Sarnia, ON Area Guide

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Family friendly Public transit is accessible Walkable to grocery stores Yards are well-kept Lots of parks Walkable to restaurants Friendly neighbors Safe at night Pet friendly Streets have sidewalks A quiet area Sense of community

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Sarnia, ON

Sarnia is the largest city in Southern Ontario’s Lambton County, having a population of roughly 90,000 people. The city sits on Lake Huron right at the US border, with the Saint Clair River separating it from the state of Michigan. Sarnia did not see much in terms of development until the 19th century when oil was discovered in what is now known as the Oil Springs. Before that, it was a Ojibwe settlement due to its location on the lake and the river. Today, much of the city’s economy is in the chemical industry, with many areas having industrial and commercial parks.

Sarnia has always had a strong musical and theatre arts presence, which is a great balance to the industries in the city. It is also famous for its fries, which are said to be the best in the country. The best restaurants to try this local snack are along Michigan Avenue, although the city’s best nightlife is in the city centre, which sits along the river. There is also some nightlife near Lambton College, which is the only post-secondary institute in the city. This area in Sarnia has the most affordable housing options, although the riverside is a bit trendier, especially considering the views.

There are numerous schools in Sarnia, four of which are French schools. Still, less than three percent of the population use French as their mother tongue, while nearly 90 percent use English. The median household income in Sarnia is lower than the rest of the province, as is housing costs. This makes it a great option for lower income families that want to raise their family in a city that has a small town feel and is filled with parks and recreational areas. Actually, Sarnia is home to over 100 parks, with Canatara Park being the largest. There are also a few beaches and a marina that offers recreational sailing.

Traffic is rarely a concern in the city, so most locals have their own car. The downtown area is very walkable, though there are 11 bus routes, eight of which pass through the downtown area. This makes sense, as it is the most popular area in the city to live in. There are also a number of nice neighbourhoods along the shore of Lake Huron, which is where nearly any Sarnia local will tell people to go for the best recreational activities. This is where the beaches are, as well as the lovely Canatara Park, the Blackwell Trails Park and the Children’s Animal Farm. Other things to do in the city include playing a round of golf at the Sarnia Golf & Curling Club, going shopping at Lambton Mall and visiting the Stones 'N Bones museum.