The Short Answer
What are the best neighbourhoods near Markham's new race circuit? The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham runs on a temporary street circuit through Downtown Markham (Markham Centre), near Unionville GO. The best neighbourhoods to live nearby include Downtown Markham itself (condos, walkable, urban), Unionville (historic charm, top schools), and the established communities around Markham Centre — each offering proximity to the excitement plus year-round appeal. The key is choosing an area whose everyday character suits you, with the race as a bonus.
Markham just put itself on the international motorsport map, and the buzz has buyers asking a natural question: where's the best place to live near the action? Michael John Lau, a top real estate agent in Markham, breaks down the neighbourhoods around the new race circuit — and what to weigh before choosing one.
Where the circuit is: The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy runs on a temporary 3.52-km street circuit through the streets of Downtown Markham (Markham Centre) — along Enterprise Boulevard, University Boulevard, Kennedy Road, and the surrounding area, adjacent to Unionville GO Station. It's a race weekend (August 14–16, 2026), not a permanent track — the streets return to normal the rest of the year. The event is secured for five years.
What "Near the Circuit" Really Means
First, an important clarification for buyers: this is a temporary street circuit used for one weekend a year, not a permanent racetrack. So living "near the circuit" doesn't mean living beside a raceway — it means living in the vibrant Downtown Markham area that hosts the event. For most of the year, these are simply desirable urban and established neighbourhoods; the race is an annual highlight. That's the right way to frame the decision: choose a neighbourhood you'll love year-round, with the Indy as a bonus.
The Best Neighbourhoods Near the Action
1. Downtown Markham (Markham Centre) — closest to the action
The heart of it all. Downtown Markham is a master-planned urban community of modern condos, offices, restaurants, and entertainment along the Highway 7/Enterprise Boulevard corridor — right where the circuit runs. For buyers who want walkable, urban, live-in-the-middle-of-it energy (and to be steps from the race), this is the spot. It's also home to York University's Markham Campus and excellent transit (Unionville GO). Primarily condos — ideal for first-time buyers, professionals, downsizers, and investors.
2. Unionville — historic charm beside the buzz
Just beside Downtown Markham sits historic Unionville, with its iconic Main Street, heritage character, top-ranked schools, and Too good Pond. Unionville offers a mix of detached homes, townhomes, and condos in one of Markham's most beloved, prestigious settings — close to the race excitement but with timeless village appeal. Perfect for families and buyers wanting character and community with Downtown Markham next door.
3. Established Markham Centre-area communities
The neighbourhoods surrounding Markham Centre — including pockets of South Unionville, Village Green-South Unionville, and nearby communities — offer established, family-friendly living within easy reach of Downtown Markham's amenities and the event. These provide more housing variety (including detached and town homes) a short distance from the urban core.
4. Cachet, Angus Glen, and northern Unionville — prestige within reach
A little further out, Markham's prestigious northern communities (Cachet, Angus Glen, and the new Unionglen development) offer executive and family homes within a short drive of Downtown Markham and the race — combining upscale, spacious living with access to the action when it comes to town.
Neeraj Moolchandani on Buying Near an Annual Event
Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTOR® at Kaizen Real Estate, separates two very different propositions that buyers blur together. Living where you can walk to the circuit for one weekend a year is a lifestyle benefit. Living inside the closure footprint, with restricted vehicle access during setup, race weekend, and teardown, is a different arrangement entirely and it lasts considerably longer than three days.
Neeraj's advice is to ask the seller or the property manager directly what the past race period was actually like at that specific address, and to look at the published circuit and closure maps rather than assuming proximity means the same thing everywhere. Most buyers who understand the pattern in advance find it an easy trade. The ones who find it difficult are almost always the ones who did not ask.
What to Weigh Before Choosing
Year-round lifestyle first
Since the race is one weekend a year, choose based on how you'll live the other 51 weekends. Do you want urban walkability (Downtown Markham), village charm and schools (Unionville), or spacious family living (northern communities)? Let daily life drive the decision.
Property type and budget
Downtown Markham is condo-focused and offers more accessible entry points; Unionville and the northern communities lean toward higher-priced homes. Your budget and desired home type will shape which area fits.
Race-weekend realities
Living in the immediate circuit area means an exciting weekend but also road closures and crowds during the event (early-to-mid August). For most, that's a fun annual trade-off; it's worth being aware of if you're right in the core.
The long-term upside
The Indy, secured for five years, adds to Downtown Markham's profile and momentum — part of a broader growth story (York University, economic partnerships, ongoing development) that supports the area's long-term appeal.
Check the Closure Footprint, Not Just the Distance
Proximity means different things on different streets. Book a private consultation with the Kaizen Real Estate Team.
The Bottom Line
The best neighbourhood near Markham's race circuit is the one that fits your life year-round — whether that's the urban energy of Downtown Markham, the historic charm of Unionville, or the spacious prestige of the northern communities. The race is a thrilling bonus on top of areas that are genuinely desirable every day of the year. That's the smart way to choose.
Michael John Lau, one of Markham's leading REALTORS®, knows the Downtown Markham and Unionville-area communities in depth — and can help you find the neighbourhood that fits your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals, race weekend or not. Let's talk about the right area for you.