"Should I buy in London South, or make the move out to St. Thomas?" As a broker working across both Middlesex and Elgin counties, I get asked this constantly. Both areas are booming right now, but for very different reasons — and the right answer depends less on price than on how you actually want to live.
London South: established, walkable, close to everything
London South — think Wortley Village, Old South, and the streets around Victoria Hospital — is one of London's most established, walkable pockets. Mature trees, character homes, and a genuine village-feel main street give it a lifestyle first-time visitors don't expect from a city London's size. You're minutes from downtown, Western University, and both major hospitals, which makes it a strong fit for healthcare workers, academics, and anyone who wants city amenities without a long commute.
St. Thomas: growth, new construction, and real affordability
St. Thomas has changed fast. The Volkswagen PowerCo battery plant and an expanding Amazon logistics footprint have brought thousands of jobs to the area, and new-construction subdivisions have followed. What you get in St. Thomas that's harder to find in London South: more square footage and a bigger lot for the same budget, and a shorter commute if you're working at either of those new employers rather than downtown London.
Housing stock: character vs. new build
London South skews toward character homes built pre-1960 — charming, but often meaning older mechanicals, smaller lots, and a premium for walkability. St. Thomas skews newer, with subdivisions still actively building, which means more customization options if you're buying pre-construction, and fewer surprises on inspection.
Commute reality check
St. Thomas to downtown London runs about 20–25 minutes by car outside rush hour — very livable if your job or routine doesn't require daily downtown access. If you're in London South already, you're often a 10-minute drive or a genuine walk from downtown, Western, or the hospital corridor.
So which one?
If lifestyle, walkability and character matter most, London South is hard to beat. If you're chasing new-construction value, more space per dollar, and you're not tied to downtown London for work, St. Thomas is one of the strongest growth stories in the region right now. I walk both areas personally — not from a builder's sales office — so if you want an honest read on which one fits your life, let's talk.
