Living in Barrie, Ontario

Why You’ll Love Living in Barrie

Nestled between Toronto and cottage country, Barrie provides the charm and community feel of a small town with the urban amenities of a city twice it’s size. Its location provides easy access to beautiful Northern Ontario destinations like Muskoka and Algonquin Park or popular Southern hotspots in the GTA.

As a local Barrie real estate agent with over 15 years of experience, Rich Fournier helps buyers and sellers understand not just the market, but the lifestyle differences between Barrie’s neighbourhoods. After relocating from the Greater Toronto Area himself, Rich provides firsthand insight into what it’s really like to live, work, and raise a family in Barrie.

City dwellers find that the biggest perk of living in Barrie is having nature at their doorstep. Beautiful Kempenfelt Bay, part of Lake Simcoe, is no more than a 15 minute drive from anywhere in the city providing breathtaking vistas, swimmable beaches and extensive recreational trails. Throughout the city, more than 90 parks offer over 300 hectares of green space and park land. Just minutes outside of town, ski hills and trails are waiting for amazing winter adventures as well.

Living in Barrie isn’t just for nature lovers! The city has many opportunities for cultural experiences as well. The historical downtown is full of trendy boutiques and culinary destinations, such as the Flying Monkeys craft brewery, which provides free craft beer tours, or The Local Gastropub, serving up hearty food with Scottish flare. Within Barrie, there are 2 live performance theatres, hosting musical, dance and theatre acts for guests of all ages. Those drawn to the visual arts, can visit the MacLaren Art Centre and wander through the galleries or create their own masterpiece in one of their many classes.

Barrie also caters to families, with a wide selection of children’s classes and activities offered throughout the city. During the weekends, families can enjoy some quality time at the unique festivals and events offered throughout the year. Many local businesses and farms, like Rounds Ranch, have created experiences to bring families together to celebrate the seasons, such as Maple Syrup festivals and pumpkin mania.