Why you'd want to live in Orillia

The City of Orillia in Simcoe County has a population just above 35,000 people and is located between beautiful Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. Known as the Sunshine City, Orillia gets this moniker due to its bustling tourist trade in the summer months.

The City of Orillia is eighty-four miles north of Toronto and it’s the true gateway to the renowned Muskoka cottage country - so popular with many of Ontario’s southern urbanites. Orillia’s diminutive size is a contradiction to its active local economy as it is home to numerous manufacturing industries, government services, client service businesses and tourist-based establishments.

The Pride of the City of Orillia is Casino Rama; It is also the area’s largest employer. It’s located on the Chippewa’s of Rama First Nations Reserve and it hosts hundreds of thousands of guests annually. The Trent-Severn Waterway must be seen to be believed with its amazing locks and canals; it is 386 kilometres of historic beauty and boating enjoyment. Orillia is home to numerous festivals celebrating seasonal events year round including the Perch Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, the Orillia Jazz Festival to name a few. Orillia is also gaining a trendy reputation as a thriving retirement community with so much to experience.

You will never be bored when you live in Orillia! Healthcare is a principal consideration for anyone thinking about relocation and Orillia in Simcoe County has a state of the art health facility with the 231-bed Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. Staffed with the finest healthcare professionals, Soldiers’ Memorial is dispensing world-class treatment utilizing top-quality 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 is 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.

The residents of Orillia experience the best of both worlds. Orillia is less than 90 minutes from the Greater Toronto Area and could also be considered the gateway to the Muskokas. Growth and progress have been strong in recent years, but Orillia has worked hard to retain the small-town charm that has captivated generations that also know it as the Sunshine City.

Orillia enjoys a great quality of life, surrounded by two lakes (Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching) where outdoor activities are available in all seasons and are enjoyed by both visitors and residents.

Residents have access to an excellent hospital as well as a range of other public services and is home to Lakehead University, Georgian College, and two state of the art recreation facilities. The newer public library and the Orillia Opera house compliment the city's historic and thriving downtown.

There are many employment opportunities in Orillia where major employers include the Ontario Provincial Police Headquarters, Ontario Hydro, and Casino Rama.

Orillia is a charming place to visit, a great place to work, an ideal place to do business, and a wonderful place to live.