Living in Kingston

kingstonNeighbourhoods
Kingston is a comfortable family-oriented place in which to live. It offers a wide range of housing options from old, historic neighbourhoods of limestone, brick and clapboard houses to modern subdivisions with the same shopping amenities found in larger centres.

Spacious country and waterfront living is possible within 10 minutes of the main commercial areas of the city. 

Housing prices in most categories compare favourably with the rest of Canada. At the end of 2007, the average selling price of a new single-detached home was $284,672. The cost of a similar home in Montreal was approximately $309,300, in Toronto $500,000, in Victoria $615,000 and in Halifax $334,000.

The City of Kingston has defined several distinct "neighbourhoods" based on areas of common social, physical and political attributes. For more information on neighbourhood profiles, please visit the City of Kingston Neighbourhoods webpage.

Arts and Culture
Artists, performers, authors and Juno-award-winning musicians such as The Tragically Hip, Sarah Harmer and David Usher thrive in Kingston.  Enriching its cultural offerings, Kingston has 24 museums, galleries and national historic sites; year-round live theatre; and the third largest art collection in Ontario.  

During the summer, the city comes alive with street entertainment, outdoor concerts and a rich diversity of festivals and events. 

For information on individual artists and fine craftspeople, please download the 2008-09 Fine Craft & Artist Directory for Kingston and Surrounding Area.

Sports and Recreation
Kingston, Ontario is recognized as the Fresh Water Sailing Capital of the World.  In summer, dive the many historical underwater sites, or take a cruise through the Thousand Islands.

Kingston is also a choice destination for the growing trend in extreme sports with a wealth of opportunities for rock climbers, mountain bikers, scuba divers and other adventure seekers.

Cottage country, sandy beaches, first-class canoe routes, spectacular hiking and portage trails and superb camping, are all available within a one-hour drive from the city.

Natural beauty surrounds Kingston, and the city itself boasts one of the largest per capita green space areas in Ontario with 180 parks and 2,500 acres of maintained ground. Experiencing Mother Nature here is as simple as taking a stroll in one of the historic parks or riding a bicycle along one of the city’s beautiful trails.