Sault Ste. Marie is a great place to live. On the whole, the Sault area is safe, modern, and affordable. And though Sault Ste. Marie has a modest population of just over 73,000, it offers the amenities of a much larger city. Additionally, compared to bigger cities throughout the GTA and even smaller cities in Northern Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie offers a more affordable rental housing market, unparalleled access to nature, and an approachable job market geared at local talent and newcomers to the province and Canada alike.
If you’re planning a move to or within the scenic city of Sault Ste. Marie, there are a total of 18 neighbourhoods to choose from. Today on the blog, we use data from AreaVibes to scope out the top five neighbourhoods for renters in Sault Ste. Marie in terms of liveability, cost of living, real estate, amenities, and more.
Cedar Heights
Cedar Heights is the most liveable and desirable neighbourhood in all of Sault Ste. Marie for a variety of reasons. Cedar Heights is one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city, with a crime rate that’s 50 percent lower than Sault Ste. Marie’s overall average, making it an ideal place to live for all kinds of households, but especially families with young children. It also contains highly rated public schools. As such, families make up the largest share of residents in Cedar Heights and detached homes are the most common housing type in the area.
One of the most enticing aspects of living in Cedar Heights is that the area is saturated with amenities, including a variety of restaurants, grocers, and other retailers. And while cost of living is ever so slightly higher in the family-friendly neighbourhood compared to the Sault Ste. Marie average, the cost of living is approximately ten percent lower in Cedar Heights compared to the national average. The average cost for housing in Cedar Heights is also 56 percent lower than the national average and rental prices in Cedar Heights are consistent with the city’s overall average (which is $1,063 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,180 for a two-bedroom apartment).
Pointe des Chênes
Located beside the St. Mary’s River, the neighbourhood of Pointe des Chênes is the safest place to live in all of Sault Ste. Marie with a crime rate that’s 60 percent lower than the city’s overall average. Pointe des Chênes is known for being exceptionally liveable thanks to its low crime rate, as well as its proximity to prominent employers, most notably in the education/health/social services, wholesale/retail, and manufacturing sectors.
The cost of living in Pointe des Chênes is also about eight percent lower than the national average, while the cost to obtain housing in the neighbourhood is about 48 percent lower than the national average. And again, rental prices in Pointe des Chênes are consistent with the city’s overall average.
The P Patch
Like Cedar Heights and Pointe des Chênes, the P Patch neighbourhood ranks high in terms of liveability. It’s the third safest neighbourhood in the city, encompasses forested green space, and is nearby Sault College. In terms of amenities, the neighbourhood includes a grocery store, a dentist, several restaurants, and mainstream retailers, including Walmart and Canadian Tire.
Additionally, the cost of living in The P Patch is 21 percent lower than the Sault Ste. Marie average and 12 percent lower than the national average. Finally, housing the P Patch is 62 percent lower than the national average and rental prices are consistent with the city’s overall average.
Fun fact: The P Patch was once officially named Cambrian Heights. It has since been renamed the P Patch because almost all of the streets in the area begin with the letter ‘P.’
Grandview Gardens
Located in the east-end of Sault Ste. Marie, the main appeal of living in the residential neighbourhood of Grandview Gardens is that there are two highly-rated public schools in the area, making it a good spot to settle down for families with young kids. Grandview Gardens also encompasses the Sault Country Club.
Like all neighbourhoods in Sault Ste. Marie, Grandview Gardens is also an affordable place to live. The cost of living in Grandview Gardens is 23 percent lower than the Sault Ste. Marie average and 14 percent lower than the national average. The cost to obtain housing in Grandview Gardens is 70 percent lower than the national average and rental prices are consistent with the city’s overall average.
Eastside
Sault Ste. Marie’s Eastside neighbourhood encompasses a mix of public elementary and high schools, as well as Catholic elementary and high schools, making it another great area to settle down for families with children of all ages.
Eastside is also an affordable place to live, own real estate, and rent real estate. The cost of living in the Eastside is 24 percent lower than the Sault Ste. Marie average and 16 percent lower than the national average. The cost of housing in the Eastside is 74 percent lower than the national average and rental prices are consistent with the city’s overall average.
Are you on the hunt for rental apartments in Sault Ste. Marie?
If you’re interested in a redefined rental experience, we offer renovated rental apartments in sought-after neighbourhoods in Sault Ste. Marie. From top-of-the-line finishings to energy-efficient appliances to digital amenities, our units have been upgraded to reflect the unique values of today’s tenants. Get in touch today to find out more about condo-style apartment living with CPM Properties.
