LOCATION:
South of the Gardiner with Lakeshore and Royal York as the central commercial arteries.
EPICENTRE:
Royal York Rd. and Lakeshore Blvd. West.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:
Lakeshore, San Remo’s - the busiest Italian eatery in Etobicoke, wide mix of housing from highrise condos to historic homes. Eastern European communities, new families.
DID YOU KNOW?:
The word “Mimico” comes to us from the Ojibwe word omiimiikaa meaning “abundant with wild pigeons”. You may be scratching you head on that one, but it is widely believed that Mimico was named after the Passenger pigeon that are now extinct but were apparently in great numbers in the area when the Europeans arrived.
Mimico has potential, and it knows it.
This neighbourhood’s main street along Lakeshore has some interesting spots, but it does not have the same number of creative businesses proliferating along the strip like Leslieville or the Junction. Still, it does have a decent selection of bakeries, indie coffee shops, and one of my favourite chocolate and ice cream makers in the city, Sweet Olenka’s .
There’s a funny array of houses in this neighbourhood for sure. Some are post war bungalows. Others are red brick beauties. And some are not too sure what they want to be. Regardless, demand has gone up here.
For some downtown loving folk, Mimico is too far, though it’s a quick drive down the Gardiner or a Queen car to Toronto central. Psychologically though, some can’t get past that Mimico is technically Etobicoke, a former Toronto suburb. But a smart investor won’t poo poo that.
For those in the know, Mimico is on it’s way to becoming the western version of the Beach without the outrageous prices. Where else in the city can you live where the waterfront is accessible with a possible lake view from the window of your house?
The streets south of Lakeshore that are all named after numbers is a great little pocket to buy in. Closer to the water south of Lakeshore, the prices are higher as is the great housing stock east of Royal York. Affordability is better north of Lakeshore and west of Royal York. The giant condos along the Lakeshore, though, are not the best in Toronto neighbourhood development. They do offer great views of the lake, if you are facing the right direction, and the bike and walking trials along the lake. Those living in the giant, lake condos tend to focus more on these walking and biking trails than a walkable main street.