Blog > Which Markham neighbourhoods are best for commuting to downtown Toronto?
Which Markham neighbourhoods are best for commuting to downtown Toronto?
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Which Markham neighbourhoods are best for commuting to downtown Toronto?
The best Markham neighbourhoods for Toronto commuters are Unionville and Downtown Markham for direct GO Train and Viva access, Markham Village and Raymerville for walkable GO service at a lower price, Wismer Commons and Greensborough for family homes near Mount Joy GO, Milliken Mills for the shortest overall trip to the core, and Thornhill for Highway 404 and future Yonge North Subway access. Choosing among them comes down to one question: does the commuter want to ride, or drive?
How to Choose a Commuter Neighbourhood in Markham
Markham splits cleanly into two commuting bands, and understanding which band a home sits in matters more than the marketing on a listing.
Markham west of Warden Avenue is oriented to Highway 404, the Don Valley Parkway and Viva Purple bus rapid transit on Highway 7. Markham east of Kennedy Road is oriented to the Stouffville GO rail corridor. A home buyer who drives daily and a home buyer who takes the train should be shopping in different parts of the same city.
Michael John Lau, a REALTOR® who helps home buyers purchase detached homes, semi detached homes and townhomes in Markham, Ontario, starts every commuter search with the workplace address rather than the price range.
Unionville and Downtown Markham
Best for: professionals, move up buyers, condominium buyers, anyone who wants a car free workday.
Unionville GO is the strongest transit asset in Markham. It reaches Union Station in approximately 40 minutes, carries 1,620 parking spaces, and connects to Viva Purple on Highway 7, which runs every 15 minutes between Richmond Hill Centre and Cornell Terminal. Downtown Markham sits within walking distance and adds condominium supply, restaurants, the Cineplex, and the York University Markham Campus, which opened in 2024 with capacity for 4,200 students.
Unionville is a premium neighbourhood. In the first quarter of 2026, detached homes in Unionville averaged approximately $1,689,000 across 26 sales, with an average of 28 days on market. Historic Main Street Unionville anchors the community's character.
Trade off: price. Buyers pay a clear premium for the combination of transit, schools and prestige.
Markham Village and Raymerville
Best for: first time buyers and families who want GO access without the Unionville price.
Markham GO sits at 214 Main Street North, in the heart of historic Markham Village, roughly 50 minutes to Union Station. Centennial GO on Bullock Drive serves the same catchment at about 45 minutes. Both are walkable or a short drive from a large share of Markham Village, Raymerville, Bullock and Milne area homes.
The value case is direct. In the first quarter of 2026, detached homes in Markham Village averaged approximately $1,311,000 across 22 sales with 26 days on market, and Raymerville averaged approximately $1,206,000. That is several hundred thousand dollars below Unionville for a commute roughly ten minutes longer.
Trade off: older housing stock in parts of the community, which means renovation budgets matter.
Wismer Commons and Greensborough
Best for: families who need four bedrooms, newer construction and a reliable park and ride.
Mount Joy GO at 1801 Bur Oak Avenue is Markham's family park and ride station, with 1,333 parking spaces and a trip to Union Station of roughly 55 minutes. Wismer Commons and Greensborough were built around it, which means newer detached homes, semi detached homes and freehold townhomes, wide sidewalks, and schools within the subdivision.
First quarter 2026 detached averages were approximately $1,451,000 in Wismer and approximately $1,312,000 in Greensborough. Both communities carry strong demand from families relocating within the Greater Toronto Area.
Trade off: the longest rail commute of Markham's four stations, and lots that are generally narrower than in older Markham communities.
Milliken Mills and Middlefield
Best for: buyers who want the shortest possible trip to downtown Toronto at Markham's most accessible price points.
Milliken GO sits at 39 Redlea Avenue, technically inside Toronto but immediately south of Markham's border, roughly 34 minutes from Union Station. That is the fastest rail access available to a Markham resident. Steeles Avenue also provides direct Highway 404 access, and TTC service begins at the city line.
Pricing is among the most approachable in Markham. First quarter 2026 detached averages were approximately $1,651,000 in Milliken Mills East and approximately $1,217,000 in Milliken Mills West. Milliken Mills West produced one of the more notable data points of 2026: in July, it was one of only ten Greater Toronto Area neighbourhoods where homes sold above asking on a median basis, at roughly $47,656 over list, at a time when 78 percent of all GTA homes sold below asking.
