Living in Old North, London Ontario: A 2026 Neighbourhood Guide

If you're searching for living in Old North London Ontario, here's the short answer: it's one of the city's most walkable, tree-lined character neighbourhoods, prized for its century homes, proximity to downtown and Western University, and easy access to the Thames River parks system. As a London REALTOR® with Century 21, First Canadian, I spend a lot of time showing buyers around Old North, and it's consistently one of the first areas relocation clients ask about.

I'm Gloria Roman, and I've been helping buyers and sellers navigate the London, Ontario market since 2018. In this guide, I'll walk you through what actually makes Old North distinct, what homes look like, what it costs to buy here right now, and the local details that only come from working this neighbourhood on a weekly basis.

Key Takeaways

• Old North sits just north of downtown London, bordered roughly by the Thames River, Richmond Street, and Oxford Street.
• The neighbourhood is known for character homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District, a designated heritage area under the Ontario Heritage Act (City of London).
• Green space is a defining feature, anchored by Gibbons Park along the North Thames River and smaller neighbourhood parks like Doidge Park.
• London's overall resale market averaged $606,614 in June 2026, down 6.7% year-over-year, per the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR) — a helpful benchmark, though Old North's character-home segment often prices differently than the city average.
• Schools in the area fall under the Thames Valley District School Board, with options including specialty arts and French Immersion programming elsewhere in the city.

What Makes Old North, London Different

Old North isn't a subdivision — it's one of London's original residential neighbourhoods, and it looks the part. Walk any street between Richmond and Wharncliffe and you'll pass red-brick Victorians, Queen Anne Revival houses, and solid 1920s-era two-storeys, many with deep front porches and mature trees arching over the sidewalk. In my experience showing homes here, buyers either fall for the character immediately or find it takes some getting used to compared to newer builds in South or Northwest London.

The Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District, designated by the City of London in 2001 under the Ontario Heritage Act, sits within the broader Old North area and protects a cluster of Queen Anne Revival homes built between 1895 and 1910 on and around Waterloo, Wellington, and Grosvenor Streets. If you're buying a designated heritage property, exterior renovations typically require municipal review — something I always flag for buyers before they fall in love with a fixer-upper here.

Location and Boundaries

Old North is generally bounded by the Thames River to the north, Richmond Street to the east, downtown London to the south, and Wharncliffe Road to the west. That puts it within easy walking distance of both downtown and the Western University campus, which is a big part of its appeal to professionals, professors, and graduate students looking to buy rather than rent.

Housing Stock and What to Expect as a Buyer

Most homes in Old North were built well before 1950, so buyers should budget time and money for updates — knob-and-tube wiring, older plumbing, and aging roofs are common in century homes and worth a thorough inspection. That said, many properties have already been through sympathetic renovations that keep original trim, hardwood, and stained glass while updating the systems underneath.

Lot sizes tend to be narrower than newer London neighbourhoods, and detached garages or laneway parking are more common than attached garages. If off-street parking is a must-have, it's worth discussing with your agent early, since not every property has it.

Citywide, LSTAR reported the average home sale price at $606,614 in June 2026, with 753 homes changing hands across London and St. Thomas that month. Old North's character-home inventory is smaller and more varied in condition than newer builds, so pricing here can swing widely based on lot size, heritage status, and renovation history — I'd always recommend a neighbourhood-specific comparative market analysis rather than relying on citywide averages alone.

Parks, Trails, and Everyday Life in Old North London

The Thames River defines the northern edge of the neighbourhood, and Gibbons Park is the anchor green space — a roughly 62-acre park with walking and cycling paths along the river, tennis courts, and a footbridge connecting toward the Western University campus. It's one of the most-used stretches of the Thames Valley Parkway system, and residents use it year-round, from summer walks to winter cross-country skiing.

Doidge Park, a smaller neighbourhood park near St. Joseph's Health Care London, gives families a closer option for a play structure and open green space without heading all the way to the river. Between the two, plus the quiet, tree-lined side streets themselves, Old North is consistently one of the more walkable pockets of central London.

Commercial amenities cluster at the Richmond and Oxford intersection and along Adelaide Street, with independent cafés, restaurants, and shops mixed in with everyday services. It's not a big-box retail area — that's part of the draw for buyers who want a walkable, low-key commercial strip over a mall.

Getting Around Old North

Old North's location just north of downtown London means short commutes to the core, University Hospital, and Western University, and reasonably quick access to Highbury Avenue and Adelaide Street for connections to the rest of the city. For anyone relocating from a larger city, the commute times here tend to be one of the pleasant surprises.

Schools Near Old North

Old North falls within the Thames Valley District School Board, which operates 184 schools across the region, including specialty programming like arts-focused and French Immersion schools elsewhere in London. Exact school assignment depends on your specific address, so if schooling is a priority, I always recommend confirming your boundary school directly with the Thames Valley District School Board before writing an offer — boundaries can shift, and I'd rather you have the exact answer than a general one.

Why Buyers Are Drawn to Old North Right Now

With London's sales-to-new-listings ratio sitting at 41.6% in June 2026 — a reading LSTAR classifies as buyer-favouring territory — buyers currently have more room to negotiate and less pressure to waive conditions than in a tighter market. For a neighbourhood like Old North, where character homes need proper inspections, that breathing room matters. I'm currently helping several clients weigh century homes here against newer builds in Northwest London, and the honest answer is it comes down to lifestyle: walkability and character versus low-maintenance and space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Old North a good neighbourhood to live in London, Ontario?
Yes — Old North is one of London's most walkable, established neighbourhoods, known for character homes, mature trees, and proximity to downtown, Western University, and the Thames River parks system.

What kind of homes are in Old North London?
Mostly century homes built in the late 1800s to early 1900s, including Queen Anne Revival houses within the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District, alongside a mix of early-to-mid-20th-century two-storeys.

Is Old North close to Western University?
Yes, Old North borders the Thames River near the university campus and is within walking or short cycling distance for many streets, which is part of why it appeals to faculty, staff, and graduate students.

Do homes in Old North require heritage approval for renovations?
Properties within the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District may require municipal review for exterior changes under the Ontario Heritage Act. I'd recommend confirming a specific property's heritage status with the City of London before purchasing if renovation plans are part of your decision.

What is the average home price in Old North, London?
Old North doesn't have a single published neighbourhood average — pricing varies widely based on lot size, heritage designation, and renovation history. Citywide, LSTAR reported London's average sale price at $606,614 in June 2026. Contact me directly for current comparable sales in Old North specifically.

Thinking About Old North? Let's Talk

Old North rewards buyers who want character, walkability, and a genuine sense of neighbourhood history — but century homes come with their own due diligence, and pricing here doesn't follow a simple formula. If you're considering a move to Old North or want to see what's currently available, I'd love to help you find the right fit. Schedule a free consultation with me at (647) 883-7135 or visit 519propertyfinder.com/contact to get started.