When I help older adults determine the best neighbourhoods in Scarborough to move to, we discuss several variables, in no order: accessibility to transit, shopping, recreation, restaurants, family, and doctors. These are the most common items on my client’s lists.
As a senior real estate specialist (SRES), it’s essential to understand each client’s priorities regarding their lifestyle and budget. The other point of discussion is what type of housing they prefer. Some want detached bungalows, condos, townhomes, or condo townhouses. This decision is usually made based on their physical condition and budget. This is why creating a list and rating your priorities and dealbreakers is crucial.
Birchcliff
This is a favourite neighbourhood for seniors, especially those downsizing, in southwest Scarborough. It has an urban vibe and is a walkable community with cafes and boutique shops on Kingston Road between Queensbury Ave and Birchmount Rd. It’s also within walking distance of various parks and trails along the waterfront.
Places like Rosetta McClain Gardens on the community’s east side or the waterfront trail between Springbank Ave and Lakehurst Cres are another great green space to enjoy. Another popular outdoor space, just to the community’s west side, is the RC Harris Water Treatment Plant. It’s a spectacular building with a great view of Lake Ontario. If you like kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding, this is an excellent location for a paddle.
The Birchmount Community Centre is the hub of the community’s recreation and wellness activities. The Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre (BBNC) is a charitable organization that supports the community. It offers senior active living programs for people aged 60 and above. Their programs provide walking clubs, cooking classes, and line dancing, to name a few.
Transit options for TTC are available in abundance. Every street in the community is within a short walk of a bus stop. You can jump on the 302 buses along Kingston Road from Birchmount to Victoria Park Ave., Or you can take the number 12 bus from Victoria Park Subway station via Kingston Road all the way to Kingston Road and Military Trail (eastbound).
These routes are fully accessible, too. If you are going downtown, you can easily catch the 503 streetcars at the Bingham loop at Victoria Park and Kingston Road. If you prefer the GO Train, you have multiple options—Scarborough station at St.Clair & Midland or Danforth station at Main St and Danforth Ave.
Regarding housing types, Birchcliff offers some great bungalows in great locations. Kingston Road is being revitalized, so more condo options are becoming available. Some excellent boutique buildings provide a great lifestyle and incredible views overlooking the Toronto Hunt Club and Lake Ontario.
Wondering if Scarborough is the right place to spend your next chapter? Explore these related blog posts.
- How Do I Find a Real Estate Agent for Seniors in Scarborough?
- Is Scarborough Good For Seniors?
- Scarborough’s Best Neighbourhoods For Downsizers: Guildwood “The Guild”
Cliffside
It is a community just east of Birchcliff, surrounded by Kingston Road, Kennedy Avenue, Danforth Avenue, and Midland Avenue. The Kingston Road stretch from Claremore Avenue to Midland Avenue is revitalizing significantly. This community is a mix of families, many multi-generational families, and seniors who have lived there for decades. Continuity is a sign of community.
Many of the existing houses are on good-sized lots that offer newcomers coming in to build newer, larger homes. The mix of housing types is primarily detached, either bungalows or two stories, and semi-detached houses. With the revitalization happening along Kingston Road comes a mix of high-rise and mid-rise condos.
As the community grows, more shopping and restaurants are popping up. Many of the shops along Kingston Road are within walking distance. So is the abundance of transit options. Multiple TTC routes and the GO Train are easily accessible by foot.
Cliffside is located between two neighbourhoods, Birchcliff and the Bluffs. Residents of Cliffside benefit from easy access to the amenities of both communities, but their real estate is less expensive than both. Facilities such as Variety Village, Birchmount Stadium, Birchmount Community Centre, and Bluffers Park are nearby. A hidden gem, especially if you have a dog and enjoy using off-leash dog parks, is Scarborough Heights Park, which is right on Fishleigh Drive, overlooking Lake Ontario.
In fact, as evidence that Cliffside is an excellent neighbourhood in Scarborough for seniors, I recently sold a detached bungalow to an elderly woman in her 90s and her single adult daughter. This is an example of multi-generational living. The home was designed to accommodate people with mobility challenges, and the basement suite allows them to cohabitate but still have privacy and independence.
Searching for tips on downsizing your home? Check out these blogs next!
- 5 Tips For Downsizing Your East GTA Home
- Can Downsizing Your Home For Retirement Help Financially?
- 5 Signs It’s Finally Time To Downsize
The Bluffs
As we continue eastbound along Kingston Road and cross over Midland Avenue, we enter what might be the most recognizable community in Scarborough: The Bluffs. The lifestyle it offers makes this neighbourhood one of the best for seniors.
This is the closest community to downtown Toronto, on the east side, that feels like you’re in the country. Most residential streets are south of Kingston Road and have views of Lake Ontario. The Bluffs doesn’t offer an urban vibe. If you were to go shopping or go to a restaurant, you would likely be doing so by car, public transit, or Uber, not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The Bluffs offer mostly detached homes on large-sized lots. There are some incredible bungalows throughout the community. Like Cliffside, there is an abundance of in-filling because of the large lots. The community has a luxury aspect, especially as you get closer to Lake Ontario. However, along Kingston Road the revitalization continues with new condo buildings being built.
When it comes to lifestyle, The Bluffs is at a premium. There is Bluffers Park and Beach, which is an excellent beach. If you’re into boating, the Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club is for you. The boating community is a great place to socialize, too. I have clients who are members, and they rave about all the excursions they do with their friends. When I meet with my senior clients who live in The Bluffs, they’re happy that they downsized their house to something smaller and easier to manage, but they didn’t have to downsize their lifestyle. They have more free time to pursue their passions and learn what’s most important to them.
When it comes to an active lifestyle and wellness, people in The Bluffs have multiple options. Some participate in activities at Scarborough Village Recreation Centre, which offers everything from fitness to arts. If you’re into playing pickleball, another nearby venue is the Birchmount Community Centre on Birchmount Avenue and Kingston Road in Birchcliff.
Medical support and doctors are centrally located in Scarborough. The Scarborough Health Network includes hospitals like Scarborough General Hospital at McCowan Road and Lawrence Ave East. Centenary Hospital, Ellesmere Road, and Neilson Road are the closest hospital options to these neighbourhoods. These medical facilities are equally accessible from any of the communities I focused on.
Find the Right Home for Your Next Chapter
These are just three of the best senior neighbourhoods in Scarborough. Many more excellent communities exist, such as Guildwood, Highland Creek, West Hill, and West Rouge. I will write blogs on all these communities in the future. As a senior real estate specialist (SRES), I understand the nuances of each. If you want to explore what neighbourhood is best for you as a senior living in Scarborough, please reach out to me, and let’s have a conversation.
As a Senior Real Estate Specialist I am here to support you in any way you need. Reach out to 647.283.2127 or email stuart@stuartnodell.com to start a conversation.
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