Living in Mississauga?—The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – It’s Scott here! The GTA—of which Mississauga is an integral part—is in high demand, and for good reason. As a local Mississauga real estate broker who has lived in the area for over 35 years, I have a lot of love for this beautiful city. More than anything I believe that when you buy a home here, you’re not just investing in a property—you’re investing in a lifestyle and community.
But if you’re thinking about making the move to Mississauga, it’s important to consider the good, the bad, and the ugly about living in the city. Below are some pros and cons to consider before you make the leap! Pros and Cons of living in Mississauga.

Pros of living in Mississauga

Accessibility/Amenities

According to Maclean’s rankings of Canada’s best communities, the #1 feature of Mississauga is its amenities. No matter where you go in the city, you’re never far from the necessities (or the fun). The city is home to over 500 parks, 10 golf courses and driving ranges, great shopping centres (e.g., Heartland and Square One), galleries, theatres, sports facilities, picturesque towns full of independent shops and restaurants, beaches, and much, much more. There’s always something to see and do in Mississauga, and with its proximity to Toronto, you’re close to all the action downtown has to offer too. GO Transit and the MiWay express lanes supply easy routes to Toronto. Moreover, the best part about taking transit? No struggle to find parking! And if you’re looking for a little adventure outside of Ontario, Toronto Pearson Airport is a mere 20-minute drive from Mississauga.

Great Weather

Mississauga’s #2 feature according to Maclean’s? Its weather! With 242 days per year above 0°C, Mississauga is one of the warmest regions in all of Ontario. That means mild winters and less snow (and most importantly, less shoveling). The city benefits from its proximity to Lake Ontario. Where the warmer temperature of the lake warms the areas surrounding it. This also means that summers don’t get overly hot. As the lake is still holding on to the chill of the past winter.

Variety of Homes

Whether you’re looking for a condo, townhouse, detached home, or even a charming apartment above a shop, Mississauga has it all. While competition for inventory can be fierce, more development is underway.
A new condo community called M City Condos is coming to the heart of Mississauga, and the towers will surpass the tallest of the city’s buildings. The community is designed for pedestrians, with a strip of shops and cafes at street level, and transit options nearby. Interested in this exciting opportunity? Give me a call to learn more about available units!

If it’s always been your dream to live by the water, Brightwater is a new waterfront village in Port Credit that can make those dreams a reality. The community is connected to both Lake Ontario and the Waterfront Trail. With 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and office space. You can go shopping, have lunch, and grab a coffee by the beach within minutes from your home.
If a townhouse is more your style, a development by Dunpar Homes is coming to Streetsville in 2022. Over 300 restaurants, pubs, and shops will be just minutes from your front door, and with the GO station just across the street, commuting has never been easier.

Multiculturalism

Mississauga is home to a diverse population and a rich mixture of cultures. In fact, 53.4% of the region’s residents are immigrants. Thus making Mississauga one of the top 10 most multicultural cities in Ontario. The city’s tolerant, accepting community makes for a great place not only to raise a family, but to work as well. According to the Harvard Business Review, teams that include employees from multiple backgrounds work more creatively to solve problems. Diversity also makes for a more respectful and understanding workforce.
And don’t forget about the food! From roti to souvlaki, there’s a vast range of delicious and diverse eats wherever you may find yourself in the city.

Access to the Golden Horseshoe

The Golden Horseshoe lies at the western end of Lake Ontario, just beyond Mississauga. This area is widely known as one of the fastest growing regions in North America. To say the least it’s a huge source of economic growth for both the province and the country. Due to the intense industrialization of this area, there is a lot of opportunity and a diverse range of jobs available.

Cons of living in Mississauga

High Cost of Living

I’m just going to come right out and say it: Mississauga is expensive. There is a lack of affordable housing in the city. Especially around the GO stations and transit stops. As of April 2021, the average price of a Mississauga home is $1,024,461—and it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. Ultimately, the population is continuing to grow. But the demand continues to outweigh Mississauga’s inventory.
Homes aren’t the only reason for Mississauga’s high cost of living. While the city is known for its great amenities, most errands require a short drive. A vehicle can definitely be an expensive purchase on its own. But Mississauga’s high insurance rates are really what will hurt your wallet in the end. The average Mississauga driver pays anywhere from $1500-$2000 a year. Thus making it one of Ontario’s most expensive cities to buy car insurance.

Construction

Before the 1970’s much of Mississauga as pasture and farmland. Since then, Mississauga has boomed into a large metropolitan centre. In fact the sixth largest city on Canada with over 700,000 residents. While this means more housing, it also results in construction everywhere.

Traffic/Congestion

There’s no doubt that in a largely car-centric city, traffic is inevitable. However, the city does a great job taking care of its roads (though this does often mean you’ll run into quite a bit of construction). With traffic also comes issues finding parking. The smaller townships like Streetsville and Port Credit often pose a challenge to drivers looking for a spot to park, but you can count on plazas and other retail-focused areas to have ample parking available.

Lack of Walkability

Unfortunately, Mississauga just wasn’t designed with pedestrians in mind. Because of its focus on vehicles, the city’s walkability score is fairly low—in fact, it comes in at a measly 49/100. While the public transportation system isn’t bad (and is looking to get better with the completion of the LRT in 2024), most residents choose to invest in a car.
Ultimately, if walkability is an important factor in your decision to move, be sure to do your research and look out for neighbourhoods that are closer to plazas with grocery stores, pharmacies, and other necessities!

Airplane noise

Pearson’s location within Mississauga can be a big plus for travellers, but newcomers to the area sometimes complain about the engine noise from overhead flights. If a quiet backyard experience is important to you, it’s important that you check out major flight paths and attempt to avoid those areas. As a local though, you get used to the noise after while—I rarely notice the planes anymore!

I hope these pros and cons have helped you decide what you’re looking for. Most importantly, I hope it’s helped you decide if Mississauga checks off those boxes. As I said, this city’s been my home for the past 35+ years, and I can’t recommend the area enough. If you’re interested in making Mississauga your new home, give me a call at 647-223-0237 or email me at scott@scottbrubacher.com to discuss what area could fit your lifestyle!

Pros and Cons of living in Mississauga