Living in London, Ontario: A Relocation Guide

Halfway between Toronto and Detroit, London, Ontario is the largest city in southwestern Ontario — a green, river-crossed university city known as the Forest City. With major hospitals, two post-secondary institutions, and home prices well below the GTA, it draws families, students and remote workers alike. Here's what it's really like to live in London.

Key takeaways

• London is southwestern Ontario's largest city, anchored by Western University and Fanshawe College.
• Nicknamed the Forest City, it's known for tree-lined streets and the Thames River winding through downtown.
• Healthcare, education, insurance and a growing tech sector underpin a diverse economy.
• Home prices are generally far below the GTA, drawing relocating families and remote workers.
• Browse current listings on the HOMEH London real estate page.

Why people move to London

London's biggest draw is value: buyers get noticeably more home for their money than in the GTA, without giving up big-city amenities. Western University and Fanshawe College bring tens of thousands of students and a research-driven economy, while London's hospitals, insurance sector and growing tech scene provide stable employment. Add a walkable, leafy core and a lively arts and music culture, and it's easy to see why so many relocating families compare it favourably to pricier centres like Hamilton.

Affordability is the headline, but it isn't the whole story. London is large enough to support a real downtown, professional sports, a thriving festival scene and major shopping, yet small enough that traffic and day-to-day stress stay manageable. That combination — urban amenities without GTA prices or congestion — is what keeps relocating families, students and retirees comparing London favourably year after year.

Quick snapshot

London sits on the Thames River in southwestern Ontario, roughly two hours from Toronto. It's the regional hub for the area, with a population over 400,000 and the nickname the Forest City.

Neighbourhoods to know

London spreads across distinct quadrants, each with its own feel. A quick orientation for newcomers:

• Old North & Old South — heritage homes, mature trees and walkable streets near downtown.
• Downtown & Wortley Village — the urban core plus one of Canada's best-known village-style neighbourhoods.
• North London (Masonville, Stoneybrook) — newer family homes near Western University and Masonville Place.
• Byron & Lambeth (southwest) — established and newer suburban communities with quick Highway 401/402 access.
• East London & Fanshawe area — more affordable housing near the college and parks.

Schools and families

London is served by the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board, plus French-language boards, Western University and Fanshawe College. Families value the abundance of parks and trails along the Thames, strong recreation programs, and housing space that's hard to match closer to Toronto. If you're weighing several Ontario cities, our best places to live in the GTA guide offers a wider comparison.

Lifestyle is a real selling point. London has a deep live-music and festival tradition, a respected art gallery and theatre scene, and a long string of summer events at Harris Park and Victoria Park downtown. Springbank Park and the Thames Valley Parkway give residents kilometres of riverside trails, while Western University's sports and cultural facilities add to the mix. For sports fans, the city's junior hockey and minor-league baseball teams draw loyal crowds. Day-to-day costs — from groceries to dining out — generally run lower than in the GTA, which stretches household budgets further.

Getting around

London is well connected by highway: the 401 runs along the south edge of the city and the 402 heads west toward Sarnia and the U.S. border. VIA Rail and intercity buses link London to Toronto, Windsor and beyond, and London International Airport handles regional flights. Within the city, London Transit Commission buses cover local routes. Because London is roughly two hours from Toronto, most residents work locally rather than commute daily to the GTA.

That distance shapes the relocation decision: London works best for people who can work locally, work remotely, or only travel to the GTA occasionally rather than every day. The upside is that within the city itself, commutes are short — most cross-town drives take 15 to 25 minutes, a stark contrast to gridlock closer to Toronto. Remote workers in particular have driven recent demand, trading a small condo near the city for a detached home with a yard in a quiet London neighbourhood.

What homes cost in London

London offers one of the better price-to-space ratios among Ontario's larger cities, with everything from century homes in Old South to new subdivisions in the north and southwest, plus a growing condo market downtown and near Western. The best way to gauge the current market is to browse live listings and recent sales on the HOMEH London real estate page, and to plan your financing with our guide to buying a house in Ontario.

Buy in London with HOMEH and get cashback

Eligible HOMEH buyers receive the industry's highest Cashback Rebate — money that goes straight back into your pocket on a London home. Estimate yours with the cashback calculator.