Oakville Was Chosen As The Best Place To Live In Canada By MoneySense

When MoneySense crowned Oakville the best place to live in Canada back in 2018, we were thrilled, and not at all surprised. With its friendly small-town vibe, just a 30-minute drive from Toronto, and its charming mix of 19th-century and modern architecture, gorgeous waterfront, and warm and bustling neighbourhoods, Oakville has been winning hearts and attracting savvy businesses and homeowners for years. No wonder 86% of the town’s residents have said Oakville is a better place to live than anywhere else in the GTA.
Want to find out why we’ve always thought Oakville is the best place to live in Canada? Read on for our guide to this no-longer-quite-so-hidden Ontario gem, and consider looking at all that Oakville real estate has to offer you and your family.
A City of Villages: Finding Your Own Oakville Home in A Diverse and Friendly Neighbourhood
While the city is already well known for its jaw-dropping mansions and the lush greenery of the Glen Abbey Golf Club, it is also home to an impressive array of friendly neighbourhoods, or “villages,” as their residents affectionately call them. Oakville has houses for sale at every price point!
Take Falgarwood, for example, which provides its residents with easy access to Toronto via the GO Train and the QEW/403 Highway. This village features a number of affordable homes for sale that are perfect for young families.
Or West Oak Trails, which boasts beautiful nature trails and a huge selection of Oakville real estate for sale that ranges from townhouses to multi-storey lakefront mansions.
Whatever your budget, you’re guaranteed to find a house for sale in an Oakville neighbourhood that you’ll fall in love with, as well as your own “village” to make home. And best yet? All of this comes at a considerably lower price tag than in Toronto.
Oakville Real Estate, Parks, and Waterfront: Making Quality of Life the Priority
Oakville’s fantastic and diverse real estate offering could bring a smile to anyone’s face. But that’s far from all this city has to offer. We’re talking literally hundreds of parks and nature trails, including the Bronte Creek Provincial Park and Shell Park, which will transport you from the busy hubbub of Toronto to a soothing green oasis just minutes from your home.
If you’re looking for a break from nature, Oakville also has an exciting cultural scene, with museums and galleries aplenty, fun events for the whole family, and even its own performing arts theatre.
Don’t forget one of the city’s most beloved attractions, the Oakville waterfront; not that anyone is likely to after setting eyes on our picturesque corner of Lake Ontario. For boaters, Oakville has two harbours that are perfect for slips and sailboats.
Finally, Oakville boasts excellent facilities and amenities, as well as some of the finest schools Canada has to offer. What more could you ask for?
What You Should Know Before Googling “Oakville Homes For Sale”—See the City For Yourself!
Oakville has always been a great home to its residents, even before MoneySense and Maclean’s magazine called it the best place to live in Canada. Now that the secret’s out, make sure to check out all of Oakville’s neighbourhoods, houses for sale, and the dazzling Oakville waterfront for yourself, to find the city’s best “village” and home for you and your family.
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August 2025 GTA Real Estate Market Update | Regan Irish
The August 2025 GTA Real Estate Market Update reflects renewed momentum and affordability in Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, and Muskoka. Thanks to steady interest rates and appealing home prices, July proved surprisingly dynamic. Let’s dig into the numbers and what they mean for you.
Interest Rates Remain Stable — Affordability Fueling Activity
In July 2025, the Bank of Canada maintained its key rate at 2.75%, its third consecutive pause. With lower borrowing costs now more accessible, affordability is encouraging a wave of renewed buyer activity.
GTA Market Overview: Sales Surge, Prices Slightly Dip
- Home Sales: 6,100+ transactions region-wide, marking a 10.9% increase YoY and the strongest July since 2021.
- Month-over-Month: Seasonally adjusted sales rose 13% from June to approximately 5,744 units, the biggest monthly gain in nine months.
- New Listings: Up 5.7% YoY, totaling 17,613 new offers.
- Price Trends:
- The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark fell 5.4% YoY.
- The average GTA selling price dropped 5.5% YoY to around $1,051,719.
- Word on the street indicates the HPI drifted slightly lower—about $979,000, down 0.2% from June.
