Moving to Kingston, Ontario: Neighbourhoods, Queen's, CFB Kingston and Moving Tips

Kingston is a historic lakeside city at the meeting of Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal, about halfway between Toronto and Montreal. Known as the Limestone City, it is home to Queen’s University, St. Lawrence College, the Royal Military College and CFB Kingston, so students and military families make up a big share of the moves here. When you move to Kingston, choose your neighbourhood by commute, then plan around the busy student and posting seasons.

What is Kingston like?

Kingston was Canada’s first capital, and its downtown is full of 19th-century limestone buildings, Fort Henry and a busy waterfront. The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ends here. Beyond downtown, the city spreads into suburbs to the west and north, and small towns line the 401 and the river in both directions. Winters bring snow off the lake, and summers are warm and busy with visitors.

Which areas might suit me?

• Downtown and Sydenham: historic limestone and brick homes and apartments, walkable to the waterfront, with narrow stairs and tight parking.
• The university district: student rentals near Queen’s, many of them older houses split into units.
• Portsmouth Village: a historic lakeside neighbourhood west of downtown.
• The west end: newer suburban neighbourhoods with driveways and easier access.
• East of the Cataraqui River: Barriefield and the neighbourhoods near CFB Kingston.
• Amherstview, Odessa and Bath: quieter communities in Loyalist Township, west of the city.
• Napanee, Gananoque and Sydenham: small towns within commuting distance, and Gananoque is the gateway to the Thousand Islands.
• Wolfe Island: rural island living, reached by ferry from downtown.

How do I get around?

Kingston Transit runs city buses, and Kingston’s VIA Rail station sits on the Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal corridor. Most people in the surrounding towns drive, using Highway 401 and county roads.

Moving tips for Kingston

• Student season. Leases near Queen’s and St. Lawrence College turn over in late April and late August, and those weeks book up fast. See the best time to move.
• Military postings. Many military families move in the summer posting season. Tell us your posting dates as early as you can.
• Limestone and walk-ups. Older downtown homes have steep, narrow stairs. Measure big furniture first and tell us about the stairs and street parking when you request a quote.
• Town to city is a local move. A move between Kingston and Amherstview, Odessa, Napanee, Gananoque, Sydenham or Wolfe Island is priced at our local rate, so you can get an instant estimate online.
• Coming from Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal? These are long-distance moves, usually quoted as a flat rate. See moving to another province if you are coming from Quebec, and how to compare moving quotes.
• Winter. Keep a backup date and clear paths; see moving in winter.
• Students moving out: see our student rental move-out checklist.

Who moves you in Kingston?

Forge Movers moves families in Kingston and the surrounding towns, and between the Kingston area and cities across Canada. See our Kingston moving page for local details, check pricing for the Ontario rate, and request a free quote when you are ready.