Best Areas for Young Professionals in Kitchener-Waterloo

An exciting life awaits the young professional living (or looking to live) in Kitchener-Waterloo!

Imagine finding your ideal condo, loft, or charming historic property at an affordable price while still being close to employment, universities, the downtown core, amazing amenities, highways, and public transit.

Well, imagine no more! Kitchener-Waterloo offers all of the above and is the ideal place for young professionals and savvy investors looking for their next income property!

There are many neighbourhoods in Kitchener-Waterloo that have these desirable elements with a wide variety of property types to choose from! Read on for our list of the best areas for young professionals in KW.

• Downtown Kitchener
• East Ward (Frederick Area) in Kitchener
• King East, Mill-Courtland Area, Rockway Area in Kitchener
• Uptown Waterloo
• Midtown
• Victoria Hills in Kitchener
• University Area in Waterloo
• Northfield in Waterloo
• Lincoln Heights in Waterloo
• Conestoga Mall Area in Waterloo
• Areas Around the LRT Line
• Conclusion

Downtown Kitchener

Downtown Kitchener has undergone some impressive upgrades in recent years, most notably the addition of the tech industry to the downtown core. Employment opportunities here are on a continuous rise due to the presence of this industry and show no signs of slowing down.

The downtown is also close to the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, which are both easily accessible by vehicle or public transit, particularly the Light Rail Train (LRT), which runs directly from downtown Kitchener to the University area.

Also easily accessible from downtown are Highways 7&8 and 401, making any necessary commuting all that much easier.

Downtown Kitchener is home to several new condo developments and unique properties such as refurbished historical buildings transformed into hip and stylish lofts, as well as older character homes that may need a bit of care.

The real estate options in this area will also have great appeal to investors looking to obtain a rental or investment property.

Amenities are plentiful and varied in the downtown core. From mouth-watering restaurants, and cozy coffee shops to the fresh offerings of the Kitchener Farmer’s Market, your taste buds certainly won’t be neglected as everything is within a reasonable walking distance.

There is no shortage of green space either with Victoria Park located in the downtown area. This is Kitchener’s oldest park and it features a splash pad, pavilion, playground, and running trails.

East Ward (Frederick Area) in Kitchener

East Ward, also known as the Frederick area, is located just north of downtown and is another excellent location for young professionals.

Close proximity to Highways 7&8 and 85, makes commuting out of town a breeze and the Frederick area offers easy access to downtown Kitchener and the universities in Waterloo.

Close to Frederick Mall which has its own bowling alley and billiards hall, East Ward has lots of retail amenities that are within walking distance to several neighbourhoods.

Young professionals can find charming older properties in the Frederick area at a lower price point than the downtown yet still be very close to the nightlife, restaurants, and tech hub.

King East, Mill-Courtland Area, Rockway Area in Kitchener

King East, Mill Courtland, and Rockway are areas located east and south of downtown Kitchener. For those young professionals looking for a little distance from the activity of the city core, these areas should be considered.

Rockway has an LRT station and is the neighbourhood closest to Highway 7&8 and major amenities such as grocery and retail stores. It is also home to Rockway Gardens (a popular location for wedding photos), Rockway Golf Course, and the AR Kaufman Family YMCA.

King East is the second closest to the highways and of course, provides a direct route to downtown. Mill-Courtland is the furthest from the highways, however, it offers charming older homes on larger, mature lots.

Uptown Waterloo

Uptown Waterloo is the ideal location for the busy young professional. Just a quick train ride north from the downtown tech hub, uptown is right at the doorstep of the universities.

Teeming with cool condos, upscale restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, there is always something to do in uptown Waterloo. Everything one could need is within walking distance of Waterloo Public Square, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and boutique-style retail stores.

For those who enjoy getting active outdoors, the very large and beautiful Waterloo Park is close by and offers trails, open fields, and tennis courts.

