Image Credit: Wikipedia

Originally little more than small villages and farmlands when settled by the Europeans in the 1790’s, Scarborough has grown into a widely diverse district of Toronto - one of the largest in the GTA - with much to offer residents and visitors. 

An exciting and energized community, Scarborough reflects a mosaic of cultures amongst its residents, all of which contribute to the vast multicultural fabric of this community. Beyond the area’s excellent schooling, transportation and healthcare, Scarborough’s West Hill neighbourhood in particular is well known for its family-friendly atmosphere and ample recreation and greenspace. 

Scarborough, by the numbers 

• Population: per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Scarborough had a population of 629,941

• Location: Scarborough is a district of Toronto, Ontario situated atop of the Scarborough Bluffs in the eastern part of the city. Its borders are: Victoria Park Avenue to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north, Rouge River and Pickering to the east, and Lake Ontario to the south. West Hill, a neighbourhood within Scarborough, is bounded by Scarborough Golf Club Road and a branch of Highland Creek on the west, the CNR railway tracks and Lake Ontario on the south, and Highland Creek on the north-east.

• Size: 187.70 km2 

Family-friendly community in West Hill

West Hill offers its residents a family-friendly community which includes a public library and community centre, thriving retail area, plenty of recreational options and greenspace, excellent schooling, and affordable housing. 

As far as residential homes in the area, in spite of the typically generous size of homes and lots in particular, prices typically fall below average for the City of Toronto, translating to heightened affordability for home seekers. Here you’ll find many bungalows and storey-and-a-half properties dating back to the 1940’s in a blend with newer-build townhomes and custom houses. This generally attracts younger families on the hunt for homes that offer space to grow and easy local commuting. 

AreaVibes has scored this neighbourhood with top marks in the categories of local amenities, cost of living, with high rankings in the areas of housing and (low) crime. 

For Toronto’s official community profile for West Hill, check out this link! 

For some background on this community, there is an excellent neighbourhood profile available via the Scarborough Historical Society.

An abundance of recreational offering and greenspace in West Hill

Image Credit: Wikipedia 

The most well-known local landmark is the Scarborough Bluffs. An escarpment formation that stretches approximately 14  kilometers and climbs to over 60 meters at its highest points and make part of the larger Iroquois Shoreline. This formation in particular is interesting for its history as a prehistoric lake. 

The Rouge River Valley contains areas that are still predominantly wooded over, and this area plays host to plenty of wildlife that call the region home, such as deer, foxes, coyotes (though less common), with the river housing salmon and catfish.  

Bordered on three sides by Highland Creek, the community of West Hill is primed for an abundance of green space and is surrounded by an extensive parks system, including:

• Morningside Park, and Colonel Danforth Park - located along the creek
• East Point Park - located along Lake Ontario at the eastern end of the Scarborough Bluffs 

Parks in West Hill are operated by Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division.

West Hill also offers its residents an abundance of sports facilities. You can find tennis facilities at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus and an indoor arena and baseball diamond located at Heron Park, just to name a few.

You can find a comprehensive list of local sports clubs and organizations in the area here. 

If you’re looking to go beyond West Hill to explore the full menu of recreational and entertainment options in Scarborough, prepare for an abundance of options. Just a few popular local picks include:

• The Scarborough Bluffs 
• The Toronto Zoo
• Bluffers Park
• Scarborough Town Centre
• Rosetta McClain Gardens
• Rouge National Urban Park
• Port Union Waterfront Park
• Kidstown Water Park
• Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
• Scarborough Music Theatre

We’d suggest checking out Scarborough’s Sunnybrook Park. A welcome “green” departure amongst the city’s urban setting, the park offers a lodge with eateries, tables and washroom facilities - perfect for a family barbeque! This park is also pet-friendly, with designated dog parks for your furry friends to get in on the outdoor fun. 

Scarborough’s West Hill neighbourhood offers excellent schooling

Image Credit: WikiWand

There are three public school boards operating in West Hill: the Conseil scolaire Viamonde (CSV), the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). 

Schools in West Hill that are operated by public school boards include:

• Académie Alexandre-Dumas (CSV)
• Eastview Public School
• Galloway Public School
• Jack Miner Senior Public School
• Poplar Road Junior Public school
• St. Malachy Catholic School
• St. Martin de Porres Catholic School
• William G. Miller Public School (TDSB)
• Joseph Brant Public School
• Maplewood High School - a junior vocational secondary school specializing in providing education to students with special needs
• Sir Robert L. Borden Business and Technical Institute 

There are also plenty of local private school options Scarborough-wide, including Royal Crown School, a grades 7-12 co-ed, progressive day/boarding school.

Scarborough and its many thriving neighbourhoods have a lot to offer prospective homebuyers. From lush scenic landscapes to excellent schooling, endless recreational opportunities and housing affordability, let us fill you in on why this community might be a great fit for your family’s needs. 

Curious to know more about the community of Scarborough and neighbourhoods like West Hill? 

CONTACT US today for more information on this and the many other communities Royal LePage Connect Realty serves. 

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