Taunton, Durham

Taunton, located in the northeast end of Oshawa, shares its border with the Municipality of Clarington. The rural countryside lies just past the north and east boundaries of the neighbourhood. The first settlers in this area were farmers, and they cleared the dense forest to cultivate the fertile soil. Taunton was a village near present-day Whitby and Oshawa in the 1800s. The word Taunton comes from an English word meaning "roaring stream", and it refers to Taunton Road, a major road in the Durham region, named after Somerset County in England, where many early Durham families originated. A green corridor of The Harmony Creek valley has formed within the neighbourhood's centre. The neighbourhood offers excellent schools, recreational facilities, parks, sports fields, fitness facilities, indoor track and more. People can enjoy parks and various recreational activities in this area.

Let us examine the livability index and lifestyle score of Taunton: Taunton stands for its safety, with crime rates 76% lower than the national average. This peaceful city is serene, with violent crime rates 75% lower and property crime rates 77% lower than the national average. The chances of becoming a crime victim here are 1 in 101, indicating the safety it has to provide. Taunton assures security, with 68% lower crime rates than Ontario, making it a place worthy of investment.

In Taunton, the average household income is 62% higher than the national average, showcasing good economic conditions. The unemployment rate in Taunton is 27% lower than the national average, displaying job opportunities and potentially effective local policies or initiatives that promote employment. Remarkably, 1.6% of the population earns $20,000 or less, and 11.3% earn between $80,000 and $100,000. Additionally, 4.3% of people earn $300,000 or more. The city values its rich, diverse cultures, with 19.16% of the population being South Asian. Furthermore, 12.24% of the community is black, bringing their different perspective and cultures. 4.66% of people here are of Chinese origin, further diversifying the culture and unique flavours, thus showcasing the multicultural diversity. Taunton exhibits a variety of languages with its diverse population. The linguistic background is distinct, with English being the most preferred.

Taunton has a lively neighbourhood with accessibility to quality education, a fantastic dining experience, healthcare facilities, and shopping malls.

Schools

Taunton has a variety of public and private schools in the vicinity, making it an ideal neighbourhood for families. Some of the prominent schools here are:

• Elsie MacGill PS
• Seneca Trail PS
• ÉS Ronald-Marion
• Sherwood PS
• Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic HS
• St Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School

Restaurants

Taunton offers numerous cuisines to cater to the diverse tastes of its residents. Some famous restaurants here include:

• Osmow's
• LCBO
• McDonald's
• Marble Slab Creamery

Shopping Malls

Residents and visitors of Taunton can access daily necessities as well as fulfil other shopping needs by visiting the following malls situated in the vicinity:

• Mansfield Crossing
• Taunton Crossing
• RK Plaza
• Marshall's

Hospitals

Medical facilities in Taunton that cater to several healthcare requirements of residents in the area are:

• Lakeridge Health Oshawa
• New Direction Clinic

There are several destinations in and around Taunton where people can spend a day out with family or explore the rich natural beauty or history of the area.

Old Colony History Museum

Old Colony History Museum, situated in Taunton, Massachusetts, is a historic museum formerly a Bristol Academy school building. Designed in the year 1852, this museum is an architectural style Italianate. It consists of an extensive collection of regional objects and archives. The museum also has a research library specialising in local history and genealogy.

Massasoit State Park

Massasoit State Park is located on the southeast side of Taunton, Massachusetts, and stands as a sign of the region's natural beauty. Spread across 1,200 acres, this park offers a peaceful escape for nature lovers and enthusiasts. This park has heavily wooded areas, six pristine lakes and ponds and numerous cranberry bogs. It offers visitors various activities such as walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and equestrian use.

Winslow Farm

Winslow Farm, famous for its compassion and care for animals in need, is in Norton, Massachusetts. This farm was established as a nonprofit animal sanctuary providing a home to around 300 animals that have faced abandonment or neglect. It is home to majestic horses, gentle llamas, curious peacocks, and loyal dogs.

There is no shortage of engaging activities for everyone in Taunton. These range from exciting outdoor activities to stimulating informational excursions, catering to a broad range of interests.

• Exploring Nature: Taunton offers a plethora of parks, trails, and conservation areas where you can go hiking, explore the wilderness, or simply spend a serene afternoon at a lakeside.
• Local Historical Attractions: Old Colony History Museum, Museum of Somerset, Parkwood National Historic Site, and the Tribute Communities Centre are some famous landmarks that you can visit to learn more about various facets of local and regional history.
• Leisure Activities: If you are looking for leisure activities to relax and unwind, Taunton has plenty of options to offer. There are several bowling alleys, splash pools, and indoor recreation facilities to choose from.

Taunton has a good transportation system, providing convenience for its citizens to travel easily in neighbourhoods.

• The New Bedford Regional Airport is the nearest airport. It is around 32.3 km away and takes approximately 24 min to reach.
• Village South Plaza is about 3.7 km from Taunton and takes approximately 5 minutes to reach here.
• Raynham Marketplace is 6.9 km from Taunton City. It takes about 9 minutes to reach this marketplace.

Taunton has various options for residents and visitors to buy fresh local produce, daily necessities, baked goods, and other items. Take a look at the popular markets in this neighbourhood and what they have to offer.

Konrad Farm Market Courticle Flea Market

This is an indoor and outdoor market that offers everything from fresh produce, souvenirs, thrift goods and antiques. This market is open around the year and is a treat for people of all ages.

Pingle's Farm Market

If you are looking for locally sourced fresh produce, Pingle's farm market is the place to be. Vendors here offer fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables and a variety of jams and baked goods. There are seasonal activities for kids and adults to enjoy, including a Halloween maze that is operational during fall.

The population density in Taunton is 144% higher than in Oshawa. Additionally, the median age in Taunton is 17% lower than in Oshawa, indicating a potentially younger demographic than its neighbourhood.

Taunton offers several spaces for families with children and pets wanting to spend a day out.

• Visit a Dog-Friendly Park: Several parks in the vicinity offer a variety of spaces for kids and pets to explore and have fun. The Harmony Valley Park has a designated off-leash dog park, hiking trails, and other fun activities that are bound to keep your kids and pets engaged.
• Go hiking: Several natural hiking trails and conservation areas are easily accessible from Taunton, offering the perfect spot for a family getaway. Eastbourne Park, Harmony Creek Trail, Goodman Park, etc are some places where you can take your pets for an adventurous family outing.

The cost of living in Taunton is 10% lower than the Oshawa average and 1% higher than the national average. The prices for this region's goods and services are 8% higher than the national average, and housing prices are 18% lower than the national average. Ontario's general sales tax is 33% higher than the national average. The below table represents the cost of living in Taunton (on 100) is given below:

Taunton offers a variety of real estate opportunities with an average price of $291,100. It gives a median rental rate of $1,024 monthly. It has 62.5% of owner-occupied households and 37.5% of households occupied by renters. Its diverse options make it suitable for renters and owners providing various facilities.