Concord, York

Located north of Ontario, Concord is an industrial neighbourhood of the York Region with bustling residential pockets preferred by students and working professionals. The Concord neighbourhood is a part of Vaughan City. It stands just 6 km from Vaughan Mills, one of the largest shopping complexes in Canada, with an impressive mix of over 200 fashion outlets, entertainment zones, and dining options. The name Concord is believed to refer to the hometown of Hiram White. He was one of the early settlers and came from Concord, Vermont. Concord grew from being a small farming hamlet to a well-developed modern neighbourhood featuring educational institutions, healthcare centres, retail stores, cosy restaurants, trendy cafes, and more. It also houses the headquarters of many multinational and domestic corporations.

Concord is home to a growing community of diverse dwellers who lend the place a distinct vibe. It is among the pet-friendly neighbourhoods of Vaughan. Glen Shields is a prominent residential area in the southeast of the community. Spreading out on the northeast is another popular residential pocket called Dufferin Hills. The residential sectors of this neighbourhood are marked with detached homes, link-style homes, back-split homes, and townhomes. People residing in the region enjoy a good lifestyle. The cost of living in Concord is lower than in most other places in Vaughan. The liveability score of the area is quite high. This score is determined by several factors such as employment, cost of living, amenities, crime rate, and so forth, as shown in the table below.

Concord gained the status of a postal village in 1854, and the suburbanisation of the area began in the 1950s. By the turn of the century, it turned into a flourishing area with industries and four-lane roadways. Today, the Concord neighbourhood serves as a settlement for people belonging to various parts of the world, including Italy, India, Russia, China, and the Philippines, to name a few. The neighbourhood earns its revenue through its various industries. The Concord real estate market also contributes to revenue generation. An essential point to note is that real estate prices in Concord are 23% less than the average real estate prices in Vaughan. Even the rental prices in this area are much lower than the Vaughan average. This makes the neighbourhood an attractive option for prospective home buyers and rental home seekers. The median household income in this neighbourhood is 18% higher than the national average, while the unemployment rate is 40% lower than that. People in Concord communicate primarily in English. A very small section of the population also speaks French.

Though Concord has been traditionally an industrial hub, the neighbourhood remains dotted with plenty of places where people can shop, dine, and have a good time. Recreational venues, such as parks and indoor sports complexes, cater to the residential community of Concord. The Patricia Kemp Community Centre on Dufferin Street hosts various community programs for the residents. Since most Concord houses and residences are concentrated along Glen Shields and Dufferin Hills, these areas stand close to schools, healthcare centres, and other amenities.

Schools

Regarding schools, Concord has several well-established private and public educational institutes to take care of the academic needs of students. They range from elementary schools to secondary schools. Some of the top schools in and around Concord include the following:

• Glen Shields Public School
• Rutherford Private School
• Evergreen Leadership Academy
• Woodbridge Public School
• Rotman Arts and Science School

Restaurants

The Concord neighbourhood has a hub of restaurants for people to relax, unwind, and indulge in their taste buds. It is home to an array of lounges, cafes and restaurants. Some of the top restaurants in Concord are:

• Pizza Nova
• Giro D'Italia Ristorante
• Junnio's Italian Restaurant
• Kavkaz Grill Georgian Restaurant
• Sofra Istanbul

Shopping Malls/Centres

Concord is a shopper's paradise. Whether it is high-end fashion outlets or budget retail stores, this neighbourhood has several options to cater to various shopaholics. Stores like IKEA and Walmart further extend the scope of convenient shopping for residents. Some of the popular shopping destinations in Concord include the following:

• Vaughan Mills
• Royal Cachet Plaza
• Promenade Shopping Centre
• RioCan Colossus Centre of Woodbridge

Medical Facilities

Residents of Concord can easily avail of medical care when faced with physical or mental complications. A range of clinics and healthcare centres across Concord ensure prompt treatment for the people. Some of the top healthcare facilities in and around Concord are:

• MCI The Doctor's Office Woodbridge
• Back Clinics of Canada
• Marycroft Clinic
• Vibrant Medical Clinic
• Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital

Concord offers visitors an incredible mix of places and attractions to explore. Whether one is interested in discovering the beauty of nature or engaging in fun-filled activities, there are plenty of options to choose from. The best part of a Concord visit is that the place has something for everyone, from kids to adults. Some of the top attractions of Concord are as follows:

Canada’s Wonderland

This theme park is spread over 330 acres. It features a thrilling mix of roller coasters, water slides, carrousels, adventure rides, mazes, an outdoor wave pool, live entertainment, and a whole lot of other attractions.

Legoland Discovery Centre

Legoland is the place where both kids and adults can unleash their creativity and have fun with more than 2 million LEGO bricks. Apart from the Lego creations, this indoor playground has a 4D cinema, amazing rides, and so much more!

