Every year, families from Oshawa, Whitby, Clarington and the rest of Durham Region make the move north to Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Most are looking for more room, a slower pace and lakes close by, without losing access to work, family and the city. This guide covers what to know before you make the move.
1. Getting back and forth
By car: Highway 115 connects Peterborough to Highways 401 and 407 in Clarington. The provincially owned stretch of Highway 407 East, between Brock Road in Pickering and Highway 35/115, has been toll-free since June 1, 2025.
By transit: GO Transit’s Route 88 bus runs between the Peterborough Bus Terminal, Trent University and Durham College Oshawa GO, with park-and-ride stops along Highway 115 and in Clarington. At Oshawa you can connect to the Lakeshore East GO train, and some Route 88 trips continue to Union Station. Check GO’s current schedule for times that match your day.
If you’ll commute, do a trial run at rush hour from the neighbourhoods you’re considering before you buy. Living on the south or west side of the city, or in Cavan Monaghan or Otonabee-South Monaghan, can shorten the drive to the 115.
2. Where to look
Peterborough offers established neighbourhoods close to downtown and newer subdivisions on the edges of the city. Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Millbrook and Ennismore give you a small-town feel within a short drive. If you want waterfront or a few acres, the townships around the Kawarthas have plenty, but rural properties come with wells, septic systems and longer drives, so factor those in. Our guide to Peterborough neighbourhoods for families is a good place to start.
3. Schools
Public schools in Peterborough are run by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, which also runs the public schools in Clarington. Catholic schools are run by the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board. School boundaries change as the area grows, so always confirm the school for a specific address with the board before you buy.
4. Living here
Peterborough is home to Trent University, Fleming College and Peterborough Regional Health Centre. The Trent-Severn Waterway runs right through the city, past the Lift Lock, with Little Lake, the Kawartha Lakes and hundreds of kilometres of trails close by. There are farmers’ markets, local restaurants and live theatre downtown.
5. Selling in Durham and buying in Peterborough
Timing two moves is the hardest part. You have three main options:
- Sell first. You know exactly what you have to spend, but you may need a place to stay between homes.
- Buy first. You won’t have to rush, but you may carry two homes for a while, or need bridge financing.
- Line up both closings on the same day or a few days apart. This is what most people aim for, and it takes some planning on both ends.
Ask your lender early whether you can port your mortgage to the new home, and get a payout estimate for the one you have now. Our guide to what it costs to sell a home walks through the costs on the selling side.
6. Work with a team that knows both markets
McAuley Real Estate Group serves Peterborough, the Kawarthas and Durham. That means one team can price and sell your Durham home, help you find the right home here, and coordinate the dates so the moves line up. Many of our clients are making exactly this move.
About this guide: written by McAuley Real Estate Group, a team at Bowes & Cocks Limited, Brokerage in Peterborough, Ontario. It’s general information; confirm transit times and school boundaries with GO Transit and the school boards. Thinking about the move? Call or text 705-559-6116, get your free home evaluation, or sign up for new listings by email.
