Markham is a city in York Region, bordered by Richmond Hill and Vaughan to the west, Toronto to the south, Pickering to the east and Whitchurch-Stouffville to the north. It is one of the largest municipalities in the region by population.

Two things define it for a newcomer. First, it is among the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada, with very large and long-established Chinese and South Asian communities in particular, and the retail, restaurants, services and places of worship that come with them. For many families arriving from abroad that is the single reason Markham is on the list.

Second, it has one of the largest concentrations of technology and corporate employment in the country, often described as Canada's high-tech capital. That means a meaningful share of residents work in Markham rather than commuting into Toronto, which is unusual for a GTA suburb and changes the whole calculation on where to live.

Working locally. Markham's concentration of technology and corporate employment means a substantial number of residents work within the city. If that applies to you, prioritize proximity to your workplace over transit access, because a ten minute drive beats any GO schedule.

GO Transit. The Stouffville line runs through Markham with several stations serving different parts of the city, connecting to Union Station. Which station you are near matters, and so does the frequency on your line at your hours, which varies considerably. Check the current schedule rather than assuming.

By car. Highway 407 crosses the city and is the main east-west route toward Vaughan, Mississauga and the airport. Highway 404 runs along the western edge for trips south into Toronto or north through York Region. Highway 7 is the main local arterial and is busy at peak.

Local transit. York Region Transit and Viva serve the main corridors. Outside Downtown Markham, Cornell and parts of Unionville, most households run two cars. Budget accordingly if you are arriving from somewhere you managed with one.

Markham's public schools are run by York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board, and school reputation drives purchase decisions here more strongly than in most GTA municipalities. In the planned communities it is frequently the first filter a buyer applies and the last thing they compromise on.

That creates a real price effect at street level. Two similar homes a few streets apart can sell for meaningfully different amounts because of which school they feed into, which also means that when you compare recent sales you need to compare within the same catchment rather than the same neighbourhood.

Boundaries are set by the boards and they change with enrolment pressure, new construction and periodic reviews. Confirm the current catchment for the specific property address directly with the board before making an offer. Never rely on a listing description or a neighbourhood's reputation.

1. Sort the financing first. Lending requirements differ considerably if your income or credit history is from outside Canada. Speak to a mortgage broker before you shop, because it determines your budget and sometimes your timeline.

2. Confirm the school catchment by address. If schools are the reason you are buying in Markham, this is the most important verification in the entire purchase.

3. Visit at the wrong time. A Saturday flatters every neighbourhood. See your commute at rush hour and the street on a weekday evening.

4. Consider renting for a few months. Unglamorous and often correct. Markham is large enough that choosing a community from a map is a real gamble.

5. Expect fast local competition. Buyers already in York Region know these neighbourhoods and move quickly, particularly in spring when families want to be settled before September. Deciding from a distance means you need someone who can view and give you a straight answer the same day.