Erin Mills
7.5/10
Overall Score
7/10
School Ranking Score
7.5/10
Family Friendly Score
8/10
Relative Affordability Score
Active Outdoor Lifestyle
Sawmill Creek Trail offers a vast network of walking paths, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and those who enjoy staying active. This area is interconnected by over five large parks, providing ample green spaces for relaxation, picnics, or recreational activities. The scenic trails offer a beautiful and peaceful environment, making it an ideal spot for nature walks and enjoying the outdoors.
Commuter Friendly
Easy Access to Major Highways: Convenient access to the 403 & 407, 401 & QEW, ensuring quick connectivity throughout the GTA. Proximity to GO Stations: Close to Erindale and Clarkson GO stations, offering easy access to downtown Toronto and beyond. Public Transit Options: The Erin Mills Bus Transit Terminal (at 403/Erin Mills Parkway) provides excellent bus connectivity, making commuting hassle-free.
Relative Affordability
Good variety of homes for all price points: Central Erin Mills offers a wide range of homes, catering to different budgets, from affordable starter homes to larger, executive properties. Good for first-time home buyers: With many affordable options and accessible amenities, this area is ideal for first-time buyers looking to get into the market. Good for finding fixer-uppers
About Erin Mills
Erin Mills Overview
“South” Erin Mills is nestled south and east of Highway 403, north of Dundas St W, and is bordered by the Credit River to the east. Developed as a master-planned community, Erin Mills embodies the quintessential ‘suburban dream’ of the 1970s. Having grown up in this area, I can tell you that Erin Mills’ major appeal lies in its central location, close proximity to amenities, and convenient transportation links.
The community of Erin Mills was constructed in multiple phases during the 1970s and 1980s, giving rise to four distinct sub-neighborhoods. Pheasant Run, Council Ring, and Sawmill Valley were developed in the 1970s, while west Erin Mills emerged in the late 1980s. During the 1970s, Mississauga emphasized the integration of nature and outdoor spaces, so in Erin Mills, you’ll find an abundance of outdoor trails and pathways, similar to the Meadowvale area further north. By the 1980s, the focus shifted towards the homes themselves, with west Erin Mills showcasing larger, all-brick homes featuring more bathrooms, though with relatively smaller lots and fewer green spaces and paths.
Explore South Erin Mills Real Estate
South Erin Mills Real Estate is made up of four distinct areas, each offering different types of homes and varying price points.
Council Ring & Pheasant Run: These areas were designed for middle-class families and feature a mix of semi-detached homes and smaller detached homes. They are ideal for those seeking more affordable housing options in the community.
Sawmill Valley/Bridlepath: Known for being a more prestigious part of South Erin Mills, this neighborhood primarily consists of larger brick homes, making it a desirable area for those looking for larger properties and a more upscale living experience.
West Erin Mills: Like Sawmill Valley/Bridlepath, West Erin Mills features mostly large homes, contributing to its higher real estate value. It’s an excellent option for those seeking more spacious living with a touch of prestige.
Overall, the real estate market in South Erin Mills varies widely, depending on which part of the community you’re interested in. Prices can range from more affordable options in Council Ring & Pheasant Run to more expensive properties in Sawmill Valley, Bridlepath, and West Erin Mills.
Your Typical Neighbour in South Erin Mills
In South Erin Mills, your typical neighbor can vary depending on the specific area you’re in. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of neighbors you might encounter in the four sub-areas:
Council Ring & Pheasant Run: These areas typically feature middle-class and working-class families. You’ll find a mix of young families, professionals, and individuals who appreciate the more affordable housing options in the area. The community vibe here is family-oriented, with a more laid-back atmosphere.
Sawmill Valley/Bridlepath: This part of South Erin Mills is home to more affluent families, often executives, professionals, or long-established residents. These areas are quieter and offer larger homes, so you may encounter older families or those looking for a more prestigious living environment. The neighbors here tend to be more established in their careers and lifestyle.
West Erin Mills: Like Sawmill Valley, West Erin Mills attracts upper-middle-class families who can afford larger homes. You’ll likely find a higher proportion of well-established families who prioritize spacious living and proximity to amenities like parks and good schools.
While the real estate market in South Erin Mills is diverse, with properties ranging from multi-family homes to large detached houses, the overall neighborhood appeal is family-friendly. However, if you’re a single-family homebuyer, areas with a higher proportion of multi-family dwellings may not be as desirable. Each part of Erin Mills offers a unique blend of neighbors, from working-class families to more affluent households.
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Score Factor 1: Housing Characteristics
Erin Mills offers a diverse range of housing options due to its four distinct sub-villages, catering to a variety of preferences. From apartment high rises and townhomes to co-ops, semi-detached homes, detached houses, and executive luxury properties, there’s something for everyone.
In the 1970s, affordable housing became a priority for large cities like Toronto and Mississauga, which led to the construction of numerous high-rise apartments, co-ops, and complexes in many neighborhoods built during that era. This mix of housing types and demographics has become a hallmark of the Erin Mills community.
However, if you’re seeking a more exclusive, tranquil community like Lorne Park, Erin Mills may not align with your preferences. The area strikes a balance between higher-density, urban living and quieter, estate-style neighborhoods. As a result, property prices vary significantly across Erin Mills, reflecting the level of demand in each sub-neighborhood.
