If you are asking what it is really like to live in Taunton, Oshawa, the short answer is this: it is the north end's new-build family heartland, where much of the city's newest housing has gone up since the 2000s. Living in Taunton, Oshawa means newer homes, strong schools, big-box shopping along Taunton Road, and Highway 407 at your door, in exchange for a longer drive to the lake and the downtown core. This guide covers the housing, schools, commute, and everyday amenities so you can decide whether the north end deserves a Sunday drive.
Living in Taunton, Oshawa: the short answer
Taunton is both a road and a neighbourhood. Taunton Road runs east-west across the top of Oshawa, and the subdivisions gathered around it form the city's fastest-growing family district. Most of the housing there was built in the 2000s and 2010s, and new construction is still arriving near Conlin Road to the north and Windfields to the west. For buyers the appeal is simple: brand-new or near-new houses, schools that perform well, and every errand within ten minutes. The trade-offs are price and distance: Taunton homes cost more than most of Oshawa, and the lakefront, downtown, and the GO station sit a drive to the south.
Where exactly is the Taunton neighbourhood?
Taunton sits in north Oshawa, roughly framed by the major roads that share its name. The retail spine runs along Taunton Road between Harmony Road to the east and Simcoe Street to the west, with Harmony Road cutting north through the middle. Wilson Road marks part of the western edge, and Conlin Road is the newer northern boundary where builders are still active. The area falls in the L1L postal district, and its anchors are easy to name: SmartCentres Oshawa North at Harmony and Taunton, the Delpark Homes Centre arena complex at 1661 Harmony Road North, and Ontario Tech University and Durham College just south of the Conlin area.
What the housing stock looks like
Taunton is new-build territory. Most homes are detached houses and townhomes from the 2000s to today, with open-concept layouts, modern kitchens, finished basements, and attached garages. Streets are quiet, sidewalks are new, and builders keep adding subdivisions along the northern edge. Newly built homes in Ontario also carry Tarion new home warranty protection, which matters to buyers who want peace of mind after closing.
That newness carries a price: this is the upper end of Oshawa's range. Detached homes mostly list from about $750,000 to $1.1 million, and townhomes start around $580,000, figures consistent with the September 2026 market data published on this site. For first-time buyers the townhome pockets are the realistic entry point, while detached homes suit established families and long-term owners. When you compare a resale with a brand-new build, remember that new subdivisions are priced at today's market levels, while a slightly older home in Taunton can bring a bigger lot and more mature trees for a similar price. The Taunton neighbourhood guide has the street-by-street picture, and our housing styles and prices page shows how the north end compares with the rest of the city.
Schools in Taunton: a real family draw
For many families, schools are the reason Taunton wins. Public elementary catchments in the area include Seneca Trail, Northern Dancer, Kedron, Stephen G. Saywell, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and Vincent Massey public schools, several of which rank among the strongest elementary schools in the Durham District School Board. Catholic families are served at St. John Bosco Catholic School on Clearbrook Drive and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School on Coldstream Drive, with secondary feeds that include Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School. The public board is also planning a new secondary school for north Oshawa as attendance boundaries are redrawn to keep pace with growth.
Because catchments shift as new subdivisions open, the only reliable way to know the school for a specific address is the Durham District School Board find-a-school tool. If schools are your deciding factor, our guide to the best schools in Oshawa breaks down the boards, catchments, and French immersion options across the whole city, and the schools and education page explains how registration works for families moving mid-year.
Getting around: Highway 407, PULSE 915, and the GO train
Taunton is built for drivers. Highway 407 ramps are minutes away at Simcoe Street and Harmony Road, and Highway 401 is a short drive south, which is why so many 401 and 407 commuters land here. Transit is lighter than in the core but improving: PULSE 915 runs along Taunton Road with frequent service, and Route 401 down Simcoe Street links the neighbourhood to Durham College, Ontario Tech University, downtown Oshawa, and the Oshawa GO Station. From the station, the GO train reaches downtown Toronto in about an hour, so a Taunton address works for a hybrid or occasional Toronto commute.
Live schedules and trip planning are on the Durham Region Transit website, and our full transit guide covers GO Transit, Via Rail, and every route across the city, including the north end.
Shopping, recreation, and daily life
Daily life in Taunton revolves around the Taunton Road corridor. SmartCentres Oshawa North at Harmony and Taunton is the anchor, a Walmart-led centre with dozens of stores and restaurants, and a second SmartCentres across the road adds Winners and PetSmart. Grocery is covered at the Taunton and Wilson plaza and at Taunton Square. For recreation, the Delpark Homes Centre at 1661 Harmony Road North is the neighbourhood's hub: a four-pad arena, a leisure pool with a waterslide, a fitness centre, an indoor walking track, a splash pad, and an Oshawa Public Libraries branch all under one roof. Outdoors, Harmony Valley Conservation Area runs trails along Harmony Creek with an off-leash dog park.
A typical week in Taunton
To picture life here, imagine a normal week. School drop-off is ten minutes away, groceries come from the Sobeys at the Taunton and Wilson plaza, and hockey, swimming, or library time happens at Delpark Homes Centre. On weekends, families walk or bike the trails at Harmony Valley Conservation Area, and the farmers' market season brings local produce to the north end. When you want a city night out, downtown Oshawa's restaurants, the Regent Theatre, and the Lakeview waterfront are about a 10 to 15 minute drive south, so Taunton families get suburban calm without losing the city.
What it costs to live in Taunton
Taunton sits at the premium end of Oshawa's market, so budget honestly. The citywide average home price was $680,252 in September 2026, and Taunton's newest detached homes run well above that. Add the usual Ontario costs on a newer home: land transfer tax, insurance on a larger house, property tax, and higher utility bills, plus HST on some new builds. First-time buyers can soften the upfront hit by stacking the First Home Savings Account, the Home Buyers' Plan, and the provincial land transfer tax refund; our first-time buyer guide to where to live in Oshawa explains those programs and how the north end compares with the rest of the city.
Who is Taunton best for?
Taunton is not the right fit for everyone. It works best for buyers who want:
- Families who want a new or near-new house with an attached garage and a modern layout.
- Buyers who prioritize schools and accept paying a premium for the newest stock.
- Highway 407 and 401 commuters who value quick road access over walkable transit.
- Long-term owners who plan to stay a decade or more in a growing corner of the city.
It is less ideal if you want walkable restaurants and nightlife or need the GO station close: downtown Oshawa and the lakefront are a 10 to 15 minute drive south, and homes here cost more than most of the city. If you are weighing Taunton against the rest of Oshawa, the 13 neighbourhood profiles give every area its own full write-up, and the where to live in Oshawa guide compares each district for first-time buyers.
New construction and what is coming to the north end
Taunton is still growing, which matters if you are buying for the long term. New subdivisions continue to rise near Conlin Road, and the Windfields community to the west is one of the city's largest master-planned developments. Growth brings new schools, parks, and services, but it also means construction traffic in the short term and catchments that can change as boundaries are redrawn. The new home builders page lists who is building in Oshawa and where, and the Windfields profile covers the biggest planned community nearby.
Before you tour, set your budget and get pre-approved, because the newest homes can sell quickly. Our step-by-step buyer's checklist walks through the process in order. Then drive Taunton Road on a Saturday, walk the parks, and time the commute yourself. Keith and Lisa have sold homes across north Oshawa for years; they can shortlist the right streets, confirm school catchments for a specific address, and tell you straight whether a listing is priced fairly. Send them a message or book a free call to start your search.
