If you look at real estate development in Vaughan today, it is hard to imagine that what is now one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities was once a collection of small rural hamlets that relied heavily on agriculture. Thankfully, the area had the good fortune of attracting skilled tradespeople early in it's history to help build and develop the infrastructure to support a community which is still growing to this day. The growth of Vaughan is a result of both necessity and good fortune. The earliest inhabitants arrived circa 1800 and consisted mainly of Pennsylvania Germans with a smaller amount of English families and French Royalists. The majority of the population growth in the early 1800's was a direct result of Britain's defeat in the American Revolution as many British Loyalists fled to the security of British controlled lands to the north. This migration from the United States gradually decreased and by 1814 was replaced by an influx of immigrants from Britain. With most of the farm land already occupied, it was fortunate that many of these British immigrants were blacksmiths, carpenters, millers, merchants and other essential tradespeople that contributed to the sustainability of the community. The area was officially incorporated in 1850 as Vaughan Township and the population stood at just over 4300. Growth was minimal up to 1935 when just under 4900 residents called Vaughan home. The next population boom came after World War II as the population reached just under 16,000 by 1960. This created a need for more homes and also sparked a new mind-set which embraced commercial and industrial development. Prominent community members and leading figures were at the forefront of this new philosophy which still continues to shape real estate in Vaughan today. By 1971 Vaughan Township merged with the Village of Woodbridge to form the Town of Vaughan. Exactly 20 years later on January 1, 1991, it officially changed its legal status to City of Vaughan and adopted the slogan "The City Above Toronto".
Vaughan Real Estate Today
There are five communities that make up the city of Vaughan.
Woodbridge, Ontario: North/South - Teston/Steeles | East/West - Hwy 400/Hwy 50
Maple, Ontario: North/South - King Vaughan Line/Rutherford | East/West - Bathurst/Hwy 400
Thornhill, Ontario: North/South - Rutherford/Steeles | East/West - Yonge/Dufferin
Concord, Ontario: North/South - Rutherford/Steeles | East/West - Dufferin/Hwy 400
Kleinburg, Ontario: North/South - Kirby/Major Mac | East/West - Pine Valley/Hwy 50
Each of these communities is unique and help shape the overall city of Vaughan. Much like Toronto, Vaughan is multi-cultural and there is evidence of this in each of these communities. Residents and home owners in Vaughan have no shortage of restaurants, shops, entertainment and service providers that cater specifically to the various cultures that can be found here. There is also a great deal of diversity when it comes to Vaughan Real Estate. From Heritage Homes to sprawling Estate Homes and everything in between, you are sure to find what ever type of home you are looking for. Real Estate In WoodbridgeWoodbridge is primarily a suburban community made up largely of master-planned residential subdivisions. However it is also home to a number of commercial and industrial complexes including the [West Vaughan Business Park]. Early subdivisions were designed to feature large groups of homes that were all similar in type, size and price range. Some of the more affluent neighbourhoods include Weston Downs, Wycliffe, Woodbridge Highlands and the National Estates which is a small collection of large estate homes bordering the National Golf Course. Newer developments in Woodbridge including neighbourhoods between Rutherford Rd. and Teston Rd. have been designed to include homes of various type, size and price range. Here you are likely to find detached homes, semi-detached home and townhomes all in close proximity. In recent years, there has also been a number of condo developments primarily in what has become known as 'downtown' Woodbridge. Real Estate In KleinburgKleinburg is the least populated of the 5 communities that make up Vaughan and still contains large tracts of undeveloped land that are densely forested. At the heart of Kleinburg is the charm of small shops and promenades surrounded by older homes situated on larger lots. Kleinburg also features some of the more exclusive and affluent neighbourhoods in Vaughan. It is not uncommon for estate homes in these neighbourhoods to sell for over $1 million.
Maple Real Estate
Maple is very similar to Woodbridge when it comes to the make up of it's neighbourhoods. Older subdivisions tend to be composed largely of homes that are similar in type, size and price range although they are generally more spread out and contain fewer homes. The newer neighbourhoods are not unlike their counterparts in Woodbridge in that there is a wide range of type, size and price range to accommodate various home buyers. Homes are generally less expensive in Maple when compared to Woodbridge and this has helped to contribute to it's high growth rate. Concord Real EstateConcord is made up largely of real estate that was designated for industrial uses however there are a number of subdivisions that were designed to satisfy the demand of those in Toronto looking to move to the suburbs. Almost all of the neighbourhoods in Concord contain homes that are a variety of type, size and price range. This is true for older neighbourhoods such as Glen Shields and newer neighbourhoods such as Dufferin Hill. Thornhill Real EstateThornhill was the largest of the original hamlets that later joined to form the Township of Vaughan. It's growth was due in large part to it's location which made it an ideal place for early settlers. The Don River system together with the development of Yonge Street and it's proximity to Toronto became the driving force in the area's settlement and growth. Today Thornhill is home to a number of very affluent neighbourhoods featuring extravagant estate homes. In addition, there have been some recent developments such as the Thornhill Woods neighbourhood which is similar to newer neighbourhoods in other parts of Vaughan in that there are homes available in a variety of types, sizes and price ranges. However you will find that homes in Thornhill are generally more expensive than a similar home in another part of Vaughan. Thornhill is also home to the largest concentration of condo complexes and buildings in the city of Vaughan. Buying Real Estate In Vaughan?If you're looking to buy a home in Vaughan why not take advantage of our exclusive DreamHome Finder Program where we notify you of new listings that match your custom search criteria in real time! If you prefer to browse through thousands of MLS listings and Homes in Vaughan and Toronto be sure to check out our custom search by map feature. Selling Real Estate In Vaughan?If you're planning to sell your home in Vaughan be sure to take advantage of our FREE Online Home Evaluation: This fast and convenient service will help give you an idea of what similar homes are currently selling for. For a detailed look at the current market conditions in your neighbourhood check out the Vaughan Real Estate Report Blog! |