How much do Torontonians love their neighbourhoods?
Torontonians love their city. They also love their neighbourhoods and in the last few years, (cough, Rob Ford), more of them have become politically active (see #Topoli and #WITOpoli on Twitter.)
These neighbourhood-branded toques from TuckShop Co. made me wonder about how much and why we like our neighbourhoods. I like mine because it feels like a neighbourhood. I know people, they know me and I can walk our high street and pick up everything I need without resorting to the Metro that sucks your soul.
It is also convenient subway-wise. Well, until they close the subway for track repairs from Eglinton to St. Clair in 2014. That is going to be interesting. (I want to say shitshow but I think Andy Byford does consider suggestions). Josh Matlow has said that he’s hoping to minimize the congestion. One such suggestion is having a dedicated bus lane.
But I digress. How loyal are we? Well, there are the comments that “I’d never go north of Bloor,” fully committing to the downtown core.
I asked via Twitter:
How loyal are you to your neighbourhood? Would you move somewhere else?
— Renee S-Williams (@reneeswilliams) October 3, 2013
and got a few responses. Obviously this isn’t an actual poll but the responses confirmed that people commit to their neighbourhoods.
@reneeswilliams we didn’t want to move outside a 4 block radius. Luckily we aren’t.
— Kat Armstrong (@kitten_arms) October 3, 2013
@reneeswilliams I love my hood. I would consider moving elsewhere if I had easy access to similar amenities and cheap cost of living
— Karen Geier (@karengeier) October 3, 2013
I’d move somewhere else but I also love my ‘hood RT @reneeswilliams: How loyal are you to your neighbourhood? Would you move somewhere else?
— Septembre Anderson (@SeptembreA) October 3, 2013
@reneeswilliams No. We likely have to move in a couple yrs and purposely want to stay in our neighbourhood.
— Nicholas (@Nicholas_SW) October 3, 2013
I also asked on Facebook and got a variety of answers. What I learned from these conversations is that people really do like their neighbourhoods but the ones who wouldn’t move had everything they needed: location, transit and amenities.
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Bahar Niramwalla I’m in the midst of 1 of the most densely condo-populated areas in Canada (as far as I read) at Bathurst and Lakeshore. Frustrating because: consistent construction from new buildings, streetcar uprooting along the entire lakeshore/queensquay area, traffic that makes you want to cry and rent $ too high to be considered reasonable. All around, it’s worth a move back to either my or the boys old neighbourhoods (queen W and St. Lawrence mrkt, respectively).
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Anne Cayer Not really, if I can’t walk to Kensington, I’m not likely to live there… -
Gretchen Drummie Love my hood … Wouldn’t move unless its the bridal path or something of that ilk so since that isn’t likely to happen … -
Celia Hammond Not loyal to mine. I don’t dislike it, but it’s a schlep to get anywhere and not very exciting. -
Sabrina Tricarico New York City -
Anita Clarke Not if I can help it. -
Ryan Emberley Yes. I can’t wait to move. -
Lisa Ng I’ve lived in 5 ‘hoods all thru U of T until now. I liked something about each one and it gave me the chance to explore each area like a true local. -
Nelia Bekbulatova I love my new hood!!! Patisseries, restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, transit – all steps away. We bought hoping to stay forever! Fingers crossed. -
Barbara Sylvestre-Williams Love my area but if kids need better school we are willing to move…even to burbs. -
Renée Sylvestre-Williams Argh, the ‘burbs. -
Barbara Sylvestre-Williams I know…..but kids are first…
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Mia Karasz I cannot break up with my relationship with the Annex. It’s been 12 years. -
Angelica Moreno I would love to buy a house in my area but there’s no way we can afford it so yeah, I’ll move. The good thing about Toronto is that there are a lot of interesting and good neighbourhoods. -
Gail McInnes I’ll be a west end gal till the end of my days if I have anything to do with it. Love where I live.-
Sinead Dennehy I love this city. I love love my neighbourhood, but there are several I would consider
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Diane Campbell I’d say I’m pretty loyal. But if another neighbourhood wowed me over, I might consider it.
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