Onward Willow is located between Downtown and Guelph and the West End of Guelph. It borders Woodlawn Drive to the north and Wellington Street to the South. Onward Willow gets a bit of a bad rap sometimes because there are some low income housing areas and the neighbourhood around Willow and Silvercreek Parkway has seen some of Guelph’s highest drug and crime rates. However, that has dissipated greatly in the past few years and there are many parts of Onward Willow that are desirable including the Guelph Junction which lies south of the tracks and just outside the downtown core. There are many young families and residents here and a strong community group that’s proud of their neighbourhood. It may not shake it’s rap right away but hopefully soon it’s good areas will be better recognized.

Onward Willow is one of the most affordable neighbourhoods in Guelph. There are tons of apartments and condo townhouses in the north end and mainly freehold detached and semi-detached homes south of Speedvale all the way to Wellington. Homes between Paisley and Speedvale are generally smaller bungalows and splits with some 1.5-2 storey built around post World War II. Prices are affordable especially for those looking for detached homes. Further south in Guelph Junction the homes are a bit older and prices are definitely more expensive. 

Onward Willow is ideally located just outside of the Downtown core in west-central Guelph. The north end of the neighbourhood allows easy access to Exhibition Park as well as all of the amenities and big box stores lining Woodlawn Drive in the north end of Guelph. South of the tracks is the popular Guelph Junction which is a 15-minute walk from downtown. Lots of young families are coming back to this area for its combination of affordability and proximity to downtown. The University requires a transfer downtown which makes it about a 25-minute trip and access to the 401 isn’t great since you’re in the north end of town, but you have The Hanlon bordering to the West. Overall, it’s a good area for the cyclist/walking enthusiast or the family that doesn’t need a second car.