Gated & High-End Condos
Erin Mills is home to two high-rise condominiums that stand out for their elevated standards of security and amenities. These condos are ideal for downsizers or those who prioritize security and privacy, and they don’t often become available for sale.
Condo Townhomes
70’s Style Homes – Pheasant Run & Council Ring
Bridlepath & Sawmill Valley
Bridlepath and Sawmill Valley are regarded as the crown jewels of South Erin Mills, offering large family and executive homes on wide lots with stunning curb appeal. Sawmill Valley, in particular, features a mix of detached homes, semi-detached homes, and townhomes, which allows young families to enter this premium neighborhood without the price tag of larger executive homes. This area is one of the most desirable in Mississauga, known for its beautiful properties and family-friendly atmosphere.
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Community Vibe
Score Factor 2: Community Vibe & Amenities
South Erin Mills offers a wealth of outdoor activities, making it a great location for nature lovers. The area is well-known for its vast network of interconnected trails and parks, with over five community parks scattered throughout the neighborhood. The extensive trail system connects many streets and parks, providing residents with easy access to outdoor recreation. For even more leisure options, Erin Mills features the Community Centre & Library, Sawmill Creek Trail, and various sports and athletics facilities.
In terms of amenities, the Glen Erin Inn stands out as one of the top attractions in Erin Mills, offering a great spot to unwind. For shopping, South Common Mall and several small plazas provide all the typical franchises and box stores, catering to everyday needs. Dundas Street is home to several large shopping complexes, including an auto mall and a collection of independent home improvement shops.
A standout feature of Erin Mills is the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus, which continues to grow both in its program offerings and its reputation. The picturesque campus blends historical and modern architecture, making it a focal point in the community.
Active Lifestyle
If you enjoy an active lifestyle, Erin Mills is an ideal location, offering a variety of paths, trails, and recreational facilities. The Lifestyle Fitness Club, located at the 403, goes beyond being just a gym – it embodies a complete fitness lifestyle. With amenities like both indoor and outdoor pools, kids’ classes, a spa, a bistro, wall climbing, and personal trainers, it’s truly an elite experience, though it comes with a premium price tag.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Sawmill Creek Trail is accessible to all residents. Stretching nearly 3km, it connects to Erindale Park and leads up to Streetsville via the Culham Trail, making it perfect for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. The South Common Recreation Centre offers additional fitness opportunities with a variety of classes, a gym, and a pool.
Additionally, University of Toronto Mississauga provides swimming classes and athletic camps for children, making it a great spot for families. For those who enjoy sports, Ninth Line Sports Park, South Common Park, Erin Mills Tennis Club, Erin Mills Twin Rinks, and the Su Badminton Club all offer excellent facilities.
For more options, the Connect2Rec System by the City of Mississauga provides access to hundreds of recreational programs available to residents, ensuring there’s always something active to enjoy in the area.
Schools
Score Factor 3: Quality & Ranking of Schools
Pro’s:
Loyola Catholic Secondary School, which I personally attended, moved into a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility in the fall of 2012. This move has had a positive impact on its ranking, and as of 2012, it was already among the top 33% of schools in Ontario. With the improvements, I expect Loyola to soon be listed among the Top 10 High Schools in Mississauga.
For students enrolled in the Extended French Immersion Program (Grade 7), Lorne Park Public Secondary School offers an excellent educational experience and is ranked in the top 5% of schools in Ontario.
Additionally, the primary schools in Sawmill Valley, including Sawmill Valley Public School and St. Mark’s Catholic School, are both highly regarded and provide quality education.
Con’s:
School Rankings:
Erindale Public Secondary School ranks just above the bottom half of Ontario’s 718 secondary schools, which may be a concern for families seeking top-tier education. While it offers the standard curriculum, if a top-ranking school is a priority for your child, Erindale might not meet those expectations.
French Immersion Program:
For families enrolling their child in the early French Immersion Program (Grade 1), they will transition to Clarkson Public Secondary School. While Clarkson is slightly higher in the rankings compared to Erindale, it still doesn’t quite reach the level of the top-performing schools in the region. This could impact those looking for a more prestigious educational environment.
Affordability
Compared to Other Villages in Mississauga
Score Factor 4: Overall Affordability & Value
Affordability
Erin Mills offers a broad spectrum of home prices, largely due to the diverse mix of housing styles across the community. For first-time buyers, condo townhomes provide a more affordable entry point onto the property ladder. While most detached homes—like those across Mississauga—have moved beyond the reach of many buyers, Erin Mills remains relatively more affordable compared to some other areas of the city. An exception to this is found in Sawmill Valley and Bridlepath, which have evolved into truly elite neighbourhoods, commanding premium prices that reflect their prestige and appeal.
Value
There is solid value in the average family home in Erin Mills, thanks to its access to excellent parks, reputable schools, and convenient transit options. However, in the higher-priced pockets like Sawmill Valley and Bridlepath, buyers may find that similar price points in other neighbourhoods offer more in terms of amenities or school rankings. That said, many homes in these areas still offer potential for value appreciation, especially for those willing to invest in cosmetic upgrades or tackle a fixer-upper.
