Pros And Cons Of Living In Newcastle, Ontario 2023

(Source: Mark – Under Creative Commons license)

Are you planning a move to Ontario but looking for a quiet rural location away from the big city? If so, you may be interested in living in Newcastle, a peaceful village could be for you.

The Village of Newcastle has a rural lakeside location around 85km east of downtown Toronto. This town is popular with commuters, families and retirees alike (in fact, in 2020, Comfort Life named Newcastle in its list of best towns for retirees in Ontario).

This article will give you all the key information you need about living in Newcastle. In addition, we will provide you with an unbiased view of the pros and cons of living in Newcastle to help you decide whether it is the place for you.

Living In Newcastle, Ontario – The Facts

Here are a few key facts about this small town for anyone interested in living in Newcastle, Ontario.

Where Is Newcastle?

Newcastle (also known as the Village of Newcastle) lies in southern Ontario on the banks of Lake Ontario. The town is around 85km east of Toronto and 25km east of Oshawa. If you are looking to commute, it will take about 1.5 hours to drive to the centre of Toronto and around 25 minutes to reach Oshawa.

The town is one of 4 urban centres within the rural municipality of Clarington and is surrounded by agricultural land, including cornfields, orchards and cattle farms.

What Is The Weather Like In Newcastle?

Most of Canada experiences cold, harsh winters with pleasant, moderately hot summers. Ontario is no different, although the weather is generally a little more extreme than in other parts of Canada.

Summers in Ontario are amongst the hottest in Canada, and high humidity can make them uncomfortable. Winters are bitterly cold and often bring heavy snowfall.

However, Newcastle benefits from the moderating effect of Lake Ontario, which means that its winters are not as harsh as some other areas of Ontario. The town has an average July high of around 25 deg C, and an average January low of -8.5 deg C. Its average annual precipitation is around 900mm, of which around 100mm falls as snow in the winter.

What Is The Cost of Living In Newcastle Like?

Most immigrants find the cost of living high in Canada, and Ontario is one of the more expensive provinces. House prices in Ontario are around 30% higher than Canadian averages.

Rural areas are cheaper but still subject to high sales taxes. Sales tax is 13% on most goods compared to 5% in provinces such as Alberta. The good news is that income taxes in Ontario are lower than in most provinces.

House prices for those living in Newcastle are around 20% higher than the provincial average for Ontario, although still somewhat lower than property prices in Toronto. Prices in Newcastle probably reflect the fact that it has an attractive, lakeside location while still within reach of larger centres such as Toronto and Oshawa.

What Is The Newcastle Economy Based On?

Newcastle is a primarily rural town that acts as a retail, services and business centre. Its harbour and position on the lake make it popular with tourists, and the town’s economic development strategy includes plans to grow its recreational facilities.

Is Newcastle A Safe Place To Live?

Canada is one of the safest countries in the world to live in. Crime rates are low, and the country always features near the top of the annual Global Peace Index rankings.

Within Canada, Quebec, Ontario and the Maritime provinces have the lowest crime rates, while rates are highest in the territories.

Ontario’s crime rates are around 30% lower than national rates, and the crime rates in Newcastle are even lower. This means it is an extremely safe place to live.

What Are The Schools In Newcastle Like?

Canada has a strong and publicly-funded education system, which consistently ranks as one of the best in the world. The country doesn’t have a national curriculum, and the provinces/territories administer their own education systems.

Newcastle Public School is an elementary school covering kindergarten to grade 6. From grade 7 onwards, children attend The Pines Senior Public School, which takes them to grade 12.

The elementary school offers a French immersion track, but unfortunately, this doesn’t carry through to the local high school. However, the good news is that it is only a 10-minute drive to Bowmanville High School, which offers a French immersion program.

In addition to the above, Newcastle also has a third school, St. Francis of Assis C.E.S., which offers a catholic education.

What Is The Healthcare In Newcastle Like?

Canada has an excellent publicly-funded healthcare system which covers “medically necessary” care. Generally, hospital and doctor visits are covered, while other types of care, such as dental, optical and prescriptions, are funded for certain groups of people.

In Canada, healthcare is administered at a provincial level, so anyone living in Newcastle would be covered through Ontario Health.

You should be aware that there is currently a shortage of family doctors in Ontario, and it can be difficult to find clinics taking on new patients. This is especially true of the smaller towns and cities.

If you find yourself in this situation, we suggest you register with Health Care Connect. This government service can help to match you with doctors accepting patients in your area.

Newcastle’s closest hospital is Lakeridge Health which is a 10-minute drive away in Bowmanville. Its services include a 24/7 emergency department.

Pros And Cons Of Living In Newcastle, Ontario.

The pros and cons of living in Newcastle will vary from person to person, but whatever you are looking for, these are some key factors for you to consider.

FAQ – Living In Newcastle