Real Estate Guide › West

Brookhaven - Amesbury

Average 2008 sale price:

$297,558

Property crime:

low

Crime against people:

low

Neighbourhood map:

See map

Streets wind into cul-de-sacs amid the strip malls, churches and ethnic groceries in the post-war planned developments of Amesbury, Brookhaven and Bridgehome. On the western border, Brookhaven has all the fixtures of a low-income area, with many tear-downs and duplexes. The Wishbone, a street on the west side, is lined with neat bungalows, spacious lots and green space, all laid out in the eponymous shape. In Amesbury, uniform houses on good-size lots line the tidy streets.

HOUSING STOCK: You’ll find mostly bungalows and semis, but there has been a flurry of renovations as owners add value to their homes with extensions and extra storeys. A cluster of well-maintained, multi-storey detached homes can be found in the northeast.

BARGAIN ZONES: Brookhaven isn’t quite as spruced up as Amesbury so, consequently, its prices tend to be lower.

THE VERDICT: It’s an area with a lot of first-time buyers, but also some second-timers, which is encouraging. The level of upkeep varies considerably street by street, but for families wanting to be close to the city, it’s a good option.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Homeland West Indian Supermarket Whatever hankerings you have for the Caribbean, Homeland’s rows of imported foods, spices, and even videos and CDs will satisfy them. 1642 Jane St., 416-244-4049.
Oyingbo African Market Head to this colourful grocery store for such quality African ingredients as yam flour, cassava, salted fish and palm oil. 1550 Jane St., 416-534-5923.