Real estate in Cobourg is ideal for anyone looking to live in a charming lakeside community.
Situated on the shore of Lake Ontario, just over 90kms east of Toronto, Cobourg is a historic and tight-knit town. It’s the largest town in Northumberland County.
While it’s located on the extreme eastern end of the GTA, Cobourg is only a short commute from larger GTA cities. Oshawa is only about 60kms west of the town.
In other words, Cobourg is a great place for people looking to move out of Toronto, but who want to stay close to the big city.
Frank Leo & Associates will be happy to guide you on your real estate journey. We have more than 30 years of experience dealing in GTA real estate, and we will work hard to help you reach your real estate goals.
The History of Cobourg
The Mississauga Ojibwe inhabited the area that Cobourg now occupies. The first Europeans arrived in the area in the late 1700s.
In 1798, two groups of British settlers moved to the area. They established two settlements, Amherst and Hamilton.
The two settlements were located along the Danforth Road. This meant that British soldiers marched through the area during the War of 1812. After the war, the towns expanded.
In 1819, a local reverend suggested that Hamilton change its name to Cobourg in honour of the royal wedding that happened that year. Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and the town was named after the Prince.
During the 1830s, Cobourg reached its zenith. Many industries operated in the town.
The Cobourg Peterborough Railway and the Cobourg Harbour spurred the growth of the town. People shipped goods like lumber and mineral ore to Cobourg from northern Ontario on the railway. Next, business people shipped these goods out to other markets from the harbour.
The Turn of the Century in Cobourg
As the 19th century progressed, the base of Cobourg’s economy shifted. The tourism industry grew in importance. Wealthy Americans flocked to the town. By 1869, the population of the town grew to 6,000.
During the same period, many important educational institutions called Cobourg home. For example, in the 1830s, the Methodist church founded a school in Cobourg. This institution developed into a university called Victoria College, which was an important university in Canada.
However, by the end of the 1800s, Victoria College left Cobourg and became part of the University of Toronto. At the same time, Cobourg‘s harbour became less economically important because of the development of the Grand Trunk Railroad.
In the first half of the 20th century, the town contained many important industrial interests. By 1910, more than 5,000 people called Cobourg home.
Manufacturers still shipped goods from the harbour. The harbour was also used extensively by yachts as well. On top of this, passenger steamships bound for other parts of Ontario, Quebec, and New York left the harbour daily.
For further guidance in buying or selling property in Cobourg, contact Frank Leo & Associates. With our extensive experience dealing in GTA real estate, we will be able to help you achieve your real estate goals.
Suburban Development in Cobourg
Cobourg didn’t develop suburbs until the 1990s and 2000s. Between 1991 and 2010 developers built more than 1,700 homes in the city.
During the same period, the town invested a lot of money in local infrastructure. Specifically, the town council of Cobourg revitalized the town’s harbour and beaches.
That is to say, in the 1990s and 2000s, the town developed its waterfront into a beautiful attraction. The town is well-known among tourists for its beach. The town built amenities along the waterfront like a boardwalk, bandstand, and splash pad.
At the same time, the town spent a lot of money to optimize Cobourg’s harbour for the use of sailboats and pleasure crafts. With the industrial use of the harbour a thing of the past, Corbourg’s waterfront is now an attraction that contributes to the town’s nickname “The Feel Good Town”.
Overview
Cobourg is beautifully situated on the shore of Lake Ontario. It offers its residents the opportunity to live in a tranquil and culturally rich town, while also living close to the GTA.
The town benefits from excellent access to Highway 401, which simplifies the commute into the GTA. At the same time, the town is also connected to the GTA by the railroad.
Meanwhile, Cobourg has excellent access to many sites of natural beauty. There are a lot of beautiful conservation areas surrounding the town. These include Ball’s Mill, Sylvan Glenn, Barnum House Creek, and Carr’s Marsh.
With a population of just under 20,000, Cobourg is a small community. That is to say, that real estate in Cobourg offers all the privacy and peace that comes with the small-town atmosphere.
Real Estate in Cobourg
Single-detached houses make up the majority of houses in Cobourg. However, there are row houses available throughout the town as well as condos near the waterfront.
