Your New Life in Collingwood Starts Here

Moving from Toronto to Ontario’s Playground:
Your Complete Relocation Guide

Introduction

Making the leap from big city living to Collingwood's four-season playground? You're not alone. Since the pandemic changed how we work and live, thousands of urbanites have discovered what locals have known all along – Collingwood offers the perfect blend of outdoor living, urban amenities, and that coveted work-life balance you've been dreaming about.

I'm Andrea, your local real estate agent guide, who can help you navigate your move to Collingwood. Let's go!

1. Breaking Free: Why Urbanites are Making the Move to Collingwood

• Affordable housing

• A work-from-home lifestyle with perks

• Traffic-free local lifestyle

• Many options for active lifestyles

• A haven for retirees

• Ski, snowboard, hike, bike, golf, beach and many water activities, all in your backyard

If you're lucky enough to be able to leave the city and make Collingwood home, you’ll be in good hands here. Read on!

2. City Life vs. Collingwood Life

What You'll Love

• It feels like everything is within an 8 minute drive, traffic-free

• Hitting the slopes in the morning or at lunch

• Space to breathe (literally and figuratively)

• Less crowds

• Clean air and dark skies for stargazing

• A greater sense of community and more familiar faces every month

The Adjustment Period

• Adapting to a slower pace

• Fewer shopping options (no IKEA or Costco yet)

• Weekend tourist influx

• Feels like a small town at first then slowly expands

• Less variety of restaurants (but you can still get plenty of sushi here!) 

The Snow Factor

If you thought Toronto winters were challenging, welcome to snow belt living! But here's the difference – snow is celebrated, not cursed. It means ski season, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, winter events and stunning scenery. 

Pro tip: Snow tires aren't optional here, they're essential.

3. A Brief Neighborhood Overview for Non-Locals

Downtown Core

Think Yorkville charm meets small-town vibes. Historic buildings, indie shops, and restaurants, all within walking distance. Perfect for those who still want that "step-out-your-door-to-everything" lifestyle.

Some of my favourites are the tea shop, Mexican restaurant, the specialty coffee shops, home decor shops, kids store and the gift shops. 

Collingwood Tree Streets

Called so since they are named after species of trees. This neighborhood combines historic charm with downtown convenience, featuring mature maple-lined roads and character homes both original and renovated. This established area attracts those seeking a peaceful residential feel while being just steps from Collingwood's vibrant downtown core.

Georgian Meadows

The suburban dream with space to breathe. Ideal for families transitioning from city living who want yards and community feel. This was actually my old neighbourhood! Click here to watch the video all about Georgian Meadows.

The Shipyards

This neighbourhood blends Collingwood's maritime heritage with modern waterfront living, offering stunning views of Georgian Bay and luxury townhomes alongside the scenic harbour. The Shipyards puts residents steps from both the water and downtown, with easy access to waterfront trails, Millennium Park, and the town's growing restaurant scene.

Blue Shores

As one of Collingwood’s most quintessential waterfront communities, these homes offer private beach access, marina, tennis courts, indoor/outdoor swimming pools and stunning views of Georgian Bay. This exclusive community combines resort-style amenities with a peaceful setting, perfect for those seeking upscale waterfront living within minutes of downtown Collingwood.  Watch my video about Blue Shores here.

Indigo, Sunvale and Pretty River Estates

These connected west-end communities offer spacious lots and newer builds, creating a suburban oasis with easy access to trails that appeals to families and professionals. With a mix of custom homes and thoughtful developments, these neighborhoods provide excellent value with easy access to schools, shopping, and the Georgian Trail. Watch the video about this neighbourhood here.

Summit View

Situated along High Street and Poplar Sideroad, Summit View combines prime location with family-friendly living. Minutes from Blue Mountain and downtown Collingwood, this Devonleigh Homes community offers thoughtfully designed homes with mountain views, nearby schools, trails, creek, premium finishes, and an elevated four-season lifestyle that makes the most of Collingwood living.

Mountaincroft

Mountaincroft delivers the perfect blend of new construction and established community, also with mountain views on certain streets, and family-friendly streets nestled near the Niagara Escarpment. This growing neighbourhood attracts young families and professionals with its modern homes, walking trails, playgrounds, toboggan hill and easy access to both Blue Mountain and downtown Collingwood. It’s actually right across the street from Summit View.

