Long Branch…the West Beaches!
LONG BRANCH…the Western Beaches
Looking for a small “beachy” community within commuting distance to Toronto? The town of Longbranch sits right on Lakeshore Avenue on Lake Ontario and extends from Marie Curtis Park in the west with an eastern border at Humber College’s Lakeshore campus.
The great thing about Longbranch is that, like some other up and coming Toronto neighbourhoods, it’s just now coming into its own. In spite of its great location and the character of its older homes and tree lined streets the population of the area actually dropped over the past two censuses, keeping house prices relatively low and driving smaller businesses out of the area. This trend is now changing and the main streets and residential side streets are being revitalized. This is great news for people shopping for a home. Real estate values are not yet out of reach for people looking to live and play in a smaller, friendly community sitting so close to the lake and the city of Toronto. Longbranch is very accessible with excellent public transit service – GO Transit and the TTC – and easy access to the Lakeshore and Gardiner Expressway providing a relatively easy commute into Toronto or further west to Mississauga
Locals enjoy the parklands situated along the south border of the neighbourhood as well as numerous community-focused recreational facilities – tennis courts, Long Branch Centennial Arena, Len Ford Park and Marie Curtis Park. Outdoor concerts and seasonal festivals abound. Shopping on the main street is coming back with locally owned restaurants, clubs and shops springing up at a great rate. “Power shoppers” looking for more selection head to Sherway Gardens just west of the neighbourhood or up to the Queensway for more ‘big box’ stores.
South of Lakeshore Blvd., Longbranch houses are more expensive with the average price in the $600,000 range while just north of the Lakeshore homes start from the mid-$300,000’s. The actual houses are fairly similar in size and design but their proximity to the lake, house upkeep and landscaping combine to create the price differential. Rental units are also readily available, primarily in smaller, two to seven-story buildings. New condo developments are springing up along the Lakeshore and side streets. This new development, combined with the revitalization of older residential and industrial buildings, the influx of new shops, restaurants and clubs and other bold business initiatives is transforming this area into another very popular neighbourhood in the GTA.
Longbranch houses are still affordable for many buyers and the neighbourhood is evolving while maintaining a small town, “beachy” feel. I know Long Branch Real Estate well, andlook forward to helping you to find your place in this exciting, up and coming neighbourhood.
For additional information, check out this site for City of Toronto information on Long Branch
http:/www.toronto.ca/demographics/cns_profiles/cns19.htm
To contact me about this, or any other great Toronto neighbourhood visit my website www.TorontoPropertySource.com
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