Midtown

In between downtown Kitchener and uptown Waterloo, lies an older, historic neighbourhood called Midtown. This unique area is home to an eclectic community that takes great pride in its neighbourhood.

The houses here are older and historic giving the tree-lined streets a very charming, quaint vibe. In addition to the historic houses in Midtown, one will also find several upscale condo developments.

Due to its location, Midtown is very close to both downtown and uptown and all their related amenities. It offers trails and green space and is easily accessible by public transit, both bus and the LRT lines.

Victoria Hills in Kitchener

For the young professional on a budget, we recommend considering the Victoria Hills area of Kitchener. Located in the north end of Kitchener, close to the Waterloo border, this area offers cheaper real estate but is still reasonably accessible to all of Downtown Kitchener, Uptown Waterloo, and Midtown.

Surrounded by all the necessary amenities, Victoria Hills is also close to Filsinger Park Greenway, complete with hiking trails for those looking to be active outdoors.

University Area in Waterloo

For those working at or attending either the University of Waterloo or Wilfrid Laurier University, living in close proximity makes sense. The university area is large and has a variety of property types to choose from. From new condos to older apartments and detached houses, the young professional will be sure to find the home that suits their needs.

Close to the highways, the university area is of course on the LRT line as well, making it very accessible from both uptown and downtown. There is always something going on in this busy community as it is bursting with amenities all of which are within walking distance.

Northfield in Waterloo

Northfield is located in, you guessed it, north Waterloo. Perfect for those wanting a bit more space yet still requiring easy, quick access to the highways and the university area, Northfield is a great choice and even has its own LRT station.

Close to all the must-have amenities this area of Waterloo is perfect for the active, outdoorsy type craving lots of green space and trails. Properties range from suburban detached homes to new, innovative condominiums.

Lincoln Heights in Waterloo

Located off the east end of University Ave., this area is very close to Highway 85. The young professional living in this neighbourhood will find some cheaper properties to choose from yet will still be close to the action around the universities.

Close to all amenities, one could definitely find what they need within walking distance depending on the location they choose. Bechtel Park (human and dog) and Bechtel Natural Area are additional perks and offer lots of trails and space to get active.

Conestoga Mall Area in Waterloo

The Conestoga Mall area is located in the north end of Waterloo on King St. N. Situated very close to the highway, living in Conestoga means an easier time for commuters and quick access to all the important amenities.

With its own LRT station, the Conestoga Mall area is a quick train ride to the universities, making it a great choice for those attending or working at the institutions. The area is also within a reasonable distance of uptown, midtown, and downtown, allowing for many employment options.

Properties located directly around the mall tend to be townhomes from the 1990s with newer builds located further out from the immediate mall area.

Areas Around the LRT Line

Since the inaugural trip of the LRT Line in Kitchener-Waterloo in June 2019, transportation from one end of the city to the other has become exponentially faster and easier. Travel time from end to end is only about 40 minutes, bringing residents more options when it comes to working, education, and shopping.

For young professionals or investors looking for property in KW, buying along the LRT is undoubtedly a good idea.

Neighbourhoods that surround the LRT include; Conestoga, Northfield, the University area, Westmount, Midtown, Mt. Hope/Huron Park, Tech Hub (Central Station), Cedar Hill, Mill Courtland Woodside Park, Country Hills East, and Fairview.

The installation of the LRT in Kitchener-Waterloo has definitely been a game changer when it comes to purchasing a property in the city.

Areas that were once considered far from downtown and uptown are now readily accessible as is the university area, opening up many more opportunities for young professionals and investors alike.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our picks for the best areas for young professionals to live in Kitchener-Waterloo. With the explosion of the tech industry in the area and the continued growth and innovation of the universities, it is no wonder KW is such an excellent choice for this demographic.

With so many great neighbourhoods offering convenient access to the necessary amenities, young professionals and interested investors are sure to find what they are looking for in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Should you have any further questions regarding real estate in the KW region, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help!