What’s not to love about Kingston, Ontario? You have a city steeped in history with a rich military heritage, an awesome array of natural attractions, some of the most-established academic institutions in the country, a bevy of fantastic retail and dining options, and a local waterway and historic fortress that have earned the distinction of being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s one thing to visit and see its sights but moving to Kingston, Ontario is a totally different matter. Not only do you get to enjoy everything this Ontario city offers on a daily basis but you’ll soon realize that there’s always something new and exciting to discover in Kingston, given its continuous growth as an urban space and a land of many opportunities.
To learn more about the Limestone City and its amazing potential as a wonderful place to live or invest in, read on.
OVERVIEW OF KINGSTON, ONTARIO
The City of Kingston has an interesting way of doing things: For a medium-sized urban center, it operates at the same level as both a city and a municipality. That said, it works independently and is governed by its own city/municipal council. It is also home to more than 130,000 people (as per 2021 Census figures). Kingston is located at the northeastern end of Lake Ontario, where the St. Lawrence River begins and the Cataraqui River ends. Even though Kingston is fitted with all the modern conveniences one could imagine, locals thoroughly enjoy its small-town vibe. This is one of the many reasons why a lot of young professionals are moving from big urban centers to this coastal city.
Mobility
Getting to Kingston, you could travel by land or by water. On its southern border lies the St. Lawrence River which serves as the boundary between Canada and the United States. A ride of approximately 65 kilometers from Kingston to the Thousand Islands Bridge, plus crossing the bridge’s total span of 1.8 kilometers will bring you to Wellesley Island in the State of New York. Meanwhile, a drive of around 200 kilometers northeast will bring you to Ottawa, one of Canada’s major cities. A number of ferries are also available for scenic tours or transport of pedestrians and vehicles.
Real estate options
One cannot deny the breathtaking beauty of the homes you’ll encounter in Kingston, Ontario. Some of the most stunning ones are those found by the bodies of water in and around the area and the fantastic heritage homes that are scattered throughout the city.
You’ll also be awestruck by the diversity of architectural styles that distinguish these homes from one another. One particular characteristic stands out among some of the city’s heritage homes: the generous use of limestone or cobblestone in their exteriors – a true testament to why Kingston is known as the Limestone City!
Other familiar architectural designs you’ll see among Kingston homes are:
- Georgian
- Edwardian
- Craftsman
- Victorian
- Mid-century Modern
- Contemporary
Typical features and amenities
Single-family homes are the most common properties for sale in Kingston, Ontario. They’re available in different sizes and configurations, ranging from 1 or 2-bedroom bungalows to 4-bedroom, multi-level homes. A garage is a typical home feature, as well as expansive outdoor living areas containing gardens or patios with spaces for grill parties and entertaining family and friends. Newly-renovated homes may even come with brand-new appliances and fixtures.
Many properties in Downtown Kingston are within walking distance of shopping malls, grocery stores, parks, places of worship, and schools. Community amenities usually include playgrounds, exclusive parks, swimming pools, and fitness facilities.
Kingston, ON homes on focus
Here are some examples of lovely Kingston, ON homes for sale that aptly represent the remarkable real estate options in the city:
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945 Blossom Street – Quality built 8-year-old townhome by DeHoop Homes on a premium walk-out lot in highly desirable Woodhaven. Features include 9 ft ceilings, double wall construction with double insulation between units, an attached oversized single car garage possessing an 8ft upgraded garage door with top windows, along with central air & a fresh coat of paint throughout the interior.
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501 Frontenac Street Unit#105 – This condominium unit features 3 spacious bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, high ceilings, in-suite laundry, a beautiful kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and a warm & inviting living room with an abundance of natural light throughout the entire unit.
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428 Princess Street – Completely renovated in 2017-2018, the building is comprised of 2 units. One is a 7 bedroom rental that is currently vacant and has terrific income potential. Features include stainless steel appliances, stone countertops, designer kitchen, 2.5 bathrooms, in unit laundry, Ecobee thermostat, Bell Fibe, updated windows, furnace, roof, and exposed brick walls. The other unit is similar in terms of features and has 10 foot ceilings, faux fireplace, bay window and comes furnished. Great opportunity to get into the hot Queen’s rental market.
Other luxury homes in Kingston also possess special features such as professional kitchens with walk-in pantries, wine fridges, walk-in closets, home bars, and entertainment rooms, to name a few.
