Explore Simcoe County · Community guide
Living in Midhurst + Springwater
Bigger lots, quiet streets and country roads — with everything Barrie offers just minutes away.
An honest portrait
Room to breathe, close to the city
Springwater Township wraps around the north and west sides of Barrie. It includes Midhurst, Elmvale, Minesing, Anten Mills, Phelpston, Snow Valley and a lot of beautiful countryside in between.
Midhurst is the name most people know: mature trees, larger lots and a village feel, minutes from north Barrie. Elmvale has its own main street and small-town personality. The rest of the township is rural — farms, forests, acreage and some of the best trails and green space in the county.
It’s also an area in transition. Midhurst has significant planned growth, and the relationship between Barrie and Springwater has been the subject of boundary discussions. What you buy into today may look different in ten years. That isn’t good or bad on its own — but you should know it going in.
Springwater tends to suit…
- Families who want space without feeling remote
- Buyers who need room for a shop, a pool, a big garden or toys
- People who work in Barrie but want to come home to quiet
- Anyone who’d rather be on a trail than in a mall
It might not be for you if…
- You want sidewalks and a coffee shop within walking distance
- You rely on public transit
- The idea of a well and septic system makes you nervous (it doesn’t have to — but you’ll need to learn the basics)
Communities
Where people live in Springwater
Midhurst. Estate-style lots, established streets and newer subdivisions, close to Barrie and Springwater Provincial Park.
Snow Valley + Anten Mills. Larger lots and a more rural feel near the Snow Valley ski hill and county forests.
Elmvale. A small town with its own main street, schools and personality — farther from Barrie, closer to Wasaga Beach and Georgian Bay.
Minesing, Phelpston + the countryside. Farms, acreage and rural homes, with the Minesing Wetlands nearby. Some low-lying areas see seasonal flooding — always check.
Homes + prices
Mostly detached homes: executive homes on larger lots in Midhurst, newer subdivisions, raised bungalows, country properties and farms. Condos and townhomes are limited.
[DATA TO CONFIRM — typical price ranges for Midhurst, Elmvale and rural Springwater, from current local board statistics, with source and month.]
Getting around + essentials
- Driving: Quick access to Highway 400 and Highway 26. You’ll drive for almost everything.
- Healthcare + shopping: Most people use Barrie, including Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.
- Schools: Simcoe County District School Board and Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Bus routes and boundaries matter more in rural areas — confirm for the address.
- Outdoors: Springwater Provincial Park, Simcoe County Forests, the Minesing Wetlands and Snow Valley.
[KAMILA’S LOCAL FAVOURITES — add 3–5 personal picks in Midhurst, Elmvale or the township: a trail, a farm stand, a café, a seasonal event.]
What nobody tells you
Things worth knowing before you buy in Springwater
- Services vary by street. Some homes are on municipal or communal water, others on private wells and septic. Confirm for the exact property — it changes your inspection, your insurance and your maintenance.
- On a well? Make your offer conditional on a water potability test and, ideally, a flow test. Here’s what to ask.
- Growth is coming. Check the Township’s current plans for the area around any property you’re considering — the field behind you may not stay a field.
- Internet speed varies wildly on rural roads. If you work from home, verify it before you firm up.
- Much of the township falls under the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, which can regulate building near wetlands, flood plains and watercourses.
Midhurst + Springwater FAQ
How far is Midhurst from Barrie?
Midhurst sits just north of Barrie, so north-end shopping and services are typically a short drive away. Getting to south Barrie or the 400 interchange takes longer at rush hour.
Is Midhurst on municipal water and sewer?
It depends on the neighbourhood. Some areas are serviced and others rely on private wells and septic systems. I’ll confirm for any specific property before you make an offer.
Is Midhurst going to become part of Barrie?
There have been ongoing boundary discussions between Barrie and Springwater. Decisions like this can take years and change along the way, so check the latest from the Township of Springwater and the City of Barrie — and ask me what I’m hearing about a specific area.
Is Elmvale a good alternative to Midhurst?
For some buyers, yes. Elmvale is a more traditional small town, farther from Barrie and closer to Georgian Bay beaches. It suits people who want a main street and a slower pace more than a short commute.
Thinking about Springwater?
Rural and semi-rural properties reward careful buyers. I’ll help you ask the right questions. Nearby: Barrie, Oro-Medonte and Wasaga Beach.