The thriving city of Waterloo is one of the most dynamic places in Ontario, with its robust local economy based around two major industries: technology and insurance. It’s also home to Canada’s top universities- so it can be your dream destination for higher education!
The city is one of the main communities in the Region of Waterloo. Which is to say, Waterloo offers its residents the chance to live in a community of more than 500,000 people. Further, Waterloo is highly integrated with its neighbouring communities of Kitchener and Cambridge.
Additionally, Waterloo is highly connected to the GTA. In other words, Waterloo is a great place to live for people who want to commute into Toronto.
At the same time, Waterloo offers a lot to its residents by way of culture, nature, and amenities.
Frank Leo & Associates will be happy to answer any questions that you might have about real estate in Waterloo. With our extensive experience dealing in GTA real estate, we will work hard to help you find your dream property or get the best price for your home.
The History of Waterloo
Aboriginal people from various groups called Waterloo home for generations before the arrival of Europeans in the area. After the American Revolution, the British granted the land to the Iroquois.
In 1796, Richard Beasley purchased an area called Block 2 from the Iroquois. Subsequently, he sold the land to a group of German Mennonites.
Samuel Betzner and some other German Mennonites bought land from Beasley in 1800. The plentiful availability of inexpensive land and anxiety about being compelled to serve in the American Army enticed many German Mennonites to move to Waterloo from Pennsylvania.
The Erb brothers joined Betzner in the area in 1803 with a group of their coreligionists. They established the German Company, which bought out Beasley’s land interests in the area.
The Erbs established the first mills in the area. They became leaders of the German community and gave the region the name Waterloo. They chose the name Waterloo for the area after the British victory over Napoleon.
The Turn of the Century in Waterloo
The Civil War in the United States spurred a wave of migration to Waterloo in the 1860s.
During the first half of the 19th century, Waterloo continued to expand. By 1869, the population of the town expanded to 2,000 people.
The mid-1800s saw the rise of specialized industry in Waterloo. In other words, Waterloo became the home of several insurance companies and a Seagram’s Whisky distillery.
Later, in 1910, the population grew to more than 4,000 people. At that time, the largely German population of Kitchener referred to the city as Berlin. An electric railway connected Waterloo to Berlin during these years.
During the same period, the Lutheran Church established the institution that evolved into Wilfred Laurier University.
Contact Frank Leo & Associates if you’re interested in learning more about buying or selling real estate in Waterloo. We have more than three decades of experience in GTA real estate. Our representatives will ensure that you find your dream property or get top dollar for your home by putting this experience to work.
Suburban Development in Waterloo
After the Second World War, Waterloo’s population exploded. Developers built many new homes in the city.
During the 1980s and 1990s, many new neighbourhoods expanded as The University of Waterloo attracted many new businesses to the city. That is to say, between 1981 and 2000, developers built more than 15,000 houses in Waterloo.
This new university spurred the development of the technology industry. The most famous example of a successful business started by University of Waterloo graduates is Blackberry, which is still headquartered in the city.
On top of this, Waterloo is highly connected to the GTA. The city benefits from both rail and road connections to Toronto. This makes Waterloo an ideal place to live for commuters.
Overview
Waterloo real estate is highly desirable for anyone who wants to live in a city that offers the best of Ontario’s natural beauty, industry, and culture.
Further, Waterloo is only an hour’s commute from the GTA. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking to leave the big city, without moving out to a remote area.
The city features beautiful views of the Grand River. Similarly, there are many conservation areas nearby. These include Belwood Lake, Conestoga Lake, and Laurel Creek.
What’s more, with a population of just over 100,000, Waterloo is a tight-knit community. Its residents enjoy cultural events inspired by the German heritage of the city, such as the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.
The population of the city is now very diverse. That is to say, people from all over the world now call Waterloo home.
Real Estate in Waterloo
Waterloo features real estate of all kinds. That is to say, buyers can choose single-detached homes, semi-detached homes, condos, or row houses in Waterloo.
