The Best Neighbourhoods in Guelph From a Local Resident Perspective

People consider multiple factors when looking for the right Guelph neighbourhood, such as proximity to amenities, entertainment, transit routes, school districts and educational facilities, community atmosphere and culture, affordability, crime rates, and more.

Read on to learn the best Guelph neighbourhoods according to locals and why they love them.

Downtown Guelph

Guelph’s downtown neighbourhood offers much entertainment, starting with the Sleeman Centre. A 5,000-seat facility home to The Storm — Guelph’s OHL hockey team, and:

• Sports tournaments
• Concerts
• Trade shows
• Ice events
• Television productions
• Film and photo shoots
• Religious gatherings
• Training sessions 
• Public skating 

Guelph’s signature performing arts facility is the River Run Centre, a premier stage hosting plays, musicals, concerts, family shows, dance, and more. 

The walkability of downtown Guelph allows you to experience an incredible sense of community, nightlife amenities, and vibrant social scenes. Visit the unique shops, businesses, and many local breweries, dining, and entertainment options. 

While The McCrae House and War Memorial Hall are located in the Old University neighbourhood, they are in close proximity to downtown Guelph and serve as just a sample of the historical charm and stunning architecture this neighbourhood has to offer.

There are plenty of mid-19th-century houses, modern townhomes, and condos to rent, lease, or buy in downtown Guelph, making it an ideal neighbourhood within walking distance to all kinds of entertainment.

Best Guelph Neighbourhoods for Outdoor Activities

Guelph boasts abundant outdoor activities throughout its various neighbourhoods, but two stand out from the rest — Riverside Park and Exhibition Park. 

Riverside Park

Peacefully located north of downtown and along the banks of the Speed River, Riverside Park hosts many of Guelph’s community and cultural events, including the very popular Guelph and District Multicultural Festival and Guelph Ribfest. The park offers something for everyone, such as:

• 
  An enabling garden
• Floral clock and rock gardens
• Disc golf course
• Country Club golf course
• Children's playground
• Horseshoe pits
• Concert shell
• Riverside walking/biking trails
• Picnic shelters
• Three baseball diamonds
• Antique carousel
• Off-leash zone
• Miniature train

Community events include Sunset Yoga, Great Trees of Riverside Park hike, Birding Tour, Meditation, and much more.

Riverside Park has many tree-lined trails interconnecting adjacent neighbourhoods: Victoria North to the north and Exhibition Park and Downtown Guelph to the south.

Exhibition Park

An older neighbourhood nestled under a canopy of mature trees shows off many original homes well over a century old. One in particular, the Greenbriar House, dates back to 1865 and stands at the neighbourhood's north end. 

Exhibition Park is one of Guelph’s oldest green spaces, dating back to 1871. Fast-forward 152 years, and the park is a great place to distract yourself from the hustle and bustle of downtown Guelph — which is right next to the park. 

Besides the asphalt trail winding through the park, there’s plenty to do and see at Exhibition Park, including:

• Hastings Stadium, home of the Intercounty Baseball League’s Guelph Royals and the Junior Baseball Club’s The Silvercreeks
• Exhibition Park indoor ice skating arena
• Football field
• Softball diamond
• Tennis courts
• Pickleball court
• Picnic area
• Wading pool
• And much more

The neighbourhood community association advocated for a custom-built timber playground with multiple play zones for all ages and abilities. People from all over the city come here to play. There are large log jams to climb for teens and adults and smaller log jams for less confident climbers. Toddlers love the sand play, water pumps, and junior climbing opportunities.

This special place where families and neighbours gather to socialize and strengthen their sense of community is well-known for The BIG Downtown Food Truck Picnic in May and various other food trucks throughout the summer and fall.

Best Guelph Neighbourhoods for Transit

Guelph’s transit system provides thorough, reliable, and frequent coverage throughout its neighbourhoods. There’s also bicycle infrastructure and walkable neighbourhoods for activities, recreation, or work. 

