If you clicked on this article, you must wonder what it’s like to live in Brantford. Don’t worry. We’re here to answer that questions. Let’s break it down, though, for a more comprehensive guide. Let us give you an example. What’s the transportation situation like? Here’s our answer.
Brantford is a small town; however, areas in Brantford often feel secluded, and Brantford feels more extensive than it is because of how spread out the city is. Most people do not walk in Brantford because of the distance between certain places, and it’s not known as a walkable place. Most people use buses, although you’ll have to be accustomed to the bus system because there is a schedule, and if you don’t take note of it, you might run late to wherever it is you have to go.
Satisfied? Learn more about Brantford and find the answer to the main question so you can finally decide where to settle down.
The History Of Brantford
Branford is located in southeastern Ontario on the Grand River. The name was taken from Joseph Brant. He is a chief who, after the American Revolution, granted the site for the settlement of the Six Nations. This was in 1784. This city is close to Hamilton, only 20 miles or 35 kilometers away.
Brantford was also nicknamed the “Telephone City” because of a man named Alexander Graham Bell. He invented the telephone from the comfort of his home. He also made the first-ever long-distance call in August of 1876 to Paris in Ontario, 11 kilometers away.
The Overall Feel Of Brantford
Enjoy the slow pace of a small town in Brantford. You won’t feel like the world is spinning around you faster than the Flash runs, and you won’t think you’re in a race against time. It’s a laidback city that leaves you feeling relaxed and calm.
The housing scene isn’t too bad, either. It’s not inexpensive, but it’s not as expensive as the market in bigger cities.
You can find homes here too, which is difficult in other cities. Brantford also has everything you might ever need in a town. It might not be the liveliest of cities with nightlife, but it’s a great place to slow down and pace yourself.
What You Need To Know About Brantford
What more should you know about Brantford? There are several. We’ll focus on five and then weigh the pros and cons. We’re summarizing the data after this section if you’d like a shortened version.
1. Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in Brantford went from 5.1% to 4.8%, which is a cause for celebration. This rate is one of the lowest. During the pandemic, this rate rose significantly, so, fortunately, the city could lower the percentage.
Compared to its neighboring cities, including Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo and Hamilton, it has a lower unemployment rate.
2. Crime Rate
Most people describe Brantford’s crime rate as very high, with most crimes being people using or dealing drugs. The second would be property crimes, including vandalism and theft.
Brantford police reported an overall crime rate of 6,533 incidents per 100,000 people, which is above average. Thus, you’ll want to make sure to stay safe in Brantford.
Here are a few tips for you to stay safe. Make sure not to use your phone or plug-in earphones when walking home. You want to be aware of your surroundings, and any distractions might cause you to miss important details.
Lock every door that leads outside always, and ensure no one can walk in or out. As much as we’d love to believe the world is good enough for us to do that, you have to be extra careful. Finally, try bringing items that will help you defend yourself or have an item like that ready at home for self-defense.
3. Education
Brantford has different programs, so you can choose which best suits your child. Let’s begin with elementary schools. Elementary or primary schools are for children aged 4 to 13. There are different school boards.
These school boards are Grand Erie School District Board, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District Board, and the W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind. Once your child graduates from elementary school, they’ll attend high school. High school is for teenagers aged 13 to 18 and includes grades 9 to 12.
There are, once again, several school boards. These school boards are Grand Erie School District Board, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind, and Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy.
For those who’d like to learn more about private schools, there are several private schools in Brantford, including Braemar Hous School, St. John Ambulance, and more. These private schools are more expensive, but they might better suit your child. Once your child finishes high school, they can attend university.
This is not a requirement, but it is available. There are several universities within Brantford, including Six Nations Polytechnic, Westervelt College – Brantford Campus, and more. To learn more about the different schools in Brantford, visit the City of Brantford website.
4. Housing Cost
Brantford’s housing market is not too expensive, but it’s not inexpensive either. The average price of a home is $868,516. This price is lower than those in cities like Hamilton but is higher than in cities like Winnipeg.
This price also increased by 24.2% compared to the rate in April 2021. Single-family homes now cost, on average, $819,400. Townhouses or row units are priced at an average of $610,000, and condominiums or apartments have an average price of $421,000.
5. Healthcare
Brantford is home to an excellent healthcare system. There are health clinics for those who think hospitals are too expensive that will be happy to help you. Many healthcare facilities are nearby, including Brantford General Hospital, Grand River Health Centre, and McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Residents of Brantford can apply for the OHIP or the Ontario Hospital/Health Insurance Plan, a free health insurance plan covering basic procedures, including doctor visits and certain surgeries. It doesn’t cover everything, so you might like to invest in private insurance to cover the things that OHIP doesn’t cover. Visit the Brant Community Healthcare System website to learn more about private insurance.
Let’s Summarize These Stats
| Unemployment Rate | Crime Rate | Education | Housing Costs | Healthcare |
| The unemployment rate is 4.8% | High crime rate with most crimes being drugs followed by property crimes | Brantford has different programs with different school boards to tackle whatever your child may need | The average price of a home is $868,516 | Brantford has many health clinics and hospitals nearby |
| Compared to neighboring cities such as Hamilton, it has a lower unemployment rate. | The overall crime rate is 6,533 incidents per 100,000 people which is an above-average rate. | Elementary or primary schools are for children aged 4 to 13 | Single-family homes cost, on average, $819,400, while townhouses are priced at an average of $610,000 | Residents can apply for the Ontario Hospital/Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) |
| Secondary school or high school is for teenagers aged 13 to 18 | Condominiums/apartments have an average price of $421,000 | They can also invest in private insurance to cover what the OHIP doesn’t cover |
Pros Of Living In Brantford
We’ll answer the big question by listing the pros and cons.
1. Calm, Laidback City
Brantford is a calm, laid-back city. Most people don’t move in a rush, and it can feel calming and relaxing when you live here. The lifestyle suits those who like to take everything in, and those who don’t want to miss a moment.
2. Comprehensive Education System
The education system is also comprehensive. There are different school boards to tackle different situations. Each child will be given a quality education, which is always positive.
Cons Of Living In Brantford
Let’s move on to the cons.
1. Not A Walkable City
Unfortunately, Brantford is not a walkable city. There are specific destinations within reach, but everything isn’t close together. We suggest having a car if you decide to live in Brantford so you can get around quickly.
2. Poor Transportation System
Given it’s not a walkable city, you’d think they’d have an extensive transportation system. While there is a transportation system, it isn’t as extensive as most locals would like. There are several places buses don’t go to, and going to and from your home to your destination will take some time.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking to live in a city with a more laid-back feel, Brantford is the place for you. It’ll help you slow down in a very fast-paced world. It also has many opportunities for you to enjoy, including the excellent education system with different boards to cover everything a child might need, no matter their situation.
There are drawbacks, though. The transportation system isn’t that extensive. Pair that with Brantford being a very spread-out city, meaning you can’t walk to your destination, and this could be a deal-breaker for most. Invest in a car to make it easier for you as much as you can. If you choose to live in Brantford, have a great time and enjoy everything this city has to offer.
Check out the 10 Largest Cities in Canada.
Leave a Reply