It’s Scott, here! Ive researched the 5 reasons you should seriously consider a right-size move to Niagara Region. First off, it’s Home to the beautiful Niagara Falls. Further the Niagara region is a picturesque vacation destination. Even more it’s a beautiful place to live. Along with this, there is lots to do and something for every lifestyle! In fact, I talked to my real estate insider at Royal LePage. In order to find out the top five reasons you should change your life for the better and move to Niagara.

1.Niagara is home to over 50 fantastic wineries

Moreover, it will come as no shock to most. But Niagara is well-known for its amazing wineries. Below is just a taste of the many wineries in the Niagara region:

Rockway Vineyards is the only Ontario winery that has its own 18-hole golf course.
Hernder Estate Wines’s aromatic icewine is made from frozen, handpicked grapes, which intensifies the wine’s flavours.
13^th Street Winery has its own art gallery!
Sue-Anne Staff Estate Winery is well-known for its Fancy Farm Girl wines.
Henry of Pelham Family Estate boasts Canada’s largest underground barrel cellar.
Two Sisters Vineyards is a family favourite and offers Italian cooking classes with Chef Christine Mast (and of course, a glass of wine to accompany the fruits of your labour).

Wine tasting passports give you access to approximately 27 wineries

So what is the best part about being a local? Between May and November, seasonal Winemakers’ Selection Tasting Passes are available to Niagara residents for as little as $40.00. Indeed, these passes give you access to approximately 20 wineries. During the whole month you can to sample wine and food from each. According to a long-time resident of Niagara, “There’s nothing nicer on a really lovely day than driving [around the Niagara region]… Choose four, five, six wineries, get a designated driver. Then just spend the day in the natural beauty. Going from winery to winery and sampling their wares.”

Winemakers’ Selection Tasting Passes

So then if wine isn’t your thing. Then breweries are on the rise in the Niagara region. You can check out the links below to see what Niagara’s been brewing up!

Breweries are on the rise in the Niagara Region

Whether you’re a wine aficionado, beer enthusiast. Or a simple lover of long drives in the Niagara countryside. Then Niagara region’s wineries and breweries offer a great experience for everyone.

Chris and I enjoyed a late morning wine tasting at Two sisters Vineyards, which is close to Niagara-on-the-Lake, just at the northern tip of the Niagara River sub-appellation. Our favourite wine was the Cabernet Franc. Which is known for its earthy structure. Afterwards, we had a great selection of salads and cold cuts on the patio, followed by a tour of the winery. Not to mention the service was fantastic, and our guide provided a friendly, personal explanation of how it all works.

2.Niagara’s natural beauty

Niagara is home to lots of natural wildlife. In fact, the region boasts 42 stunning conservation areas, and its location along the Bruce Trail allows for some picturesque views and great hiking opportunities. Especially, I highly recommend visiting the Niagara Gorge, as it’s a really beautiful place to walk and explore. And within the Gorge? The world’s largest whirlpool! Several observation platforms allow you a look at the Niagara Rapids nearby, which have been classified under the highest level of danger—a Class 6—under the International Scale of River Difficulty. Not for the faint of heart!

While everyone knows of Niagara Falls, Balls Falls is an often-overlooked natural wonder and is a great option if you’re looking to escape the hotspot of tourists. Niagara’s prime location between two great lakes—Lake Erie and Ontario—also allows for some amazing views of the water and a whole host of beachfront properties to choose from. If you’re looking to see more water, you can follow the Lakeshore Trail, where the path leads you along the lake and through local neighbourhoods.

Above all, If you’re looking to escape the concrete jungle and move somewhere you can feel more connected to the natural beauty of nature, Niagara could just be the place for you!

Our Balls Falls Day Out

One route to consider exploring is Grimsby to Balls Falls. On a late spring day, Chris, Diane, my mother-in-law, and I headed there on a day trip. Then our tour started at Grimsby Beach. Along the wine Route 82 was an appealing drive through orchards, scenic peach farms, vineyards, and winding countryside. We stopped for lunch at the Jordan Harbour Conservation Area. Then we took a look at Pirate Ship Cove and the old masted ship. Onward, we made our way to Balls Falls Conservation Area for a hike though the pioneer village, and a walking trail to the Balls Falls capped off the afternoon. There was so much to see and not enough time, so we’ll have to get back to explore some more!

3.Niagara’s warmer weather

One of the many great things about the region is its weather. Long summers and moderate winters mean more fun in the sun. In fact, on average, Niagara is warmer than Toronto and Mississauga by a full 3°C! According to Macleans’ “Where to find the best weather in Canada 2019,” St. Catharines, Welland, West Lincoln, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls saw 120-125 days above 20°C. Compared to Mississauga, which only saw 102.

