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The Forest City — Southwestern Ontario

London, Ontario

Tree-lined streets, two world-class universities, one of Ontario's largest hospital networks — and home prices that remind you not every great Ontario city carries a Toronto-sized price tag.

~430K
Population
~$575K
Avg Home Price
City
Municipality Type
Southwestern Ontario
Region

Life in London

London, Ontario earned its nickname — the Forest City — honestly. Drive through Old North on a summer day and the tree canopy is thick enough to turn afternoon sun into cathedral light. The city has invested in its urban trees for over a century, and it shows in the quality of established residential streets that feel genuinely different from the stripped-lot subdivisions of newer Ontario communities. The Thames River (yes, named after the original by nostalgic settlers) winds through the city providing a green corridor from Gibbons Park through to the downtown forks where two branches meet — the site of a major revitalization effort that has brought riverfront restaurants and trails to the city's core.

Western University — officially the University of Western Ontario — is one of Canada's leading research institutions, enrolling over 40,000 students on a campus that is arguably the most beautiful in Ontario. Its medical and dental schools, combined with London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care, make London one of the largest healthcare and medical research employment hubs in Ontario outside Toronto. This institutional anchor keeps demand for housing steady across economic cycles and draws professional residents who value London's combination of quality institutions and relative affordability.

Fanshawe College adds another 20,000+ students and a trades and applied arts dimension to the city's educational character. The downtown — which spent years in decline — is in genuine recovery: the London Music Hall, Museum London, Budweiser Gardens, and a growing restaurant scene have reclaimed the core. Old East Village, once overlooked, has emerged as London's most interesting neighbourhood, with independent shops, artists' studios, and a community market drawing energy from its proximity to Fanshawe and its historically working-class character. London is comfortable with its own identity in a way that makes it pleasant to live in.

Real Estate in London

Old North & Masonville

Old North is London's most prestigious residential area — large Edwardian and interwar homes on generous lots, walking distance to Western's campus. Prices reflect the premium for mature streetscapes and excellent school catchments. Masonville, further north, offers more recent residential development near the university and Masonville Place mall.

Old North: ~$700K–$1.3M | Masonville: ~$550K–$850K

Wortley Village & Byron

Wortley Village, south of downtown, has one of London's most beloved main streets — independent cafés, shops, and a community feel that draws residents who want neighbourhood character over suburban convenience. Byron, in the southwest, is a family suburban community near Springbank Park with excellent schools and a loyal resident base.

Wortley: ~$550K–$850K | Byron: ~$600K–$900K

East End & New Suburbs

East London offers more affordable detached homes in established post-war neighbourhoods, and new construction is active in the northeast and southeast. Old East Village is the city's emerging neighbourhood — lower prices, rising interest, and a community market and arts scene that is gradually attracting buyers ahead of further appreciation.

East London: ~$430K–$620K | New suburban builds: ~$650K–$850K

London Real Estate — FAQ

Why is London Ontario called the Forest City?
London earned 'Forest City' from its remarkable urban tree canopy — over a century of investment in street trees and park greenery has produced unusually verdant residential streets. Established neighbourhoods like Old North and Wortley Village have mature tree cover that creates a distinctly different streetscape from most Ontario cities. The Thames River and its ravine system add additional green corridors throughout the city.
What does Western University mean for London real estate?
Western is one of Canada's leading research universities, enrolling over 40,000 students. It creates consistent rental demand in Old North and Masonville. Its Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, combined with London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care, make London one of Ontario's largest medical and healthcare employment hubs — driving professional housing demand citywide. The university is one of London's most powerful long-term economic anchors.
What are London's best neighbourhoods?
Old North — immediately north of Western — is London's most prestigious area, with Edwardian and interwar homes on generous lots. Wortley Village has a beloved main street and Victorian housing. Masonville offers newer suburban homes near the university. Byron and Lambeth are family suburban communities in the southwest. Old East Village, east of downtown, is London's emerging arts neighbourhood with lower prices and genuine community energy.
How does London compare for affordability in Ontario?
London is one of the most affordable mid-sized cities in southern Ontario — average prices are typically 20–30% below Kitchener-Waterloo and well below the GTA. The combination of affordability, university and healthcare employment, and genuinely good quality of life make London consistently attractive for first-time buyers and young families. Remote workers from Toronto have also discovered London's price advantages over the past several years.
What is the London real estate market trend?
London saw significant price appreciation during 2020–2022, driven by out-of-town buyers and remote work demand. Prices moderated from those peaks but remain well above pre-pandemic levels. The city's diversified employment base — university, healthcare, manufacturing, financial services — provides stability across economic cycles. New home construction continues in the north and east ends.
What is Ontario's Land Transfer Tax in London?
Ontario's LTT: 0.5% on the first $55,000; 1.0% on $55,001–$250,000; 1.5% on $250,001–$400,000; 2.0% on $400,001–$2,000,000; 2.5% over $2,000,000. London has no municipal LTT. First-time buyers get a provincial rebate of up to $4,000. On a $575,000 London purchase, LTT is approximately $8,425 before any rebate — include this alongside legal fees in your closing budget.
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