Niagara, Toronto

Niagara is a mix of residential and industrial neighbourhoods in Toronto. It falls south of Queen Street West, Bathurst to the east, Strachan avenue to the west and the railway corridor passes through the south of the neighbourhood. The eastern part of the city is called the Fashion District. The prominent inhabitants of the residential area are young urbanites. Niagara, Toronto is a  beautiful neighbourhood brimming with life, art and food. There are art galleries, restaurants, markets, bookstores and fashion stores. There is a significant decrease in the industrial area of Niagara due to the upcoming residential areas. Stanley park is a multipurpose area where the residents reach out for entertainment. Most of the sites are within walking distance. Public transportation around the area is well-established.

Area Vibes score the liveability of Niagara at 78 out of 100. As a neighbourhood, Niagara is ranked 141 in Toronto and 913 in Ontario. In terms of liveability, it stands at 72 and 67 in Ontario and Canada, respectively. Niagara ranks 98% better than surrounding neighbourhoods. The neighbourhood of Niagara offers good amenities to its residents. It is at a suitable distance from schools, hospitals, shopping malls and other entertainment areas. The people of this neighbourhood prefer Stanley Park for recreational activities. The following table gives a basic idea of the liveability and lifestyle in Niagara-

The area of Niagara used to be a military garrison for York. The land of Niagara witnessed the Battle of York in 1781. The fort still stands tall. All street names in this neighbourhood have historical significance. In the 1850s, Niagara grew as an industrial area. Emerging factories created employment opportunities which led to the migration of people into the locality. In Niagara, 82.7% of people speak English. French is not spoken by a lot of people. Childless couples and singles occupy the highest number of apartments in the area.  People who speak English and French account for 15% of the population. Childless couples and singles occupy the highest number of apartments in the area. When we talk about employment, most residents of the area work nearby. The median household income is $110,235 which is more than the average in Ontario and Toronto.

Niagara is a charming neighbourhood with parks and recreational spaces, restaurants and places to shop. To the east, Niagara has a Fashion District, Entertainment District and Finance District. Due to these areas, there are job opportunities in the city. Since Niagara is a lively neighbourhood, people look for residence here. There are several schools in the Niagara region of Toronto. There are six catholic schools, 11 public schools and one private school. A few of these are mentioned below-

• Givins/Shaw Junior Public School
• The Waterfront of School
• Harbord Collegiate Institute
• Ryerson Community School
• ÉÉC du Sacré-Coeur-Toronto
• St. Josaphat Catholic School
• Pope Francis Catholic School

Colleges near Niagara, Toronto are-

• Niagara Toronto College, Toronto
• Ryerson University
• George Brown College
• Humber College
• the University of Toronto

Niagara has a wonderful culinary scene. There are multitudes of cuisine options in the area. A few of them are-

• My Roti Place/My Dosa Place
• Thai Room King West
• Pizza Nova
• King Rustic Kitchen and Bar
• Nai Nai Indonesian Food
• Morsomme Food To Go
• UFO

There are quite a few cafes in the area. A few of them are-

• Woolshed Coffee
• White Squirrel Coffee Shop
• Simit and Chai Co
• Shy Coffee Co
• Antikka- Cafe and Records

Best bars to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Niagara are-

• Pennies
• Mother
• Pizza Wine Disco

Niagara has unique shops such as

• Spacing Store
• Mitra Candle Shop
• Fawn
• Layover
• Flashback
• Tibet Arts and Craft
• Type Books
• AMoment

Medical amenities in Niagara are impeccable. A few hospitals and clinics in the area are mentioned below-

•  Toronto Western Hospital
• St. Michael’s Hospital
• Cleveland Clinic Canada Downtown

Niagara is at the perfect distance from all major hotspots of Toronto. There are museums, art galleries, parks and many more sources of entertainment around the area.

