Townhouses For Sale in Ardagh, Barrie

Living next to more than 500 acres of bluff forest

The Ardagh Bluffs cover more than 518 acres of woodland with over 17 km of trails, much of it environmentally protected. For a townhouse owner, that is the main draw. You get a small-footprint home with real forest close by.

Around it are about nine parks with playgrounds, courts and sports fields, plus nearby Bear Creek Eco-Park. Sub-areas such as Princeton Woods and Forest Hill Estates are part of the Ardagh area.

A mix of condo complexes and freehold rows

Ardagh has more low-rise condos than most of Barrie's suburbs, and row houses are a steady share of the housing. Most homes were built between 1991 and 2005, with more added up to 2016.

That means an Ardagh townhouse search turns up both freehold rows on subdivision streets and condo townhouse complexes with a monthly fee. The condo side tends to suit downsizers and anyone who would rather not shovel; the freehold side suits buyers who want full control of their yard.

Condo complexes in Ardagh from the 1990s are reaching the age when roofs, windows and paving come due together. Before you buy, compare the reserve fund study's timeline with the current fund balance to judge whether a special assessment is likely.

West-side commuting

Ardagh is close to the Essa Road and Dunlop Street interchanges on the 400. Allandale Waterfront GO is the nearest rail station, a short drive east. Most residents drive, and a noticeable share commute an hour or more, which reflects GTA trips.

For trips around Barrie, Ardagh Road and Essa Road are the main routes east toward downtown and the waterfront, and the Mapleview Drive shopping area is a short drive south. Barrie Transit serves the area, but most townhouse owners here rely on a car for daily errands, so check that the unit's garage and driveway actually fit what you drive.

Ardagh for downsizers who still want to hike

Ardagh suits buyers leaving a GTA house who want less to maintain but still walk or hike daily. A condo townhouse here gives you snow and lawn care handled by the corporation, plus woodland trails close by.

Things that matter to this group:

• Stairs. Most townhouses here are two storeys plus a basement. Look closely at bungalow or main-floor-bedroom layouts if stairs are a concern later on.
• Grade and slope. The bluffs are hilly, and some streets and driveways are steeper than in flat south-end subdivisions. Check how the driveway handles ice.
• Shopping. Most daily shopping is a short drive away on Essa Road or along Mapleview Drive.

Ardagh history worth knowing

The 1985 Barrie tornado touched down in Ardagh before crossing the 400. Much of today's housing was built after that, which is part of why the area feels newer than its location near the old core might suggest.

For buyers, the practical checks are the usual ones: condo reserve funds in 1990s complexes, the age of roofs and windows, and conservation limits on lots backing onto the bluffs.