Looking for the perfect place to call home? Discover the charm of Durham Region just east of Toronto. Known for its friendly neighbourhoods and strong sense of community, Durham offers a variety of settings, from rural acreages, to quiet family-friendly suburbs, to vibrant village centres filled with activities
Durham Region offers a diverse range of housing options to suit various lifestyles and budgets. You’ll find everything from detached single-family homes on spacious lots to modern townhomes and semi-detached houses ideal for growing families. In more urban areas like Whitby, Oshawa, and Pickering, there’s a mix of newer subdivisions, high-rise condos, and older, established neighbourhoods with character homes. For those looking for a more rural or relaxed lifestyle, communities like Uxbridge, Scugog, and Brock offer country properties, bungalows, and custom-built homes on larger parcels of land. Overall, Durham provides a blend of suburban convenience and rural charm, making it a popular choice for first-time buyers, families, and downsizers alike.
Durham Region is rich with activities and attractions that cater to every interest, from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences. Nature lovers can explore coastal wetlands at Lynde Shores or hike and fish at Darlington Provincial Park, both offering scenic trails and Lake Ontario views. Those seeking adrenaline and fitness will find zip‑lining and aerial fun at Treetop Eco‑Adventure Park, and axe‑throwing at BATL Pickering. Winter enthusiasts can hit the slopes at Brimacombe or snowshoe along Heber Down Conservation Area.
History and culture also thrive here: visit the Pickering Museum Village’s living‑history displays, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery—Durham’s largest public art gallery—and Oshawa Museum housed in heritage cottages. Shopping and entertainment options include the vast Oshawa Centre mall, over 230 stores, and lively downtown areas in Whitby and Oshawa.
Family-friendly indoor options abound as well: from climbing walls at Ajax Rock Oasis and Aspire Climbing, trampoline fun at Flying Squirrel in Whitby, to archery at Archers Battlefield. And if you fancy a scenic rural drive, the Sideroads of Scugog—home to Lavender Blu Farm and Willowtree Farm—offer artisan shops and farm-fresh experiences.
From lakeside trails and ski hills to museums, art, and family entertainment, Durham Region blends natural beauty, culture, and community-focused fun, making it the perfect destination for residents and visitors alike.
The Town of Ajax
The Township of Brock
The Municipality of Clarington, including Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle
The City of Oshawa
The City of Pickering
The Township of Scugog including Port Perry
The Township of Uxbridge
The Town of Whitby including Brooklin
Schooling in Durham Region is well-regarded, with a wide range of public, Catholic, and French-language schools available across its cities and towns. The region is served by multiple school boards, including the Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board, offering strong academic programs from kindergarten through Grade 12. Many schools in the area offer specialized programs such as French Immersion, International Baccalaureate, and arts or technology-focused curricula. In addition to traditional learning, Durham is home to several private schools and alternative education programs to support different learning needs. The region also benefits from post-secondary institutions, including Durham College and Ontario Tech University, which provide pathways for higher education close to home. With a strong focus on academic achievement, extracurricular engagement, and community support, Durham Region offers families a solid and diverse educational environment.
Commuting from Durham Region, both within the area and to Toronto, is convenient thanks to a well-developed network of transit and highways. Within Durham, local travel is primarily served by Durham Region Transit (DRT), which offers a network of bus routes that connect neighbourhoods in cities like Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, and Pickering. These buses also link to major hubs like GO Transit stations and shopping centres, making local travel accessible and efficient.
For commuting to Toronto, GO Transit is a popular option, with multiple GO Train and GO Bus routes running from stations in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, and Bowmanville. The Lakeshore East GO Train line provides a direct ride to Union Station in downtown Toronto, with travel times ranging from 30 minutes to just over an hour, depending on your starting point. For drivers, Highway 401 and the toll-based Highway 407 offer direct routes into the city, with several park-and-ride lots available for commuters who prefer to combine driving with transit. Overall, Durham Region offers flexible commuting options that make both local and long-distance travel straightforward.
Greenwood Conservation Area Beaverton Dam Conservation Area, Beaver River Wetland, Bowmanville Westside Marshes, Enniskillen Conservation Area, Long Sault Conservation Area, Orono Crown Lands, Durham East Cross Forest, Lakeview Park, Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens, McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve, Purple Woods Conservation Area, Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path, Memorial Park, Harmony Valley Dog Park, Airmen’s Park, Alexandra Park, Arborwood Park, Attersley Park, BMX Park, Baker Park, Darlington Provincial Park
A Tavola Bistro, The Springwood, The Brock House, The Copper Key Kitchen + Pub, King’s Tavern, Bistro ’67, Angelique’s Family Restaurant, The Yardbird, Falcon Brewing Company, Hardy John’s Bar & Grill, Symposium Cafe Restaurant, PORT, Ciao Amici, 12welve Bistro & Tapwerks, The White Apron Restaurant,
8-Bit Beans, Whitby Entertainment Centrum, Cineplex Odeon, Whitby Courthouse Theatre, Durham Escape Rooms, Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park, Landmark Cinemas 24, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, The Arena at Pickering Casino Resort, NEB’s Fun World, Oshawa Zoo and Fun Farm, Parish Lanes
Durham District School Board, Durham Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Durham College, Ontario Tech University, Trent University Durham GTA, Queen’s University, Trillium College Oshawa Campus, Eastdale Collegiate and Vocational Institute, O’Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute, G. L. Roberts Collegiate and Vocational Institute, R. S. McLaughlin Collegiate and Vocational Institute
