July 9, 2024 | Buying

Ancaster Vs Dundas: What’s Better for Your Family?

When searching for a new home for your family, Ancaster and Dundas are both prime locations. Choosing between the two can be tough: do you prefer elegance and luxury with a modern touch or the charm of a historic and picturesque town?

No matter what, you will be in a highly convenient area full of engaging recreational activities and blessed with spectacular scenery. Each town has so much to offer that it’s hard to go wrong no matter which one you choose. In this post, we’ll talk about the highlights of both Ancaster and Dundas so you can make the most of an already great situation.

The Similarities

Comparing Ancaster with Dundas can be challenging because they share so many desirable attributes. Both are beautiful, safe, and scenic, with a small-town feel where you can still access every convenience and amenity. If we had to sum up the differences in two sentences, they would be as follows:

Ancaster is upscale and more modern.
Dundas is quaint, picturesque, and historic.

Obviously, there are some subtle differences to consider, but both communities offer the epitome of family-friendly living. Now that you have a clearer picture of each town, we can explore these minor variances in more detail.

Ancaster and Dundas are both part of the City of Hamilton. Learn more about the entire region in the posts below:

The Perks Of Living In Ancaster

Ancaster lies to the west of the Hamilton Mountain and has long been regarded as one of the most luxurious and affluent areas in the region. Parks and green spaces abound, and nearly every neighbourhood is conveniently located close to excellent entertainment and shopping options.

The houses in Ancaster range from relatively affordable townhouses and condos to opulent custom-built homes and everywhere in between. One of the nicest things about living in Ancaster is how close you are to everything else; Hamilton is a short drive away, and you have access to public transportation.

If you love the hustle and bustle of city life, there’s an Ancaster neighbourhood for you. For example, the Meadowlands offers movie theatres, great restaurants, and fantastic shopping opportunities.
If you prefer a more rural feel filled with peace and tranquillity, the peaceful Ancaster Heights neighbourhood is approximately one km from the downtown core.

As a safe, exciting, and family-friendly community, you can also count on access to outstanding schools for children of all ages. Whether you want your child enrolled in the public education system or prefer a private institution, it is easy to give them a head start when you live in Ancaster.

The beautiful parks and trails in both towns deserve a completely separate discussion. Learn more in our post, Ancaster Vs. Dundas: Which Offers The Best Green Spaces?

Beautiful and Scenic Living in Dundas

Journey down to the lower escarpment, and you’ll find Dundas nestled to the west of Hamilton. It is difficult to find a more scenic and tranquil atmosphere anywhere in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The downtown area is small yet vibrant, with a host of restaurants and unique little shops that always have something new and different.

The homes of Dundas tend to be older and more historic, with many built in the early 1900s to the 1940s. Don’t let the age of the houses fool you, however. Most of these residences have been meticulously maintained and fully modernized on the inside.

As you travel further from downtown, you will find some newer houses that were built from the 1980s to the early 2000s. Many are on generous lot sizes that provide plenty of space for outdoor family fun.

What can you expect in your day-to-day life in Ancaster as opposed to Dundas? Let’s narrow it down even further.

The Cost Of Living

Although both Ancaster and Dundas are regarded as affluent communities, Ancaster does tend to be more luxurious, and comes with a slightly higher cost of living. This is most evident when it comes to real estate.

Ancaster boasts more luxury homes in general. The market is nuanced, but every type of housing structure typically sells for slightly more in Ancaster than in Dundas, including detached homes, townhouses, and condominiums.

Ease Of Transportation

As a smaller town, Dundas is highly walkable. The little shops and restaurants are primarily located along Main Street, and you can easily make your way to anything you want to see.

The walk score varies depending on where you live in Ancaster. Some of the houses in the newer suburbs are very close to stores and shops, while you will be more car-dependent in the rural areas.

On the other hand, Ancaster is slightly more convenient in terms of Highway access. You can quickly get to Highway 403 or the Lincoln Alexander Parkway to travel to Hamilton, Niagara, or towards Toronto. Dundas does offer access to the 403, but you will need to drive just a little bit further.

Ancaster offers limited public transit, depending on the neighbourhood you settle in. Here, Dundas stands out because it is connected to some of Hamilton’s major bus routes.

Access To Schools

As a larger community with a more dense population, you will have access to more schools in Ancaster than in Dundas. Both Ancaster and Dundas offer easy access to McMaster University for adult students. With Mohawk College easily accessible on the West Hamilton Mountain, Ancaster also offers a slight advantage when it comes to pursuing secondary education.

Thinking about buying a home in Hamilton, Ancaster, or Dundas? The posts below might help:

Shopping And Entertainment

Whether you prefer Ancaster or Dundas for your shopping needs depends on your style and preferences. Both have a fantastic array of shops, pubs, and restaurants, as well as a selection of live entertainment.

If you’re the type of person who loves the convenience of big box stores and having multiple outlets close together, then you will love Ancaster. If independently owned boutiques are more your style, Dundas‘ quaint little shopping district just might be calling you.

Do you want more guidance on finding the right home and location for your family? Our Hamilton, Ancaster, and Dundas real estate agents are happy to help you narrow down your options. To take the next step, reach out to hello@theoreillygroup.ca or call 905-512-5323.