What It Adds Up To: Buyers are back in force—sales are outpacing new listings while prices softened, creating renewed market opportunities.
City Highlights
Toronto
A more balanced landscape—but some segments remain soft. Condos and detached homes see inventory rising; semis are steadier.
Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington & Muskoka
While TRREB doesn’t break down by city in these reports, regional trends suggest:
- Mississauga & Burlington: Strong rise in listings and dipping average prices give buyers leverage.
- Oakville: Stability in demand for luxury keeps discounts modest.
- Muskoka: Continued strong interest in sub-$2M waterfront properties should benefit from broader GTA momentum.
What This Means for You
- For Buyers:
Renewed affordability, rising inventory, and favorable interest rates make August a prime time to move. - For Sellers:
A more balanced market—strategic pricing and quick response will be key to success. - For Investors & Cottage Buyers:
Strong July sales in the GTA point to increasing investor interest; Muskoka remains a high-value lifestyle and investment destination.
Work With the GTA Real Estate Experts
Whether you’re planning to buy a Muskoka cottage, invest in a luxurious Oakville property, or explore options across Toronto, Mississauga, or Burlington, now is the time to act.
Regan Irish & Associates specializes in luxury, resale, and investment properties across the GTA and Muskoka. Our market insight and negotiation skills help you get the best results—whether buying, selling, or investing.
1320 Cornwall Rd Unit 103, Oakville, ON L6J 7W5
905.842.7677
Visit reganirish.com
Let’s make today’s market your opportunity—contact us today!

Alex Irish & Associates and The Regan Team Announce Strategic Merger
Two of the most respected names in real estate, Alex Irish & Associates and The Regan Team, are excited to announce a strategic merger that will combine their expertise, resources, and market reach. This partnership of Regan Irish & Associates brings together the strengths of both firms, offering an enhanced real estate experience for clients across Southern Ontario, including expanding into new regions like Collingwood and Muskoka. The merger reflects both brokerages’ long-standing commitment to providing high-quality, relationship-focused service while leveraging new technologies and business strategies to ensure their clients receive unparalleled support.
“Alex is the consummate professional,” said Matthew Regan, CEO of The Regan Team. “She embodies the qualities of a person I would trust with my own home sale, and I am excited to partner with her to combine the best of both our brokerages. Our goal is to create a work culture that allows our agents to thrive, while being confident and equipped to provide the service our clients deserve. Our clients are going to benefit immensely with a wider and deeper net of potential buyers and an even further reach in marketing and advertising.”
Alex Irish, Founder of Alex Irish & Associates, emphasized that this partnership is the next natural step for her business. “By combining our resources and efforts we knew we’d be able to create a better real estate experience for our clients, our agents and business partners.” she explained. “This merger allows me to focus more on client relationships while also mentoring our agents who can continue to offer that same high level of service. Matthew has built a business model that aligns with my long-term vision, allowing us to scale while still maintaining the personal touch. Simply put, we are better together.”
Alex has built her brand over decades, particularly in the Oakville area, where her name is synonymous with excellence in real estate. Her personal approach, based on referrals and repeat business, has earned her a loyal clientele. Matthew has focused on recruiting top agents and scaling his business, growing The Regan Team to one of the top brokerages in Canada. This merger offers an exciting opportunity to grow into new territories. Together, the merged brokerage will have 15 offices spanning from Niagara to Toronto to Muskoka. This expanded presence means more resources for clients, from enhanced marketing capabilities to a wider net of potential buyers.
The merger will officially take effect on October 31, 2024, and the new branding and operations will be rolled out in the coming months.
About Alex Irish & Associates
Alex Irish & Associates, led by Alex Irish, is a highly respected name in Oakville, known for its personalized, referral-based business model and long-standing relationships with clients. Alex has built her brand on trust, excellence, and attention to detail, qualities that will remain at the forefront of the merged firm.
About The Regan Team
The Regan Team has a long-standing reputation for innovation, process-driven operations, and a focus on agent recruitment and development to provide the highest level of service for their clients. Under Matthew’s leadership, the brokerage has expanded its presence across Ontario, providing agents with the tools and support needed to succeed in a competitive market. For more information on this exciting merger, please contact Matthew Regan.