4. The Remote Worker's Paradise

Why Working from Home is Better Here

• High-speed fiber internet throughout most areas

• Multiple coworking spaces and coffee shops

• Zero commute time spent - that’s a whole lot of saved time!

• Lunch break skiing or paddle boarding

• Toronto meetings? You're still just 2 hours away

Best Work Spots

• Gibson & Co. - Your new favorite "office" with premium coffee

• Collingwood Public Library - For focused work days

• The Foundry - When you need that office feel. Great for networking too!

• Your own home! - Make it your happy place. Here’s my home office:

5. The Foodie's Transition Guide

Where to Get Your Urban Food Fix

• Fine Dining: The Tremont Café, Prime Seven Nine and way more.

• Global Cuisine: Baked and Pickled (Mexican), Low Down (Thai), Poppy’s Bistro (French), Pho Simcoe 2 (Asian), and many more like Japanese sushi, Italian, Chinese, etc.

• Coffee Culture: Summit Social House, Espresso Post (they have great Portuguese tarts here!), Collingwood Coffee Co. (freshly roasted coffee).

• Breakfast spots: MEK (Montreal bagels and breakfast), Brightside Deli (lunch and gelato), Sol Kitchen (great for lunch meetings). 

• The Collingwood Farmers' Market: Saturdays, 8AM - 1PM, May - Thanksgiving.

That’s just a small taste of the restaurants you’ll enjoy here.

6. The Social Scene: Making Friends After the Move

How to Build Your New Community

• Join local sports groups (pickleball, baseball, dance, etc.)

• Attend community events and festivals

• Use Facebook groups for local connections

• Join fitness classes or yoga studios

• Volunteer at local organizations

7. The 30-Day Integration Plan

Week 1: The Essentials

• Register for local medical services

• Update government IDs

• Find your go-to grocery stores

• Locate essential services

Week 2: Community Integration

• Join local Facebook groups

• Meet your neighbours

• Explore local coffee shops

• Find your favourite walking trails

Week 3: Lifestyle Setup

• Join a gym or sports club

• Discover local entertainment spots

• Set up home services (snow removal, lawn care)

• Find local healthcare providers including dental

Week 4: Becoming a Local

• Walk the streets, explore the shops

• Join a community organization or two

• Attend a local event

• Find your favourite restaurants

8. Healthcare Reality Check

• Register early for a family doctor

• Collingwood General and Marine Hospital serves the region

• Multiple walk-in clinics available

• Collingwood is the future home of The Poplar Regional Health & Wellness Village (kind of a big deal)

9. Four Seasons of Activities

Winter

• Skiing and snowboarding at Blue Mountain or the private ski clubs

• Fat-biking and cross-country skiing

• Winter festivals and events

• Ice fishing on Georgian Bay

• Ice skating indoors or outdoors at the municipal rinks

• Winter hiking or snowshoeing in The Pretty River Valley or along the escarpment

• Snowmobiling

Spring

• Hiking during the wildflower season

• Mountain biking as the trails dry

• Farmers' market opening

• Spring festivals and art shows

Summer

• Beach days at Sunset Point and Wasaga Beach

• Paddleboarding and kayaking

• Patio dining downtown

• Outdoor concerts and events

• Hiking, cycling, mountain biking

• Fishing

Fall

• Fall colour tours

• Apple picking and harvest festivals

• Hiking and biking in perfect weather

• Photography opportunities

• Fishing

10. Making the Move: Your Action Plan

Before You Move

• Secure housing (rental or purchase)

• Research and arrange schools if needed

• Set up utilities and internet

• Arrange moving service or truck rental (contact me for my moving company recommendation from Toronto to Collingwood)

• Update address on all documents

First Week Priorities

• Set up home security

• Meet neighbours

• Locate essential services

• Begin exploring your neighbourhood

Conclusion: Embracing Your New Lifestyle

Welcome to Collingwood – where your weekend feels like a vacation, your commute minimal, and your quality of life is about to skyrocket. Yes, it's different from the big city, but that's exactly why you'll love it.

Remember, every current local was once new here too. Completely washing away the city could take longer for some. Others like myself could be much quicker. 

Embrace the change, join in community events, and soon you'll wonder why you didn't make the move sooner.

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•Note: This guide is updated regularly to reflect current conditions and opportunities in Collingwood. For the most up-to-date information on specific services, please consult local authorities or service providers directly.