Are you looking to move into a new home in Toronto? The Beaches is one of Toronto’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. It has everything you could want in a neighbourhood – including beautiful beaches and parks, great shopping and restaurants, and easy access to downtown Toronto. There are so many reasons why people love living here! If you like the idea of being able to live by the water and are looking at homes for sale in Toronto, then The Beaches might be the place for you! Continue reading to find out what makes The Beaches so special.
More About The Beaches Real Estate
East of the Toronto city centre sits The Beaches neighbourhood- also known as The Beach (depending on who you are talking to). The reason for the discrepancy is there are four beaches making up this one neighbourhood: Woodbine, Kew, Scarboro, and Balmy Beaches. Coxwell Ave and Eastern Ave corner the western side of The Beaches, while Kingston Rd wraps around the north side, Victoria Park Ave down the east side, and Lake Ontario borders the south.
Originally, The Beaches was owned by The Ashbridges, along with several other farming families, and by the 1800s the land had been subdivided into local parks, which attracted many to vacation here during the summer months. Around the 1920s, The Beaches transitioned into a more permanent residential neighbourhood and has since developed into one of Toronto’s most-favoured areas.
Today, The Beaches still feels like a resort town with a population of around 20,000 people. During the summer months, the population swells as many families still flock here to vacation and enjoy all this neighbourhood has to offer.
The Beaches Real Estate Market In Toronto
The Beaches offers a mixture of homes, from condos to lofts to single-detached houses averaging around $1.4 million. The market moves at a healthy pace in The Beaches with homes usually available for about 2 months before being sold. This is great news because it allows you the time to find the perfect home.
There are many architectural styles of homes in The Beaches, and mature trees line the streets all the way down to the water. Like any beach town, the homes here are painted in a variety of colours, which adds to the resort-town feel. You will still find several original vacation cottage-style homes that were built in the late 1800s to the early 1900s and have been retrofitted to meet today’s modern standards. Most of the homes for sale in The Beaches were built during the 1920s to 1930s. There is also a new addition near the end of Woodbine Avenue that keeps to the traditional styles of the area and includes semi-detached and detached houses and townhomes as well as low-rise condos.
The Beaches Schools In Toronto
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) serves the residents of The Beaches as well as several private schools. Some schools operating within the borders of The Beaches are:
- Adam Beck Junior Public School (GR. JK-06)
- Kimberley Junior Public School (GR. JK-06)
- Beaches Alternative School (GR. JK-06)
- Balmy Beach Community School (GR. JK-06)
- Williamson Road Junior Public School (GR. JK-06)
- Norway Junior Public School (GR. JK-06)
- St. Denis Catholic School (GR. JK-08)
- St. John’s Catholic School (GR. JK-08)
- Glen Ames Senior Public School (GR. 07-08)
The Beaches Amenities In Toronto
Parks & Beaches in The Beaches In Toronto
Woodbine Park This small park has a lot to offer and is perfect for spending the afternoon outdoors. Here you’ll find several bike trails, a playground, a splash pad, a pond, and more!
Woodbine Beach Park Known for its scenic views, this park is situated along the edge of Lake Ontario and has nearly every amenity imaginable. Not only is there a beach perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or picnics, this park also includes a volleyball area, bike trails, bottle filling stations, washing and changing rooms, outdoor fitness equipment, and a playground.
- Beaches Park – This historic park sits by the water’s edge of Lake Ontario and includes a beach, numerous tennis courts, and bike trails, as well as outdoor fitness equipment, a playground, and a picnic area.
- Balmy Beach Park – This park is about 120 years old and is home to the Balmy Beach Club. Here you’ll find a beach, several lawn-bowling greens, bike trails, an off-leash dog area, gym and outdoor fitness equipment, outdoor table tennis, and a playground.
- Glen Stewart Park – Located on the north side of The Beaches, away from the waterfront of Lake Ontario, this park is like a secluded oasis. Here you’ll find scenic walking trails, views of the Glen Stewart Ravine, and a picnic site.
- Ashbridges Bay – This bay area jets out like a peninsula and has a lot to offer. Here you’ll find several bike trails, a disc golf course, outdoor fitness equipment, an outdoor shower and washroom facility, and more! Ashbridges Bay has a huge sandy beach area perfect for volleyball, picnics, bird watching, fishing, and more!
Beach Skatepark near Ashbridges Bay, this plaza-style skatepark is the perfect place for those who enjoy the thrill of skateboarding. This park includes ledges, banks, stairs, rails, hubbas, gaps, granite-capped ledges, as well as an 11’ deep kidney bowl and lights for playing after hours.
All beaches are part of The Blue Flag system for water quality, environmental management, education, and safety.
Shopping and Dining in The Beaches In Toronto
The Beaches offer a variety of conveniences to meet your everyday needs and wants. You don’t have to go far from home to run errands or go out to eat. The majority of businesses are found along Queen St. Here you’ll find a variety of places, like bakeries and ice cream parlours, bistros and bars, as well as several shops.
Medical Services in The Beaches In Toronto
Michael Garron Hospital is about an 8-minute drive from The Beaches and is a full-service medical facility.
Public Transportation in The Beaches In Toronto
There are several bus and streetcar routes that stop along the main roads of The Beaches, including Woodbine Ave, Victoria Park Ave, Gerrard St, Main St, Queen St, and Kingston Road. These routes connect to Toronto’s subway and rapid transit lines.
