Milton: what's up with the prices?

[bloggerman882]

I see that prices in Milton have sky-rocketed. I know the Laurier campus is coming and whatnot, but are houses by existing universities priced that high?
What happens in 20-30 years when these houses get really old?

I want to get feedback from some real unbiased people who have done research or know about the market in Milton on whether to buy or wait (for winter or for something else) before purchasing a house.

Alternatively, I am looking at the new communities in Brampton as well. They are more reasonably priced than Milton of course, but would the general reputation of Brampton extend to these new communities such as the crime, robberies etc. ?

No offense to any realtors here, but every time I have talked to one I have felt my intelligence being insulted, so please don't pitch.

[GapBoyPCS]

I'm not entirely sure the Laurier campus has much weight with it. If that were the case, any property around any university or college (like in London or Waterloo) would be insanely expensive. For Waterloo, the houses around the campuses can be high because they are zoned for multiple dwellings. The trend is now people buying up multiple properties, bulldozing them over, and making monster private student residences.

Most of the skyrocketing might be just the market. From people I know who live in the town, a good part of the "boom" began a few years ago when their water supply was expanded and there was pent up demand to build and expand. As Mississauga prices (and cost of living) went up, people went further west i.e. Milton for cheap(er) new houses. Some of the older houses in Milton have also gone up a lot because of the market and other factors like the size of their property. Over the years, I don't think I've ever seen any drop in prices or any houses languishing on the market unless they were way overpriced.

Don't forget too that Milton is serviced by GO trains and buses, and it is off the 401 and 407. Just being accessible to Toronto might be fueling the price flame.

I was considering the move to Milton but I was really getting queasy about the hype. Some friends of mine did the whole "line-up to buy" ordeal (even camping overnight). My only motivations for Milton were GO and proximity to Toronto. Things recently changed in my life that I scrubbed those plans.

Out of curiosity, why are you choosing Milton over other cities and towns in the GTA?

[Engi-Nir]

historical low interest rates.... 2017 will be exciting in canada, pop

[frehman005]

We used to rent a place in Mississauga (close to sq one) and we were also looking in Milton in March/April/May time last year and most of the houses we saw at the time were from the homeowners who were flipping within 5 to 6 months of purchase as they booked them for capital gains perpective and were making 40K to 50K on 400K house (which is insane).

I worked downtown so we thought to try in east and we finally booked a house in Ajax which is easily 60K to 70K lower then what we would have paid in Milton. Cummute from Ajax to Downtown is much better then Milton to Downtown as the Go ride from milton is an hour and from Ajax it is 32 mins on express and 45 min on local.

There is lot of new construction coming up and you can find what you may be looking for. If you work downtown and have no other ties to the area in west I would suggest to look around in pickering/Ajax or Whitby area.

[Chigu]

We used to rent a place in Mississauga (close to sq one) and we were also looking in Milton in March/April/May time last year and most of the houses we saw at the time were from the homeowners who were flipping within 5 to 6 months of purchase as they booked them for capital gains perpective and were making 40K to 50K on 400K house (which is insane).

I worked downtown so we thought to try in east and we finally booked a house in Ajax which is easily 60K to 70K lower then what we would have paid in Milton. Cummute from Ajax to Downtown is much better then Milton to Downtown as the Go ride from milton is an hour and from Ajax it is 32 mins on express and 45 min on local.

There is lot of new construction coming up and you can find what you may be looking for. If you work downtown and have no other ties to the area in west I would suggest to look around in pickering/Ajax or Whitby area.

Definitely agree with this. I don't know why the east end hasn't increased as much as the west end. I used thaveo live in Ajax and loved it. Close to 401 and 407, still a community feel (although that is changing). The house prices are reasonable, I bought a tribute built 2350 sq foot home 4 bedrooms for 350ish. 42 foot lot in 2008. Those homes can still be doin under 500k today.

Also the connectivity to downtown is great, not only does the line have quite a few express trains back and forth, but go trains run until midnight. There is one bus after that leaving union just after 1am.

I used to commute to Milton from Scarborough a while back for certain clients, and it is annoying. 407 until it hits the 401 and then still go west from there. I have no idea why Milton prices are so high, does not seem justified. Still a lot of land to build on.

[Hugh Jass]

I don't know why the east end hasn't increased as much as the west end.

We were renting in North York when the time came to buy a house. We chose west coz Lakeshore GO service is great and of the proximity to Niagara Falls/US border and the airport. I dont know if these pros have any relevance.

[fotoapparat]

We were renting in North York when the time came to buy a house. We chose west coz Lakeshore GO service is great and of the proximity to Niagara Falls/US border and the airport. I dont know if these pros have any relevance.