THE PERKS OF MOVING TO KINGSTON, ONTARIO
What makes Kingston, Ontario a great place to live? Is it the accessibility and location? Or is it the neighborhood and the closeness of the community? Answering these questions involves looking at all aspects of the community, especially those that will have a strong impact on you and your lifestyle requirements.
Among these are the quality of life in the area, the cost of living, housing availability, and proximity to places that will help to sustain your lifestyle such as good schools, places of work, retail and dining hubs, and recreational opportunities.
That said, below is a rundown of the advantages of moving to Kingston, Ontario.
Great quality of life
Numbeo.com gives Kingston, Ontario a “Very High” quality of life index of 174.98. This city got a higher index than other major Canadian cities like Ottawa (161.9), Montreal (156.8), and Toronto (146.8); and even surpassed the national index (156.41). Boosting the extremely high quality of life here are the locals’ purchasing power, healthcare, and safety.
It must be noted that according to the Kingston, Ontario 2021 Census Bulletin, residents of the city received a median after-tax household income of only $70,500 in 2020 – so far, the lowest in the Kingston Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). However, since their money could go a long way – given their strong purchasing power and stable local economy – it’s not surprising that residents could enjoy life as they please in Kingston.
Lower cost of living
Another contributor to the excellent quality of life in Kingston, ON is the lower cost of living here compared to the mega-cities of Canada. To illustrate, here’s Numbeo.com’s ranking of selected Canadian cities in terms of cost of living from highest to lowest:
- Ottawa: 73.99
- Toronto: 73.27
- Montreal: 67.04
- Kingston: 66.72
Affordability of basic commodities is the primary reason behind Kingston’s low cost of living. As an urban space that’s home to a diverse set of people across the financial spectrum, it’s not surprising that there is also a wealth of products and services to cater to every budget.
Affordable housing
As you move further out from developed urban spaces like Ottawa and Toronto, homes tend to have more square footage and sit on massive lots. What’s more, their costs are quite comparable to those of smaller properties found within the commercial and business districts of these big cities. This is the edge Kingston has over these cities. The average price of homes sold in Kingston in June was at approximately $626,000, compared to the Greater Toronto Area’s $1.18 million and Ottawa’s $670,000. Meanwhile, the average rent price in the area for a 1-bedroom apartment during the same period was $1,565 while it was $1,850 in Ottawa and $2,405 in Toronto.
Education
Families with school-age children and those pursuing higher studies who are planning on moving to Kingston, Ontario will find that there are plenty of top-rated schools in the area. In fact, the city has the most Ph.D. graduates per capita in Canada and was ranked 3rd best city to study in the country. Aside from its many private schools, Kingston also has two English and two French school boards that offer Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 classes.
BASIC EDUCATION
Serving Kingston and nearby areas is the Limestone District School Board. It has 70 elementary and secondary schools as well as alternative learning centers under it. These schools offer programs in academics, arts, technology, skilled trades, and French immersion.
Strong performers among these schools include:
- Bayridge Secondary School
- Frontenac Secondary School
- Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute
- La Salle Intermediate & Secondary School
- Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute
- Syndenham High School
For those who wish to enter their children into a private school, these are some of the best ones to check out in Kingston.
- Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School
- Montessori Schools
- The Prince Charles School
HIGHER EDUCATION
Those seeking to pursue higher education within Kingston’s boundaries can enroll in the following:
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Queen’s University offers undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral programs in commerce, computing, creative arts, engineering and applied sciences, humanities, and nursing.
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The Royal Military College of Canada is one of the country’s top military colleges that produces the finest officers of the Canadian Armed Forces. This Kingston-based military school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, engineering, and science.
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The Kingston campus of St. Lawrence College offers enriching programs in fields like the arts, media and design, business, health sciences, skilled trades, and hospitality and culinary arts. It also has international programs, as well as online programs.
Employment opportunities
Employment opportunities are abundant in Kingston, ONs thanks to the many businesses and industries that contribute to its robust economy. The biggest sectors here include healthcare, higher education, government, tourism, and culture. The private sector accounts for approximately half of the area’s employment.
The biggest employers in the area today include Queen’s University, Canadian Forces Base Kingston, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, the Limestone District School Board, Correctional Service of Canada, and Providence Care.
Kingston’s strategic location right in the midst of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Syracuse, New York also gave it the opportunity to fashion itself as a center for transportation and logistics services. It used to be home to the Canadian Locomotive Company which closed in 1969 but it continues to be a stalwart in the trucking and logistics warehousing industry up to today.
