Introduction
Located north of Steeles, the area of Thornhill to the west of Yonge Street is designated as the municipality of Vaughan. Thornhill sprawls north to Hwy. 7 and west to Dufferin St. A large suburban community, the area rapidly transitioned from pastoral farmland surrounding the Village of Old Thornhill to a suburb with numerous residential subdivisions. This community has seen a lot of new construction.
Lifestyle
The plaza style, with wide sidewalks and storefront patios, creates an inviting atmosphere, welcoming those to stroll. The area has become diverse, with an Italian population growing in the west end and a strong Russian community at Yonge and Clark, reflected in the store signage in the Russian alphabet. Though with pockets catering to specific ethnicities, Thornhill has a well-mixed demographic and a fabulous lifestyle.
Dollars & Sense
Perfect for those looking for a peaceful suburban location, the sprawl necessitates a car for convenience. There are a few lovely parks and the pond, full of hungry ducks expecting you to toss them bread crumbs, is a great family destination. But aside from a few estate lots, homes tend to be quite close to each other, backyards are larger than city yards, but not large by suburban standards.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
Hwys. 7 and 407 are in the area, so east-west travel is efficient, though there’s no immediate access to north-south highways. Major arteries such as Yonge, Bathurst and Dufferin are used instead. The public transit system provides convenience and connects with the TTC, making the city easily accessible – for an additional fare.
7.9 km
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
There’s a fair amount of variation in rents, and everything from budget to luxury is on the market, but across the board, Thornhill is expensive to buy. The community has great property value because of its proximity to the city and because of the larger homes. Condos are also on the high side, as they tend to be larger and geared to the down-sizer who may stay in the area.
In the Area
Thornhill has the Promenade Mall at Clark and Bathurst – a shoppers paradise – it features a number of businesses, services and dining options. The mall also includes movie theatres. Several community centres service the area, as well as a curling club, golf course and country club. A variety of public and private schools cater to area demographics.
Meet the Neighbours
A large Jewish population has proliferated in the area around Bathurst and Clark, with Kosher food and Judaica readily available through specialized stores and Synagogues. There are a lot of young families in the area and lots of babies, kids and teens. There’s also quite a large older population, many of whom contributed to the rapid growth of the area and are now downsizing seniors.
The Vibe
Thornhill is a mix of conservative and progressive sensibilities. The various stores, restaurants and home styles clearly expose upper and upper-middle class affluence. It’s quiet and mostly residential, but every area has its own neighbourhood hub, generally a strip mall with the necessities and conveniences. Not much nightlife, but there are lots of parks, cafes and shopping options. It’s still got that small-community charm, even with the spike in population.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Israel’s
From a hand-illustrated Ketubah to a kosher mezuzah, Israel’s services the needs of the Jewish community with art, literature, iconography and giftware as well as specialty holiday items.
more infoAmbrosia Natural Foods
Buying bulk? Buying healthy? Buying hard-to-find ingredients? Catering to dietary restrictions? Need natural beauty and health products? Ambrosia, at 55 Doncaster, has you covered with many diverse options for your shopping list.
more infoConcord Food Centre
A local grocery that sells amazing fresh produce with an Italian bakery that will Conoli you with kindness. Best of all, the pricing for this independent grocer is in line with economy stores.
more infoThe Golden Star
Feeding generations of Thornhillians, this is the real deal grilled burger. Cash only. Thick homemade patties, tasty onion rings and always awesome staff behind the counter. You can’t miss the big gold sign.
more infoCentre Street Deli
Authentic Montreal-style smoked meat doesn’t get any better! Fatty and hand cut, the deli offers all the traditional faves, from apple strudel to old dills. 1136 Centre St., just west of Bathurst.
more infoThe Promenade Mall
Everything from movies to boutique shopping, fast food, brand names, salons, and services, it’s well-heeled and well-loved by the community. Get there before it opens and join the walkers who power-walk the mall for exercise.
more info