The Beach, or “The Beaches,” as many call it, is one of Toronto’s most popular and coveted neighbourhoods. Located in the eastern corner of the city, The Beaches is on the shore of Lake Ontario, so if you’re looking for breathtaking views and outdoor living at its finest, this can easily become your place in the world.
From beautiful, sandy beaches, pet-friendly parks, independent artisanal boutiques, and delicious foodie experiences, you’ll discover far more than you imagined in this little beachside community. If you’re shopping for homes for sale in Toronto, here are our 9 reasons to relocate to The Beaches, ON so you can add this area to your list of potential neighbourhoods.
The Beaches Is Close To Toronto
The Beaches is around 14 kilometres east of Toronto’s downtown, which is a commute of about 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. This neighbourhood is bordered by Victoria Park Avenue to the east, Woodbine Avenue to the west, Kingston Road to the north, and Lake Ontario to the south. The distance is convenient for homebuyers looking for a respite from Toronto’s daily bustle but wanting to stay close for work, study, or entertainment purposes.
…And It’s Well Served By Public Transit
Even though The Beaches is removed from the bustling downtown area, it provides several forms of public transportation on Lakeshore Boulevard so residents can be in the city centre in under half an hour. The Beaches is also connected to the rest of the city by the streetcar and bus routes along Queen Street, Kingston Road, Gerrard Street, Victoria Park Avenue, Main Street and Woodbine Avenue.
The Beaches Has Great Beaches
Probably one of the strongest reasons to relocate to The Beaches is, of course, the beach. As a traditional summer destination for Torontonians (and as its name suggests), the neighbourhood is well-known for its four beaches on Lake Ontario. From west to east, they are Woodbine Beach, Kew Beach, Balmy Beach, and Silver Birch Beach. The largest, most famous beach in the area, and probably in all of Toronto, is Woodbine Beach, with its calm waters, relaxed atmosphere, boardwalk, and outdoor sports courts. Kew Beach, Balmy Beach, and Woodbine Beach are Blue-Flag certified beaches, meaning they’re clean and safe to swim in.
… And Amazing Parks, Gardens, And Green Spaces
Regardless of where you are in this neighbourhood, there is likely a park nearby, and where there isn’t, you’ll be surrounded by mature trees that provide a deep sense of comfort. If you’re planning to relocate to The Beaches, here’s a brief list of the local parks you’ll soon be enjoying:
- Glen Stewart Park: To the north of The Beaches is the expansive Glen Stewart Park, filled with flower beds, a waterfall, and the winding trails of Glen Stewart Ravine.
- Woodbine Beach Park: Located on The Beaches’ southeastern edge is Woodbine Beach Park offering residents and visitors beach volleyball courts, a children’s playground, an outdoor swimming pool, and a community garden. This park is also the starting point of Martin Goodman Trail.
- Kew Gardens: If you head east of the neighbourhood, you’ll find Kew Gardens with a baseball diamond, basketball and tennis courts, a dog park, and an outdoor ice rink.
- Balmy Beach Park: To the easternmost point of the neighbourhood is quaint Balmy Beach Park offering kayak rentals, boardwalk trails, gym equipment, and a leash-free area to take your pup.
The Relaxed Beach-Town Vibe
The Beaches is a highly appealing neighbourhood for its relaxed, resort-village ambiance and authentic community feel. This is a neighbourhood of leisure strolls along the boardwalk on Sundays after visiting the farmers’ market, taking the dog for a playdate at the dog park, grabbing a cup of coffee with a friend, or browsing the antique shops on Queen Street. Even though The Beaches is traditionally touristy (the local beaches have lured Torontonians east since 1870), people tend to move slowly here.
There’s Gorgeous Real Estate In The Beaches
Aside from its proximity to the water and laid-back village atmosphere, the abundant and stunning selection of real estate for sale is one of the main reasons to relocate to The Beaches. The resort community is desirable for singles, young professionals, families, and people entering retirement.
Victorian and Edwardian are standard architectural designs homebuyers find when they relocate to The Beaches. The range of options includes low-rise apartments and condos, lofts, and medium-size single-family detached and semi-detached homes on modest-sized lots. The homes for sale in The Beaches average around $1.4M.
Although most of the housing was constructed in the 1920s and 1930s, some old beach cottages from the late 1800s still exist, having been beautifully modernized with contemporary comforts. Because of the area’s growing popularity, colourful row houses have been built in The Beaches in recent years, adding fresh options to the existing housing catalogue.
The Beaches Has A Robust School System
The excellent local education system is the primary factor attracting families to relocate to The Beaches. The Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board run the local public schools. Two of the top public elementary schools in The Beaches are Balmy Beach Community School and Courcelette Public School, which received high ratings from The Fraser Institute and ranked in the top 100 Ontario elementaries out of more than 3,000 schools. For secondary students, Malvern Collegiate Institute ranks in the top 70 of almost 800 Ontario high schools. The University of Toronto and George Brown College – Waterfront Campus are post-secondary options near The Beaches.
The Beaches Is Home To Some Iconic Events
As a renowned summer destination for Torontonians, many events occur at The Beaches lakefront parks and open spaces during the year’s warmest months. If you’re planning to relocate to The Beaches, you’ll be able to participate in iconic festivals like The Beaches International Jazz Festival and the Woofstock Festival. There are also art festivities like the Beaches Arts and Craft Show and some delicious events like the Toronto Beaches Rib & Beer Festival.
History Is Everywhere In The Beaches
From the heritage Victorian and Edwardian-era houses that line the streets to the historic landmarks, history is everywhere in The Beaches. The neighbourhood is home to Kew Beach Fire Hall, “The Goof” (an iconic restaurant serving since 1952), and the Fox Theatre, which opened its doors in 1914 and is considered the longest-running cinema in the country. The ‘Beachers,’ as residents of the neighbourhood are known, are very serious about keeping their area’s old charm protected, as many of them have firmly opposed new condo developments in The Beaches.
Reasons To Relocate To The Beaches
Whether you’re looking for a modern condo with Lake Ontario views or an updated heritage single-family home in Toronto, we hope this article has given you enough good reasons to relocate to The Beaches. And don’t forget – when it comes time to find the perfect property in this vibrant and eclectic neighbourhood, contact one of our knowledgeable local real estate agents. If you’re unsure about The Beaches, check out the 5 best places to buy a vacation home near Toronto.
