NICOLE FORRESTER | BROKER
Real Broker Ontario Ltd., Brokerage

Relocation guide · 2026

Toronto or the 905?
See the real numbers, side by side.

A free 12-page guide to Toronto and the East GTA, with a close look at Pickering, Ajax and Whitby. From a broker who grew up in the 416 and lives in the 905.

I'm moving to the GTA I'm moving from the 416 to the 905

Same free guide either way · 12 pages · instant download

The Toronto skyline at sunset, seen over rows of houses Cover of the guide Moving to Toronto and the East GTA

For anyone weighing a Toronto address against a backyard in Pickering, Ajax or Whitby.

Already settled on a street? You don't need this one.

Sound familiar?

Every site gives you
one piece of the puzzle.

An average price here. A commute time there. A list of neighbourhoods somewhere else. Nobody puts Toronto and the 905 on the same page, so you can't really compare.

And the costs that change your decision aren't in the listing. Toronto charges its own land transfer tax on top of Ontario's. Your train time depends on your GO station. Your school is set by your exact address, not the name of the town.

NICOLE'S NOTE

Whether you're coming from across the country or across the 401, this is a money decision as much as a lifestyle one. You deserve straight numbers before you fall for a house.

A preview of page 5

The numbers,
side by side.

Average sale price Land transfer tax* First-time buyer rebate, up to
TorontoTHE CITY · 416$979,684$28,950$8,475
PickeringEAST GTA · 905$935,490$14,475$4,000
AjaxEAST GTA · 905$871,853$14,475$4,000
WhitbyEAST GTA · 905$905,123$14,475$4,000

Average sale price, all home types, August 2026. *Land transfer tax on a $900,000 home, before first-time buyer rebates (up to $8,475 in Toronto and up to $4,000 in Pickering, Ajax and Whitby). Sources: TRREB, Ontario Ministry of Finance, City of Toronto. Figures are subject to change.

NICOLE'S NOTE

Toronto adds its own municipal land transfer tax on top of Ontario's. In Pickering, Ajax and Whitby, you pay Ontario's alone. The full table, with 2026 property tax increases, is in the guide.

Inside the guide

Twelve pages.
Straight answers.

Everything I'd walk a client through before they choose between the city and the East GTA, in the order I'd do it.

  1. 01

    The numbers, side by side

    Average prices, land transfer tax, first-time buyer rebates and 2026 property tax increases for Toronto, Pickering, Ajax and Whitby.

  2. 02

    Four parts of the city

    North York, Scarborough, the East End and Downtown, and the kind of home each one gets you.

  3. 03

    Pickering, Ajax & Whitby up close

    Amberlea, Pickering Village, Williamsburg and Brooklin, from someone who lives, owns and raises her family there.

  4. 04

    Downtown by train

    GO times to Union Station, the one-fare rule, and your options on the 401.

  5. 05

    Schools, jobs and the outdoors

    How school boundaries work, where the jobs are, and the parks, trails and waterfront on both sides.

  6. 06

    Six steps, in the right order

    How to buy from a distance and on a deadline, from pre-approval to your first walk around the new neighbourhood.

Send me the guide

Free · 12 pages · instant download

Lifestyle & the outdoors

A world-class city
with a big green backyard.

In the city: pro sports, theatre, TIFF, the ROM and more than 1,500 parks.

Out east: Rouge National Urban Park, Frenchman's Bay, Altona Forest and the Waterfront Trail.

The CN Tower seen through autumn leaves A river winding through a forest in early fall A valley of autumn trees A rocky creek under green trees A red-brick house under tall autumn trees A path under red and gold autumn trees

416 or 905

Both sides of the 401,
honestly.

Your budget decides the trade-off between space and location. I know both sides by heart.

The City · Toronto

North York. Condos along the Yonge corridor and established family streets.

Scarborough. Detached homes on generous lots, near the Bluffs and Rouge National Urban Park.

The East End. Victorian semis and walkable strips of cafés and shops.

Downtown. Condo living close to the office, the waterfront and the theatres.

The East GTA · Pickering, Ajax & Whitby

Pickering. Amberlea's 1970s–80s streets back onto Altona Forest, and Frenchman's Bay sits on the lake.

Ajax. Pickering Village, a historic main street settled in 1807, with heritage homes and bungalows.

Whitby. A historic downtown and marina, newer detached homes in Williamsburg, and Brooklin's village main street.

GO Lakeshore East · typical trip to Union

  1. Whitby~58 min
  2. Ajax~50 min
  3. Pickering~45 min
  4. UnionDowntown

Nicole's note: before you buy, do the commute once at rush hour.

Nicole Forrester

Meet Nicole

416 roots.
905 expertise.

I'm Nicole Forrester, a Broker with Real Broker Ontario. I grew up in Toronto, and I'm raising my family in Durham. I live in Pickering Village in Ajax, I still own a property in Amberlea in Pickering, and my kids go to school in Whitby.

Before real estate, I was an Investment Executive and a Financial Planner. In 15 years in real estate, I've been Managing Broker of one of the original Toronto brokerages, and I'm an investor and landlord myself. Many of my clients come back for their second and third homes, and my last two tenants are homeowners now.

  • 416 + 905Both sides

    I grew up in the city and I'm raising my family out east. I'll show you both, honestly.

  • Numbers firstA planner's eye

    Equity, resale and closing costs are part of every recommendation I make.

  • Every voiceFamilies in transition

    Couples, families and multigenerational moves, where everyone feels heard.

"I'm your advisor. But this is your ballgame. You make the final call."

Call or text me anytime at 416-909-2389

Google reviews

In their own words.

Real estate with a heart! Nicole is professional, knowledgeable, engaging, responsive and will really go the extra mile. … [She] strongly advocated on my behalf in an offer. I did not hesitate to contact Nicole again when personal circumstances had changed… Nicole impressively delivered in generating overwhelming interest in the home and in the end, multiple offers.
B. T. Bought a first home, then sold with Nicole
Nicole is a consummate professional! … Nicole will give you informed options and present everything in a fair manner that suits your best interests! … She was so kind and warm to my father (owner), at a very difficult time in our lives! … She has an old school approach, with a perfected modern finish!
KAMAL S. Sold a family property with Nicole

Good questions

Before you
download.

Something else on your mind? Call or text 416-909-2389.

Is it really free?

Yes. It's 12 pages with no cost and no credit card, and it's yours to keep.

Will you call me?

Only if you ask. Your number is there so I can reach you when you want help, not for cold calls.

I'm just looking. Is that OK?

That's exactly who this is for. Looking is how good decisions start.

What if I'm a year or more away?

That's the best time to read it. Prices change, but the way land transfer tax, rebates and commutes work mostly doesn't. You'll know what to watch. (Figures are as of August 2026.)

Do I have to work with you?

No. Use the guide with any agent, or none. If you're already working with someone, share it with them.

I'm selling in Toronto. Does this help me?

Yes. It shows what your money gets you in Pickering, Ajax and Whitby, and what you'd pay at closing on each side. When you're ready, send me the word VALUE and I'll give you an updated opinion of value on your current home.

Cover of the guide Moving to Toronto and the East GTA

Make the call
with confidence.

The real numbers, the neighbourhoods and the six steps, all in one free guide. Read it on your own time and decide for yourself.

Send me the guide

Rather talk now?
Call or text 416-909-2389