Why I Chose Fort Erie and Still Love Calling It Home

When I first started thinking about leaving Burlington, I wasn’t just looking for a new house. I was looking for a different pace of life.

Like so many families living in the GTA, life felt busy all the time. Traffic, crowds, and the constant rush made it hard to slow down and really enjoy the day-to-day moments with my kids. I wanted something different for them. More space. More opportunity. A place where life felt a little more balanced.

Not long after, I met Ryan. As we got to know each other, I started spending more time in Fort Erie. One of the first real memories that stuck with me was going to his sister’s place for a barbecue. I remember the drive along the Boulevard, seeing the older century homes, the large lots, the trees, and the open space. It felt calm. It felt real.

There was no rush hour traffic. No rows of cold, lifeless condos. Instead, there were small mom and pop shops, nature all around, and a sense that people actually knew each other. I fell in love with the area almost immediately.

What made it even more special was that Ryan had grown up here. His family was here. There was already a built-in connection to the community, and I could picture what life might look like if we stayed.

The affordability was also a huge part of the decision. Compared to the GTA, home prices here were a fraction of what I was used to. It meant I could give my kids more. More space, more comfort, and more stability. It opened the door to a lifestyle that just wasn’t realistic where we were before.

Now, years later, I still feel the same sense of gratitude every time I think about that move.

I love the small-town feel. I love the lack of traffic. I love taking the dog for walks along the beach and spending time fishing with the kids on the Niagara River and Lake Erie. We’re close to Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and everything the region has to offer, but we still get to come home to somewhere that feels peaceful.

More than anything, I love what this move has meant for our kids. They’ve made amazing friends. They’ve gotten involved in sports, clubs, and youth groups. They’re doing well in school and growing up in a community that feels supportive and connected.

And in many ways, Fort Erie has shaped my business too.

Being here has allowed me to truly connect with people. I’ve built real relationships with clients who often become friends. I know the ins and outs of the area because I live it every day. I see the changes, the growth, and the stories that make this community what it is.

Fort Erie didn’t just give us a new place to live. It gave us a lifestyle that feels more grounded, more connected, and more meaningful for our family.

It's also been a pretty awesome place for Ollie as well. Even if he doesn't always like getting his feet wet, he loves our family walks on the beach!

And that’s why I still love calling it home.

Nicole Burns
Fort Erie Home Group