Niagara Falls is such a vibrant city and one of Canada’s leading tourist attractions. The famous falls draw millions of people every year to see one of the Wonders of the World.
The downtown area of The Falls (as it is known) is bustling with Casinos, hotels, motels, and tons of attractions for tourists, like museums and restaurants and so much more. Tourism is the major economic driver. The City is also known as the self-described Honeymoon Capital of the World complete with heart shaped hotel beds and tubs! Many tourists come every year from the US to the Canadian side as it’s so well built up and has so many more attractions and amenities to enjoy.
Yes, it is busy especially in the summer, and yes, it is described as “tacky” by some who visit the downtown but that’s not all there is to this fascinating city.
What has happened over the last few years is increased building. Recently, developers in the Fallsview area and have bought up lands for Condo development. Also, a huge tract of land near Marineland was bought up by international investors with a view to developing these lands into commercial, residential, and full mixed use. It is rumoured that the plans are so immense that it will take some 10 years of planning before we hear much more about it.
Travel from Toronto by highway along the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) takes approximately 2 hours. There is a planned extended GO Train service being developed between the two cities and currently runs on a limited schedule. The rail tracks being used have been in place for years and are being upgraded along with renovated and new stations due to open in 2021 and 2022. The line will stop along the way in St. Catharines and Grimsby, where all kinds of building is happening in close proximity to Lake Ontario and highly visible when driving along the QEW.
For residents of The Falls there are festivals and attractions galore, food, music, art and wine to name a few. There are multiples of every type of festival. Canada Day is a major event, New Years Eve at the Falls, the Celebration of Lights in the winter, as well as the Santa Clause parade.
It is a City of contrasts with beautiful parks, lookouts over the spectacular Niagara River gorge, nature walks, golf courses, and the wonderful Niagara River parkway, described by Sir Winston Churchill as one of the prettiest drives in the world. Let’s not forget the massive Sir Adam Beck hydro-electric power generating complex, a major supplier of electricity to Southern Ontario.
The proximity of the U.S. is very convenient for those who enjoy the cross-border shopping experience with a plethora of great sales. There is also the proximity to two more international airports, in Niagara Falls, NY, as well as Buffalo, NY. For snowbirds, the proximity to two additional international airports adds options and convenience. There is the nearby skiing town of Ellicottville so quaint and so much fun. I have enjoyed this destination for years. Don’t forget to apply for your Nexus card to speed up your time at customs!
Builders are prevalent here mostly building on lands away from the maddening tourist area, including Bungalows and Bungalofts. These range from brand new to maybe a decade old. There is a large population of retired persons living in the surrounding areas including towns like Chippawa.
This city along with each of the cities presented in this series allow Torontonians to purchase homes for some fifty percent less than they will sell their homes for.
Step one: Call me for a consultation on Downsizing from your Toronto home. We have a team of professionals ready to provide any of the assistance you may need, be it organizers, stagers, handypersons, painters, you name it – we have it. I will take care or guide you through the steps, one of which is to put you in touch with our local Niagara Falls agent ready to assist you on the buying end.