Barrie

Barrie curves around Kempenfelt Bay an hour north of Toronto, a lakefront city that has grown rapidly as commuters moved north up Highway 400 and the GO line extended to meet them.

The waterfront is the centre of the city: Centennial Beach, the marina and the walking path along the bay run directly below the downtown, and Dunlop Street's restaurants and shops sit a block up. The waterfront heritage trail follows the shoreline east.

Established neighbourhoods sit on the slopes above the bay, while newer subdivisions have filled the south and the annexed lands toward Innisfil. Georgian College anchors the east end and supports a steady rental market.

Barrie is the gateway to cottage country and Muskoka, with Horseshoe Valley and Snow Valley ski hills minutes north and Wasaga Beach a short drive west. GO trains on the Barrie line run to Union Station and Highway 400 is the main artery south.