Though amalgamated into the Mississippi Mills Township in 1998, residents will forever know their home as Almonte. Once a small bedroom community, Almonte’s affordable yet high quality of life is starting to attract the attention of big-city dwellers. It is one of the most picturesque communities in the region.
Dr. James Naismith put Almonte onto the map when he invented the popular game of basketball. Dr. Naismith is so beloved to this day that there’s a museum dedicated to him at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area.
Nestled along the beautiful Mississippi River, Almonte gives you the best of small-town living and big-city convenience. Should you make the move? Here are five compelling reasons to consider it:
Almonte is Safe and Scenic
Imagine a home surrounded by picturesque scenery and friendly but respectful neighbours. For a moment, you may feel like you’re miles away from everything. Still, you’re only a short drive away from the amenities of downtown Ottawa. Not to mention, Canada’s biggest tech park is located less than 30 minutes away in Kanata.
The town is clean and not crowded, and you’ll find free parking everywhere you go. The downtown core is pretty and dotted with independent craft stores, cafes and boutiques, making it an enjoyable place to live or visit all year long.
Almonte has earned a reputation as a very friendly town where everyone smiles and says “hello,” and making new friends is easy.
For The Love of Outdoor Living
If you love getting outside and staying active, Almonte just might be the place for you. There is no end to the fun activities you can enjoy all year long, including:
Cycling: Almonte offers many pathways and bike trails, making it very friendly to cyclists.
Find out more reasons why Ottawa is great for cyclists right here.
Watersports: During the summer months, you’ll see people paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing out on the water.
Swimming: There’s even a riverside beach for families to cool off on hot days, located at 195 Water St. Public washrooms and picnic tables are available. It’s the perfect spot to spend a relaxing afternoon with your family.
Mill of Kintail Conservation Area: Explore 6 km of beautiful, forested trails along the Indian River. The conservation area offers year-round hiking, and plenty of picnic tables are scattered throughout if you need to stop for refreshments. There is also a playground, a basketball court and education programs for children.
In the winter, strap on your snowshoes for a cold-weather adventure!
The Mill of Kintail is a beautiful destination that is also a popular venue for weddings and other celebrations.
Limitless Career And Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Independent businesses are the backbone of the Almonte community, and you may be interested to know that women-owned businesses are huge here! In fact, over 70% of companies in the Business Improvement Area are owned by women.
A special shoutout goes to Cheerfully Made, founded by Emily Arbour in 2013. Today, her small craft venture has blossomed into one of the hottest vendor marketplaces in the region. You’ll find high-quality, Canadian made products, including jewellery, clothing, bath supplies and much more!
Almonte provides a supportive and affordable place for every type of business imaginable. You’ll find support for your venture from the Small Business Startup Portal. Entrepreneurs and consultants developed this online platform to provide the tools and resources for aspiring business owners. They assist with all aspects of startups, including creating your business plan and helping you access funding to make your dream a reality.
Another one of our favourite businesses is Evermore Weddings and Events, which is highly regarded as one of the loveliest venues in all of Canada. Since Andy’s son has recently started working there, we can concur. The only thing better than the scenery might just be the food, which is fantastic!
If you don’t want a business of your own, you will still find plenty of satisfying career opportunities in Almonte.
Since 2013, the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and Eastern Ontario Development Fund have worked to attract $2 billion in investment, creating over 40,000 jobs throughout Eastern Ontario. Right now, a quick search at the Canadian Job Bank turns up more than 1700 opportunities throughout Mississippi Mills.
A Neverending List of Fun Places To See & Visit
For a small town, Almonte offers endless dining, entertainment and shopping opportunities. It is an ideal town for food lovers, with dozens of independent cafes, restaurants, bakeries and pizzerias located along the downtown core.
The North Market Almonte is one of our favourites, where you can enjoy fantastic Canadian cuisine and aromatic coffee seven days a week. We love how the cafe works closely with local farms and producers to source the finest and freshest ingredients available. You can also grab food and wine to go to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
Find out the past and future of the Ottawa real estate market right here.
Almonte is Affordable
Although Almonte, like everywhere else, was hit with higher prices during the housing boom of the last two years, it remains one of the most affordable areas in the Ottawa region. Earlier this year, average home prices peaked at $731,000. As the market shifts, we expect to see these prices drop slightly.
What does the real estate landscape look like in Almonte? You’ll find a diverse mix, ranging from modest bungalows to sprawling historical Victorians.
New developments are also in the works, bringing modern condos and newly-built homes to the market.