The twin cities of Kitchener, Ontario (population 184,100) and Waterloo, Ontario (population 94,400) are collectively known as Kitchener-Waterloo (or K-W).  The two cities form an economically prosperous community located roughly 100 kilometres northwest of Toronto, Canada's largest metropolitan center. 

It is situated within the Regional Municipality of Waterloo which, comprised of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and several smaller rural villages, occupy a physical space of 1,400 square kilometres.  Approximately 420,000 residents (280,000 of which live in Kitchener-Waterloo) provide for the region a strong, vibrant economy with an estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over $12 billion dollars.  The region continually boasts the lowest unemployment rates in Canada.  Additionally, annual retail sales are traditionally 8% above the national average and personal income is 5% above average.  While the promise of these statistics is enticing, what's even greater is that Waterloo Region has been able to remain an affordable and comfortable place to live, with an average home costing near $140,000.

The Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and Kitchener-Waterloo in particular, forms the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle (CTT).  At the core of this technological hotbed is the University of Waterloo, a major computing & technology research center; arguably the most respected high-tech school in Canada and among the best in North America.  As evidence, the University of Waterloo is surrounded by such high-tech firms as Mortice Kern Systems (MKS), Opentext, Research in Motion (RIM), Sybase, Hewlett-Packard, Ratheon and others.  UW graduates are well-sought after by such leading corporations as Newbridge Networks, Microsoft and Corel Corporation.

Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) began its day as the Waterloo Lutheran University in 1911 and still maintains its roots with the Lutheran Seminary.  It is more well-known today for its leading research in business studies, and its music program.

Conestoga College is equally successful.  A recent survey by the Association of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology of Ontario (ACAATO) has ranked Conestoga College above all other community colleges in the categories of graduate employment rate and graduate satisfaction rate.

Providing stability to the economy of Kitchener-Waterloo are the many insurance companies that call the area home.  The most notable of these are Clarica (formerly Mutual Group) and Manulife Financial.

Kitchener-Waterloo's many recreational facilities provide endless enjoyment for people of all ages.  The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex is home of the Kitchener Rangers hockey team (of the Ontario Hockey League), while the brand-new Waterloo Recreation Complex has been host to such events as the Scott Tournament of Hearts (the Canadian women's curling championship).  The Waterloo Recreation Complex also features the Swimplex which, as a summertime favorite for Kitchener-Waterloo's children, admits over a quarter of a million swimmers each year.  On particularly hot days, Bingeman Park and Pioneer Sports World are the amusement parks of choice.

Kitchener-Waterloo hails its German heritage each year with the celebration of the 9-day-long Oktoberfest.  It has become the largest Bavarian festival in North America (second in the world only to the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany) and brings along with it Canada's greatest Thanksgiving Day parade.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Record, owned by the Torstar Daily Newspaper Group,  is the print medium with the largest daily readership in the region.  Forty-five percent of the region's adults (ages 18 and up) read the K-W Record throughout the week, with readership increasing to 53% on Saturdays.

At CARE REALTY INC., we're convinced that you will find the Kitchener-Waterloo area prosperous and safe; a place where you will be able to secure enjoyable and stable employment, raise a family with a sound mind, or enjoy a relaxing yet entertaining retirement.

Come and check us out today!