Is Oshawa, Ontario, a good place to live?

Located about 60 kilometres east of Toronto’s downtown core, Oshawa offers suburban living on the shores of Lake Ontario with great proximity to all of Toronto’s amenities. But is Oshawa a good place to live? This article has all the information potential Oshawa homebuyers and newcomers to Canada need to know about moving to the area.

Drone view over Oshawa - Is Oshawa a good place to live? — Adobe Stock

Oshawa’s population is approximately 185,000 and is known as a laid-back area of Southern Ontario, making it a great place to purchase a home. Oshawa has a long history as the automotive capital of Canada, primarily due to the enormous economic impact of General Motors of Canada and numerous off-shoot companies related to the industry. Oshawa is in the Durham Region and is the largest city in this area.

Here is a short list of reasons why Oshawa is a good place to live

Oshawa has more affordability

Compared to larger cities like Toronto, Oshawa provides more affordable housing options, allowing residents to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without excessive financial stress. The median home price for a single-family residence in Oshawa was approximately $830,000 in the summer of 2024. By comparison, the median home price for a similar home in Toronto is $1.3 million.

Oshawa has natural beauty

The city is situated on the Lake Ontario shoreline, providing residents with stunning views and opportunities for outdoor activities. The 11-kilometre Waterfront Trail in Oshawa stretches along Lake Ontario’s edge. The largest coastal wetland between Niagara and Presqu’ile, Second Marsh, is located there. This flourishing marsh has survived because of the commitment of concerned residents and General Motors’ efforts in restoring Lake Ontario. General Motors established the McLaughlin Widlife Reserve, which has approximately seven kilometres of trails and 108 acres of natural habitat.

Oshawa has a strong sense of community

Oshawa is known for its warm, welcoming community spirit, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home. Initiatives such as the City of Oshawa’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan helps to bring residents together. The plan is a five to ten-year framework for ensuring all people feel welcome and involved in the community. The goal is make sure residents have fair access to programs, services and employment opportunities in Oshawa. It also outlines internal recommendations to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion within the City of Oshawa staff.

Oshawa has post-secondary educational opportunities

The city is home to Ontario Tech University and Durham College, offering excellent post-secondary education options. The latter, in particular, is renowned for its international programs. Durham College offers over 145 academic programs, with its business accounting degree serving as one of its most popular offerings.

Recreation and culture opportunities abound in Oshawa

The city boasts numerous parks, bike paths, and cultural attractions, including museums and seasonal events. Every summer Oshawa hosts well-loved and unique festivals. There’s the Peony Festival, cultural celebrations like Fiesta Week, the Metis Festival, as well as Autofest, which highlights Oshawa’s love affair with the automobile.

Oshawa has a family-friendly environment

Oshawa is regarded as a safe and family-friendly area, ideal for raising children. Maxwell Heights Secondary School, which provides a variety of recreational and academic programs, and Dr. F.J. Donevan Collegiate Institute, which fosters an inclusive and varied learning environment, are two of Oshawa’s high-performing schools. Furthermore, a large number of Oshawa’s elementary schools have earned top marks for their academic offerings, calibre of teachers, and general student accomplishment.

Excellent public transportation options are available in Oshawa

The city has a well-developed public transit system and is connected to Toronto via GO Train service. With train and bus services connecting Oshawa to the Greater Toronto Area and other destinations, GO Transit is a major participant in the city’s public transportation system. With regular train services to Toronto’s Union Station on the Lakeshore East route, the Oshawa GO Station functions as a significant hub. GO’s bus services extend the reach of public transportation throughout the region by providing comfortable and dependable alternatives for places not immediately served by the train.

Oshawa has a great proximity to outdoor activities

The city offers easy access to cottage country and outdoor recreational areas. Some of the most popular areas include the Oshawa Creek trail and the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens, the picnic-perfect Lakeview park and beach, as well as the Harmony Valley Conservation Area and the Second Marsh.

Where to find a job in Oshawa

GM Oshawa assembly - Is Oshawa a good place to live? — Adobe Stock

Despite Oshawa’s reputation as an automobile manufacturing hub, many other careers are available in the city in fields such as healthcare, information technology, transportation, energy, and many more. Here’s a short list of the most popular career fields in Oshawa.

Advanced manufacturing

This sector has historic roots in Oshawa and continues to be a significant employer, particularly with companies such as General Motors and other manufacturing firms.

Energy generation

Nuclear energy generation is a key industry, with major employers such as Ontario Power Generation establishing their corporate headquarters in Oshawa.

Health and biosciences

The healthcare sector is a major employer, with institutions such as Lakeridge Health and various biosciences companies contributing significantly to employment.

Multimodal transportation and logistics

This sector includes logistics and transportation companies, benefiting from Oshawa’s strategic location with access to highways such as the 401, rail, and the Port of Oshawa.

Information technologies

The IT sector is growing, with opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other tech-related fields.

Activities to explore in Oshawa

Oshawa has plenty of indoor and outdoor activities for residents to explore year-round. Whether it’s viewing seasonal flowers, taking in a local hockey game, or learning about the area’s history, Oshawa has something for everyone. Here’s a short list of some of the best activities to explore in Oshawa.