The Beach was first settled by the Ashbridge family in 1793 and the neighbourhood has been many things to many people over the years, as well as a home to cottages and amusement parks. And it’s had its share of seedy periods in its history. But that’s all changed, and the neighbourhood by the lake is now one of the most desirable locales to raise a family in the city.
Vibe
A small-town, family vibe persists in the Beach. This is a kid-friendly neighbourhood that is extremely safe, if too quiet for some. The Beach could also rank as an area with one of the highest dog-to-home ratios in Toronto, thanks in part to the massive off-leash parks that sit right on Lake Ontario: doggie heaven.
Cost
The housing stock is largely defined by homes built during the ’20s and ’30s, but over the past decade many have been completely renovated or torn down and replaced by modern homes.
• The fully finished coach house at 6 Munro Park Ave. features a modern glass staircase as the centrepiece after a renovation in 2007. The price: $3.589 million.
• At 20 Neville Park Blvd. sits a Hamptons-inspired beach home listed at $5.288 million.
• Hugging the Glen Stewart Ravine, the Arts and Crafts–style house at 2 Balsam Rd. is priced at $3.999 million.
Community
Residents in the Beach tend to live an active lifestyle: some stroll on the boardwalk, others descend on the area’s many parks. Glen Stewart Park has a picturesque ravine and nature trail. Kew Gardens plays host to several community events, such as the long-running annual Beaches Jazz Festival. And Donald Summerville Pool offers something for everyone: an Olympic-sized pool, a diving pool and a children’s pool. The beach volleyball courts at Ashbridges Bay Park have turned out a few Olympic contenders over the years. And, well, there’s a lake filled with standup paddle boards, kayaks and kite surfers on most summer nights. The Fox Theatre, the city’s oldest cinema, is a Beach mainstay.
Grub
The Beach seems to enjoy a good pub. One of the finer Beach watering holes is Castro’s Lounge, a favourite among locals for its big selection of beer. Xola offers authentic, off-the-beaten-path Mexican fare, and Hogtown Smoke is the place to go for barbecue.
Walkability
Homes in the Beach rank in the “very high” range in walkability, thanks to the proximity of local schools, shops, restaurants and public transit. The venerable 501 streetcar is nostalgic despite the dwindling efficiency.
Commute
The many streetcar and bus routes in this central location make it unnecessary to own a car, but the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway are nearby.
Schools
This area is home to a number of well-respected public schools, such as Balmy Beach Community School and Kew Beach Junior High School.
Shops
Teeming with quaint boutiques, Queen Street East is made for the sauntering shopper. The Artisans offers finely curated jewellery, and the Embellished Room is the place for cute summer dresses. There are also a couple of good book stores and, yes, doggie boutiques.