I believe they do. I can't refer to any specific research, as the OP requested, but the West is much more connected than the east. From Milton it is a easy drive to KW & Cambridge, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton and Airport. If you think of the extensive employment hubs in these areas, I think you will find a number of people choose Milton due to proximity. I know a few people where one member of the family works in Mississauga and the other in KW. It's a nice middle point for both commutes.

I'm not big on Milton, I don't think it has any interest to it. What I don't understand is why the 401 has to slow at Milton. What is happening in Milton to slow down the road? It's a pimple of a city, yet kills the 401 as bad as Mississauga.

[leafnation5]

Mississauga prices are going out of hand and you get more value in Milton for same amount.

[Chigu]

We were renting in North York when the time came to buy a house. We chose west coz Lakeshore GO service is great and of the proximity to Niagara Falls/US border and the airport. I dont know if these pros have any relevance.

Pickering/Ajax/whitby are all on the same lakeshore line. Makes sense if ppl are working in the west end, it's a decent compromise. I don't see why people are willing to pay double for proximity I the airport, the maybe 4 times a year you would go there

[GapBoyPCS]

What I don't understand is why the 401 has to slow at Milton. What is happening in Milton to slow down the road? It's a pimple of a city, yet kills the 401 as bad as Mississauga.

Part of it is traffic from those in Milton who drive onto the 401 and into Toronto or surrounding areas (see the number of cars that come from the James Snow ramp). There are others coming from the North like Georgetown and Acton, as well as folks from Oakville who are trying to get up to the 401 (and maybe the 407) via Trafalgar Rd, Hwy 25, and other ways. In addition to the cars, there are also many transport trucks that are going to and from warehouses and quarries.

It has gotten steadily worse over the years. If you don't time it right, you hit the snag at Milton AND Mississauga.

[bloggerman882]

historical low interest rates.... 2017 will be exciting in canada, pop

what happens in 2017?
as for why I'm looking in west is because I work in Oakville.

Thank you.

[PhuFighter]

what happens in 2017?
as for why I'm looking in west is because I work in Oakville.

Thank you.

Five year renewal for all the people getting 5 year mortgages now.

[jimgiggles]

Five year renewal for all the people getting 5 year mortgages now.

LOL.. Whatever.. Society as a whole is inflated. Too much politics for the bubble to burst. (Atleast anytime soon). Just live your life within your means, and you will be fine.

Just my opinion.. and yah.. whats with Milton/Georgetown.. I never could understand the allure?? Not like you're close to the cottage life of anything? Unless I worked out that way, no chance I would commute

[PhuFighter]

LOL.. Whatever.. Society as a whole is inflated. Too much politics for the bubble to burst. (Atleast anytime soon). Just live your life within your means, and you will be fine.

Just my opinion.. and yah.. whats with Milton/Georgetown.. I never could understand the allure?? Not like you're close to the cottage life of anything? Unless I worked out that way, no chance I would commute

Yeah, I agree. I don't see anything special with Milton. Perhaps it's a slightly upscale Brampton...

[Arsl]

Yeah mee too.I dont find anythign special in Milton.It is very overly priced.Commuting to work is a hassle.Home investors and flippers are driving prices crazy.

[coolspot]

Pickering/Ajax/whitby are all on the same lakeshore line. Makes sense if ppl are working in the west end, it's a decent compromise. I don't see why people are willing to pay double for proximity I the airport, the maybe 4 times a year you would go there

Aurora/Newmarket also has some nice housing developments, closer to the airport than the east end.

[gei]

I can't really imagine why anyone would choose to live in Milton... it's ridiculously far from anything...

[MiltonMike]

I can't really imagine why anyone would choose to live in Milton... it's ridiculously far from anything...

That's going to depend on what you mean by "anything". I've been in Milton for 7 years and I don’t think I've ever thought that I'm too far from Toronto. 20 minutes in any direction gets me to Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Stoney Creek, Hamilton, Guelph, or Georgetown.

As for the thread question, I think the answer is simply because that’s what people are paying for houses here. People continue to line up for days to buy one, and you can sell your home in 1 day with multiple offers. The demand is dictating these crazy prices. I'm just happy I got in when I did.

I think part of the reason why the demand is so high is that Milton still somewhat has that small-town feel, but we're close enough to everything else that we wouldn’t want in our backyard.

[CanadaMortgage]

Milton has increased in value over the past 5 years (I have a sibling who moved in the area 4 years ago so I frequently visit there). The number of homes and traffic had definitely doubled!

Since you work in Oakville, have you considered Stoney Creek area? (It is less than a half hour drive and more affordable home price range).

Katarina Kupina

[jimgiggles]

That's going to depend on what you mean by "anything". I've been in Milton for 7 years and I don’t think I've ever thought that I'm too far from Toronto. 20 minutes in any direction gets me to Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Stoney Creek, Hamilton, Guelph, or Georgetown.

