Appealing Commuter Towns and Cities Near Toronto

Toronto is a massive city with a powerful economy, vibrant culture, and diverse community. Many choose to commute to Toronto from suburban areas for work. Toronto is surrounded by attractive towns and cities that offer less-crowded places to live. Let’s look at some appealing commuter towns near Toronto.

Markham is a major city about a 30-minute drive from Toronto. Although it has a large population, it still has a suburban feel. Markham is a diverse city with an incredible food scene providing an array of international offerings. It has busy shopping areas and plenty of scenic parks.

Mississauga is a major city, home to almost 830,000, situated just a 30-minute drive west of Toronto. Based on the shores of Lake Ontario, Mississauga is an appealing city with excellent commercial options. Square One Mall is the second-largest mall in Canada and the largest in Ontario. Port Credit is a scenic area on the water with quaint shops and restaurants. Mississauga also has excellent hiking trails.

Brampton is another Greater Toronto Area city with a huge population that is an easy commute to Toronto. Located an approximately 40-minute drive from Toronto, Brampton is a significant urban hub with more than 600,000 residents. Brampton is famed for its international dining options, diverse population, and stunning parkland throughout the city. It also has a fantastic arts scene with famed performance venues like The Rose.

Vaughan is a big city between Brampton and Markham. This city, situated around a 40-minute drive from Toronto, has seen its population double since the 1990s and its reputation continues to grow. Vaughan is known for Canada’s Wonderland, one of the top theme parks in the country, and the excellent shopping opportunities at Vaughan Mills, a regional outlet mall. It also has excellent preserved natural areas for hiking.

Pickering is a suburb east of Toronto with a population of around 100,000. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, this scenic city is around a 40-minute drive from the heart of downtown Toronto. Pickering is a picturesque city with a history that stretches back hundreds of years and is a popular hotspot for boating and fishing. It has excellent museums, many parks and forests, and delicious restaurant options. 

Newmarket is a growing city, currently home to around 90,000. It is a pleasant community with something for everyone, from excellent shopping destinations to appealing parks with trails. Situated a 45-minute drive north of Toronto, Newmarket has a peaceful atmosphere and feels removed from the bright lights and noises of the city. Some hotspots in Newmarket include the Upper Canada Mall, the appealing historic Main Street, and the scenic Fairy Lake Park.

Halton Hills is a mid-sized suburb with a population of around 60,000. The commute is relatively long, over an hour, but the benefits of living in Halton Hills make it worthwhile. Halton Hills has access to some of Ontario’s most appealing natural locations, including the famed Bruce Trail and Niagara Escarpment. It is also more affordable than many other parts of the Greater Toronto Area and has a quaint downtown with delicious dining options.