Windsor residents and tourists alike are in love with Windsor-Essex because of everything it has to offer (covered in detail below). Windsor and Detroit are separated by the Detroit River.
If you’re thinking about purchasing a rental investment property in Windsor, it’s a smart choice. More and more people are moving here, the weather is nice, and there are many new job opportunities. Plus, the rental income is good, and there are decent property tax rates, passive income benefits, and more.
What Makes Windsor a Great Location for Investing in Rental Properties?
Why should you consider investing in a Windsor rental property or setting up your business here? It’s a global city with a fantastic location, promising economic opportunities, and a skilled workforce ready to contribute. Additionally, Windsor is home to excellent schools and hospitals, and it has a beautiful waterfront park and riverfron trail. With around 215,000 residents and a land area of 147 square kilometers (57 square miles), simply put…. Windsor is just the right size for steady property rentals! Which we at Maximum Property Solutions can help you manage.
Look at All these Location Benefits!
Windsor’s geographical location provides exceptional exposure and easy access to major air, rail, and highway networks on both sides of the border!
Windsor and Detroit are connected by various transportation links, including the Ambassador Bridge (the most used international cargo crossing in North America), the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, the Canadian Pacific Railway Tunnel, and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel bus service. There’s also a proposed second bridge in the works.
As your primary residence, Windsor enjoys quick access to both Highway 401 and I-75, allowing for convenient travel to major epicenters in Canada and the United States.
Windsor International Airport -YQG serves as a swift gateway for domestic, business, and international travel for all real estate investors. The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, located less than an hour’s drive away, offers vital connections to global rental markets as well.
Windsor’s Proximity to Other Cities…
Here are the distances and driving times from Windsor to various Canadian and American cities:
Near By Canadian Cities:
- Toronto: 332 kilometers (206 miles) – approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes by car.
- London: 165 kilometers (102 miles) – about 2 hours and 25 minutes by car.
- Hamilton: 280 kilometers (174 miles) – roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes by car.
- Ottawa: 682 kilometers (424 miles) – approximately 9 hours and 10 minutes by car.
- Waterloo: 285 kilometers (150 miles) – about 3 hours and 30 minutes by car.
Near By United States Cities:
- Detroit: 4 kilometers (3 miles) – around 20 minutes by car.
- Chicago: 385 kilometers (239 miles) – roughly 5 hours and 10 minutes by car.
- Ann Arbor: 58 kilometers (36 miles) – about 30 minutes by car.
- Toledo: 85 kilometers (53 miles) – approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.
- Lansing: 136 kilometers (84 miles) – around 1 hour and 50 minutes by car.
- Cleveland: 142 kilometers (88 miles) – roughly 3 hours and 10 minutes by car.
- Pittsburgh: 327 kilometers (203 miles) – about 5 hours and 10 minutes by car.
Windsor’s Pristine Reputation
Windsor has gained recognition and accolades as a leader in various aspects:
- It was named one of the top 7 intelligent communities in the world by the Intelligent Community Forum in 2011.
- In 2007 and 2008, it was chosen as the number one small city for real estate investment in North America by the Financial Times of London.
- Windsor was also recognized among Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Magazine’s North American Small Cities of the Future 2007-2008.
Incentives for New and Growing Businesses
The City of Windsor plays an active role in economic development and growing rental income, ensuring the city’s ongoing prosperity through:
- The Economic Revitalization Community Improvement Plan.
- Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy.
- Heritage Preservation Incentives Programs.
These initiatives are designed to support new and expanding businesses in Windsor.
Chillin’ Weather
Are you an investor planning to enter the world of real estate investing? Windsor’s got some of the mildest weather in Canada, thanks to its southern Ontario spot. You’re looking at plenty of sunshine and temps above ten °C for about 223 out of 365 days a year. Forget about those giant snow boots and heavy parkas – you’ll only be shoveling snow more than 1cm deep about 50 days a year. That means you won’t be breaking your back with daily driveway shoveling between December and March!
Fun and Games
When it’s time to have a blast, Windsor’s got something for everyone. If you’re into good eats, live music, or the thrill of cards and dice, there are four local casinos, including Caesars Windsor. They even have a massive 5,000-seat theater called the Colosseum.
