Mimico West End Toronto Real Estate ($450k plus)  

Before I go on, I have to say that as far as prices go in this area there are a few anomalies. There are some stunnnig properties located east of Royal York and Lake Shore Boulevard on the south side of Lake Shore Boulevard that back directly onto Lake Ontario. As you can surmise, the views are spectacular. Forget Hoggs Hollow and Rosedale. No neighbourhood can compete with these kind of views and be so close to major traffic arteries. These homes start at $3 million. It got quiet didn't it. I bet you didn't think that Etobicoke had anything like this. Well it does!

In real estate speak this district more specifically before July 5th of 2011 was referred to on the mls system as W06. Meaning anything west of the Humber River, south of The Queensway down to the lake and west towards Long Branch, the border that seperates east Mississauga from Etobicoke or the City of Toronto. Now with the new re-districting boundaries the Etobicoke waterfront condos have been lumped under the Mimico banner. Hmmm.....

For many years it seems that Mimico has been the underdog as far as west end neighbourhoods. With it's character homes, decent price points and family friendly streets it's hard to imagine why you wouldn't want to live here. For the most part Mimico has been the cheaper alternative for couples that have been outpriced out of the Bloor West Village/ Swansea/ High Park areas. Mimico is made up of several specific areas. The first one being, Old Mimico. Then you have New Toronto further west  and finally Alderwood which is closer to Long Branch and north of Lake Shore Boulevard.

Old Mimico's rough borders start around Cavell Avenue which is located just south of the Mimico GO station and extend to the lake. Nothing west of Royal York Road is considered Old Mimico. The eastern border lies around Louisa Street just off Lake Shore Road closer to the newer and older batch of condos. This part of Mimico boasts some historic homes as well as some picturesque and noteworthy streets such as Victor Avenue, Eastbourne Crescent, Dartmouth Crescent, Lake Crescent and  Primrose Avenue.

There's a bus stop right at the base of Mimico Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard that will take you directly in about 10 minutes to the Royal York subway in addition to the GO station located past the bridge on Royal York Road around the corner from Cavell Avenue. For additional bus routes, you need to check with the ttc website.

The retail mix in the area has been changing for the better. Between Superior Avenue and Primrose Avenue, you'll find a bright, clean supermarket on Lake Shore Boulevard in addition to the No Frills near Royal York Road and Mimico Avenue. For good fair trade coffee, try Birds and Beans located on Lake Shore Boulevard at the base of Mimico Avenue between Primrose Avenue and Mimico. There's also a renewed parkette beside the coffee shop that leads to a boardwalk with great city views. As you move further west past Royal York Road you'll find a variety of businesses on both the north and south portions of Lake Shore Boulevard.

As an FYI, the Humber College Lake Shore campus is located at the base of Kipling Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard.

Generally speaking, you can expect to pay around $450k for something bungalow-ish and up to $750k or more these days for a move-in condition detached 2 storey home with parking in Old Mimico. The same can be said for New Toronto whose borders start around First Street and meld with Long Branch that continues westward towards Browns Line. The portion of New Toronto and Long Branch that's south of Lake Shore Boulevard is preferrable to most as many properties are walking distance to the lake and it's parkettes. Alderwood, just north of Lake Shore Boulevard, going north on Browns Line and surrounding pockets offers an affordable stock of sturdy bungalows on ample lots with access to many west end arteries however access to the lake requires driving. 

As far as recreational activities, let's not forget The Mimico Arena with it's great hockey program. In addition, access to the Martin Goodman trail, the Mimico Tennis Club and Mimico Yacht Club are fabulous family summer spots.

Area schools:

 John English Junior Middle School (JK-Gr.8)  website   rank

 Lakeshore Collegiate Institute (Gr.9-12)  website    n/a

St. Leo's Catholic School  (JK-Gr.8) website        rank     

George R. Gauld Junior School (JK-Gr.5)  website      n/a

David Hornell Public School (JK-5)  website     n/a      

If you wish to read more about the history of the area, please click this link

To view listings in Mimico  please   click here

To view listings in New Toronto  please   click here

To view listings in Alderwood   please  click here

To view listings in Long Branch  please  click here

GO station link:   click here!

copyright 2011