Overview
About London
London, Ontario (not to be confused with London, England) sits on the Thames River in southwestern Ontario and is home to roughly 422,000 people. It's primarily known as a university city — Western University (UWO) is one of Canada's top universities, and Fanshawe College is one of Ontario's largest. These institutions give London a youthful, educated energy.
London has one of Ontario's most affordable housing markets for a mid-size city. The healthcare sector is enormous — London Health Sciences Centre is one of Canada's largest hospital systems and a major employer. The downtown is walkable and has a growing restaurant and arts scene, though the city still struggles with some social issues including homelessness in the urban core.
Pros & Cons of Living in London
✓ Pros
- Affordable housing vs GTA ($680K avg)
- Western University — major economic and cultural anchor
- Excellent healthcare (London Health Sciences Centre)
- Genuinely walkable downtown core
- Strong student population keeps city vibrant
- Thames River trails and green spaces
- Growing arts and food scene
- 2 hours from Toronto by highway
✗ Cons
- No GO Train — must drive to Toronto
- Some areas of significant homelessness and poverty
- Job market smaller than GTA cities
- University-dominated culture can feel transient
- Heavy snow winters
- Limited transit outside core
- Brain drain — students leave after graduation
Best For
Who Should Live in London?
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Students & Academics
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Healthcare Professionals
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Affordable Homebuyers
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Families
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Outdoor Enthusiasts
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About London
Yes — particularly for those who value affordability, a university environment, and don't need to commute to Toronto. London has excellent healthcare, a growing arts scene, and genuine charm along the Thames River. The main limitations are the lack of GO Train access to Toronto and a smaller local job market.
London is known for Western University (one of Canada's top schools), the London Health Sciences Centre (one of Canada's largest hospital complexes), the London Knights OHL hockey team, the Forest City Marathon, and Victoria Park — a beautiful urban park in the heart of downtown.
London is approximately 190 km from Toronto, which is about a 2-hour drive on Highway 401 in normal conditions. There is VIA Rail train service between the cities. There is no GO Train service — making it a better city for remote workers or those with local employment rather than Toronto commuters.