East of the GTA creep that’s extended to the Durham region and beyond – past the not-so-sleepy towns of Cobourg and Brighton – you’ll find your way into our backyard.
In life, we usually have to make tough choices. Life in the city is exciting – with easy access to jobs, food, restaurants, conveniences, public transport and more….
But cities are also expensive, smelly, crowded, and have high property taxes – plus, it’s impossible to find parking and that alone is a no for us.
On the other hand, the rural countryside is charming, expansive, inspirational and – well, boring, inconvenient, and you’ve usually got a lot of grass to cut (also a no over here…)
But in Belleville, Ontario – you can have it all.
Belleville, Ontario
Choosing a promising area to live or invest in is a massive decision. There’s lots of factors to consider: where you are in your life, your vision for your future, your career options, and so on and so forth.
Small towns tend to get a bad rep - they’re seen as “sleepy” and “boring”... You can practically hear people yawn at the idea of living in the suburbs. However, Belleville is “not like other towns”. Belleville, Ontario is a town on the beautiful Bay of Quinte, and it has every possible amenity – and then some. Belleville provides you with all of the comforts you’re used to in the big city – culture, community, convenience – but with extra cherries on top as well: nature, quiet, and affordability. It's “small town charm” with big city needs.
Leisure & Entertainment
Part of living a happy and healthy life is being able to have fun! Rural areas often lack fun activities – there’s only so many times you can “go for a drive” with your friends, or take your kids to that one neighbourhood park, before it becomes monotonous. Belleville, however, makes it incredibly easy to find new and fresh leisurely activities: you can catch a movie, see a concert, make a coffee date, and shop locally with ease.
The best coffee shops in Belleville include:
Benji’s Coffee Bar
Rustic, quaint, and modern, Benji’s is a Belleville local gem. An ideal place to sip your coffee and work, enjoy delicious food and pastries, or catch up with a friend. There’s a good chance their Chai Tea Latte will turn you into a loyal customer - maybe even a regular.
Tropical Blends Cafe
Tropical Blends is a bright, surf-themed cafe with top-notch food, colourful drinks, and super friendly service. The vibes are immaculate - everyone agrees! If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious way to start the day, try their Super Green smoothie.
The Brake Room (Our favourite)
Belleville’s designated “hub for community, [and] coffee”. Both a bike shop and chic cafe with a charming outdoor seating area, The Brake Room is your one-stop-shop for quick bites and friendly vibes. They also maaaaaay be quasi famous for their flat white and frequent pop ups to build community and networking.
When it comes to movies and live entertainment, Belleville excels in that department as well.
Cineplex Galaxy Cinemas
You can catch all the latest blockbusters at the cozy and animated local movie theatre. If the movie doesn’t satisfy your entertainment needs, they also have an arcade in-house.
The Empire Theatre
The Empire Theatre is a professional live performance and cinema venue that hosts incredible productions. If you’re looking for musical performances, comedy, dance parties, or movies, you’ve found the right place!
Any history buffs out there? The town of Belleville has designated historical sights designed just for you. You can take in over 200 years of history by downloading their Heritage Guide and walking one of their self-guided tours throughout the town.
If you want to venture outside of town for something different, you don’t have to go very far. Belleville is only half an hour away from Prince Edward County and all its attractions- wineries, beaches, galleries, and orchards.
Exercise & Lifestyle
Many people will tell you that exercise is food for the soul – and it’s true! For fitness enthusiasts, or anyone looking to improve their lifestyle, Belleville makes it easy to stay active. There are many private gyms and studios, as well as a community center that hosts loads of activities.
Here are some of our favourite gyms:
Mindful Movements Studio - Yoga, Fitness, Lifestyle
Small towns tend to lack a well-rounded yoga and pilates scene, which is often a deterrent for people looking to relocate from a larger city. In Belleville, however, founder Kym Riley fills a massive gap in the yoga and pilates market with her studio Mindful Movements. Since opening up, Mindful Movements has become a beacon for suburban yogis and pilates enthusiasts alike. It is an all-encompassing fitness studio with professionally led fitness, sports recovery, pilates, and yoga classes. You can take care of your body AND mind at this community-oriented studio.