Recreation and outdoor activities
Moving to Kingston, Ontario, you’ll discover a plethora of hidden gems and things to see and do that define the excellent quality of life in the Limestone City. Below are some of them.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
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The Haunted Walk of Kingston – This unique tour is not for the faint of heart as it takes visitors to the oldest part of the city – Sydenham Ward. If you’re not easily spooked, you’ll get to know more about the allegedly haunted hotels and former burial grounds in the area and hear interesting stories about grave robberies, hangings, and the famous haunted courtyard.
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Pumphouse Museum – Explore Kingston’s first water pumping station by visiting this museum. It was in full operation from 1851 up to 1952 until local engineers employed more modern techniques for distributing water throughout the city. It was then converted into a museum that showcases Kingston’s industrial heritage.
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Kingston Trolley Tours – Instead of exploring Canada’s first capital on foot, Kingston Trolley Tours offers a more convenient way of taking in the sights and sounds of the city’s historic quarter and shopping district. The one-hour trolley tours run daily in October and operate on Saturdays and Sundays in November.
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Fort Henry – History enthusiasts will love the immersive experience at Fort Henry which, together with the Rideau Canal that extends from Ottawa to Kingston, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about 19th-century military and civilian life, watch musical performances and military demonstrations, and take a tour around the Fort Henry Museum.
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Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises – Enjoy Kingston from several kilometers offshore with this memorable cruise. Visitors can choose to go on a one-hour cruise aboard the Discovery or a slightly longer sunset cruise aboard the Island Queen.
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Kingston Penitentiary Tours – Curious to see what Canada’s oldest and most famous maximum security penitentiary looks like? Gather friends and family and take a guided tour through this National Historic Site.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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Lake Ontario Park – This is the city’s largest urban waterfront park, where locals could congregate along the shores of the lake. The park offers a splash pad, playground, walkways, a performance area, washrooms, a boat launch, and a beach volleyball court.
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Lemoine Point Conservation Area – This green space covers 136 hectares of forests, fields, and marshlands. Visitors could enjoy a variety of activities like fishing, cross-country skiing, swimming, and other watersports. It also has accessible trails and picnic facilities for those who want to be one with nature. Best of all, admission is free.
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Kingston Waterfront Trail – This 45-kilometer nature path is part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. It’s a paved trail that consists of a series of roads, bike lanes, and paths, with a scenic 8-kilometer pathway from Lake Ontario Park to the center of Downtown. In some areas on the side of the trail, visitors can rent kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and bikes.
Kingston City Park – This park is found around 10 minutes from City Hall. It has a splash pad in the summer and two outdoor rinks in the winter. Visitors can enjoy playground spaces, paved walkways, picnic tables, barbecue areas, and grassy open spaces. To the north of the park is a cricket field and two baseball diamonds.
Healthcare
You don’t need to leave Kingston, ON for any medical or healthcare requirement you may have. That’s because the city has three major hospitals within its boundaries. Downtown, you’ll find the Kingston Health Sciences Center’s Hotel Dieu Hospital and the Kingston General Hospital. Near McBurney Park, there’s the Providence Care Nursing Home which specializes in aging, rehabilitative, and mental health care.
There are also other clinics, hospitals, and medical institutions servicing the Greater Kingston Area like the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), the Hospital for Sick Children, the Ottawa Hospital, and the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.
Safe neighborhood
Any Kingston, Ontario resident could vouch for the high level of confidence they have walking the city’s streets even at night, This feeling of safety is another perk of moving to the area. The city has a relatively low crime rate compared to the rest of Canada. In addition, according to Statistics Canada, 93% of Kingston residents feel satisfied with their personal safety in the city, which is higher than the score of 89% for the rest of the province.
ACHIEVE YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS TODAY
Venturing into the real estate market alone could be quite a challenge. That’s why if you plan on moving to Kingston, Ontario, you’ll want to take on the services of knowledgeable and reliable real estate experts to help you in your home-buying journey.
The Krishan Nathan Group is a top-tier provider of quality real estate services in Kingston and surrounding areas. This team is composed of professionals who understand the complexities of buying and selling residential, luxury, and investment properties in the Limestone City and beyond. With a passion for their work and first-hand knowledge of the area and its market, they offer nothing else but a seamless, stress-free experience in every real estate transaction.
Reach your real estate goals in Kingston, ON with the Krishan Nathan Team! Just call 613.507.3711 or send them an email today.