They say that the early years of a child’s life are typically the most formative ones. That’s why it’s important to pick the right setting in which to create the memories that will last a lifetime. Here are some of the top four family friendly neighbourhoods to consider if you’re shopping around for Peterborough real estate.
East City
The East City neighbourhood, which was formerly called the Village of Ashburnham, sits just to the east of the Otonabee River and contains many attractive older homes. The historic Hunter Street bridge connects East City to the downtown core, making it a convenient and highly walkable hood. And there is a plethora of nature to behold nearby, including picturesque Little Lake, home to the marina and the Peterborough Musicfest, and several scenic trails. This area is located close to the historic Peterborough Lift Lock. When Lock 21 opened in July 1904, it was the highest hydraulic boat lift in the world. During the winter the canal below freezes, turning into a gorgeous skating rink. You can teach the kids how to golf at the LiftLock Golf Club.
The Avenues/The Old West End
This is another walkable neighbourhood located close to Peterborough’s downtown core. It’s a quiet area full of leafy, tree-lined streets to stroll along and high-end older homes. Sherbrooke Park provides local residents with some green space during the summer months. A study found that a large section of this neighbourhood should be designated as a heritage conservation area because of its historical significance.
Hospital Area
This area gets its name from its proximity to the local hospital, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. It’s a quiet area that is great for families. The lots are large, there are many little parks scattered about and the streets are lined with mature trees. It’s also a really great school district. There are several prestigious schools in the area, including St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School and Westmount Public School, the second most highly rated school in the city, according to statistics from the Fraser Institute. Westmount offers a French immersion for grades senior kindergarten to grade eight.
Stewart Street
A dark horse candidate, the Stewart Street neighbourhood is a lower income area that sits just south of the downtown core. Once a manufacturing hub, with General Electric as one of the main employers in the area, today there are a lot of rundown houses in the area. However, over the past decade or so the Stewart Street neighbourhood has been in the process of a grass-roots revitalization, according to a report from Active Neighbourhoods Canada. Several years ago, local residents came together to create a community garden in a small park located in the neighbourhood. And last year, a new playground structure for kids to frolick in was installed in the same park, turning it into a neighbourhood hub. The positive momentum has been helping to build a sense of community in the area and transforming it into a vibrant place for young families to live.
Flickr: Robert Taylor
