The Beach’s café society thrives in good
weather and bad
Real Estate Guide › East
The Beach
- Average 2008 sale price:
- $622,647
- Property crime:
- average
- Crime against people:
- average
- Neighbourhood map:
- See map
Last spring, city hall silenced the eternal debate on whether this leafy nabe’s name is singular or plural. As the new street signs declare, The Beach it is. What hasn’t changed is its sporty, laid-back vibe—this is as close to Kitsilano as Toronto gets. A restful, small-town feel persists in the tree-lined streets off the main drag (the copious porch swings, charming gardens and wood-frame cottages help set the mood), and in the wildly popular community events (the Easter parade and jazz festival). Well-respected public schools, such as Balmy Beach and Courcelette, are yet another draw for families. Securing an address in one of the city’s most cherished neighbourhoods doesn’t come cheap. “It’s a seller’s market once again,” says Kate Craig of RE/MAX. And with the high demand and low supply of houses, multiple offers have become more common. (In early June, one house sold for $100,000 over asking.)
HOUSING STOCK: The homes south of Queen, many built as summer getaways in the 1920s, offer authentic charm, while townhomes on the former Greenwood racetracks often push the $1 million mark.
BARGAIN ZONES: First-time buyers can expect to pay between $400,000 and $450,000 for a small fixer-upper. The prices start to drop west of Coxwell, or on the northeastern edge, but even these areas are gentrifying.
THE VERDICT: Once people move to the Beach they stay there. If you can afford it, this is not only a great place to live but also a solid investment.
NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Fox Theatre Film buffs flock to the Fox, a grand (if slightly worn) independent theatre that’s the longest-running cinema in the country. 2236 Queen St. E., 416-691-7330.
The Pie Shack Delicious pies routinely sell out at The Pie Shack, a self-consciously rustic café and bakery. 2305 Queen St. E., 647-351-1411.
Red Rocket Coffee This cheery java joint on the Beach’s western edge is a caffeine mecca thanks to its fair trade coffee, free Wi-Fi and killer patio. 1402B Queen St. E., 416-406-0880.
Nearby Restaurants
Aki Da
Locals and destination foodies alike flock to this traditional-yet-hip sushi house where the fish arrives ... (0.01 km away)
Alex’s Felafel & Shwarma
As a third-generation foodie, owner Alex Eskandar has cooking in his blood. From this family-run ... (0.03 km away)
Beachside Grill
With a reputation for home cooking, this unpretentious family-style diner is jammed on weekends with ... (0.06 km away)
Gull & Firkin (Bar and Pub)
Part of the popular pub chain, this Beach location has an enormous raised patio—an ideal ... (0.11 km away)
Lion on the Beach
Sandwiched between two patios, this spacious pub with a Tudor-style interior offers a brass bar ... (0.17 km away)
Urban Thai Bistro
Pocket-sized, with small tables and windows that open to the street, the place seems more ... (0.20 km away)
Whitlock’s Restaurant
In the heart of the Beach tourist district, this dark and woody historic house serves ... (0.21 km away)
Nearby Shopping and Services
Meat on the Beach
Ernesto Monte crams a staggering array of gourmet sundries—from Sicilian olive oil to his own ... (0.22 km away)
Zane Pâtisserie & Boulangerie
The style of this bakery is outshone only by the elegant mousse cakes in the ... (0.26 km away)
East of Eliza
Rejecting anything pretentious or overproduced, East of Eliza owner Reed Russell favours woodsy, natural designs. ... (1.42 km away)
Commuting
- King and Bay:
- 6.5 km
- 401 and 400:
- 18 km
- Gardiner and 427:
- 20.6 km
- Subways:
- Woodbine Station 2.0 km
- Main Street Station 2.1 km
- Coxwell Station 2.2 km
Commuting and subway distances measured from neighbourhood centre.
Follow Toronto Life on Twitter, Facebook and via RSS