Cobourg also offers prospective buyers the chance to buy spacious homes. Most of the homes in the town have more than 3 bedrooms.
Further, there are many new homes in Cobourg. Developers have built thousands of dwellings in the town in the last two decades.
If you want to learn more about property in Cobourg, reach out to Frank Leo & Associates. You can get started by browsing listings with our property search tool. Alternatively, you can contact one of our representatives.
Shopping
Despite its small size, Cobourg residents have plenty of shopping choices. There are local boutiques, strip malls, and big-box stores in the town.
One of the main shopping districts of the town is located at Highway 2 and Burnham Road. That is to say, some of the biggest shopping centres are located in this area.
Firstly, Cobourg’s indoor shopping centre, the Northumberland Centre, is located here. It’s home to both local stores and national chains.
Secondly, SmartCentres Cobourg is located in the same area. It features big-box stores that are national retailers.
Beyond these shopping options, Cobourg features a vibrant downtown area as well. Here, shoppers can enjoy many local shops, restaurants, and services. Downtown is mainly centred on Highway 2 between William Street and Church Street.
Recreation
Locals don’t refer to Cobourg as “The Feel Good Town” for no reason.
One of the main reasons the town got its nickname is the prevalent recreation options that it offers.
PARKS
There are plenty of green spaces for the residents of Cobourg to enjoy. The town maintains many parks, trails, and outdoor areas.
For example, the largest park in Cobourg is the Cobourg Conservation Area. This park contains nearly 30 acres of naturalized woods, which are great for walking, playing sports, or other activities.
Additionally, Cobourg features some really great trails. For instance, the waterfront trail travels along the waterfront, connecting many local parks.
Further, there are many other parks in the town. For example, Lucas Point Park, Victoria Park, and Rotary Waterfront Park are spread throughout the community.
RECREATION CENTRES
Meanwhile, Cobourg also maintains recreation facilities for its residents to enjoy.
The Cobourg Community Centre is located in the heart of Cobourg. This community centre offers sports teams, classes, and clubs.
Further, the community centre features many amenities. These amenities include a seniors’ activity centre, fitness programs, 2 NHL sized ice rinks, a gymnasium, a walking track, and more.
Similarly, the C. Gordon King Centre is a community centre featuring a library and meeting spaces.
Schools
Cobourg offers school-aged children many options. That is to say, there are plenty of schools in Cobourg.
There are two main school boards that operate schools in the town.
Firstly, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board runs public elementary and high schools in the town.
Secondly, the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board manages Catholic schools in Cobourg.
Transportation
Even though Cobourg is a small town, it is easy to get around.
Cobourg residents can choose between driving their own cars or taking public transportation.
TRAVELLING BY CAR
Getting around Cobourg in your own car is the most popular way to commute.
Some of the most important roadways in town include Highway 2, Division Street, Burnham Street, and Highway 401.
Highway 2 travels east to west through Cobourg. The highway is known by different names locally. These names include King Street, William Street, and Elgin Street. The downtown area is centred on Highway 2.
Division Street travels north to south through the centre of town. It connects downtown to Highway 401.
Burnham Street travels north to south on the west side of Cobourg. It provides a link between Cobourg and Rice Lake in the north.
The most important roadway in Cobourg is Highway 401. As the biggest highway, it’s the route that commuters use to get into the GTA. On Highway 401, Oshawa is only about half an hour away and Toronto is about an hour away.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Alternatively, if you don’t want to drive your own car, there are public transit options available in the town.
Corbourg Transit provides its residents with bus services. This makes getting around town without a car easy.
Meanwhile, GO Transit provides bus service to nearby Newcastle. GO Transit also provides commuter train service to Oshawa.
At the same time, VIA Rail services the Cobourg train station. This service gives residents of Cobourg access to the Toronto – Montreal/Ottawa rail corridor.
Have Questions About Real Estate in Cobourg?
For more information about real estate in Cobourg, contact Frank Leo & Associates. Our extensive experience will be an asset in helping you reach your real estate goals.
You can get started by browsing GTA home listings with our property listing search tool. On the other hand, you can call 416-917-5466 or contact us through our website.