How Changing Demographics Are Affecting Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill, a small suburb located in the southern portion of York region, Ontario in Canada is garnering a lot of global attention due to its brilliant housing amenities, natural and pollution-free surroundings and world class infrastructure. Though, the town north of Toronto has not entered the list of the country’s top-20 most-populous municipalities as yet, Richmond Hill has managed to become a household name in the Middle East and some countries in South East Asia. The changing demographics are affecting RH in many ways, let us see how:

1. A Wider Global Reach

The Richmond Hill community has not only managed to affect the lives of their own residents but it has reached a wide audience located miles and miles away from them, all thanks to the Canadian TV channels, one of them having its base in Richmond Hill. These satellite channels have managed to reach a wider audience, especially in the Middle East. Immigrants see Richmond Hill as a perfect place to start their new career and family. If you ever happen to visit the RH community, the very first thing that you will notice is its diversity.

Plazas populated with Persian businessman owning small businesses like rug stores, salons and butcher shops is a common sight. Yonge Street in Richmond Hill provides more shopping opportunity than the central street in Toronto. For a business minded person, Yonge street and Highway 7 is a bag of opportunities. The ‘Ethnic diversity’ of business groups is constantly changing and evolving, which is a good sign.

2. Richmond Hill's Blending Cultures, Traditions and Languages

The neighborhood now features a specialty Persian restaurant, in a popular mall—that manages to attract a crowd nearly every day. Kako Kabab is a real-life example symbolizing how cultures are melting in RH. The emerging demographics includes many Iranian immigrants too, some who came to RH in 2009 and have slowly learned the art of living peacefully in this part of the world. Language barriers have been removed with such immigrants taking up English-learning classes. Their accent is far from perfect but it helps to communicate—the most integral part of any social setup.

The Italian community club, another old relic of old Yonge and 16th, showcases cultural diversity in its appeal, construction and cuisines. The community club established in the early 1990s is a common place for old residents of Richmond Hill to chat, swim, play, and interact on a daily basis.

3. Ethnic Demographics Triggering Change in Real Estate

In the 1980s, a house at Yonge and highway 7 was worth $150,000. Now the same houses are worth $2 million. This clearly indicates how the changing demographics of Richmond Hill are affecting the real estate trends in Canada. Detached homes in the South Richvale and Langstaff neighborhoods of Richmond Hill, which are at far south of 16th intersection and Yonge are worth $1.3 million according to Toronto Real Estate Board. Yonge and 16th intersection are the key development area in the RH region and their market price is bound to shoot up in coming years. We can say that RH community is slowly becoming an “enclave of wealthy people”.

Richmond Hill has witnessed a dramatic evolution in terms of real estate and housing over the past few years. Also, the influx of people and businesses that have clustered around the area indicate more growth and prosperity in a mutually conducive environment.