Trade off: an older, denser urban fabric than north Markham, and more variability street to street.
Thornhill, German Mills and Commerce Valley
Best for: drivers, condominium buyers, and buyers positioning for the Yonge North Subway Extension.
This is Markham's driving band. Highway 404 access at Steeles Avenue and Highway 7 is immediate, and Highway 407 is available for east and west trips. Commerce Valley and Leitchcroft add Markham's most affordable condominium apartment supply along the Highway 7 corridor.
The forward looking factor is the Yonge North Subway Extension, an approximately eight kilometre line running north from Finch Station with five stations at Steeles, Bridge, High Tech, Clark and Royal Orchard. The Steeles, Clark and Royal Orchard stations serve the Thornhill side of Markham directly. The advance tunnelling contract was awarded in August 2025, with tunnelling expected to begin in early 2027. No opening date has been announced, so buyers should treat it as a long term factor rather than a near term one.
Trade off: no GO rail station in this band, so a downtown commuter drives or connects by bus.
Cornell
Best for: buyers who value walkable, new urbanist design and hospital proximity more than rail access.
Cornell is one of the most distinctive communities in Markham, built on new urbanist principles with front porches, rear lanes, and Cornell Community Centre and Library at its core. Markham Stouffville Hospital sits adjacent, making Cornell a natural fit for healthcare professionals. Viva Purple terminates at Cornell Terminal.
First quarter 2026 detached homes in Cornell averaged approximately $1,269,000 across 13 sales, one of the more accessible detached price points in east Markham.
Trade off: Cornell is the weakest served of Markham's major communities for rail. It sits east of the corridor, so a GO commuter drives to Mount Joy.
Markham Commuter Neighbourhoods at a Glance
| Neighbourhood | Primary commute asset | Q1 2026 avg detached price | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unionville | Unionville GO, Viva Purple | ~$1,689,000 | Transit first professionals |
| Markham Village | Markham GO, Centennial GO | ~$1,311,000 | Value seeking families |
| Wismer Commons | Mount Joy GO | ~$1,451,000 | Growing families |
| Greensborough | Mount Joy GO | ~$1,312,000 | Newer home buyers |
| Milliken Mills West | Milliken GO, Steeles at 404 | ~$1,217,000 | Shortest commute, entry pricing |
| Cornell | Viva Purple, hospital | ~$1,269,000 | Walkability, healthcare workers |
| Thornhill | Highway 404, future subway | ~$1,391,000 | Drivers, long horizon buyers |
Community figures reflect Toronto Regional Real Estate Board data for the first quarter of 2026. Sample sizes in some Markham communities are small, so these averages indicate direction rather than a precise value for any single home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest Markham neighbourhood for commuting to downtown Toronto?
Milliken Mills, using Milliken GO at approximately 34 minutes to Union Station. Unionville follows at approximately 40 minutes.
Which Markham neighbourhood is best for a family commuting downtown?
Wismer Commons and Greensborough offer the strongest combination of newer four bedroom detached homes, schools, and a large park and ride at Mount Joy GO.
Is Markham a good place to live if I work downtown?
Yes, particularly if the commute is by rail. Four GO stations inside the city, plus Milliken GO on the border, put most of Markham within a 40 to 55 minute train ride of Union Station, and the One Fare program covers the TTC connection at Union.
How much does a Markham home cost in 2026?
In August 2026, the average Markham sale price across all home types was $1,208,692 and the median was $1,095,000, with an average of 33 days on market and homes selling at 98 percent of list price.
Which Markham neighbourhoods are closest to Highway 404?
Thornhill, German Mills, Commerce Valley and Buttonville via Steeles Avenue and Highway 7. Berczy Village, Cachet, Angus Glen and Victoria Square via 16th Avenue.
Find the Markham neighbourhood that fits your commute
Michael John Lau builds every buyer search around the commute, the schools and the long term plan, so the neighbourhood still fits five years from now.
Disclaimer. Michael John Lau is a licensed REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers in Markham, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Market data is approximate and based on available MLS® statistics. Buyers are encouraged to verify current listing prices, transit schedules and market conditions directly.