Simcoe, ON Community Guide
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Simcoe Community Guide 2022-2023
© Dwellworks, LLC
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Contents Welcome to Simcoe, Ontario.................................................................................4 Climate ..................................................................................................................4 Historical Facts ......................................................................................................5 Finding a Place to Live ..........................................................................................6 Simcoe ..............................................................................................................7 Local Attractions ....................................................................................................8 Transportation .......................................................................................................9 Airport Information .................................................................................................9
Simcoe Community Guide 2022-2023
© Dwellworks, LLC
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Welcome to Simcoe, ON
There’s nothing like the charm of a small town like Simcoe. If your dream is to live in an idyllic place where neighborhoods are close-knit and everyone watches out for one another, look no further. Simcoe’s residents take pride in their city and appreciate the sense of community and well-being that their tranquil town has to offer. Simcoe lies along the Lynn River, 5 miles (8 km) north of Lake Erie. Settled before 1780 and named after John Graves Simcoe, the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, Simcoe is Norfolk County 's largest urban area and home to many important industries, including Canada's largest ice cream plant and the Toyotetsu auto parts plant. Simcoe serves the surrounding area as a retail and service center. Agriculture (including flue-cured tobacco, fruits and vegetables) is also a major part of the local economy. Thirty-five miles (56 km) southwest of Hamilton, Simcoe occupies a picturesque site on the river, with several parks and a waterfowl sanctuary. With a population of just under 14,000, it is the largest community in Norfolk County. Climate Winters are cold with a January average of −7.8 °C (18.0 °F) in January and most days have maximum temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F). Though winters are cold, mild stretches of weather can bring temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F) in January. The average annual snowfall is 133 cm (52 in), with maximum accumulations of it occurring in February when the snow depth is 10 cm (4 in). Summers are warm and humid with a July high of 27 °C (81 °F) and a July low of 15 °C (59 °F). As a rural community, Simcoe is generally 10% drier than the major cities of Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa. It is also 25 times less likely to face smog-related problems between the months of June and September than metropolitan cities.
Simcoe Community Guide 2022-2023
© Dwellworks, LLC
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Historical Facts
+ One of the town's notable landmarks is the Norfolk County Memorial Tower, which commemorates the lives of Canadians who died for Canada in conflicts overseas. The Memorial Tower overlooks scenic Wellington Park, a public greenspace that includes walking paths and a waterway system with a small lake, close to the downtown core. + The historic Molson Bank operated here from May 1898 until sometime in the 1920s when the Bank of Montreal took over the building. Alterations made to the building within those decades would allow twice as much banking to take place. + A country club was established in Simcoe by Duncan Campbell in 1895 called the Norfolk County Golf and Country Club. It originally excluded ladies from membership and hard liquor from being consumed until 1912 when the club had to get incorporated. This country club still stands today, and visitors are encouraged to acquire memberships before playing golf. + One of the earliest manufacturers to operate in Simcoe is the West & Peachey Company, an equipment and boiler maker company that invented an amphibious steamboat called an Alligator. Known as an alligator boat, this was used by logging companies all over Eastern North America in 1878. + In 1929, American Can Company began its manufacturing operations in Simcoe. During the 42 years that it was operating, this metal-can manufacturing plant employed many local residents. At its prime, American Can Company employed 605 male employees and 39 female employees with highly competitive wages. During WWII, the Simcoe plant employed many women on a full- time basis, due to the shortage of men who had gone off to fight in the war. The plant continued to produce cans for the food industry, along with specialized packaging needed for the war effort.
Simcoe Community Guide 2022-2023
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Finding a Place to Live Home sales are continuing at a brisk pace in Simcoe and surrounding areas. The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Simcoe & District Real Estate Board totaled 98 units in February 2022. This increased by 16.7% (14 sales) from February 2021. Residential sales haven't hit this level in the month of February in five years. Home sales were 32.8% above the five-year average and 29.1% above the 10-year average for the month of February. In terms of rentals, there are no high-rise buildings in Simcoe, but there are single family homes that are available to lease. It is not uncommon for landlords to request job confirmation/paystubs, a credit report showing good credit history, references, and tenant insurance.
