start exploring
Affectionately known as “the Garden City” for its abundance of nature and plethora of parks, trails, and forested paths, St. Catharines is one of Canada’s top lifestyle destinations serving up small-town charm with St. Kitts Urban Towns you’ll discover a home that complements your lifestyle.
at-a-glance
St. Catharines is among the top cities
to live in Canada.
-moneysense.ca
133,000
residents
$538,391
median home price in Q4 2020
The Niagara region saw
1.7 billion
in construction and investment in 2018
The largest city
in Canada’s Niagara Region
Located on the northern edge of the Niagara peninsula, directly across Lake Ontario and Toronto
Median home prices increased nearly 20% year- over-year from 2019 to 2020, placing St. Catharines among the top three cities for growth in all of Canada
nature & recreation
If aquatic fun is more your scene then you’ll be spoiled for choice between windsurfing, sailing, and kiteboarding on the lake, or canoeing and kayaking on the Welland Canal. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the 2022 Canada Summer Games taking place in the region will see a $100 million investment in new sports infrastructure including a state-of-the-art sports facility with ice pads, a para-sport gymnasium, high-performance training facilities, indoor and outdoor tracks, beach volleyball courts and more.
Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, and close to the Niagara Escarpment, St. Catharines is a nature-lover’s dream. 90 kilometres of trails carve across the city, connecting more than 400 hectares of parkland where you can walk, jog, hike, cycle, and cross-country ski as the seasons change.
arts & culture
There’s the Folk Arts Festival in Montebello Park; three wine festivals that offer opportunities to sit back and sip a glass in winter, summer, and fall; the St. Catharines Festival of Readers; delicious Ribfest; and, of course, the Niagara Jazz Festival. Between the Meridian Centre, the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, and numerous other performance venues, there’s always something on.
shopping & dining
When it’s time for a break, stop by the bakery, step into a local deli, take a seat at a bistro or cafe, or head to one of the oldest farmers markets in Ontario where you’ll find fresh, local meats, fruits, veggies, and baked goods to refuel.
If your shopping ethos is “one-stop-shop” then head to the Pen Centre, Niagara’s largest shopping destination with over 180 stores and services - all the names you know and love. Or skip the mall and head downtown where you’ll discover a vibrant and eclectic mix of cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. From high-end vintage to custom skateboards, contemporary furnishings to a general store with a modern twist, St. Catharines will delight even the most seasoned shoppers.
day trips close to home
What’s the best part of living in St. Catharines? Access to so many amazing experiences, so close to home. The Niagara region is home to 48 golf courses, 42 nature conservation areas, and countless beaches and waterfronts along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Pack a bag and set off to hike the Bruce Trail, Canada’s longest footpath, or explore the natural wonder of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Ride along 300km of bike trails, many of which connect to the Niagara Wine Route, elevating the standard pit stop to an afternoon sampling Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir.
Snap selfies at Niagara Falls, stop and smell the (2400!) roses in the world-famous rose garden at the Botanical Gardens, or stroll through the charming historic centre of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Discover all the amazing attractions in your own backyard.
connection & transit
And with the future GO Train expansion to St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, and Grimsby, it will be faster and easier to get to Union Station from the Niagara region, than it will be to battle rush hour traffic on the DVP.
With all the amazing things in St. Catharines you may not ever want to leave, but for the times when you must, you’ll be happy to discover that you’re never far from where you need to go. At 130km, 86km, and 68km respectively, Toronto, Hamilton, and Buffalo are just a short drive away - as are their airports.