Best Neighbourhoods in Guelph For Families

Considering the move to Guelph? We couldn’t be more excited for you! This close-knit community is the perfect place to put down roots and continue to grow. Guelph has so much to offer and is continuing to grow, change and evolve. Similar to its surrounding cities, Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, there are more schools, new build communities, and affordable housing options making the best neighbourhoods in Guelph even more accessible.

What to Look For in a Family Neighbourhood

You may be wondering what makes the perfect family friendly Guelph neighbourhood? Is it the outstanding schools, the friendly neighbours, the diverse culture– well, it’s all of the above and then some!

Great Schools

With multiple schools within reach, Guelph provides a convenient living situation for young and growing families. Whether you are looking for a catholic school, private school, Montessori school, pre-school, public school or even just daycare options, Guelph is full of them!

Looking for more insights on the best schools in Guelph? Read our Parent’s Guide to Education in Guelph.

Places to Grow, Learn, & Play

Another important factor with new and growing families is your proximity to parks and community centers. Community centres are a fantastic way to get more involved with your community, offering public events, pools, gyms and libraries. Being close to your local YMCA/community centre will allow you and your kids to make new connections.

Besides the community centre, being within walking distance to local parks is another consideration buyers may not think of until after the fact. The communities we recommend in this post are all vetted as close to parks and some of the best schools in Guelph, making them the perfect choice for families.

Access to the Essentials

Another great consideration beforehand is proximity to amenities. If you are a parent, or plan on being one, you will appreciate having convenience and grocery stores nearby for those last-minute trips and frequent grocery shopping.

Some examples of other stores close by are hardware stores, great shopping options like Guelph’s regional mall and Stone Road Mall, and drive-thrus such as Tim Hortons, Starbucks or McDonald’s, for quick bites and coffee runs. All these options are easily accessible to the communities in Guelph, making shopping convenient and quick.

Planning on buying a house in Guelph? Explore these related blogs for more advice.

Opportunities Beyond the Neighbourhood

In our opinion, great family neighbourhoods in Guelph are ones that are close to downtown.

More than just shopping, Guelph offers a fantastic downtown core, with various local and small businesses, cafes, community gathering spaces and much more! This vibrant area of the community is full of culture, love and no matter the day, there is always something happening.

If you are looking to volunteer, getting your teenager a job close to home or are considering working in the downtown district, then living in one of the nearby Guelph communities that surround downtown that offer easy access to schools, kids’ sports and all your daily lifestyle needs will be key.

Like-Minded Neighbours

Another factor of a family-friendly neighbourhood is the current demographic in the area. Choosing a home close to a school will likely surround you with many young and growing families like yours who also appreciate the convenience of the nearby parks and their children’s school.

In these communities, there tends to be lots of networking and opportunities for children to connect during and after school hours. If you are looking for after-school care, it is also easier to connect with moms and babysitters living in the community when you are close to a school zone.

How to Find Your Perfect Neighbourhood

Another aspect of a perfect family-friendly neighbourhood in Guelph is one that feels right to your aesthetic. Driving around the adjacent streets is one of the best ways to determine if a community is right for you.

This will allow you to see if there are signs of other families in the area, inspect the condition of the homes around you, see how much street traffic that area has and also notice the pride of ownership from the neighbouring homes (are the lawns manicured, is the garbage stored neatly, do they take care of their gardens, are their outdoor spaces all clean?).

Getting in tune with the neighbourhood will show you exactly what you can expect from living there before you buy a home.

The Best Neighbourhoods in Guelph For Families

Now, what are some of the most family-friendly neighbourhoods in Guelph? Let’s walk through these together to help identify the neighbourhood that is the best fit for you and your family:

Exhibition Park

A vibrant community located centrally to the majority of amenities, Exhibition Park is a great choice for young and growing families. With many different living setups and deep lots, there are lots of possibilities for families here.

Prominent schools in the area include: Victory Public School, Central Public School, Willow Road Public School, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, and St Joseph’s Catholic School.

Known for its strong sense of community and its beautiful old heritage homes, Exhibition Park provides a lovely living experience. Within the park itself, there are many places to bring kids and enjoy various activities and outdoor spaces. If you are looking for a larger home that exudes charm, and allows you to be within walking distance of local amenities and the downtown, then this could be the neighbourhood for you and your family.

Want to know more about living in Guelph? Explore these related blogs!

Sunny Acres

With charming mature treelines and a variety of homes, both old and new, Sunny Acres is a community that welcomes you home! With a focus on green engagement and sustainability, Sunny Acres is blossoming with homeowners who care deeply about our community and the health of our land. As time has gone on, the community has also shaped and moulded to create more diverse and affordable housing options.

If you are a mature family with kids in high school or soon to be, Sunny Acres is close to the University of Guelph, leaving future education opportunities or even job options within close reach. In the meantime, you can enjoy the University’s beautiful grounds, historic buildings and lovely walking trails.

Schools near Sunny Acres include Central Public School, Paisley Road Public School, John McCrae Public School, St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Guelph Montessori School.

If you are looking for a community that spends its time outside, has a vibrant culture and offers great parks for kids to play, this could be the perfect fit!

St George’s Park

St George’s Park is one of the most popular and changing communities in Guelph, with an influx of young families to this area and an assortment of old, timeless heritage homes and newly designed/renovated houses, you are sure to find something that suits your taste.

St George’s Park is a close-knit community, one where your neighbours might just be your future best friends. It provides ample opportunities for socializing, as many enjoy a manicured lawns and spending time with their children outdoors.

The community is built around St George’s Park, a hub for nature, entertainment and the perfect spot for young kids to run freely and play safely. It’s also close to the downtown core, perfect for shopping, special occasions and more.

Some of the schools within this area include: Ecole King George Public School (French Immersion), John F Ross CVI, Ottawa Crescent Public School, as well as John Galt Public School.

If you enjoy nature, homes with character and convenience, this could be your perfect community.

Clairefields

If you are seeking an environment that has a pace of life that feels tranquil and serene, then Clairefields is the place for you.

With so much variety, from attached homes, to stacked townhouses and detached homes of various sizes, there is something for everyone. The best part about this is that as your family grows or continues to grow, you will always have a house that fits your needs for that season of your life.

Due to the fact that Clairefields is a relatively newer development within Guelph, it is continuing to grow and establish itself as a family-oriented community, perfect for those with young kids who are looking to network with other families in the area.

Here, your family will likely be within the school boundaries for: Sir Issac Brook Public School or Westminster Woods Public School. However, there are also desirable alternative education options in this community, which include: Trillium Waldorf School, Wellington Hall Academy and the Montessori School of Wellington.

Moving to Guelph? We Can Help

Now you know, if you are considering making the move, make sure you work with an agent who understands Guelph neighbourhoods. Having someone who understands the community first-hand and can provide local expertise will set you up for success.

At Capstone REPS, we are passionate about finding you the community that meets your wants and needs. Whether you need a deeper lot for outdoor activities, animals, or an ADU, or are looking into a maintenance free living situation in a home that requires little up keep, we are here to help you find the best neighbourhood in Guelph for you!

Looking to get started? Reach us by email at info@capstonereps.com or call 519.824.9050.

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