Midland

Midland sits on Georgian Bay at the south end of Severn Sound. To Toronto it is about two hours, mostly down Highway 12 to Highway 400. There is no GO train this far north, so plan around the drive if you commute.

The downtown runs along King Street above the harbour. It is walkable, with independent shops, restaurants, and the large outdoor murals the town is known for. It gets busy in summer with boaters and visitors.

Year round. Unlike some of the smaller waterfront pockets nearby, Midland is a full town with a hospital, schools, groceries, and employers. The population climbs in summer but the core community is permanent.

A mix: century homes near the water and downtown, postwar neighbourhoods, newer subdivisions on the edges, and waterfront and water view properties along the bay. Your budget generally goes further here than in the south of the county.

It can be. You get Georgian Bay access without full cottage country pricing, and some streets put you within walking distance of both the water and downtown. The catch is that the best waterfront moves quickly, so it helps to be ready.