Drive north on Highway 404 past Newmarket and something shifts. The subdivisions thin, the sky opens up, and you start to see rolling moraine hills, working farms, and wetlands. You’ve entered East Gwillimbury — a town that Statistics Canada once confirmed as Canada’s fastest-growing municipality, and a place that, despite that headline, still manages to feel genuinely quiet.
East Gwillimbury (nicknamed “EG” by locals) sits in York Region, bordered by Newmarket to the south, Bradford West Gwillimbury to the west, and Georgina to the north. It covers roughly 245 square kilometres, but what’s striking is that 70% of it remains green space — farms, forests, and conservation land protected under the Oak Ridges Moraine. That’s a rare thing this close to the GTA.
If you’re weighing whether to make the move, this guide covers everything from neighbourhoods and housing costs to schools, transit, and what daily life actually looks like in 2026.
Quick Stats
| Population growth (2016–2021) | 44.4% — fastest in Canada |
| Green space coverage | 70% of the municipality |
| Projected population by 2031 | 88,400 residents |
| Distance from Newmarket | 15 minutes |
| GO Train access | Yes — Barrie line, EG Station |
The Five Communities of EG
East Gwillimbury isn’t a single town centre — it’s a collection of five distinct communities, each with its own personality. Understanding which one fits your lifestyle is the first decision you’ll make.
Holland Landing
The largest community in EG, Holland Landing sits on scenic rolling hills north of Newmarket. It has the biggest population, a genuine village-like main street, and some of the best access to nature in the region — the Nokiidaa Trail and Rogers Reservoir Conservation Area are both right here. Expect a mix of older character homes and newer builds, along with local restaurants and a tight-knit community feel.
Best for: Buyers who want established neighbourhood character, great trail access, and proximity to Newmarket amenities.
Queensville
Queensville is where most of EG’s growth is happening right now, and it’s poised to become the town’s largest community. A 30-year master plan is transforming it into a full urban node. The 2025 opening of the Health and Active Living Plaza (HALP) — EG’s first indoor aquatic centre, library branch, and fitness facility under one roof — has already changed the feel of the area significantly. Three Highway 404 exits now serve the community.
Best for: Families who want brand-new construction, modern amenities, and are excited to be part of a community taking shape.
Sharon
Sharon is where you go for space. Half-acre lots are common, the setting is peaceful, and the rural character is real. The “Sharon Village” development is bringing municipal water and sewer to new builds here, and the town’s municipal offices are based on Leslie Street. Both the 404 and the East Gwillimbury GO Station are within easy reach, making this a popular choice for Toronto commuters.
Best for: Buyers prioritizing lot size, country feel, and GO Train access.
Mount Albert
The most rural-feeling of the five communities, Mount Albert sits on the eastern edge of EG along Highway 48. There’s a Foodland, a handful of independent shops along Centre Street, and an atmosphere that genuinely feels removed from the city. If leaving the GTA behind is the whole point of the move, Mount Albert delivers on that more than anywhere else in EG.
Best for: People who truly want a small-town lifestyle and don’t mind a longer drive for urban amenities.
River Drive Park
A quieter sub-community of Holland Landing along the East Holland River, River Drive Park has a compact, tight-knit character. It’s for those who want something a little different — riverfront atmosphere, established feel, and a genuine sense of community.
What Does Housing Cost in EG?
Here’s the paradox of East Gwillimbury: it is often priced higher than neighbouring Newmarket, not because it’s more prestigious, but because almost all of its inventory is new construction. You’re typically buying a brand-new four-bedroom detached home with nine-foot ceilings and modern finishes — and that commands a premium.
Average Sold Prices · 2025–2026
| Property Type | Average Price |
|---|---|
| All property types | ~$1.28 million |
| Detached homes | $1.45M – $1.65M |
| New construction (Queensville premium) | Top of range |
Property Taxes
The combined residential property tax rate in EG (municipal + York Region + education levies) runs approximately 0.85%–0.95% of assessed value annually. On a home assessed at $1.2M, that works out to roughly $10,200–$11,400 per year.
One useful note for buyers of new construction: MPAC often initially assesses new builds below their market value, creating a temporary property tax advantage. This typically narrows over a few years as reassessment cycles catch up to actual transaction prices — worth factoring into your long-term budget.
The Infrastructure Pipeline
This is what truly separates EG from other growth communities in York Region right now. The town is in the middle of its biggest build-out in history, and the projects underway will meaningfully change daily life by 2030.
Health and Active Living Plaza (HALP) — Open since October 2025
EG’s most significant recreational investment to date. The HALP in Queensville brings the municipality’s first indoor aquatic centre, a modern library branch, a fitness facility, an indoor playground, and community programming spaces — all in a single integrated building. A surrounding 20-acre park with a skate park and sports fields is completing in phases through 2026.
Bradford Bypass — Under construction
A planned 16-kilometre freeway connecting Highway 400 to Highway 404, running directly through EG. Early works are actively underway. When complete, East Gwillimbury will have direct freeway access in both directions — making it one of the most commuter-efficient towns north of the GTA. Local real estate agents consistently call this the infrastructure project that will define EG’s next decade.