Reptilia Zoo

It is a state-of-the-art facility spread over 25,000 square feet. It is home to more than 250 species of amphibians, reptiles, and arachnids. Many of the species found here can’t be seen in other zoos across Canada.

Boyd Conservation Park

This park is a great place to enjoy nature. Dotted with tall trees, the park offers an amazing place to sit back and relax in the green surroundings or take a leisurely walk around. The best part of a Concord visit is that the place has something for everyone, from kids to adults.

What's interesting about Concord is that the place has plenty of activities that one can enjoy in groups. This makes it a great destination for families to explore and have fun together. But that doesn't mean Concord lacks options for solo activities. The place is just right for even those who want to enjoy their time alone. Here are some of the things that one can do on a Concord visit:

Go Shopping and Dining

Concord extends a matchless shopping experience thanks to the presence of well-known outlet stores like Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Nordstrom Rack, Armani, and so forth. What adds to the fun is the presence of movie theatres where one can take a break from retail therapy and catch up on the latest releases. Digging into a sumptuous meal at a popular restaurant or enjoying coffee at a quaint cafe can further elevate the experience.

Enjoy the Nightlife

An exciting nightlife awaits visitors at Concord! The south of Highway 7 is where the nightlife hub of the neighbourhood comes alive. Featuring an array of bars, lounges, and restaurants, such as Nitro Lounge & Bar, Posh Supperclub, Luxy Club, and many more, the area turns into a party zone every night. It is the best place in Concord for night owls to end their day on a high note.

Explore the Art and Culture Scene

Creative Souls Art Gallery, on Keele Street, is one of the best places in Concord where one can enjoy the work of local artists. For those with an artistic bent of mind, Vividly Expressive Creative Art Studio on Edgeley Boulevard is the right place to head. It is a place where families can create art together and have fun. The City Playhouse Theatre on New Westminster Drive is another cultural hotspot where one can watch impressive live performances.

Concord remains easily accessible through several major commuter highways, including Highway 400 and Highway 407. It offers its residents smooth connectivity to downtown Toronto and an exciting nightlife hub along Highway 7 and indoor sports complexes. In addition, mentioned below are some popular locations and their distance from the neighbourhood.

• The distance between Concord and Toronto Airport (YYZ) is 19 km. A drive of around 15 to 20 minutes can take one from Concord to the airport.
• The Toronto Union Station is about 20 km from Concord and takes about 30 minutes to reach.

There are many markets in Concord where people can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products. These markets highlight the quaint charm of this neighbourhood and its surrounding areas. Such markets can be easily reached from Concord, located just a few kilometres from the neighbourhood. Given the quality of the products sold at these markets, a drive of a few minutes is worth the effort. Some of the popular markets in Concord where one can buy fresh farm products are as follows:

• Woodbridge Village Farmers Market
• Village Market on Bathurst Street
• Gatti Farms
• York Farmers Market

The population density of Concord is 90% less than that of Vaughan. The lower population density makes Concord a sought-after residential destination for working professionals and students who prefer staying in a relatively less crowded place. At Concord, people from various parts of the world live harmoniously. More than 14% of the neighbourhood's population is South Asian. People of different religions have made Concord their home, which speaks volumes about the inclusive nature of the area.

For pet owners, Concord is a great place to stay or visit. Pet parents can take their furry friends for an engaging day-out at one of the many dog-friendly destinations that are scattered in and around this neighbourhood. The Concord Dog Park and the Vellore Tract Woodlot Trail are two such places where pet lovers can take their pets for a walk and even unleash them in certain areas of the parks. Keeping kids engaged in Concord is easy as the neighbourhood has plenty of activities to enjoy. The Sky Zone Trampoline Park is one of those places where kids can have unbridled fun while jumping, playing, and doing a lot more. The Funtastic Forest, Never-Never Land, and Candyland are fascinating indoor play centre destinations. Planet Play is a place where kids and their parents can have a lot of fun.

The cost of living in Concord is 4% lower than in Vaughan but 7% higher than the national average. The housing cost is 3% higher in Concord than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated through a national average of 100. This means a score of 95 would suggest that the cost of living is 5% below the national average, while a score of 105 would mean that the cost of living is 5% above the national average.  

The Concord real estate market is a competitive one. The housing sector is witnessing extensive development with several upcoming and new condominiums near the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. This area is attracting attention due to the presence of a subway that allows easy access to Downtown, Toronto. Residential areas in other parts of the neighbourhood mainly have single detached homes. Such homes make up around half of the housing units in Concord. Townhouses and large apartment buildings account for the rest. About 45% of the existing houses in Concord developed after the year 2000. Many of the remaining properties date back to the 1960s and 1980s. While homeowners occupy 80% of the housing units in Concord, tenants occupy around 20%. Buyers can find housing units of good sizes in this neighbourhood, ranging from lofts to spacious four-bedroom homes.