Markham, Ontario
Living in Box Grove, Markham
A nineteenth century hamlet with two thousands subdivisions built around it, tucked into Markham's southeast corner next to Highway 407.
Box Grove at a glance
| Price range | TODO: entry to upper range, TRREB, month and year |
|---|---|
| Property types | Detached and freehold townhomes from the mid 2000s onward, a small number of older hamlet properties |
| Schools | YRDSB and YCDSB elementary options, secondary schools in east Markham |
| Transit | YRT local routes, Highway 407 immediately south, Markham GO a drive north |
| Commute downtown | TODO: typical door to door time to downtown Toronto |
Price bands in Box Grove
| Band | Range | What it buys |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | TODO | Freehold and stacked townhomes |
| Mid | TODO | Semis and narrower detached plans |
| Upper | TODO | Detached on standard frontages |
| Premium | TODO | The largest detached plans and the few older hamlet properties |
Figures are general information for the period stated and are not an appraisal of any specific property.
The short answer
Box Grove is a nineteenth century hamlet that woke up one decade to find subdivisions all around it. The result is a small, self contained pocket in Markham’s southeast corner with newer housing, easy Highway 407 access and a lower entry point than most of the city.
It is the neighbourhood for people whose commute runs east or west rather than downtown.
What homes cost
TODO: fill the price band table in this file’s frontmatter with TRREB figures for a stated month and yearBox Grove usually trades below comparable stock in north Markham. The discount is mostly about distance from the GO stations and proximity to the highway, which means the value case is strong for drivers and weak for train commuters.
The hamlet and what is left of it
A small cluster of older buildings survives from the original settlement. It is modest and it is worth seeing, because it is the only thing distinguishing Box Grove visually from any other 2000s subdivision.
Parks, amenities and daily life
Parks and trail connections run through the newer sections. The Boxgrove retail area covers groceries and day to day needs. Anything larger is a drive along Markham Road or Highway 7.
The honest trade-off: Highway 407 sits right at the southern edge. On the closest streets you will hear it. Go and stand on the street at rush hour before you decide, because this is not something a listing photo will tell you.
Transit and the commute
Highway 407 access is immediate, which is the neighbourhood’s strongest practical feature. YRT local routes serve the area. Markham GO on the Stouffville line is a drive north.
TODO: confirm typical door to door transit time to downtown TorontoWho Box Grove suits
It suits first time buyers, drivers commuting east or west on Highway 407 and anyone who wants newer housing at a lower entry point than north Markham.
It does not suit downtown train commuters or buyers who want mature character streets.
Box Grove questions
Where exactly is Box Grove?
Markham's southeast corner, around Ninth Line and Fourteenth Avenue, immediately north of Highway 407 and close to the Pickering boundary.
Is highway noise a problem?
On the streets closest to Highway 407 it can be. This is worth checking in person, with the windows open, before you commit to a specific address.
What is left of the original hamlet?
A small cluster of older buildings and streets that predate the surrounding subdivisions. It gives the neighbourhood a name and a bit of character that the newer streets do not have.
Is it convenient for commuting?
For drivers heading east or west on Highway 407, extremely. For a downtown train commute it is one of the less convenient parts of Markham, since Markham GO is a drive north.
Is there shopping nearby?
The Boxgrove retail area covers day to day needs. Larger shopping is along Markham Road and Highway 7.
Does it suit first time buyers?
Often yes. Attached stock here tends to be more attainable than comparable housing further north or west.
Market data. Price information on this page is general information drawn from Toronto Regional Real Estate Board data for the period stated. It is not an appraisal, not an opinion of value for any specific property and not guaranteed.
Not advice. Nothing here is legal, tax, mortgage or investment advice. School catchments are set by the school boards and are reviewed periodically. Confirm the boundary for any specific address with the board directly.
Book a 30-minute conversation about Box Grove
No pitch and no pressure. We will tell you what your budget reaches here and whether this is the right neighbourhood for what you actually need.