The single-detached house is the most common type of dwelling in the city. In other words, buyers can look forward to houses with big yards.
Moreover, the homes in Waterloo are large and ideal for families. More than 25,000 houses have 3 or more bedrooms.
For guidance in navigating the Waterloo real estate market, contact Frank Leo & Associates. We offer up-to-date listings and will work hard to help you reach your real estate goals.
Shopping
Shoppers will really love the wide array of shopping available in the city. There are many shopping centres and a vibrant downtown.
In the north of the city, there are two big shopping centres. Firstly, SmartCentres Waterloo is a large outdoor shopping centre. Secondly, St. Jacob’s Market features more than 250 vendors for shoppers to enjoy.
Meanwhile, in the centre of the city, there are two important shopping centres. Waterloo Town Square is a shopping centre that features specialty boutiques and established national retailers.
At the same time, the Conestoga Mall is a mall that features 130 stores.
In the west end, The Boardwalk is the most important shopping centre. It’s an outdoor shopping centre that features many shops and restaurants.
Additionally, Waterloo’s downtown business sector is known as UpTown. Shoppers can find more than 450 local, independent businesses in the UpTown area.
Recreation
Residents of Waterloo enjoy a huge amount of choice when it comes to finding ways to spend their free time. There are abundant parks and recreation centres in the city.
PARKS
Waterloo maintains a lot of nice parks that its residents enjoy.
These parks are filled with amenities like playgrounds, trails, sports facilities, and splash pads.
The most important parks in the city are Waterloo Park, Bechtel Park, Hillside Park, and Westmount Sports Park.
Additionally, the city features more than 150kms of trails. Joggers, hikers, dog owners, and cyclists love these trails.
RECREATION CENTRES
Further, Waterloo provides its residents with many recreation centres. These centres feature a lot of amenities.
Moreover, these facilities feature programs, classes, and sports leagues.
The most important recreation centres in Waterloo are RIM Park, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Centre, Albert McCormick Community Centre, and Moses Springer Community Centre.
Schools
Parents in Waterloo can choose from abundant options when it comes to sending their children to school.
There are two school boards that operate elementary and high schools in the city. Firstly, the Waterloo Region District School Board operates public schools in Waterloo. Secondly, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board operates Catholic schools in the area.
Meanwhile, Waterloo has two of the most important universities in Canada. Both Wilfred Laurier University and the University of Waterloo call Waterloo home.
Transportation
Waterloo is easy to get around. Residents can either take advantage of public transportation, or they can rely on their own car.
The city is also highly connected to the communities that surround it and the GTA. There are both road and rail connections to Toronto.
TRAVELLING BY CAR
Travelling by car is the most popular way of commuting in Waterloo. There are several major roadways in the city.
The most important road in the city is the Conestoga Parkway (Highway 85). It runs north to south. In the south, it connects Waterloo to Kitchener. In Kitchener, it connects to Highway 7, Highway 8, and Highway 401.
Highway 7 travels to the east and is the main link to Guelph.
Meanwhile, Highway 8 travels east to west. In the west, it connects Waterloo to Stratford. In the east, the highway connects Waterloo to the 401.
Highway 401 is the most important roadway. It connects Waterloo to Toronto in the east and London in the west.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
On the other hand, if you want to take advantage of the public transportation that Waterloo offers, it’s a convenient option.
Bus and light rail service in Waterloo is provided by Grand River Transit. GRT buses service all the Waterloo Region. This means that riders can take GRT from Waterloo to Kitchener, Cambridge, and points beyond.
Likewise, residents of Waterloo benefit from rail connections to Toronto. GO Transit services the Kitchener GO Station with commuter trains. Additionally, VIA Rail services the station.
Have Questions About Real Estate in Waterloo?
Get in touch with Frank Leo & Associates, we would be happy to answer any questions that you might have about buying or selling real estate in Waterloo.
You can either call 416-917-5466, or contact us through our website. Alternatively, you can browse GTA home listings with our property listing search tool.
Featured Image adapted from CC, licensed under CC 3.0 (Giligane)