St. Thomas is a city in southwestern Ontario and part of the London metropolitan area. Just two hours away from downtown Toronto, this vibrant city offers the best amenities of larger urban areas, despite its comparatively small population of approximately 40,000 residents.
St. Thomas was first settled in 1810 at the intersection of two historical roads by Captain Daniel Rapelje. The city is widely known as the Railway Capital of Canada, as it served as the location of several essential railways throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. With an interesting history, fantastic transportation services, and countless activities and attractions, St. Thomas has established itself as a safe, fun, and cozy place to raise a family.
A History of Transportation
Since the first railway was completed in 1856, an impressive 26 railways have passed through St. Thomas. Of course, the railway industry naturally faced a gradual decline in the mid 20th century, when St. Thomas began centring its economy around the booming automobile industry. All to say, transportation has always been a major component of the city.
Today, the residents of St. Thomas enjoy a fantastic transit system and a convenient location in southern Ontario. St. Thomas offers easy access to some of the province’s greatest cities, as it is accessible via The Kings Highway 3 and The Kings Highway 4. The Kings Highway 4 notably provides routes to London, Highway 401, and Highway 402. If you’d rather not drive to these cities, you can take advantage of St. Thomas’s many conventional bus services and paratransit services.
Natural Beauty at Comfortable Temperatures
Of course, there’s much more to St. Thomas than just trains, planes, and automobiles. A unique feature that distinguishes it from any other city in Canada is that it is part of the Carolinian Zone. The Carolinian Zone is ideal for long growing seasons, allowing St. Thomas to have more flora and fauna than any other city in Canada.
Being part of the Carolinian Zone also gives St. Thomas rather comfortable temperatures throughout the year, especially compared to the rest of Canada. With average temperatures of 25 degrees in the summer and 2 degrees in the winter, it’s no wonder St. Thomas is considered one of the best places to live in Canada. If you decide you’d like a break from Canada’s winter weather altogether, St. Thomas is also close to 5 US-Canada border crossings!
All the Amenities Your Family Needs
This charming city has all the amenities a family needs when looking for a place to settle down, including many quality secondary schools. Some of these schools are controlled by the Thames Valley District School Board, while the London District Catholic School Board controls the others. There’s also plenty of great post-secondary options nearby, such as a campus for Algoma University and a satellite campus for Fanshawe College.
With regards to healthcare, St. Thomas has a state-of-the-art hospital with new emergency care facilities, surgical and operating room facilities, and mental health facilities. The city also has a great downtown area, with all the shops, restaurants, and entertainment centres you could ever need to fill your weekends and evenings. Need a break from the city? Lake Erie is just a 20-minute drive away!
We’ll Help You Settle Down in St. Thomas
With its impressive transportation services, gorgeous flora and fauna, and countless amenities, it’s easy to see why St. Thomas is welcoming so many new residents every year. Interested in joining these new residents and settling down in this one-of-a-kind city? We at Royal LePage® Triland are here to help.
Our team of experienced real estate agents is specially trained to find homes that suit your wants and needs without going over your budget. If you have any questions about our services, St. Thomas, or anything else, please contact us at your convenience.
Explore the St. Thomas Real Estate Market
At Royal LePage® Triland Realty our market-leading team of real estate professionals are dedicated to serving your real estate needs. To help you find that perfect home or condo in St. Thomas, contact us today and we will put you in-touch with one of our experience REALTORS®.