Although the Town of Wasaga Beach did not get to be official until January of 1974, its stature as the longest fresh water beach in the world has continually attracted both permanent and seasonal residents, particularly from neighboring Toronto. As a result, the population has continually increased — from 12,419 permanent occupants in 2001 to 15,029 when the 2006 census was taken.
While the figures keep on rinsing, Wasaga Beach has earned a reputation as one of the quickest developing communities in the country. Ever since 2009, there has been a marked escalation in both the amount of transactions and the amount of Wasaga Beach real estate sold, showing a healthy combination of new residential property as well as seasonal and recreational properties cropping up all along the desirable beach front.
Locals and tourists alike are drawn to Wasaga Beach by the the fourteen kilometers of family friendly sandy public beaches that is also home to the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, which was given the coveted Blue Flag designation for its efforts to manage Wasaga’s shoreline according to international environmental guidlines. In the summer, locals and visitors alike enjoy sunbathing and sports such as frisbee and jogging along the sandy beaches which are numbered 1-6 — with 1 and 2 being the most well-liked. In the winter, the same section of beach is a popular spot for winter sports enthusiasts who come to snow shoe and cross country ski along the well marked trails.
The expansion that Wasaga Beach has experienced has not been deterred by the massive fire that levelled seventy percent of the main street retail section and apartments as well as the pedestrian mall on November 30, 2007. The town has replied with a big building boom that will incorporate a monorail system along a updated style beach front with shopping, dining, and an indoor/outdoor theme park. To meet the demand of the growing area, the area transit service, Georgian Coach Lines, has had to expand their routes twice since 2008 and supply service daily from 7AM to 7PM on an east-west loop through the town.
The increasing accessibility of amenities and products in Wasaga Beach has aided in pushing real estate sales up 65 percent in the first part of 2010 when put up against the same time last year. The month of March 2010 saw a whopping 50 percent increase which also had a measurable affect on the adjacent Collingwood real estate sector. Even more reassuring were the price range escalations, up to 172 percent in some regions of the Greater Toronto Area, with houses that were marketing for 300K moving into the 350K to 500K vicinity. Although almost certainly seasonal purchasers account for much of the growth, it also seems to be because the high-end homes in Wasaga Beach are increasingly a sought after retirement choice for wealthier residents. The rural charm of Wasaga Beach and the reputation of the Georgian Triangle ‘quality of life’ will always appeal to a diverse number of of real estate buyers who prefer the country existence but also the advantage of being only a two hour drive from services Toronto can offer.