Museums and Art Galleries

Ontario is home to many museums and galleries. The rich history of the place has led to the construction of brilliant museums. The Myseum of Toronto, MZTV Museum of Television, Campbell House Museum, The 48th Highlander Museum, Textile Museum of Canada, Museum of Illusions and Friar's Music Museum are a few which are a must-visit. Museum of Contemporary Art, Wunderbase, Art Gallery of Toronto and the Market Gallery are a few art galleries for art lovers.

Fort York National Historic Site

The Fort York site is a historic landmark for the people of Canada. This is where the British soldiers, Canadian militiamen and First Nation warriors defended Toronto from the Americans. The exhibit engrosses the audience in a digital time machine that takes them during the time of war.  The area poses as a model of comparison to measure the growth of Toronto since the war. The exhibit has a 2,900 sq ft exhibition area, an immersive experience of wartime, including the explosion at Fort York, a 480 sq ft vault that showcases light-sensitive artefacts and an orientation film.

CN Tower

CN Tower is one of the tallest structures in the world. It is just 10 minutes away from Niagara. You can visit the tower to witness the beautiful view of Toronto. There are different levels for the observation decks. If you are a thrill seeker, try the Toronto Skytree’s edge walk which is 1168 ft above the ground. You can also book a 360-degree restaurant to have dinner among clouds.

Parks and Recreation

Stanley Park is the main green attraction in Niagara. There are splash pads, a dog park, a children’s play area and picnic spots. The members of the community assemble here for meetings and festivals. One of the benefits of this location is that people don't have to go far off looking for open green spaces.

There is a lot to do in Niagara, Toronto. You can shop at various boutiques., browse a few bookstores on the way, grab your to-go sandwich or salad from More So Me and head over to Stanley park. Museums and art galleries are close by. Spend your weekends making your way through the different eras of art. Visit the Museum of Illusions with your friends for a fun Saturday afternoon. Dance away the Saturday night at Pizza Wine Disco to wake up just in time for Sunday brunch.

Streetcars are efficient to travel around the area. You can catch streetcars on Bathurst, King and Queen Street. If you own a car, it would be easy for you to travel to the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard.  

Niagara has all the qualities of a small town. The markets around the area are everyone’s favourite. The markets are a variety of farmers’ markets, weekend markets and flea markets. Following are the famous markets in Niagara-

St. Lawrence Market

The St. Lawrence market is in the Old Town district of Toronto. It is brimming with over 120 sellers selling food, fresh produce, cheese and antique goods. The market is open every day barring Sunday.

Merchant’s Flea Market

Market inside an old warehouse, Merchant’s Flea Market has whimsical vintage items. There are over 250 booths for local business owners. Visit this market to support the local business.

The Leslieville Farmers’ Market

Open air, live music and fresh food culminate the Leslieville Farmers’ market. You can find sellers selling furniture, clothing and collectables.

Wychwood Barns Park

The Wychwood Barns Park is a pet favourite. The Barn contains a studio, gallery and a farmers’ market.  

Demographics of an area helps to understand the people and their consumption patterns. In Niagara, most residents are singles and childless couples. The area is forward and fast in its day-to-day functions. The demographics of Niagara, Toronto look as follows-

Niagara, Toronto is kid and pet-friendly. There are open spaces for the pets and kids to play. Niagara has 15 parks and recreational areas for kids and pets. Following are a few dog parks in the area-

• Stanley Off-Leash Dog Park
• Liberty Village Dog Park
• Coronation Park Dog Park
• Bill Johnston Dog Park

For kids, Stanley park has picnic tables for epic birthday parties, splash pools and a basketball court. Explore the Museum of Illusions with your children for some over-the-top fun.

The average cost of living in Niagara has increased. It is estimated to be 11% more than the national average. The cost of living in Niagara and Toronto is equal. Housing in Niagara is 15% higher than the national average. The sales tax is 33% higher than the national average. The income tax average of people residing in Niagara is 40% less than the national average. The following table shows a comparison of the cost of living in Niagara, Toronto and Ontario-

Most houses of Niagara date back to the 1800s. These homes are converted into condos and townhouses. Since most occupants are young couples or independent renters, they prefer spaces like condominiums. There are no detached homes in the area.