Neighbourhood guide · Toronto & the GTA
Living in Angus (Essa): Neighbourhood & Real Estate Guide
Thinking of Angus or Essa Township? Neighbourhoods, 2026 home prices, CFB Borden, commuting to Barrie, schools and pros and cons from Irina Marchenkova.
By Irina Marchenkova, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Realtron Realty · Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) · Last updated September 2026
Angus is the largest community in the Township of Essa in Simcoe County, just west of Barrie. It’s home to many families connected with nearby Canadian Forces Base Borden, and offers newer subdivisions, affordable prices and quick access to Barrie’s jobs and shopping. The township also includes Thornton and Baxter. Here’s what to know before you buy or sell in Angus and Essa.
Neighbourhoods Prices Market Costs Transit Schools Checklist FAQ
Angus at a glance
- Where: Simcoe County, about 15 minutes west of Barrie, next to CFB Borden
- Typical home price: $708,300 MLS® HPI benchmark for all home types in Essa (August 2026)
- Getting around: Highway 90 to Barrie and Highway 400; the nearest GO stations are in Barrie
- Best for: military families, Barrie commuters and first-time buyers wanting a detached home
Why people choose Angus
- CFB Borden: one of Canada’s largest military bases is right next door
- Close to Barrie: jobs, shopping, the hospital and GO trains about 15 minutes away
- Affordability: detached homes well below the GTA average
- Nature: the Nottawasaga River and the Minesing Wetlands nearby
Angus is a practical choice for families working at Base Borden or in Barrie. You can usually get a newer detached home for the price of a condo in Toronto. — Irina
Angus neighbourhoods
Here’s how Essa’s communities differ:
Angus
The main community, with established neighbourhoods and newer subdivisions, schools, shopping and the Angus Recreation Centre.
Thornton
A small village to the east, closer to Barrie and Highway 400, with a quieter, rural feel.
Baxter and rural Essa
Farms and country properties across the township, often with wells and septic systems.
Homes and prices in Angus
Mostly detached homes, from older bungalows to newer two-storey houses, with some semis and townhouses.
Angus benchmark prices (August 2026)
Here’s how Essa compares with Simcoe County and the City of Toronto:
| Area | All homes | Detached | Semi-detached | Townhouse | Condo apt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essa | $708,300 | $737,100 | $586,900 | – | – |
| Simcoe County | $775,100 | $810,600 | $664,000 | $611,900 | $463,200 |
| City of Toronto | $918,400 | $1,437,900 | $1,127,200 | $717,200 | $547,400 |
A typical detached home in Essa was benchmarked about $700,800 below the City of Toronto figure in August 2026, and the composite benchmark was down 4.00% year over year. Ask me for recent sold prices on any street.
Thinking of selling? Get a free home evaluation and I’ll show you what comparable homes near you have actually sold for.
Market snapshot
Here’s how many homes sold and at what prices in August 2026, for all home types combined:
| Area | Homes sold | Average price | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essa | 22 | $776,223 | $675,000 |
| Simcoe County (TRREB area) | 178 | $810,904 | $780,000 |
Across the whole GTA in August 2026, homes sold for about 97% of their final list price on average and spent an average of 35 days on the market. GTA sales were down 2.1% from a year earlier and the average price was down 2.7%, so buyers have more choice and negotiating room than in recent years. Monthly numbers for a single town can swing a lot, so ask me for a free market report on a specific street.
What it costs to buy in Angus
Land transfer tax
Angus is outside the City of Toronto, so buyers pay only Ontario’s land transfer tax, not the extra Toronto municipal tax. Here’s what that looks like at typical prices:
| Example purchase | Ontario LTT | First-time buyer pays |
|---|---|---|
| Detached home at $740,000 | $11,275 | $7,275 |
| Semi-detached home at $590,000 | $8,275 | $4,275 |
First-time buyers can get a refund of up to $4,000 on the Ontario land transfer tax. You (and your spouse) must never have owned a home anywhere in the world. Land transfer tax is paid on closing, on top of your down payment. Try the land transfer tax calculator.
Property taxes
Property tax in Essa is your home’s MPAC assessed value multiplied by the combined residential rate (local, upper-tier and education). Check the Township of Essa website for the current year’s rate, and ask the seller for the latest tax bill. MPAC values are still based on January 1, 2016 and are usually well below today’s market price.
Getting around
- Driving: Highway 90 connects Angus to Barrie and Highway 400; Toronto is usually 75 to 90 minutes by car.
- GO Transit: the nearest GO stations are Barrie South and Allandale Waterfront on the Barrie line.
- Car needed: most households rely on a car.
Schools and family life
Essa is served by the Simcoe County District School Board and Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, with French-language options through Viamonde and MonAvenir. Always check each board’s school locator for a specific address.
The nearest major hospital is Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie; Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston is also close.
Child care
At licensed centres enrolled in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program, fees for children under 6 are capped at $22 a day in 2026, and families with lower incomes can apply for a fee subsidy. The County of Simcoe’s children’s services team lists licensed child care and EarlyON centres across the county, including those in the reduced-fee program. My tip: get on waitlists early and ask each centre whether it’s in the reduced-fee program.
Parks, shopping and things to do
- Outdoors: the Nottawasaga River, the Minesing Wetlands and local trails
- History: the Base Borden Military Museum
- Recreation: the Angus Recreation Centre and sports fields
- Shopping: local stores in Angus, with Barrie’s malls nearby
Pros and cons of living in Angus
Pros
- Affordable detached homes
- Close to Barrie and CFB Borden
- Newer subdivisions and family amenities
- Nature and trails nearby
Cons
- Long commute to Toronto
- Most households need a car
- Fewer local services than Barrie
- Some areas are prone to spring flooding
Before you buy in Angus: local checklist
Every area has its own rules and quirks. Here’s what I check with buyers in Angus:
- Flood plains: properties near the Nottawasaga River and its tributaries may be regulated by the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority; check flood mapping.
- Wells and septic: for rural properties, arrange water testing and a septic inspection as conditions of your offer.
- Commute test: try the drive to your workplace at rush hour before you buy.
- Military postings: if you may be posted elsewhere, ask about the rental demand from base families.
- Condos: always review the status certificate, reserve fund study and any upcoming special assessments before you firm up an offer.
- Non-Canadian buyers: check the current federal foreign-buyer rules and Ontario’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax before making an offer.
Buying or selling in Angus with Irina
I’m a RE/MAX Realtron Realty Sales Representative and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), based in Scarborough and working across Toronto and the GTA. Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up or downsizing from a family home, I’ll help you compare neighbourhoods, price your home correctly and negotiate the best terms. I work in English and Russian.
Angus real estate FAQ
Is Angus a good place to live?
For military families, Barrie commuters and first-time buyers who want a detached home at a lower price, it often is. The main trade-off is distance from Toronto.
How much does a house cost in Angus?
In August 2026, the MLS® HPI benchmark for all home types in Essa Township (which includes Angus) was $708,300, and for a detached home $737,100.
How far is Angus from Barrie?
About 15 minutes by car via Highway 90.
What township is Angus in?
The Township of Essa in Simcoe County, which also includes Thornton and Baxter.
Is Angus close to CFB Borden?
Yes. Canadian Forces Base Borden is right next to Angus.
Useful links
- Township of Essa
- County of Simcoe
- Simcoe County District School Board and Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
- TRREB Market Watch (monthly prices)
Nearby neighbourhood guides
Compare neighbourhoods: Most affordable areas · Best for families · Best for downsizing · First-time buyer guide · Downsizing guide · All neighbourhood guides