Toronto Uncovered

I recently decided to sell my East side, Jarvis and Adelaide condo and move West.  I’m definitely excited to re-immerse myself in everything the West side has to offer: more restaurants, more shopping, more culture, more parks and bike lanes, but I will definitely miss certain East-end-only features that  I have come to take for granted.  Below is a farewell tribute to the East end and everything it has to offer.

1. St Lawrence Market: I’ve been coming to the St. Lawrence market on Saturdays ever since I was old enough to walk on my own. My grandparents used to take me every weekend, introducing me to all the shop vendors and teaching me the art of  negotiation.  Toronto’s most famed market has a huge array of meat, cheese, baked goods and the freshest produce around.  If food isn’t your thing (if you people even exist), the St. Lawrence has a huge antiques market on Sundays. I blogged all about this recently, as I love to peruse new and used treasures. St. Lawrence, I will miss you!

2. Peace and quiet: The East end, while being close enough to walk to pretty much anything, is actually pretty quiet. I am rarely woken up at night by late partiers, streetcars, or sirens. The streets are rarely crowded no matter what time or temperature, making walks or bike rides enjoyably peaceful.

3. More for less: Whether you are renting or buying, the East end usually has larger apartments, houses and condos for much less.

4. Parking: There is actually parking readily available on most streets and for most grocery stores. This is something much harder to find in the West.

5. Hot House Sunday Brunch: There are few, if any, brunch spots in Toronto that out-do the Hot House Sunday brunch-capade. Their buffet is reminiscent of the scene in Hook where Pan and the lost boys use their imagination to create a grand feast. There is quite literally every type of food you can possibly imagine. SO GOOD!

6. Proximity to the Beach: I love the beach, and love to play volleyball there every weekend. I’m going to miss having it a 10 minute drive from my house – but wont hesitate to jump on my bike for an extra 20 minutes to get there.

East side, I bid you farewell.. West end here I come!

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