaper rentals and properties than Toronto, the fact remains that if you work in Toronto, you may still need to commute every day. So, what is the Brampton to Toronto commute like?
Transport within Brampton
Regardless of whether your workplace is in downtown Toronto, in Brampton, or anywhere else in the GTA, you will most likely use your personal vehicle or public transport to get to work. Being a resident of Brampton, you should expect to pay roughly $124 for a monthly public transport pass within the city’s boundaries.
When traveling to downtown Toronto for work from Brampton, the GO train is likely the best option. Brampton has access to the GO train service which allows you to travel from downtown Brampton to Union Station in approximately 45 minutes. For this trip, an estimated $7.65 is charged using a presto card, but monthly discounts come after 36 fares.
For those considering commuting by car, Brampton’s insurance costs will add a significant expense while living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), as the region has some of the highest car insurance rates in Ontario. Insurance quoting website Kenetix.ca recently published a report that listed Brampton as the city with the highest average insurance premiums in the province, surpassing the average cost in the province by over $1,000 a year, sitting at an annual average of $2,494. Coupled with the competitive traffic congestion characteristic of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), these costs have led many residents to prefer public transit like the GO train to commute to work.
Education in Brampton
In case you are relocating to Brampton with school-going children, you would probably want to familiarize yourself with the education landscape of the city. There is good news in this regard because Brampton boasts a variety of public elementary and secondary schools that are of good quality. The Peel District School Board operates 220 schools, which are classified as bold and creative, and are serving over 140,000 pupils in Peel region which includes Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon.
Moreover, there exists a number of schools that provide education in French for those who wish to teach their children in this language. Likewise, some private school boards in Brampton focus on education from a specific religious philosophy.
Also, the Sheridan Institute, Canada’s Premier Polytechnic Institute, is situated nearby. It has an international reputation for its classical and computer animation programs. Meanwhile, Algoma University offers uniquely accelerated degree programs in Computer Science and Business Administration with Honors that may be completed in one year, as well as diploma to degree upgrading programs. These are offered at Sheridan College’s Davis Campus.
Life in Brampton
In our previous conversations, we focused on accommodation costs in brampton, transport links, and the educational institutions within Brampton. However, what about the available free time and leisure activities? What leisure opportunities does Brampton offer?
Above all else, considering Brampton’s multicultural and diverse population, the city stands out as one of the best places not only in the GTA, but all over Canada for finding unique cuisines. Additionally, the City of Brampton runs a seasonal outdoor market from June to October, offering a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, prepared foods, and artisan goods to residents and visitors alike.
Brampton is home to more than 100 sports organizations, all of which have active volunteer bases. Whether you are a cricket fanatic or an aspiring basketball legend looking to mirror Pascal Siakam or Kyle Lowry’s stardom, there is a club or team associated with nearly every sport you can think of.
Brampton is home to stunning multicultural performances and world-class shows, which only add to the city’s rich culture. Furthermore, The Rose, an iconic performing arts theatre, along with the Lester B. Pearson Theatre add to Brampton’s cultural centers.
In 2018, Brampton City Council proposed the Brampton 2040 project which introduced free transit routes circling the city, a unified green network, and an enhanced city structure. These changes will create a better-connected city for all and improve Brampton’s potential as a whole.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Neighbourhoods To Stay in Brampton
Brampton’s highlights
So, there you have it – Brampton, Ontario in a nutshell. This city is ideal for newcomers looking to settle in a multicultural environment that is affordable and within a stone’s throw to Toronto. Of course, there are other locations in the GTA that you might decide to call home. Information on living in Toronto is currently available while we will be adding other destinations in the GTA and further afield in the coming months. Stay tuned for that!
We Can Assist You In Finding Your Dream Home
If you are in search of a new home in brampton, We can assist you at every stage of the process. Their understanding of the region combined with skilled customer care makes buying a house a walk in the park.