Market at a Glance: Considerations
Findings
Comments
Housing Availability
Low
Limited housing options
Tenant Paid Real Estate Fees
No
Typical Lease Length
12 Months
Typical Security Deposit
1 Month
Early Termination Clauses
Limited
Extremely limited
Negotiation of Lease Terms
Low
Due to lack of supply
Unfurnished Apartment: Community
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
3 Bedroom
4 Bedroom 5 Bedroom
Simcoe
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Unfurnished House: Community
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
3 Bedroom $2200-2600
4 Bedroom
5 Bedroom
Simcoe
N/A
$1800+
$3000+
N/A *Rates Given in Canadian Dollars
Simcoe Community Guide 2022-2023
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Simcoe Overview
A top benefit of living in Simcoe is the quiet, easygoing lifestyle where traffic jams are a rarity. Conveniently located, it’s easy to get away and enjoy a weekend trip of shopping or sightseeing as Toronto and Niagara Falls are only 1.5 hours away. In Simcoe, you get to enjoy all the benefits of living in a quaint town that offers a sense of community, safety, and a lower cost of living, while also enjoying the perks of bigger, nearby cities. If you need any further convincing that Simcoe is a great city to put down roots, Norfolk County made Maclean’s list of “Canada’s Safest Places to Live” in 2019. Schools Grand Erie District School Board provides educational services and opportunities to students and families residing across four different counties and municipalities. If you are interested in enrolling a student, you have access to useful information here: https://granderie.ca/board/familysupports There are also private educational options nearby: + Holy Trinity Catholic High School http://www.trinitycatholic.ca/ + Sainte-Marie Catholic School https://smn.cscmonavenir.ca/ + Saint Joseph’s School http://www.stjosephsimcoe.ca/
Homes + 2022 Median Home Price: $ 715,215 (up 16.4% from February 2021) + Average apartment rental price: $1800-3000 + Median Household Income: $50,319 + 2022 Population: 13,922
(Images for illustrative purposes)
Simcoe Community Guide 2022-2023
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Local Attractions Parks Directory Hay Creek Conservation Area https://ontarioconservationareas.ca/component/mtree/conservation-authorities-of-ontario/long- point-region/hay-creek-conservation-area?Itemid= Enjoy walking along the 2 km trail that winds its way through forested areas and past the reservoir. A boardwalk across the reservoir links the trail to the conservation area. The conservation area is located 5 km west of Port Dover. Lynn Valley Trails The Lynn Valley Trail is a 10-kilometre trail connecting Simcoe to Port Dover. Waterford Heritage Trail https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/waterford-heritage-trail?u=i Discover this 22.40 mile, out and back trail near Norfolk County, Ontario. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 8 hours to complete. This trail is great for birding, cross- country skiing, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Wellington Park Wellington Park, in the heart of old Simcoe, is home to festivals, celebrations, and arts & crafts exhibitions. Residents congregate here for the Simcoe Christmas Panorama, when the entire park is adorned in decorations and lights, while the Lynn River Music & Arts Festival attracts large crowds in summer. Arts/History/Museums Capitol Arts Market https://capitolartsmarket.com/ The Capitol Arts Market aspires to be Norfolk County’s go to place for visual art. Norfolk County Archives at Eva Brook Donly Museum https://www.nca-ebdm.ca/ The Norfolk County Archives at Eva Brook Donly Museum is committed to preserving Norfolk County’s heritage and making it available to the public. Located in the heart of downtown Simcoe, the beautiful heritage home built in 1845 in the Georgian/Loyalist style, houses a rich collection of artifacts on exhibit. The Norfolk County Archives located behind the museum has an extensive collection of archival materials available to the public for the avid genealogist, local history enthusiast, or anyone interested in conducting research. Norfolk Arts Centre https://www.norfolkartscentre.ca/ The Norfolk Arts Centre is a public art gallery dedicated to the learning, preservation and nurturing of creativity, enjoyment, and appreciation of the arts. Simcoe Little Theatre https://simcoelittletheatre.org/ The mission of the Theatre is to provide a first-rate theatre experience for people of all ages and abilities.
Simcoe Community Guide 2022-2023
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Festivals http://www.simcoepanorama.ca/
https://norfolkcountyfair.com/ https://lynnriverfestival.com/ Major local festivals include the Rotary-sponsored Friendship Festival, the Lynn River Music and Arts Festival, the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, and the winter light show of Panorama.
Other Attractions Apple Hill Lavender Farm https://applehilllavender.ca This lavender farm is open to the public from May through December.
Transportation Bus Travel Ride Norfolk https://www.norfolkcounty.ca/transit/
Ride Norfolk provides public transportation within the single tier municipality of Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada. The program was originally classified as a "pilot project" and given the deadline of September 30, 2012 to prove its feasibility in the Norfolk County region. It was declared a permanent fixture in the region on May 16, 2012 after being deliberated before city council. Ride Norfolk operates a Monday- Friday bus service with a daily Simcoe route and daily Brantford route. Buses have air conditioning and heating, and have seating capacity of 20. All buses are accessible and are bike and service animal friendly. Taxi Services Why Wait Taxi Phone: +1 519-428-9999 Guardian Transit https://guardian-transit-accessible-transportation-taxi.business.site/ Airport Information The closest major airport to Simcoe, Ontario is John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM / CYHM). This airport is in Hamilton, Canada and is 60 km from the center of Simcoe, Canada. Simcoe Dennison Field Airport is a very small airport located 2.3 miles southeast of Simcoe.
Simcoe Community Guide 2022-2023
© Dwellworks, LLC
Page 9
Simcoe Community Guide 2022-2023
© Dwellworks, LLC
Page 10
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