Not into gambling? No problem. You can soak up the sun at Sandpoint Beach, explore Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve or Black Oak Heritage Park, or hop over to Peche Island in the Detroit River. Plus, Detroit is right across the river, so you can easily check out the Motown Museum or have a picnic in Rouge Park.
Safe and Sound
Most folks in Windsor feel super safe in their homes here in Southwestern Ontario. Crime levels here are on par with the national average, but the heavy stuff like homicides is way less frequent. In fact, Windsor sees at least 22% fewer of those serious crimes compared to bigger cities like Vancouver or Toronto. Most Windsorites feel totally safe walking around the city, even at night.
Sports Mania!
Hockey’s a big deal here, but it’s a real struggle choosing between the Red Wings and the Leafs. No matter what side you are on, red or blue… there is going to be a battle between your nationality and proximity to the opposing team!
If you’re into the NBA, catch the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Baseball fans can cheer for the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, right next to Ford Field, where the Detroit Lions play. And guess what? They’re all just 5-10 minutes away from the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel border crossing. If you’re sticking to the Leafs, Blue Jays, or Raptors, Toronto’s just a 4-hour drive away, making it a breeze for a sports-focused weekend getaway.
Sip and Savor
You can easily swing by for a tasting and tour or even host a fancy event surrounded by vineyards. And if you can’t make it to the winery, the local LCBO proudly stocks lots of Essex County wines, so you can support those local businesses with a bottle or two.
Home Sweet (Affordable) Home
Suppose you’re used to crazy real estate prices in places like Vancouver or Toronto. Windsor’s gonna blow your mind. On average, a house in Windsor goes for around $329,000 (as of October 2019). Prices are rising, but it’s still super doable for most families.
Snagging real estate in many big Canadian cities is a pipe dream for many, but Windsor’s urban amenities and reasonable housing costs make it a unique and exciting place to call home.
Right Next to Neighborly USA
Living close to the United States has its perks. You can actually find jobs in the U.S., which means getting paid in those sweet American dollars and enjoying that exchange rate bonus. And shopping? American department stores like Target and Nordstrom are right there, and you can stock up your pantry at grocery chains like Meijer and Kroger.
Don’t just focus on Detroit; there are other cool American cities nearby, like Toledo, Cleveland, and Chicago, all within a 5-hour drive from Windsor.
Waterfront Vibes
The Detroit River meanders its way around Essex County and Windsor, offering beaches and riverfront paths for endless exercise and relaxation.
Whether you’re biking along the Riverfront Trail or Ganatchio Trail or trying your hand at windsurfing at Sandpoint Beach, there are plenty of ways to soak up the local waterfront scene.
Party Time!
People around Windsor and Essex County know how to throw a good shindig, and they’ve got festivals galore to prove it. Besides the 10-day bash in the Fall, these organizers throw movie nights at the Capitol Theatre every month.
Summer’s a blast, too, with every little town around Windsor throwing its own community fiesta. Check out the 166-year-old Harrow Fair, the mouthwatering Leamington and Amherstburg Rib Festivals, the sweet LaSalle Strawberry Festival, and the traditional Ruthven Apple Festival. In Windsor, the Windsor Bluesfest gets folks grooved at the Riverfront Festival Plaza every July.
Pizza Heaven!
And last, we can’t forget about Windsor’s best-kept secret: Windsor-style pizza! It’s like no other pizza on the planet. Here’s the deal: Windsor’s pizza wizards shred their pepperoni into little matchsticks instead of going for the usual circles. That means every bite is a crunchy, meaty delight.
When you order a Windsor special, you’re in for a treat with matchstick pepperoni and a hearty serving of canned mushrooms. These bad boys can handle the heat of the oven like champs.
Windsor Investment Property Managers
Welcome to Maximum Property Solutions, your go-to for rental properties in Windsor and expert property management services. Need tips on buying an investment residential property or a rental unit? We’ve got you covered!
Call our property management company today to learn more about investing in rental properties and the local housing markets here in Windsor, Ontario.
