Welcome to the City of Orillia and Simcoe County 

The City of Orillia in Simcoe County has a population of close to 35,000 people, and is situated between beautiful Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. Known as the ‘Sunshine City’ –  a moniker given due to its bustling tourist trade in the summer months – Orillia is just 134 kms north of Toronto and is widely considered to be the true gateway to the renowned cottage country are of Muskoka.

Orillia’s size and location hasn’t stopped it becoming something of a power player in terms of its economy. Today, this bustling city is home to numerous manufacturing industries, government services, client service businesses, and tourist-based establishments.

The top tourist attraction in Orillia, Casino Rama, is also the area’s largest employer. It’s located on the Chippewa’s of Rama First Nations Reserve and hosts hundreds of thousands of guests annually, drawn here not only for the thrill of its slots and tables, but also for its entertainment. In recent years, Casino Rama’s ever-changing roster of visiting international music celebrities has included such greats as Jay Leno and Ringo Starr, and bands such as ZZ Top, Deep Purple, KISS, and many more.

In addition to its many local fans, Casino Rama draws visitors from across North America, and is just one of the many great reasons why people consider relocating to this small town in Ontario.

Orillia and Simcoe County Culture and Leisure

The City of Orillia is forever linked to famed author and humorist, Stephen Leacock. Leacock resided in the city during his distinguished career, and Orillia has immortalized him with the Stephen Leacock Museum on the shore of Lake Couchiching.

With two lakes in Orillia, recreational water activities are extremely popular, with boating very much at the forefront. The Port of Orillia is the hub for boaters, and offers ample launching facilities and boat docking, all within easy reach of the downtown core. From here it’s also easy to access the spectacular Trent-Severn Waterway, 386 kms long inland waterway system that connects Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay.

Orillia is also home to numerous festivals celebrating seasonal events year-round. These include the always popular Perch Festival, the renowned Mariposa Folk Festival, and the Orillia Jazz Festival, to name a few. Orillia is also gaining a reputation as a thriving retirement community, with all the services needed to take proper care of its population, whatever their ages.

World-class Orillia City Services

Healthcare is a principal consideration for anyone thinking about relocation and Orillia has a state of the art health facility with the 231-bed Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. Staffed with the finest healthcare professionals, Soldiers’ Memorial dispenses top-quality treatments utilizing state-of-the-art medical equipment.

Public Safety and Security are also a high priority for the City of Orillia. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is headquartered in Orillia – as is the OPP training academy – and it’s responsible for policing Orillia and surrounding districts. Fire and public safety are the responsibility of the Orillia Fire Department with two fire stations and a full-time force supplemented by a volunteer detachment.

In addition to the great lifestyles on offer in Orillia, the city also boasts two prestigious post- secondary education institutions: Georgian College and Lakehead University. A proud alumnus of Lakehead University himself, Bill Jackson – leader of the Lake Country Real Estate Team – has assisted many individuals associated with these schools with their real estate requirements, and can offer a unique insight into the many interesting housing opportunities that exist in Orillia.

To learn more about Orillia and Simcoe County  – including details of the great real estate opportunities – you can connect with Bill and the Lake Country Real Estate Team on our contact page.

To jump right in and start your search for cottages, condos, and homes for sale in Orillia – I including Ramara, Oro Medonte, Horseshoe Valley, and Washago – check out our current listings, and make use of our Ontario-wide MLS Home Search Tool.

And welcome to beautiful Orillia!

Bill Jackson & The Lake Country Real Estate Team