Cabbagetown
Cabbagetown is among Toronto's more affluent and popular neighbourhoods, with residents typically of a professional demographic and a penchant for the arts. The area is bounded by Wellesley Street East to the north, Shuter Street/Gerrard Street to the south, Parliament Street to the east, and Sherbourne Street to the west. The name "Cabbagetown" stems from the community's history back in the mid-1800's when thousands of Irish immigrants planted roots here. In an effort to feed their families, they would famously grow cabbages on their front lawns, hence the name "Cabbagetown" came to be.
Residents of this neighbourhood have a strong sense of community, which is evident in the meticulous maintenance of the area. In fact, the Cabbagetown Preservation Association was created in 1989 with the goal of preserving the architectural and historical character and charm of the community. There's no doubt that such efforts have played a key role in the preservation of the community's homes and impressive curb appeal along the streets.
Real estate
The majority of homes in Cabbagetown are the originals from when the community was first built, and go back to the 1860's to the late 1800's. Such architecture puts the unique history of the community on full display and provides the area with distinctly uniform streetscapes. Row houses are typical in Cabbagetown, many of which have been tastefully renovated while retaining their original charm.
Despite the predominance of tall and narrow homes in the area, a couple of condominiums have been erected over the recent past. The average home in Cabbagetown fetches around the $1 million mark, though some homes in the area command much more than that. Those looking for something more affordable might want to look for a fixer-upper (there are some that pop up on the market once in a while), or one of the newly-built condos.
Residents love their local cafes, bars, and shops, of which there are plenty in Cabbagetown. For those who like to shop for unique finds, Parliament Street features the 'Old Cabbagetown' shopping district with all sorts of charming shops and plenty of restaurants. There is also the smaller-scale shopping district along Carlton Street to take advantage of.
Locals can also shop in smaller shopping pockets along Wellesley Avenue, Gerrard Street, and Sherbourne Street. Each September, the Cabbagetown Fall Festival takes place and features a parade, mini marathon, yard sale, and historical walks.
Despite being in the centre of the city, Cabbagetown offers a little taste of the country thanks to Riverdale Farm, where residents can hang out with all sorts of livestock, including cows, chickens, and piglets. The farm's gift shop provides baked goodies for visitors to enjoy. The local park is often the scene of residents playing their favourite sport, letting their dogs roam free to make friends, or participating in an outdoor fitness group. Over the bridge from the park is a running track and espresso bars.