Cheapest Areas to Buy a Home in Kitchener-Waterloo

There are many reasons why home buyers might be in the market for a cheaper, more affordable property. Whether you are a first-time buyer looking to enter the market, an investor looking for a deal to flip, or just have a lower budget, you are sure to find what you are looking for in Kitchener-Waterloo.

In this article, we outline areas of KW that are more affordable for home buyers. Despite being at a lower price point, all of these neighbourhoods offer great perks! Just because an area is affordable, does not mean it is not a good place to live.

• Northfield in Waterloo
• Fairview in Kitchener
• Heritage Park, Stanley Park, Chicopee in Kitchener
• Huron in Kitchener
• Trussler in Kitchener
• Victoria Hills in Kitchener
• The Southern and Eastern Parts of Downtown Kitchener
• Uptown Waterloo
• Bridgeport in Waterloo
• Forest Heights & Forest Hill in Kitchener
• Alpine & Laurentian in Kitchener
• Lexington in Kitchener
• Conclusion

Northfield in Waterloo

Located in North Waterloo, the Northfield area is geared toward commercial and light industrial use; so not as many residential properties. There are, however, several residential neighbourhoods in the Bridge St. W. and Northfield Dr. E. area especially.

Despite its location on the periphery, Northfield has a lot of local amenities. It has great proximity to Conestoga Mall, and access to the LRT line, the 7&8/85 Highway, and is fairly close to the university area.

For those that appreciate a more rural pace of life, this area is nice and close to the St. Jacob’s market and the surrounding farms and countryside. Just hop on the 85 Highway for a few minutes and you’re there!

Fairview in Kitchener

Located in southeast Kitchener, the Fairview area is home to houses built in the late 1960s to the early 1970s. Perfect for buyers or investors willing to put in a bit of work, there are homes in the area that require some updating. Situated on larger-than-average lots, houses in the Fairview area are an attractive option for first-time buyers looking to break into the market.

In addition to being very close to Highway 7&8, perhaps the biggest advantage of living in the Fairview area is the proximity of CF Fairview Park shopping mall. The mall also serves as a station for the LRT. Along Fairview Drive, one can find a huge selection of restaurants and various services and retailers.

Heritage Park, Stanley Park, Chicopee in Kitchener

Heritage Park, Stanley Park, and Chicopee are neighbourhoods on Kitchener’s east side. The homes in these areas are older but are surrounded by great green spaces. Buyers can find houses built from the late 1950s to the late 1980s, many with modern updates.

For those looking for an affordable townhouse or condo, this is a good area to search. Along with multi-unit properties, townhomes and condos are of particularly good value here.

A short drive to Highway 7&8 and the amenities of the Fairview area, these family-friendly neighbourhoods are home to schools, community centres, and churches.

Bordered by the Grand River, these neighbourhoods are not lacking opportunities to get outdoors and explore nature. In addition, residents can enjoy Stanley Park Conservation Area, Idlewood Park, and of course the Chicopee Ski Resort.

Huron in Kitchener

Located in the south end of Kitchener, Huron is a new area that has developed over the last decade or so. The houses are new and modern and include single-family homes, townhomes, and octo-plexes. Owning a vehicle is a must for living in this neighbourhood as it is far from the rest of the city and has fewer public transportation options than some of the more central, core areas.

Huron does have many of its own amenities and is about a 10-minute drive to Highway 401. Nearby conveniences include; grocery shopping and a dollar store just down Fischer Hallman Rd, take-out food outlets, coffee shops, and good schools.

Bordering on Wilmot Township, the Huron area is close to the countryside and has plenty of green space. Huron Natural Area is a huge perk of living in the area and is enjoyed by residents of all ages.

Trussler in Kitchener

The Trussler area of Kitchener is still primarily in the development phase. Located on the southwest edge of the city, living here is the definition of ‘country meets the city.’

Trussler West is close to Highway 7&8 and home-buyers can select from many vacant lots on which to build their home.
Residents will definitely need a vehicle to access amenities, as the closest locations are primarily in the Huron area or further into the city around the Laurentian neighbourhood.

Close to Trussler Woods and Trussler Greenway, this neighbourhood promises to deliver lots of green space to enjoy the active family lifestyle.

Victoria Hills in Kitchener

Victoria Hills is a northwest Kitchener neighborhood built in the 1970s. Home to older single-family detached, semi-detached, and townhouses, buyers in this area will be a reasonable distance from the downtown core and have walking access to downtown via trails.

