For many urban dwellers, decamping from the big city can open the door to first-time home ownership. Pictured are properties for sale, representing each province’s top-rated community from our ranking, at about the benchmark price in each. The benchmark is the cost of a typical home in a given area, calculated through the MLS Home Price Index. Where no benchmark was available, we used the community’s average home price.
Langford, B.C. – $599,000

(Courtesy of David Stevens/Royal Lepage Coast Capital Realty)
Edmonton, Alberta – $320,000

(Courtesy of Morgan Moen/RE/MAX)
Saskatoon, Sask. – $307,500

(Courtesy of Brent Herman/Realty Executives Saskatoon)
Winnipeg, Man. – $305,750

(Courtesy of Joel Green/Century 21 Bachman and Associates)
St. Thomas, Ont. – $509,900

(Courtesy of Jeff Farrugia/The Realty Firm Inc.)
Châteauguay, Quebec – $455,000

(Courtesy of Hausvalet, Joanie Lavoie and Marie-Ève Crépeau)
Fredericton, N.B. – $229,000

(Courtesy of Kevin Hollohan/RE/MAX East Coast Elite)
Halifax, N.S. – $460,000

(Courtesy of Geri Barrington/Royal LePage Atlantic)
Charlottetown, P.E.I. – $325,000

(Courtesy of Lyla Li/Century21)
Corner Brook, Nfld. – $269,000

(Courtesy of Randall Hobbs/Royal LePage)