Mississauga is one of the hottest real estate markets in the GTA. This is a rapidly growing city and many are attracted to it for its variety of affordable housing options and for its close proximity to Toronto. The Mississauga Real Estate Board indicates that the price of homes increased by 3 percent in 2013 when compared with 2012. Mississauga is the best choice for those looking to escape the busy life style within the urban city center but still want to work there. An additional benefit for this combination is that homes for sale in Mississauga are cheaper and there is a bigger abundance of green space than in Toronto. Other aspects that make Mississauga stand out among other cities are Mississauga’s: rich cultural heritage, location and transportation system, amenities, and its entertainment and attractions.
Mississauga gets its name from the First Nations, Algonquian Mississaugas which lived there in the 1600s. Once the European settlers came in 1805, they purchased some of the land from the Mississaugas and divided it up into villages. Along with the inflow of Europeans, during the American revolution many Americans crossed over. Consequently, this further increased the population in this area, forcing the native Mississaugans out and relocating them to a nearby reserve. This act was only recently compensated for; in 2010 the federal government paid out $145 million to the first Nations for their lost land and unfair treatment. Today Mississauga is home to many different nations; Chinese, Polish, Ukranian, Indian, Egyptian, Joradanian, and the list goes on. Mississauga is minutes away from Toronto and has a very efficient transportation system.
Most people within Mississauga rely on their cars as a means of transportation. However, for those that have to rely on public transportation, there is a wide variety of options to choose from. Mississauga’s transit system, MiWay has more than 70 different routes. Moreover, the GO Transit system provides easy access to downtown Toronto. Mississauga also has a few ports, and boating is another popular means of transportation, as well as recreation. Aside from making use of the lakefront for leisure activities Mississauga offers a lot of various entertainment.
The largest mall in Ontario, The Square One Shopping Centre is located in Mississauga, with many stores and boutiques to choose from, ranging from the top high class to value stores. If shopping is not your thing and you prefer sport instead then you must visit the Hershey Center in Mississauga; this is Mississauga’s prime facility for various sports including hockey and figure skating. Within Mississauga there are: 203 soccer fields, 163 ball diamonds, and 25 ice pads, and 87.9 km of trails. Other outdoor entertainment includes festivals such as Carassauga, Rotary Ribfest, and Mosaic. Those looking for arts and cultural attractions will benefit from Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre where the orchestra, theatre productions, and dance shows are performed. Mississauga also has many bars and restaurants with a variety of served dishes ranging from all over the world.
In Mississauga there is something for everyone. There are many public and private schools, and two popular postsecondary institutions, The University of Toronto (Mississauga campus) and Sheridan College. Popular neighborhoods that are close to Toronto include, Clarkson and Port Credit. In Streetsville you will find homes with more green space, whereas luxury homes can be found in Lorne Park and Mineola West.