Kitchener is a great place to find a deal on housing, especially compared to other close-by cities. There are quaint homes and modern apartment and condo buildings to choose from. No matter what kind of housing you’re looking for though, you can find a deal with some searching. If you choose somewhere by the highway, it’s also easy to commute Toronto, Hamilton, or even London.

Typical housing type:

Single-family homes, as well as apartment and condo buildings

Side note:

Kitchener is one of those cities that’s kind of what you make of it. If you want a haven for your young family, you’ll find it here. If you want to party all night and get into fights, you’ll find it here too. The only thing that you can’t avoid? The German cultural influence.

Avg. rent by housing size:

Bach/studio: $958

1-bedroom: $982

2-bedroom: $1,325

3-bedroom: $1,535

Avg. rent compared to other Canadian cities

Kitchener is 3% lower than the Canadian average

No surprise: German immigrants and descendants! Of course, there are other immigrant populations in the area, including British and Scottish communities. Recently, there’s also been an influx of Syrian refugees, who have been warmly welcomed. But, still, German culture dominates. Like Waterloo, there is a significant Mennonite population. There’s a glut of young people in Kitchener, including many young families. In terms of kids, most are elementary and pre-elementary age. While the education levels in the city are lower than average, the average income level is over $60,000.

Perfect for: Young families, especially those with a passion for German culture.

Not-so-perfect for: Anyone who hates sausage and opera cake.

Ziggy Zoggy Ziggy Zoggy Oye Oye Oye! German life and style rules in Kitchener. The food, the bars, the cultural and educational activities… even the bakeries are German inspired. There are even two museums – Joseph Schneider Haus and Doon Heritage Village – dedicated to showing the life of the early Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. There’s a lot of family-oriented activities for those with kids. Those without often tend to have less education and blue-collar jobs. Within this group of residents, there’s a more rough-and-tumble feel. Partying is common, as is heavy drinking. But, hey, that’s part of German culture too, right?

Kitchener has a bit of everything. Fairview is the largest mall in the area, while Cambridge offers a number of outlet stores. Head to Bingemans for family fun. Want more educational activities? There are a number of local historical sites, including Doon Heritage Village and Joseph Schneider Haus. For natural scenery, there are many parks, with Victoria Park being the most beautiful. Bars and restaurants abound, especially those with a European flare. Downtown has a club and bar area, which is hopping late into the night. The main branch of the library is popular amongst families – both for the books and the cafe in the basement. There are plenty of schools, as well as universities in Waterloo and Guelph. Hoping to commute? Kitchener offers easy access to the 401.

Landmarks:

Doon Heritage Village

Victoria Park

Chicopee Ski Club

Kitchener City Hall

Woodside National Historic Site

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Joseph Schneider Haus

Bingemans

Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery

Homer Watson Park