Markham Real Estate Overview
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Markham Real Estate Overview
Markham is a quickly growing, ethnically diverse suburban centre with a wide variety of real estate options. According to the Toronto Real Estate Board, the composite benchmark selling price for a residential property in Markham in September 2014 was $653,100, which is an increase of 13.19 percent from the same period last year. Unionville is a popular neighbourhood for its heritage homes and quaint downtown village. Angus Glen is one of the most rapidly developing subdivisions, featuring abundant green space and access to the nearby golf club and community centre. The emerging downtown neighbourhood of Markham Centre is a mixed-use area consisting of residential properties, businesses, and plenty of parkland.
- Markham Population (2011)301,700
- 5 Year Population Change15.3%
- Number of Homes in Markham93,200
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Why Buy a Home in Markham?
With large properties, good schools, and a multicultural atmosphere, Markham is a popular destination for families and new immigrants. Recently incorporated as a City, it is now the fourth largest community in the Greater Toronto Area after Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton. Markham has a significant technology sector and is known as the "High-Tech Capital of Canada." Several multinational companies have their Canadian headquarters in the city, including IBM, Honda, American Express, Johnson & Johnson, Apple, and Toshiba. About two-thirds of Markham's residents are visible minorities. It has a particularly large Chinese and South Asian population, which makes up more than half of its total population.
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Explore Markham's Rich Cultural Heritage
Colonel John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, named the township of Markham after his friend William Markham, the Archbishop of York. The new township was first surveyed in 1793 by William Berczy, who attempted to settle the area with 75 German families from upstate New York. The area they founded, known as German Mills, was eventually abandoned due to hardships. Later, Mennonites from Pennsylvania arrived and successfully worked the land to found the community of Ressorville. Soon, Irish, Scottish, and English immigrants began to arrive, escaping famine and overpopulation in Europe. When Yonge Street was extended up to Markham, the population expanded significantly. Markham was incorporated as a town in 1850, and finally as a City in 2012.
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Getting around in Markham
Public transit in Markham is provided by York Region Transit, which connects with the Toronto Transit Commission to provide transportation service to the entire York Region. York Region Transit operates 65 full-time, rush hour and limited routes, as well as 35 school services. The recently launched Viva bus rapid transit service consists of state-of-the art buses that avoid traffic by using special lanes. By road, Markham is easily traversed via Highway 7, Highway 404, or the 407 Express Toll Route. GO Transit provides train and bus service to four stations within Markham. Several parks and trails can be found in the city, especially along the Oshawa River.
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Shopping and Amenities
The Markville Shopping Centre is Markham's largest mall, providing access to over 160 stores and restaurants, while Pacific Mall is popular amongst Chinese and Asian residents. A number of quaint shops and high-end boutiques can be found along Main Street Unionville. Outdoor and indoor recreation facilities abound in Markham. Angus Glen and York Downs are the city's two premiere golf clubs. The brand new Cornell Community Centre boasts a triple gymnasium, aquatics centre, health and fitness centre, indoor track, and library. Markham has a number of public, Catholic, and private schools with excellent reputations. Nearby post-secondary institutions include the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, York University, and Seneca College.
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Entertainment and Attractions in Markham
Markham hosts several annual festivals and events that are always a big hit, such as the Taste of Asia Festival, the Unionville Festival, the Ribfest & Music Festival, and the Markham Fair. A key venue for arts and culture events is the Markham Theatre for Performing Arts. The Varley Art Gallery contains acclaimed historical and contemporary exhibitions for all ages and interests. Main Street Unionville is renowned for its pubs, parks, restaurants, and European atmosphere. For fun with the family, catch a movie at the Cineplex Odeon, go skating at the Civic Centre, or relive the city's history at the Markham Museum.
