Best place in Ontario where a young family can live and enjoy the outdoors

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

Really? World-class stream fishing for trout in Essex county?

Given my work, I could live anywhere within two hours of an airport, and I guess my take on this is that the best place to live for hunting and fishing depends entirely on the kind of hunting and fishing you're interested in. And no matter where you are, you're going to find good hunting and fishing for something ... as long as you're away from the GTA.

Ok you got me on that one...

However we have giant Steel head & brown trout fishing out of Wheatley in the summer that is hot & your arms will be sore by the end of the day... LOL

[line052]

Draw a line between Bancroft and Stirling Ontario...anywhere in between

[Mdiddi]

Draw a line between Bancroft and Stirling Ontario...anywhere in between

I'm with you on this. Some great country and small towns. Bancroft has a hospital and Belleville had a bigger one. You are in between Toronto and Ottawa too. Madoc or stirling comes to mind.

I also like the Ottawa area.

Yes New Liskesrd is great but as pointed out you could have to travel for care. They just had one of their eye doctors retire up there.

I guess it depends too if you want to live "in town" with access or out in the country and bus or drive your kids to school. Buddy of mine was outside of small town on lake. The kids loved it but once they were teenagers they wanted jobs and to hang out with their friends who were miles away. He bit the bullet and moved to town. Still has a camp close by. His kids wanted to work and he didn't want to stop them but driving to town before and after to pick them up added up in money and time. Something to consider.

[jaycee]

It doesn't matter where you live, as long as good medical facilities, doctors and dentists are close by.

Great hunting and fishing doesn't make up for the loss of a life because you are far away from a doctor , or having to put up with the agony of a bothersome tooth for the lack of a dentist who can look after it within a short time .

[MikePal]

We we moved out here, the real estate agent was telling us that the average turn around time for folks moving out into the country was very short. He said he re-sold most of the homes again within 4-5 yrs. Unrealistic expectations, kids growing older as mentioned, wives wanting to be closer to the city (loneliness) etc etc.

Have to make sure the whole 'family' is totally on side. We made the concession with the girls that would would always drive them to town etc..pain at times, but it was our decision to make them live out here. Not for everyone, many homes have changed hands, multiple times, on our road in the 20 yrs we have lived here.

[Birdbuff]

In my opinion services are very important to have close by, especially with a young family. While I think the closer you get to Toronto the faster the pace of life is, I also do not think this fast pace is my ideal area to raise a family. The outskirts of the gta are a good choice to look into. You don't sacrifice services. Also it seems to me that the farther from big cities you are the less government money filters into these communities for simple social programs or community upgrades. Depending on where your preferred hunting areas are, I would suggest looking on the out skirts of city centers and close enough to a major highway access. At least this way you can have quick access to escape into the wild when needed. And from most of my experiences, most small communities outside of the gta have friendly and inviting atmospheres.

birdbuff

[Frogger]

I live in Minden. It's a tough town to live in. Some days I have to make a decision as to how I am going to go into town. Do I walk, ride my bicycle, Snowmobile, 4 wheeler or boat or even drive the car. It's a tough life.
Minden-Haliburton has everything mentioned in posts above. What is lacking is jobs, and things for the teens to do if they are not into sports or outdoor activites. Great place to retire in.

[Fox]

In my opinion services are very important to have close by, especially with a young family. While I think the closer you get to Toronto the faster the pace of life is, I also do not think this fast pace is my ideal area to raise a family. The outskirts of the gta are a good choice to look into. You don't sacrifice services. Also it seems to me that the farther from big cities you are the less government money filters into these communities for simple social programs or community upgrades. Depending on where your preferred hunting areas are, I would suggest looking on the out skirts of city centers and close enough to a major highway access. At least this way you can have quick access to escape into the wild when needed. And from most of my experiences, most small communities outside of the gta have friendly and inviting atmospheres.

birdbuff

The same reasons we ended up around Ottawa, I came here for school and realized that in 30min I was in the middle of nowhere if I wanted to be. I grew up to Toronto, if you had to work downtown that would take forever, but there are a ton of jobs, if you move to Ottawa it would be good to be bilingual.

[MarkB]

I'd agree Peterborough is a good compromise. Being close to hunting and fishing opportunities, but then wanting the best of ammenities, and schooling for your children - you will have to find somewhere in the middle.

If you don't mind driving for some hunting, then there are other options.

I live in Oakville and think it's a great place, but expensive. Schools are really good, have the new hospital, and my boat's at the marina about 5 mintus away for salmon fishing. I wouldn't move from where I am, unless I'm heading south...real south.

[Species8472]

Peterborough would be good but I would also look at Grey/Bruce. Owen Sound has everything you need and if not GTA is only 2 hours away. You have incredible beaches, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron plus tons of little streams and rivers with good trout. Deer hunting is among the best in the province. Turkey, waterfowling and upland hunting is pretty darn good as well. Also a pretty decent amount of under utilized public land.