The Vibe

Pickering straddles Toronto’s Scarborough border where Canada’s only urban National Park resides. As a result, this little city offers a surprising selection of upscale neighbourhoods sitting atop this quiet, pristine valley. While this isn’t all that Pickering offers, it does help set the tone where the combination of a short commute, beautiful homes, lakefront trails, sprawling pastoral farms and high-class equestrian centres creates Pickering’s unexpected posh feel.

The Story

In the early 19th century, Pickering was inhabited by the Mississaugas. The first European settlers arrived in Pickering Village in 1802 although the area was surveyed as far back as 1791. In 1923, as part of the Williams Treaties, the land extending from Ajax/Pickering in the south to Alderville, Curve Lake, Rice Lake and Scugog Lake to the north was acquired from the Mississaugas.

By 1825 there were an estimated 800 settlers living in the Township of Pickering which relied on the heavily wooded area to support three sawmills and a budding shipbuilding industry. It was also richly farmed by setllers from Britain and the United States leading to a population boom to over 6,000 by 1850.

Around this time, Pickering became a county and in the 1870s, a lighthouse, wharf and grain elevator built at Frenchman’s Bay led to the development of a small village by the lake.

It wasn’t until the end of World War II that development increased, attracting more people to the area in the 1950s. Its proximity to Toronto saw further housing development in the 1960s as well as the establishment of many manufacturing companies attracted by the convenient transportation routes.

The construction of the Pickering nuclear generating station just east of Frenchman’s Bay in 1965 furthered growth and in 1974, the township was divided. The villages of Brougham, Claremont, Green River, Greenwood and Whitevale remained in the town of Pickering while the remaining areas joined the town of Ajax. Pickering wasn’t incorporated as a city until 2000.

Today, Pickering offers a diverse selection of neighbourhoods heavily populated by detached homes, some pockets of historic houses and lovely sprawling estate-like properties to the north. However, subdivisions, both new and old, offer a respectful and growing number of condo apartments, townhouses and semis providing something for everyone.

Popular neighbourhoods include upscale Rougemont adjacent to Rouge River Park, family-friendly Dunbarton known for its top-rated schools and amenities, and secluded Rosebank with its quiet streets snuggled along the most desirable stretch of Pickering’s waterfront trails.

The Convenience

You can’t get closer to Toronto’s eastern border than Pickering, with its easy 30-minute commute sans the traffic. About 10 minutes to the 404/Don Valley, Pickering also offers train and bus services from the Pickering GO station as well as access across Durham via Durham Region Transit.

The Shops on Pickering at Kingston Road and Brock are centrally located, along with a selection of popular retail and restaurant chains. The recently completed Pickering Casino Resort adds a spark to Pickering’s nightlife while a respectable variety of upscale dining experiences are perfect for a swish dinner or top-shelf drinks.

Pickering’s idyllic family neighbourhoods boast high ranking schools including Rosebank, Rougemount, and Dunbarton. Year-round family fun abounds at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex with its swimming pool, rinks, fitness centre, racquet sport courts and a wide variety of classes and events.

There’s also plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy including skating in the winter, waterfront trails and parks for picnics, hiking and biking, and educational experiences at Pickering Museum Village. You’re also less than an hour away from skiing and snowboarding at Dagmar.

The Residents

Pickering’s population has yet to hit the 100,000 mark, hoovering at just over 99,000. More than 10% of the population earns $100,000 or more a year, with some stats showing the average household income as high as $149,000. This places the city quite a bit higher than Ontario’s average of $116,000. The diverse community includes a good mix of people from varying backgrounds, building on the multicultural feel of a community committed to inclusiveness.

The Best Part

It’s a tossup between the picture-perfect natural surroundings of Canada’s only urban National Park and the fun-loving Nautical Village at the foot of Liverpool. But we think the Village wins. Its beach town vibe offers a bit of everything from ice cream and fresh baked goods to fun waterfront dining spots and free live music to what feels like a random pop-up of local merchants selling their wares on The Porch.