Top Neighbourhoods in Markham: Which Is Right For You?
Posted By: Rachel Kavanagh
Top Neighbourhoods in Markham: Which Is Right For You? – Whether you are looking to live here or buy an investment property, Markham is one of Canada’s most vibrant, diverse and thriving communities.
Which part of Markham should you buy in?
That depends on a variety of factors, such as lifestyle, schools, proximity to work, transportation options and many more.
In this article we’ll explore some of Markham’s top communities and neighbourhoods, and what makes each one worthy of consideration for your home purchase.
Markham Is a Thriving Part of the GTA
Markham is a self-contained city, the 7th largest in Ontario. Over 400 companies are headquartered in Markham, while more than 10K companies have a presence here (1,500+ in tech alone).
This translates not only to a substantial job base for Markham, but to a presence of ancillary services such as schools, hospitals, shopping and much more.
At the same time, Markham sits adjacent to Toronto. Tens of thousands of Markham residents commute to work in Toronto and elsewhere in the GTA, taking advantage of well-established systems of roads and highways as well as GO Transit trains & buses (to Toronto) and VIVA buses (for York Region).
Depending on your work situation, you may want to opt for a Markham community that is either closer to your Markham workplace, or gives you good transportation options to reach Toronto or elsewhere in the GTA. The good news is, you’ve got lots of options!
Markham Village & Old Markham Village: Main Street Charm & Established Roots
When it comes to established Markham communities, it’s only natural that we’d start with the two right outside our doorstep.
With our offices located in the heart of Main Street Markham, Benczik Team Realty is proud to call Old Markham Village home.
On both sides of Main Street – with its many quaint shops and restaurants – you’ll find a mix of lovely homes from various eras, including many heritage homes. This preserved piece of Markham history contains charm galore, with decades of continuous upkeep and modern enhancements making it a coveted place to live.
The Markham GO station is conveniently located on the northern edge of Old Markham Village, while Highway 7 and the nearby 407 ETR provide numerous commuting options across Markham as well as to Toronto & elsewhere in the GTA.
Markham Village is situated between 16th Ave in the north and extends just south of Highway 7 and features established homes with lot sizes that are typically larger than many other parts of Markham.
You’ll have a wide array of housing inventory to select from in this area, buying into a well-rooted community that has historically held its value. In 2019, the average sale price for a detached home was $1,060,622, while in Old Markham Village it was $1,191,535.
Whether you’re looking for historic houses or detached family homes on tree-lined streets surrounded by ample parks, schools and community facilities, the core of Markham is sure to please.
Markville & Raymerville: In the Heart of Markham
Straddling McCowan Road in the middle of Markham are two well-rooted communities with major appeal: Markville and Raymerville.
Markville is often synonymous with the shopping centre of the same name: CF Markville. This community is much more than a mall, though.
For one, it is home to Centennial Community Centre, which features a full-size ice arena, a pool, a well-equipped gym and many communal facilities. Nearby is top-ranked Markville Secondary School, with easy access to many other schools and places of worship.
On the other side of McCowan Rd is the smaller but closely-knit community of Raymerville. Much like Markville (in fact you may see it referred to sometimes as “Markville East”), Raymerville is centrally located offering easy access to community-based facilities, schools and transit (GO trains stop at nearby Centennial and Markham stations).
Raymerville is an oasis of calm and community spirit in the middle of Markham, surrounded by the conveniences of businesses and retail but offering a quieter environment filled with families and detached homes.
In 2019, homes in this area sold for an average of $1.12 million; they held their own better during the downturn of 2017-2018, and Markville/Raymerville is now seeing an increase in value.
Berczy & Wismer: As Markham Expands North, The Amenities & Lifestyle Are Highly Sought-After
Two communities on the north side of Markham that exemplify well-planned development with a comfortable lifestyle are Berczy and Wismer.
North of 16th Ave, stretching as far up as Major Mackenzie Drive, Berczy Village and Wismer Commons are newer areas of Markham largely comprising detached, single-family homes built into ample green space to provide residents with a calmer, more laid-back lifestyle.
Both these communities are within a few minutes’ drive to endless working and shopping opportunities in Markham. Both offer proximity to Highway 404 (via 16th Ave or Major Mackenzie) with connections to Toronto; Centennial GO train station is close to both Berczy and Wismer, while the latter also has service from Mount Joy GO.
You’ll find some of the best schools and community facilities in York Region in this area, with housing stock generally newer than other Markham communities.
Wismer Commons, in particular, has some affordable options. And while single-family homes are the norm, we’re seeing more low-rise and mid-rise condo homes becoming available.
Berczy Village, with its massive Berczy Park as the centrepiece, features playgrounds, soccer fields, basketball courts and a baseball diamond. With the added convenience of being adjacent to the charming and coveted community of Unionville, Berczy Village is one neighbourhood that receives alot of attention.
Milliken Mills: Where Markham Meets Toronto
In the ‘Best of Both Worlds’ theme, let’s look at Markham community that is located near a cluster of jobs in Markham while offering proximity to Toronto: Milliken Mills.
Steeles Avenue divides Markham to the north and the City of Toronto (specifically the Milliken community) to the south. Milliken Mills goes from Steeles north to the 407 ETR, west to Highway 404 and east to McCowan Rd.
From Hwy 404 and running east along Steeles is a corridor that includes several companies with headquarters or major presence, such as TD Bank, IBM and many others. Steeles is also home to a large presence of Asian retail establishments, restaurants and other services, perhaps most noteworthy being the Pacific Mall at Steeles and Kennedy Rd.
Living in Milliken Mills you are within easy access to Highways 404, 407 and 401 and near Pacific Mall is the Milliken GO transit station, with direct service to Toronto’s Union Station.
With roots that go back over a century, Milliken Mills is a fine example of an established community in Markham that is extremely diverse.
Milliken Mills East has an average detached home price of $1.08m, while Milliken Mills West has an average close to $960k. Housing inventory tends to be predominantly detached, single-family homes, and most commonly a two-storey house with a garage. Within this neighbourhood, you’ll find a variety of newer housing developments along with well-established ones.
Count on Benczik Team Realty, Your Markham Real Estate Experts
Whether you’re making a move within the GTA or coming into the market from elsewhere, you can count on the professional team at Benczik Team Realty to help you get the right home at the best price.
Our team – ranked in the top 100 in Canada year after year – is comprised of individuals with an immense desire to make people’s lives better. As a Markham home buyer, that desire translates to giving you individual attention and offering solutions that are tailored to your unique goals and dreams.
Contact us today to get started on the process of buying your dream home in Markham.
Top Neighbourhoods in Markham: Which Is Right For You? – written by Benczik Team Realty