As for the thread question, I think the answer is simply because that’s what people are paying for houses here. People continue to line up for days to buy one, and you can sell your home in 1 day with multiple offers. The demand is dictating these crazy prices. I'm just happy I got in when I did.

I think part of the reason why the demand is so high is that Milton still somewhat has that small-town feel, but we're close enough to everything else that we wouldn’t want in our backyard.

Sure.. 20 mins at off hours... How about your daily commute? Unless you work an off shift, you're sitting in the car alot longer.. Factor in an accident or construction.....

[MiltonMike]

Sure.. 20 mins at off hours... How about your daily commute? Unless you work an off shift, you're sitting in the car alot longer.. Factor in an accident or construction.....

So you're saying that getting downtown is easier from Mississauga or Brampton? I've always been in the west end, so I cannot comment on the east end but I’d imagine that traffic is a mess no matter where you go during rush hour. I work in Oakville, and my wife works in Milton, so for us the commute is easy.

We have friends who work downtown who take the GO, either from the lakeshore line or from the Milton line. I know taking the GO sucks, but I don’t know if it sucks anymore than it would from any other suburb.

[bloggerman882]

Milton has increased in value over the past 5 years (I have a sibling who moved in the area 4 years ago so I frequently visit there). The number of homes and traffic had definitely doubled!

Since you work in Oakville, have you considered Stoney Creek area? (It is less than a half hour drive and more affordable home price range).

Katarina Kupina


Would it really be half hour if I am driving to and back both during rush hour 9-5 shift?
Going to.. I am going with the traffic to Toronto and coming back same thing.

[GonePostal]

Would it really be half hour if I am driving to and back both during rush hour 9-5 shift?
Going to.. I am going with the traffic to Toronto and coming back same thing.

I would budget more like 1:15 or more driving from milton in rush hour. If you leave a little earlier or later you can cut that down some.

[Chigu]

[QUOTE=coolspot;14898668]Aurora/Newmarket also has some nice housing developments, closer to the airport than the east end.[/QUOTE

May be true, but it is very poor for highway connectivity. You are forced to take the dreaded 404 DVP. Whereas, in the east end, you have very close access to the 407, and 401, as well as a GO Train that runs all day to get into the core.

I always get a kick when people say it's close to this city and that city etc etc. All that you should really consider is ease of getting to work. Monday to Friday you pretty much go to work and go home, the issue of close to this city vs that city only comes into effect on the weekends when traffic isn't bad anyway, and you don't travel to those places every weekend.

I.e. Milton is close to stoney creek, hamilton, KW etc. Do you even work in those cities? If you don't, how often do you even go to those cities????

Since I will almost always work in the core, due to the nature of my job. I will always live where there is a balance between family life, and ease of getting to work. If I had the money I would love to live in Oakville, but that is not doable as of yet!

[Tiberius]

Milton is in a great location and Mississauga has basically run out of room to grow. If you don't like Milton and it's prices, just look outside of it to Acton and/or Georgetown... great places to live. Milton just gets the focus and frenzy because that's where the new home building spree is occurring.

[GapBoyPCS]

Milton is in a great location and Mississauga has basically run out of room to grow. If you don't like Milton and it's prices, just look outside of it to Acton and/or Georgetown... great places to live. Milton just gets the focus and frenzy because that's where the new home building spree is occurring.

I've heard that Acton and Georgetown can also be insane for some house prices too. A brief look at realtor.ca isn't show much of a "bargain" compared to Milton.

At least with Georgetown, there is also GO service (both bus and weekday rush hour trains). Acton has GO bus with trains coming (my guess) 2013 or later (still no sign of platform or track work).

The downfall with Acton or Georgetown is if you need to hit the 401 during rush hour. Assuming no detours, then taking the major routes (like Trafalgar Rd or 25) means you hit the 401 along with the Milton and Oakville crowds.


I always get a kick when people say it's close to this city and that city etc etc. All that you should really consider is ease of getting to work. Monday to Friday you pretty much go to work and go home, the issue of close to this city vs that city only comes into effect on the weekends when traffic isn't bad anyway, and you don't travel to those places every weekend.

Some occupations may take people routinely to different locations in the GTA (meetings, offices, etc.). In those cases, proximity to cities can be a key in finding a place to live.

[Chigu]

Some occupations may take people routinely to different locations in the GTA (meetings, offices, etc.). In those cases, proximity to cities can be a key in finding a place to live.

Absolutely agree with you, and those various locations would be considered where they work. So having something relatively central and close to a major highway would be essential!! I don't think Milton qualifies as being 'centrally located' , but of course neither is the east end.