Planet Fitness - Belleville
If your lifestyle is a little hectic, 24 hour access to a gym can make all the difference. Belleville has a Planet Fitness with all the amenities- free WiFi, unlimited gym access, and some free fitness training. For the price of two Starbucks lattes you can stay active all month!
F45 Training
If you’re looking for functional, day-to-day strengthening, F45 Training might be the answer. F45 is the “complete wellness solution”, offering not only functional training and HIIT workouts, but also encompassing nutrition and self-discipline into their programs.
The Boiler Room Climbing Gym
Nothing makes exercise more appealing than making it fun! You can have the workout of a lifetime by climbing problems in this friendly and clean climbing gym. You’ll be surprised how often you’ll want to keep going back- and bring your kids, too!
The Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre
The City of Belleville also has its own public sports facility. The Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre is home to many fitness and sports activities that are perfect for the whole family. You can download their Activity Guide and sign up for your desired programs today. They have, among other things:
- Aerobic studio
- Indoor Pool
- Yoga Studio
- Workout studio
- Family Dental Centre Indoor Track
- Gymnasium
Accessibility
Many people looking to relocate to a smaller town after living in a big city fear losing access to reliable public transportation – but Belleville has extensive transportation infrastructure to combat just that. The city has comprehensive public transit ( schedule here ) and they make it easy to stay on top of routes and times with an app you can download. Belleville has a lot to offer, from a vibrant downtown strip to suburbs that are spacious and manicured, and you get to enjoy all of it! Whether by car or reliable public transit, you can easily get around Belleville.
Belleville also has a VIA Rail station stop, allowing people to commute to their jobs in the GTA while living in paradise- it doesn’t get much better than that!
Natural Landscape and Community
Big cities, like Toronto and the GTA, are chaotic. There are so many people, so much activity going on, and such high expenses. Swimming in a sea of concrete, it’s hard to ever stop and smell the (non-existent) roses.
As we all become more aware of how pollution affects our bodies, it becomes clear that nothing is better than clean air. Because Belleville is surrounded by many parks, gorgeous waterfront, and wooded trails, it creates a safe and warm atmosphere – making it ideal for staying healthy and raising families.
With a population of roughly 58,000 people, Belleville is a small town that prioritizes your health and well-being. Folded into Belleville’s lively and functional city are also:
- 55 public parks,
- 20 scenic trails,
- a stunning waterfront,
- community gardens,
- farmers markets,
and ample opportunities for you to slow down and engage in outdoor activities day-to-day. Community gardens and floral arrangements are a pivotal feature of Belleville’s neighbourhoods and culture. The town constantly tries to keep things fresh too: during the summer there are pop-ups on the harbour front for people to enjoy the scenery and support the local economy.
Real Estate for All
If you, like most people, are frustrated with the real estate market in large cities (we’re looking at you, Toronto), you will love what Belleville has to offer. Belleville is a diverse town when it comes to real estate, with home styles ranging from Victorian to single family homes, to condominiums- so there’s a good chance you can find your perfect home.
The best part? You can still find affordable homes in Belleville, unlike most regions of the GTA. There are more options for you to choose from in Belleville, increasing the chances of finding exactly what you’re looking for.
Belleville Real Estate Quick Facts
- 10 schools
- 3 hospitals in the region
- 55 parks
- 2023 Median Home Price: $525,000
Listings in Belleville, Ontario
There are many things that make Belleville the perfect spot for living and investing. If you adore nature but still want the culture of the big city, or you are looking to own an affordable home in a remarkable area, or you want to start and raise a family in a beautiful town – Belleville is the spot.
Curious about what’s on the market right now? Here are a few of our listings!
If Belleville checks all your boxes, contact us today to learn more about this area and how soon you can live in Belleville!