Victoria Hills residents are just a short drive or bus trip east to find grocery stores and other necessary services.

For those choosing to call this neighbourhood home, there is plenty of green space to enjoy. The Filsinger Park Greenway, for example, occupies a large portion of the Victoria Hills area and offers several kilometers of trails.

The Southern and Eastern Parts of Downtown Kitchener

If home buyers are in the market for a deal on a detached house, they may wish to consider downtown Kitchener! The two best areas to find affordable houses are the south area of downtown Kitchener which includes the sub-areas of Mill-Courtland, Stirling, and Rockway, and the eastern area which is known as King East.

Though downtown living is not for everyone, the area is promising for young professionals especially. For those working in Kitchener’s tech industry, an older downtown home in need of a little TLC could be the perfect fit.

There are plenty of amenities in the downtown area including; beautiful Victoria Park, lots of coffee shops, restaurants, the Kitchener Farmer’s Market, smaller ethnic food markets, and great access to public transportation.

Uptown Waterloo

Uptown Waterloo is similar to downtown Kitchener when it comes to charming, older homes available at a lower price point.

Perhaps not the ideal location for families, uptown Waterloo may be the perfect place for young professionals or even university students looking for a detached house to renovate. This is also a good location for investors seeking cheap, multi-unit investment properties.

For nature lovers, Waterloo Park and Silver Lake are just a short distance away and provide the perfect country oasis right in the city.

Living in Uptown Waterloo means easy access to Waterloo Public Square Station, Waterloo Town Square as well as the Uptown Waterloo Open Air Market. Restaurants and bars are also plentiful in this area.

Bridgeport in Waterloo

Bridgeport is an older neighbourhood north of midtown and on the eastern edge of Waterloo. This area is not the most accessible by public transportation but getting around by private vehicle poses no problem for residents.

Houses in Bridgeport tend to be from the 1960s and many offer mature trees on larger-than-average lots. With easy access to Highway 7&8, this area is just a quick trip to all the necessary amenities, including uptown Waterloo and downtown Kitchener.

The area is family-friendly with schools located in the neighbourhood and lots of green space, including close proximity to the Grand River, its trails, and other related activities.

Forest Heights & Forest Hill in Kitchener

The neighbourhoods of Forest Heights and Forest Hill are located in southwest Kitchener and have always been very family-friendly. This area is now considered mature but is still home to good schools and easy access to the highways and all areas of the KW region. These neighbourhoods offer great value for home buyers.

Homes here were built throughout the late 1960s into the 1980s and often come with mature trees and larger lots. Close to all amenities, everything a family could need is only just a short drive or bus ride away. There are also plenty of schools in the area, including a high school, Forest Heights Collegiate Institute.

Children of all ages enjoy the many playgrounds and parks dotting this activity-based area where you will almost always see some form of organized sport.

Alpine & Laurentian in Kitchener

Alpine and Laurentian are neighbourhoods in south-central Kitchener with many similarities to Forest Heights and Forest Hill in terms of the type of homes and amenities found there.

Not quite as convenient or accessible as Forest Heights and Forest Hill, Laurentian and Alpine are still great family neighbourhoods, close to many schools and all the important amenities. Homes here were built primarily in the late 1960s and early 1970s and often come with mature trees and nice-sized lots perfect for family life.

This area has no shortage of parks and green space, with McLennan Park being of particular interest. Complete with a playground and splash pad for the summer months, this park also has a huge hill to which local tobogganing enthusiasts flock during the winter months.

Lexington in Kitchener

Lexington is an area located in the northeast end of Waterloo. A bit off the beaten path, residents of this neighbourhood still have good access by vehicle to the highway, universities, Conestoga Mall, and grocery stores.

Although this area is a bit further out than most student housing, it is still a good location for students. Investors interested in tapping the university market can find affordable housing here in the form of single detached and townhomes.

Those choosing to make Lexington home will enjoy nearby parks as well as the close proximity to the Grand River and all its related activities.

Conclusion

When looking for cheaper areas to buy a home in Kitchener-Waterloo, it is important to remember that affordable does not mean low value.

There are plenty of older, perhaps slightly less modern neighbourhoods that offer fantastic opportunities for families, young professionals, and investors.

If you are interested in finding an affordable property in the KW area, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information. We are here to help!