Highway 404 Extension — Complete
The 404 now runs up to Ravenshoe Road with three exits serving EG communities (Green Lane, Queensville Sideroad, and south of Ravenshoe). Commute times for Sharon and Queensville residents have already improved substantially.
East Gwillimbury GO Station — Active
On the Barrie GO line, with train service into Union Station in Toronto. This is the backbone of EG’s commuter appeal for anyone working downtown.
Queensville Master Plan Development — Ongoing
A 30-year phased build-out that will bring residential density, commercial streets, and urban services to Queensville. Think of it as watching a new town centre take shape in real time.
Schools & Education
East Gwillimbury falls within the York Region District School Board (YRDSB), one of Ontario’s stronger public boards. Catholic schooling is available through the York Catholic District School Board.
Elementary highlights:
- Sharon Public School — praised by parents for strong community involvement and smaller class sizes
- Good Shepherd Catholic School (Holland Landing) — similar reputation for community feel
Secondary: Most EG students feed into Newmarket schools, with Huron Heights Secondary School and Dr. John M. Denison Secondary School being the primary options. Both offer strong arts and technology programs, and the drive from EG is short.
EG is actively family-oriented, and the programming reflects it. The new HALP facility, seasonal community events, trail networks, and parks give families a lot of active options year-round — things that are genuinely harder to find at this price point closer to the city.
Nature, Trails & Green Space
This is arguably EG’s strongest card. The Oak Ridges Moraine — a 160-kilometre glacial ridge running across southern Ontario — cuts right through the town, and development within it is strictly limited by provincial policy. That means a huge amount of the land around you will remain permanently green.
Key natural destinations:
- Rogers Reservoir Conservation Area — 84 hectares of trails, concrete canal locks, remnants of an early-1900s waterway, and excellent birdwatching. One of the best natural sites in York Region.
- Nokiidaa Trail (Holland Landing) — A popular multi-use trail connecting through to Newmarket’s trail network. Great for cycling and walking year-round.
- Anchor Park — A historically significant park holding a four-metre anchor shipped from England during the War of 1812, abandoned when the war ended before it could reach its intended warship. Now a distinctive community landmark.
- Sharon Temple National Historic Site — A beautifully preserved 19th-century building and museum, and the site of beloved community events including the popular Haunted Halloween Hike each fall.
Access to Lake Simcoe and Ontario’s Cottage Country is also very short from EG — a genuine lifestyle bonus for outdoor enthusiasts.
Shopping, Dining & Getting Around
Here is where honesty matters most. East Gwillimbury is not Newmarket. For major grocers, national retailers, restaurants, and the hospital, most EG residents drive to Newmarket — a 10–15 minute trip from most communities. That is the fundamental lifestyle trade-off of EG living, and it’s worth thinking through clearly before you commit.
Within EG:
- Holland Landing: The Neighbourhood Market (grocery), Santa Fe Pizza, Shiawase Sushi, Landing Family Restaurant
- Mount Albert: Foodland on Highway 48, a small collection of independent shops on Centre Street
- Sharon: A few dining options near the municipal offices
Transit: VIVA and YRT bus service connects EG to Newmarket and the GO corridor, but the network does not eliminate car dependency — nearly every EG household keeps a car. The exception is the East Gwillimbury GO Station, which provides a genuine car-free commute into the city via the Barrie line.
The Honest Pros & Cons
Every move involves trade-offs. Here’s a clear-eyed look at what EG gives you — and what it asks of you.
Reasons to love East Gwillimbury ✓
- New construction homes with modern finishes and generous square footage
- 70% green space — moraine, trails, and conservation areas on your doorstep
- Lower density and a quieter pace of life than inner York Region
- The Bradford Bypass will transform commute access by the late 2020s
- GO Train access for car-free Toronto commutes
- HALP brings world-class recreation to Queensville
- Strong long-term growth potential ahead of full infrastructure delivery
- Family-friendly events, trails, and year-round community programming
- Competitive property tax rates compared to Toronto
Things to consider carefully ✗
- Car-dependent for most daily errands — Newmarket is the nearest full-service hub
- Home prices higher than Newmarket, driven by new-build inventory
- Active construction zones mean dust, road changes, and noise in newer subdivisions
- Limited walkability by any urban or suburban standard
- Transit coverage beyond the GO Train is limited
- Some services and amenities are still catching up to the growth
A Quick Q&A session:
Should You Move to East Gwillimbury?
East Gwillimbury is the right move for families looking for a forever home that prioritizes space, nature, new construction quality, and long-term appreciation in a still-developing community. It suits people who commute by GO Train, value access to the outdoors, and are happy to drive for their grocery run.
It’s not the right move for anyone who wants to walk to a restaurant, skip the car, or have full urban amenities at their doorstep today.
But for buyers who can see the town that EG is clearly becoming — and who can ride out the construction-phase inconveniences — this is one of the more compelling moves in York Region right now. The infrastructure gap is closing, the recreation is arriving, and the freeway access is coming. The people who move before all of that is complete tend to get the best of it.
Have questions about moving to East Gwillimbury? Give The Nikolay and Tatiana A Call at 647-833-3287 — we know this corner of York Region well and are happy to help you figure out if EG is the right fit for your family.