April 28, 2025 | Buying
Guelph Neighbourhoods: Where to Buy Your First Home
Wondering what are the best neighbourhoods in Guelph to buy your first home? This blog is for you!
This list has been specially curated by the advice of our agents who have all provided their input based on their experience with first-time home buyers!
Are you a first time home buyer who is ready to start your search? Check out our featured listings here.
The Ward
The Ward is an absolute charmer! Featuring many older homes with a rich history that all tell a story! Oftentimes these dated homes make the perfect fixer upper and have details that are unmatched! This timeless community is also on the affordable side, particularly for condos and attached townhomes. The Ward offers a variety of different styles that are perfect for many first-time home buyers!
The Ward situates you in the heart of Guelph, close to many amenities: community centres, Downtown, plazas, grocery stores, shopping etc. You will experience a strong sense of community living in the Ward, Guelph! Many locals explain it as the “perfect place to put down roots”, which is a great explanation for first time home buyers looking to buy a home in Guelph that suits their budget and their changing needs.
Some of our Favourite Local Spots:
Located on Ontario Street, this is a local delight! This Italian market offers seasonal pastries, a curated selection of local goodies, charcuterie boards and so much more!
This is a beloved community event happening in the Ward that offers: fresh produce from local vendors, fresh flowers, vintage finds, features small businesses of various kinds, delicious eats and a warm and welcoming atmosphere!
Touted as Canada’s Smallest Bar, it offers a one of a kind outing experience with a charming environment!
Come here for quality coffee and baked goods – this is the perfect place to enjoy the spring weather
This beautiful 1835 limestone building located on Arthur Street is a beautiful place to hangout! Offering tastings and a range of different spirits, this is one of Guelph’s local gems!
Want to learn more about life in Guelph? Explore these other pages from our site next!
The Grange
The Grange is one of Guelph’s specialty neighbourhoods, offering a variety of styles and many “cute townhomes” according to Georgia! The Grange leans towards more affordable options for your first home, and also situates you close to many excellent schools on the East end. It is a great place to walk around and discover due to the variety of different home styles; the Grange features condos, townhomes and detached homes.
Our Favourite Local Spots:
Offering a variety of dishes catering to diverse tastes!
Known for its cozy feel and selection of beverages and light meals– this is the perfect place to go for lunch!
Downtown Core
As to be expected, the downtown core is the place to be for many young working professionals and those who enjoy being close to everything! Sunny Acres is a great residential community close to the downtown core.
The downtown area puts you close to all the community centres, near many public events, within walking distance of almost all amenities one could need and leaves you with a fulfilling lifestyle. Between Guelph’s rich history, flourishing culture, creative arts and connected community, there is always something to do in Downtown Guelph! Enjoy the perks of living Downtown and heading to your favourite restaurant for friday night date night or out to a coffee on Saturday morning with friends and family.
Some of our Favourite Spots:
Perched atop of the hill, this beautiful church is a defining feature of Guelph and loved by locals– originally built in 1888 from local quarried limestone, it is renowned for its pristine lines and intricate architecture. Visitors often describe it as a peaceful place to rest and enjoy the sunshine!
Located right next to the Lady of Immaculate, this museum delves into the city’s rich history. The vantage point of the museum provides some of the best panoramic views of the downtown core~
Some Downtown Eats
The best place to eat if you enjoy Italian cuisine and fun cocktails! This restaurant has an inviting atmosphere and sleek feel! Buon Gusto is a local gem, offering friendly service, wooden fired pizzas and traditional dishes that are served warm and delicious!
The adorable modern Mexican restaurant is the perfect place to bring your friends or head out for a fun date night! It offers authentic flavours right in the heart of Guelph- from tacos and tequila- to many fun spices!
This gastropub is known for its innovative dishes and its fun atmosphere. It is a go-to spot for locals who want to celebrate with friends and family or go out for a casual bite to eat!
Exhibition Park
This is one of the best communities for picturesque scenery! Exhibition park is a lovely, close-knit community, with mature tree lines and many young families! Its family-friendly scene is the biggest pull to the neighbourhood, and it will offer you lots of variety in terms of home styles.
Exhibition Park is also home to some of Guelph’s older homes and lovely new builds! Many people situate themselves here long-term! So buying the perfect first home in Exhibition Park is all about timing and working with the right Realtor who has the inside scoop!
Some of our Favourite Local Spots:
Exhibition Park is a natural playground! Designed by Earthscape, it has unique elements of nature and features many places for children to play and enjoy the outdoors, with walking trails throughout and beautiful flower beds, this is the perfect place to sit and enjoy your surroundings!
The park also includes many sports facilities including pickleball, tennis courts, football and baseball fields, a wading pool and space to accommodate many other activities.
Annual Music Festivals
The park hosts many music festivals and cultural celebrations throughout the year that are great changes to bring the community together. Enjoy the Multicultural Festival where there is a showcase of many different foods, arts, dances and songs!
Preparing to buy your first home? Explore these blog posts for more helpful advice!
- Exploring Guelph’s Neighbourhoods: Where to Buy a Home
- How Your Credit Score Affects A Home Purchase
- How to Buy a Rural House in Ontario
South End of Guelph
While more generalized, the South end of Guelph is a great place to be! There are plenty of lovely little homes here that are the perfect place to put down roots. With lots of variety, you are sure to fall in love with one of the beautiful properties for sale in the South end of Guelph.
The south end is also quickly becoming the HOTSPOT in Guelph for those relocating from Toronto and those who commute to the GTA because of its unmatched proximity to the 401 in comparison to other communities in Guelph. With access to lots of amenities, stores and shopping plazas, the South End blends convenience with charm!
Some of our Favourite Local Spots:
Also known as Nick’s Dragonfly Park, this area features accessible playgrounds, splash pads, sports courts and many trails!
Offer scenic trails and natural landscapes that make it the perfect place to take your dog for a walk or enjoy a sunset stroll!
Is known for its baseball diamonds and sports facilities. The park is home to many great open spaces to play and enjoy! This is a HUB for local sports and gatherings
Ready to Buy Your First Home?
If you are looking to step into buying your first home but are unsure about what you are looking for or where to start, we would love to help you refine your needs! We understand Guelph real estate because we live, work and play here!
Our Realtors are more than happy to connect with you, with specialized expertise, ongoing knowledge and education on our local climate and a big smile on their faces – we can’t wait to help you find your first home!
Contact us today for more information and to set up a consultation! Reach us by email at info@capstonereps.com or call 519.824.9050.
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