Living in Markham: What You Need to Know

Markham calls itself Canada's high-tech capital, and it lives up to the billing — a fast-growing York Region city that pairs a major innovation economy with award-winning schools, a historic main street and one of the most diverse communities in the country. If a move to Markham is on your radar, here's what daily life there is really like.

Key takeaways

• Markham is a leading tech and innovation hub, home to major employers and a highly educated workforce.
• It's known for strong schools and an exceptionally diverse, multicultural community and food scene.
• Neighbourhoods range from historic Unionville and Markham Village to modern Cornell and Berczy.
• GO Transit, Viva and Highways 404, 407 and 7 connect Markham to the rest of the GTA.
• Browse current listings on the HOMEH Markham real estate page to see what your budget buys.

Why people move to Markham

Markham draws people for a powerful combination: jobs, schools and community. It hosts the head offices and Canadian operations of many technology companies, which means a lot of residents work close to home in a thriving local economy. Add some of the GTA's most respected schools, a deeply multicultural population, and a food scene that rivals anywhere in the region, and it's easy to see why Markham keeps growing. For a wider regional view, see our guide to the best places to live in the GTA.

Quick snapshot

Markham is home to well over 300,000 people and is consistently ranked among Canada's most diverse cities, with a strong concentration of technology employers earning it the nickname of Canada's high-tech capital.

Neighbourhoods to know

Markham blends genuine history with brand-new master-planned communities. A quick orientation:

• Unionville — a picturesque historic Main Street with shops, restaurants and a pond; one of the most desirable areas.
• Markham Village — the city's original core, full of heritage charm and mature streets.
• Cornell — a walkable, new-urbanist community near the hospital with front porches and rear lanes.
• Berczy & Wismer — newer family subdivisions near top-rated schools.
• Markham Centre & Downtown Markham — a modern mixed-use core with condos, offices and dining.

Getting around

Markham is well served for a 905 city. The Stouffville GO line runs through it with several stations, Viva and York Region Transit provide rapid bus service along key corridors, and Highways 404, 407 and 7 give fast road access across the GTA. Because so many residents work within Markham's own tech corridor, commutes are often shorter than in comparable suburbs — though, as across York Region, most households still rely on a car for daily life.

Schools and families

Markham is served by the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board, and many of its schools are among the highest-regarded in the region — a major reason families compete for homes here. Neighbourhoods like Berczy, Wismer and Unionville are especially popular for their school catchments. For our dedicated pick of the city's standout schools, see the best schools in Markham.

Lifestyle and culture

Markham's diversity is its defining feature, and nowhere shows it better than the food: some of the GTA's best Chinese, Hong Kong-style and pan-Asian dining is found in its plazas and malls, alongside cuisines from around the world. Historic Unionville Main Street offers boutiques, cafés and festivals, while Downtown Markham brings modern dining and entertainment. Parks, the Rouge National Urban Park nearby, and a full slate of community programs round out a busy lifestyle.

What homes are like in Markham

Markham offers a full spectrum of housing: heritage homes in Unionville and Markham Village, large detached houses in family subdivisions, walkable townhomes in Cornell, and modern condos in Markham Centre and Downtown Markham. Prices vary widely by neighbourhood and home type, so the best way to read the market is to browse live listings and recent sales on the HOMEH Markham real estate page, and check your buying power with the affordability calculator. If you're buying for the first time, our guide to buying a house in Ontario covers the full process. It's also worth comparing Markham with neighbouring Richmond Hill and Vaughan before you decide.

Buy in Markham 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 Markham home. Estimate yours with the cashback calculator.