Living in Leamington: A Community Guide
Community Overview
Leamington is a flourishing town in Essex County that lies along the coast of Lake Erie. Known for having the longest growing season in the country, Leamington enjoys long, warm summers, mild winters and the seasons between them.
Given its ideal climate and fertile soil, Leamington has a thriving agricultural industry and is home to the largest concentration of Greenhouses (over 700) in the continent. This multi-million dollar industry combined with the manufacturing sector provides employment opportunities for many residents.
The community has a modest population of over 27,000 people, but it offers a robust set of amenities that larger cities are known to have. Leamington offers an excellent school system, a community hospital, first-class recreational facilities, sandy beaches, vibrant parks, as well as police and fire services.
Despite the great weather, lakefront access, and abundant amenities, Leamington offers cozy neighbourhoods and housing options at extremely affordable prices!
Housing Options and Neighborhoods
Leamington has become a prized location for home buyers in Ontario because of its affordability and variety of housing options. This community has a large selection of properties including ranchers, modern bungalows, and executive estates. Leamington real estate also offers cabins and cottages with several lakefront options.
Over the past few years, Leamington has experienced high growth in new home construction. This is due to the many families and retirees who have taken a liking to the ideal climate and abundant amenities Leamington has to offer.
City Gems
With long summers and mild winters, Leamington’s weather is perfect for outdoor activities. Residents may enjoy public beaches, marinas, golf courses, hiking trails, and recreation centres year round. Leamington also values arts and culture, so there are several venues for locals to experience live music and visual artistry. Foodies are also eager to call Leamington home because the town’s thriving agricultural industry, combined with its mosaic of ethnicities, creates a rich environment for restaurants and other eateries to thrive. There is a lot to do in Leamington, but here a few favorites locals enjoy.
Point Pelee National Park
At Point Pelee National Park, residents can experience the wonders of nature during each season of the year. In the spring, bird watchers eagerly await as flocks of migratory birds return to the region. Many families visit the park during the fall to watch the migration of Monarch butterflies. In the winter, visitors can walk the trails to and find natural ice formations along the many streams and bodies of water. And of course, the summer brings along guests to sunbathe on the sandy beaches. The park is also a great location for several outdoor activities including cycling, paddling, or hiking.
Leamington Municipal Marina
The town’s access to Lake Eerie makes for an excellent marina experience. Leamington Municipal Marina is known for its fantastic facilities, amazing customer service, breath-taking flower gardens, and waterfront park. The marina also offers a boat launch, shore power, a full service fuel station, wi-fi, showers, laundry, and concessions. Because it is a deep harbour marina, it is a great access point for fishing and boating opportunities on the lake. Leamington Municipal Marina is a favorite among locals and transient boaters!
Leamington Arts Centre
Leamington has a vibrant arts and culture scene that is influenced by many nationalities and ethnicities in the area. The Leamington Arts Centre (LAC) is located in a prized heritage building in the beautiful uptown Leamington. The LAC is a fully accessible facility offering three floors of galleries, multi-purpose meeting rooms, and education studio space. The Centre is a central meeting place for artists not just in Leamington, but in all of Essex County. Leamington Arts Centre offers several artist markets, educational art programs, and over 40 exhibitions each year. The LAC has been a strong pillar in the development of Leamington’s art community.
Seacliff Park Waterfront Amphitheatre
Leamington is positioning itself as the desired spot for live, outdoor music and entertainment. The new Seacliff Park Waterfront Amphitheatre is the only grassed beachfront amphitheatre in Southwestern Ontario. Under normal conditions, the amphitheatre offers year round programming which includes concerts, local music nights, comedy acts, and outdoor movies. The amphitheatre has seen acts from Randy Houser, Cheap Trick, The Sheepdogs, and even the Windsor Symphony Orchestra! The Seacliff Park Waterfront Amphitheatre has become an amazing venue for the musical soul of Leamington.
Schools
Residents in Leamington have access to many different schooling options for their children. Three high schools, as well as both public and Catholic elementary schools are all nearby. Residents also have access to French language schooling in the area. Parents may choose between four different school boards for their children’s education
School boards available to Leamington:
-
Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board (Catholic)
-
Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence (Catholic French)
-
Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (Public French)
Business
Leamington has grown from a small agricultural town to a modern urban centre with an economy comprising several sectors. The town’s biggest industries include agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and health care -- each offering many opportunities for employment.
Over the years, Leamington has gained the nickname, "Tomato Capital of Canada'' because of its ability to grow a robust variety of agricultural crops all year. The main crops include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and cannabis. Major employers in Leamington include Highbury Canco, Aphria, FortDearborn, Highline Mushrooms, Elring-Klinger, South Essex Fabricating, MGS Horticultural, Nature Fresh Farms, Hub International, Lakeside Produce, AMCO Farms and many more large agricultural producers.
Leamington is also home to a large and innovative manufacturing industry. This sector supports actually the other industries in Leamington’s economy which is why the town’s commercial facilities have seen improvements in quality, efficiency, and safety. Major manufacturing employers include UniFab, ElringKlinger Canada Inc, Highbury Canco Corporation, Caxton Mark Inc, Bartel Machine & Welding, MC3 Manufacturing Inc, Lake Erie Concrete Supply, Wiebe's Welding Inc, and South Essex Fabricating.
Unlike many other towns in Essex County, Leamington houses a cluster of medical and healthcare facilities with Leamington District Memorial Hospital being at the center. The hospital serves over 75,000 residents in South Essex and nearby municipalities. The hospital and other healthcare facilities provide residents with the following services: 24 hour Emergency Care, Pharmacy, Surgery, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Rehabilitation, Palliative Care, Intensive Care, Hospice Care, Diagnostic Services, and family doctors. The abundance of medical facilities provide a large variety of employment opportunities for Leamington residents.
Real Estate
Thinking about buying in Leamington? Contact Kris Ramotar at 519.259.9310 to learn more about the Leamington community and to find a property that fits your needs!
Recent Posts