Resulting in this microclimate created by the escarpment that allows Niagara’s tender fruits and vineyards to flourish (they don’t call it the Niagara Fruit Belt for nothing). After listening to my friend rave about the Niagara peaches, I’m itching to get my hands on some this summer!

If you’re still feeling the chill and are looking to fly south to escape the winter altogether, you can fly out of Hamilton, making it an easy commute to the airport (and an easy escape from the snow)! As well as that summertime outdoors is complete with beaching, boating, fishing and dining in Port Dalhousie.

4.Each area of Niagara has its own unique personality

Niagara is made up of 12 municipalities: Grimsby, West Lincoln, Lincoln, Pelham, Wainfleet, Port Colborne, Welland, Thorold, St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls, and Fort Erie. Each have their own unique personalities, options, and amenities. Whether you’re looking for a charming home to retire to in the country or a beachfront home to raise a family in the city, you’re bound to find a place that fits your lifestyle!

St. Catharines could be the place for you. If you’re looking for a more urban feel. As its the largest city in the Niagara region and has trendy bistros and shops aplenty. If it’s condos you’re looking for, Harbour Front Condominium in Lincoln is currently in preconstruction and is shaping up to be a beautiful waterfront community. A great deal of development is going on in downtown Grimsby, meaning that new townhouses, low-rise condos, and even some waterfront high-rise condos like Waterview are in the works; however, Grimsby is still known for its rich history and has some great historical detached homes and upscale homes available.

If a detached home is more your speed, Fort Erie and Fonthill have lots of detached homes, and Ridgeway and Chippawa are seeing a lot of development in the way of single-family homes.

Searching for a 55+ community in Niagara Region?

Nestled in the Niagara wine region, Cherry Hill in Vineland is a beautiful 55+ community that caters to recent retirees looking to relax and do the things they enjoy. Golf courses, wineries, orchards, arts and crafts stores, farmer’s expos, and agrarian markets are just minutes away!

According to my real estate insider, the average Niagara house price is $550,000; however, this varies greatly depending on where you are and what you’re looking for. Niagara-on-the-Lake offers stunning, multimillion-dollar homes, while Fort Erie and Port Colborne offer beautiful, but more widely accessible properties.

Ultimately, as I always say, it’s important to hop in the car, books some showings, and check out the areas you’re interested in to really get a feel for them. Hiring a real estate agent who knows the area would be a great benefit to you, as they can help take the guesswork out of your search and help you find the right home in your price range!

5.Niagara has unlimited attractions and amenities

There’s no end to the attractions and amenities that the Niagara region has to offer. In fact, there’s something going on just about every weekend!

Niagara hosts hundreds of festivals a year, including:

“Tennessee Williams’ best known tale of struggle and survival now in previews at The Shaw”

Above is a headline that caught our attention a few years ago, so we purchased tickets for our gang of friends and spent a spring evening seeing Cat on A Hot Tin Roof at the Royal George Theatre. Before the show, we met up with friends at the Pillar and Post restaurant for a pint and dinner. The play was awesome, and I’m so glad I had the chance to see this classic performance. There’s just so much to do and see in the Niagara region, and Niagara-on-the-Lake is such an easy day trip if you’re coming from Mississauga!

Another huge attraction for locals and visitors alike is the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, a 95,000 square-foot cultural complex housing four impressive performance venues. Here, you can experience both local and international talent through film, concerts, and performances.

Niagara Region’s World class golf courses

World class golf courses offer amateurs and novices alike competitive greens and beautiful views. Here’s just a few you can find in the area:

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Niagara’s Fallsview Casino Resort. With over 20 different dining options, from fine Italian dining to authentic Asian cuisine. Fallsview chefs will have your mouth watering in no time as you try your hand at the 130 tables and over 3,000 slots and video poker machines. End the night with a great performance at the state-of-the-art entertainment centre!

In summary, I’ve only skimmed the surface of things to see and do in the Niagara region. So check out this list for a more complete list of the area’s attractions and amenities!

Quality of life is unmatched in Niagara Region

While our real estate insider has lived in four different countries and three different continents in her life. She says that Niagara is by far her favourite place to live. In fact, the quality of life is unmatched. Not to mention Toronto is never too far away. Certainly, the GO Train will be expanding to Grimsby, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls, it’s easier than ever to visit the big city!

As always, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about moving. So give me a call at (647) 223-0237. Fore sure, I’ll explain more about the Niagara region or are considering selling your home!

Join our next Boomers on the Move workshop as we explore best places to seriously consider when right-sizing your home for retirement.

Scott Brubacher Broker – Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty Brokerage 905-821-3200

5 reasons you should seriously consider a right-size move to Niagara Region