Introduction
The Upper Beaches is one of Toronto’s most recently coined neighborhoods. Before the early aughts the area—bordered by Kingston Road to the south, the CN rail tracks to the north, and sandwiched between Woodbine Avenue and Victoria Park—was called Norway. Keen real estate developers hoping to cash in on the spike in real estate prices along Toronto’s eastern lakefront bestowed the ‘hood with its current moniker.
Lifestyle
Just a short walk from Toronto’s sandy lakefront, the Upper Beaches offers waterfront proximity with a dash of small town-reminiscent charm. The Beach’s quieter northern neighbour is home to fantastic eateries, quaint cafes and a host of other great shops. Young families are drawn to the area by its selection of schools as well as the reasonably priced housing stock.
The Vibe
This eastern neighbourhood is relatively low-key when compared to its neighbours, The Beach and Little India. There are small retail pockets along Gerrard, but the buzziest stretch is along Kingston Road, where there’s narry a big box store to be seen. This family-friendly nabe has an abundance of small parks that are almost always packed with tots. It’s not uncommon to see an empty stroller parked outside a café with mum and babe enjoying a cuppa inside.
Meet the Neighbours
The hugely varied housing stock, which ranges from one-bedroom condos to stately Edwardians, attracts a wide range of buyers. Young professionals priced out of the downtown core have been fueling recent condo developments, while new families are attracted by the reasonably priced mid-century semis complete with deep backyards. The mid-rise rental buildings along Gerrard are home to a wide range of tenants from new Canadians to recent college grads.
In the Area
Along Kingston Road you’ll find everything from Jamaican grub to used books. If you can’t find what you’re craving at one of the neighbourhood’s many specialty food shops, head north to the Loblaws, located on the northeastern frontier. Most of the tikes playing in the many parks attend either Adam Beck Public School or Malvern Collegiate Institute. The studious will enjoy the Main Street Library, while the sporty may prefer playing shinny at the Ted Reeve arena.
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles
The 501 streetcar begins and ends its Queen Street trek at Kingston Road and Victoria Park. A ten-minute walk north to Danforth will put you on the subway. Alternatively, hop on the GO Train and get to Union Station in less time than it takes to read Metro cover-to-cover. Downtown is a mere 15 minute drive—sans traffic—for those lucky (or unlucky) enough to drive.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
Families who bought into the neighbourhood ten years ago could score a handsome semi for around $400,000. These days there are still deals to be found, but usually along the still-gritty borders of the ‘hood. While the recent real estate developments may have boosted property values, the clumps of new townhouses north of Gerrard lack charm.
Dollars & Sense
Locals, who are catering to other Upper Beaches denizens, own many of the shops. Since the neighbourhood doesn’t deal in high volumes (it’s not a tourist destination like The Beach), there are few bargains to be found. Almost everything, however, is reasonably priced. A sandwich from Courage Foods, for example, is less than $8, while a hair cut from Cut ‘N’ Run will run you a casual $25.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Trinity
Frugal design aficionados pilgrimage to Trinity for great furniture finds. Guillermo del Toro popped in one day while filming Pacific Rim and purchased an entire living room for his Toronto pied-à-terre.
more infoCut ‘N’ Run
The Cut ‘N’ Run team specializes at not specializing. They’re up to any task: chopping, snipping, trimming, razing, dying; you name it, they’ll do it. Drake and Raekwon both frequent this shop.
more infoCourage Foods
This unpretentious bodega provides the neighbourhood with a mix of bargain-priced fresh produce and upscale epicurean goodies. Also on offer: scrumptious sandwiches and soups and an assortment of house-made baked goods.
more infoClose to the Bone
For certified organic beef, pork, lamb or chicken head to this wee butcher shop. Their sausages are some of the best in the city.
more infoGreat Escape
This picture-perfect bookshop is stacked to the brim with tomes. They carry everything from page-turner thrillers to esoteric medical textbooks from the turn of the century.
more infoTed Reeve Arena
Since 1954 kids have been learning to skate at this community arena. From May to August there’s no ice, but the cool space is a great venue for ball hockey.
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