The trail systems connecting various neighbourhoods allow active modes of transportation to get around the city quickly while enjoying the benefits of natural spaces.

Downtown Guelph

A benefit of living in Downtown Guelph homes is its walkability and convenience. You have family services, farmers' markets, downtown Guelph stores, grocery, and a wide selection of pubs and restaurants, all within a short walk from your front door. Downtown’s walkability saves money on gas, keeps you active, and lowers your carbon footprint. Downtown also offers easy access to city transit from the Guelph Central Transit Station. 

Old University Guelph

The University of Guelph is part of the Old University neighbourhood. It’s full of turn-of-the-century houses mixed with renovated and new homes.

Old University offers 73 transit stops and direct access to the GO Transit platform, making this one of the only neighbourhoods in the city where you can make bus transfers.

Best Guelph Neighbourhoods for Jobs

In the northwest section of Guelph lies a large industrial park with companies like Linamar and Hitachi Guelph, which employ many of its residents. 

Downtown Guelph

Downtown Guelph offers diverse job opportunities, including the Skyline Group of Companies, one of Guelph’s notable employers. It’s also home to the City of Guelph’s City Hall, Guelph Police Services, and two large employers. Additionally, the Co-Operators head office is located in this neighbourhood — with future plans to convert this building into a new campus for Conestoga College in September 2025.

The Sleeman and River Run Centres, breweries and restaurants, eight public schools, and not to mention retail and privately owned businesses all offer potential employment opportunities. And when you live downtown, they’re all within walking distance. 

Old University

With proximity to the University of Guelph, Old University is a great place to live if you work for the U of G. There are plenty of employment opportunities, including positions for:

• Executives
• Professional/Managerial
• Office clerical
• Technical
• Trades
• Maintenance
• Part-time

This neighbourhood is home to a large government office located at 1 Stone Rd. W, which includes both a Service Ontario and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Best Guelph Neighbourhoods for Low Crime Rates

As one of the safest cities in Canada, Guelph’s crime rate is 15% lower than the national average and steadily decreasing by 3% year over year.

St. George's Park

Previously known as Horsman’s Hill, named after local businessman John Horsman, who built a stately home in the 1850s in what’s now known as the St. George’s Park neighbourhood, offering some of the finest estate homes in the city.

The crime rate in St George’s Park is 27% lower than the national average and considered safer than 40% of Ontario’s cities.

Exhibition Park

With its family-friendly atmosphere and low crime rates, Exhibition Park truly embraces the meaning of community. The crime rate in Exhibition Park is 7% lower than the national average and is safer than 22% of Ontario’s cities.

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Guelph Neighbourhood

There are other factors to consider when selecting a Guelph neighbourhood to live in, such as:

• Desirability: Some of the most desirable neighbourhoods in the Guelph area include Old University, Kortright East, and Riverside Park.
• Educational facilities and school districts: There are 48 elementary and secondary schools and 2 post-secondary schools.
• Community atmosphere and culture: Each neighbourhood has its own perks, benefits, and reputation.
• Noise: Consider the noises in a specific neighbourhood, such as traffic, trains, industrial, late-night entertainment facilities, and even the sounds of nature if it’s not your thing.
  

Interested in Exploring Guelph Neighbourhoods Further?

When considering Guelph neighbourhoods, there are specific hot topics that spark conversation, like low crime rates (St. George’s Park and Exhibition Park), transit access (Downtown and Old University), entertainment options (Downtown and The Junction), employment (Downtown and Old University) and the best places for outdoor activities (Riverside Park and Exhibition Park).

While statistics like crime rates and transit access aren’t subjective, everyone has a different preference for food, entertainment, outdoor activities, employers, and what feels good about a neighbourhood. The one question all local residents agree on —Is Guelph a good place to live? Their answer is always — an astounding yes!

Whether you’re considering moving to Guelph or have questions about the area, Andra Arnold & Associates are here to help. Our extensive knowledge of the city of Guelph and the intricacies of each neighbourhood will get you where you want to be.

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