Vaughan: A Great Place to Raise a Family

A city that offers its residents the ultimate balance of urban conveniences and suburban landscapes, it’s no surprise that families are one of the major contributing demographics to this community’s massive growth-track, with a population boom of 80% in the last decade alone. 

In a 2018 study by MoneySense Magazine, Vaughan was ranked as one of the best places to live in Canada, with the city falling within the top 25% of all cities for wealth and economy, demographics and amenities. 

The city is also ranked as the third-largest employment centre in the Greater Toronto Area, and qualifies as the largest contributor to York Region’s economy. 

edit: City of Vaughan

The City of Vaughan is also well known for its culturally-diverse landscape. A mosaic of multiculturalism has resulted in a community that puts an emphasis on nurturing a safe and inclusive atmosphere for all. 

Beyond development, employment and local demographics, this is a community with a tremendous amount of pride in its natural landscape and recreational offerings. It’s clear that coming together and staying active and engaged are keystone values in Vaughan. 

When it comes to nurturing healthy and happy families, the City of Vaughan goes the extra mile. Three major draws for those considering Vaughan for their family’s next move should be the city’s access to top-tier schooling, unique local attractions and the abundance of nature at residents’ doorsteps.

Credit: Creative Commons

For any family with children thinking of a move, one of the major considerations will be education. Access to excellent schools is of the utmost importance to conscientious parents, who can rest assured that the community of Vaughan has covered its bases in this department as well. 

Quality education is paramount in Vaughan, where residents benefit from the city’s access to local high-ranking schools, as well as proximity to top schools in neighboring communities. 

Some of the top schools in Vaughan include:

• Delano Academy Private School – PS to grade 12, this co-ed private school offers an enriched curriculum with a focus on academics, athletics, student wellness and the arts 
• Vaughan College Private School – Grade 9 to grade 12, a private preparatory college with a focus on confidence-building, boasts a high university acceptance rate, and a reputation for being one of “the most distinguished ministry inspected private high schools in Woodbridge, Vaughan”
• Michael Cranny Public School – JK to grade 8, as well as gifted programs for students in grades 4 to 8, this elementary school received a high-ranking score of 9.1 out of 10 from the Fraser Institute
• Mackenzie Glen Public School – ranging from JK to grade 8, Mackenzie Glen ranks high with the Fraser Institute, with an 8.5 out of 10
• Pierre Berton Public School – grades JK-8, excellent Google reviews for this school where praise for teachers and a “friendly” environment are common points of note

For a full list of local schools, you can access the Find My School tool via the York Region District School Board link. For a ranking of the best private schools in the region, check out OurKids.net for a comprehensive list of private schools and rankings. 

Vaughan also offers several IB schools and program options. For a full list, check out IBSchoolsofOntario.ca.

You can also find several options for French Immersion and faith-based schools in Vaughan. 

Unique Attractions 

Credit: CP24

The City of Vaughan is proud to play host to several major attractions which draw in both tourists and local residents year-round. 

Some of these major attractions include: 

• Vaughan Mills – this massive local shopping centre is popular with both residents and tourists, offering over 200 fashion outlets and internal attractions such as Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, which offers visitors 14 attractions including a 3D cinema, a Lego store and a play zone
• Canada’s Wonderland – Canada’s largest amusement park, Wonderland is located on the east side of Highway 400 between Rutherford Road and Major Mackenzie Drive
• McMichael Canadian Art Collection – situated at the heart of the village of Kleinburg, the McMichael gallery can be found on the original lands of the Ojibwe Anishinaabe People. The gallery is home to a permanent collection of over 6,500 works by Canadian artists. 
• National Golf Club – often ranked as the “best golf course in Canada”, this members-only golf club is considered unparalleled by those who love the sport. It’s worth noting that the City of Vaughan is home to 44 golf courses, with Copper Creek golf course as a highly-ranked option, offering top-tier facilities to the public with their 40,000 square foot clubhouse, stunning views and premium golf
• Baitul Islam Mosque – this mosque is the headquarters of the Canadian Ahmadiyya Muslim community and is located on Jane Street
• Vaughan is also well-known for its wide selection of specialty shopping, where shoppers can find a variety of international specialty vendors and products. This ranges from apparel to food to housewares, supplies and so much more. The speciality shopping in this community not only benefits its residents, but lures countless visitors for its much sought-after wares. 

An Abundance of Nature

Credit: The Kortright Centre for Conservation

Vaughan’s natural greenspace includes 700 hectares of open land and boulevards.

Great Walks of Vaughan is a trail guide for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the best local paths. Some popular destinations include:

• William Granger Greenway Nature Walk – located in Vaughan West, distance of 8.9 km and “moderate” difficulty level
• Sonoma Heights Neighbourhood Walk – located in Vaughan West, distance of 2.6 km and “easy” difficulty level
• Mackenzie Glen Neighbourhood Walk – located in Vaughan East, distance of 3.2 km and an “easy” difficulty level 
• Peter Rupert Neighbourhood Walk – located in Vaughan East, distance of 2.8 km and an “easy” difficulty level  

There are several local conservation areas for residents and visitors to experience, with the Kortright Centre for Conservation being one of the most well-known and popular picks locally. The Kortwright Centre for Conservation can be found situated between Rutherford Road and Major Mackenzie Drive east of Islington Avenue. A pillar of advancement in sustainable technology since 1982, this is truly a unique and significant community gem. 

Visitors are able to get to know the grounds of the conservation area and explore via the 1.6 km Innovation Trail and enjoy “Canada’s largest educational demonstrations of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies”. One of the more popular features at the Kortright Centre for Conservation is the option to ride horses, housed on the grounds, along the north part of the area. From horse-riding to hiking, bird-watching and over 30 environmental programs offered for public enjoyment, it’s easy to see why this destination has become such a beloved natural landmark within the community. 

The community of Vaughan is constantly under development for the betterment of its residents and their improved use of outdoor greenspace, with the ongoing Vaughan Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan project being an excellent example of this.  

When it comes to local amenities to enhance the outdoor experience, the city offers everything a family might want or need at their doorstep:

• 273 playgrounds

• 18 splash pads

• 130 tennis courts (and 59 facility locations)

• 73 basketball courts

• 58 baseball diamonds

• 18 splash pads

• 150 soccer fields – and more! 

Check out this chart on the City of Vaughan’s website, where you’ll find a complete list of local parks and their amenities. Boyd Conservation Park, Bindertwine Park and Sonoma Heights Community Park are the top-rated Vaughan parks on Google, with many more local destinations ranking high with residents and outdoor enthusiasts. 

For an up-to-date listing of local outdoor community events, check out the city’s official events calendar.

Looking for more?

With so much to see and experience in the beautiful City of Vaughan, you might also be curious to know more about other vibrant nearby neighboring communities. Check out a few of our recent blog posts:

• Quick Historical Facts about Richmond HIll
• 5 Reasons to Make Richmond Hill Your Home 
• Top Spots for Hikes and Walks in Richmond Hill

Curious to know more about Vaughan – and the many other communities that Your Community Realty serves? Check out our Community Profile page for more information and be sure to sign up for our New Listing Notifications today!