The Vibe
Little Portugal is a place where generations of older families and newer families flock to an area that is as rich and vibrant as its residents!
The Story
Nestled on the west side of downtown in the "Old" city of Toronto lies Little Portugal, also known as “Portugal Village”. On the border is Lansdowne Ave to the west, College St. on the north and Bathurst St. on the south. Since 1950, the area has been predominantly Portuguese speaking with many Portuguese owned shops on College and Dundas St. Today, the neighbourhood is going through a little bit of a transitional stage as other ethnic groups of new Canadians find homes in Little Portugal. The older generation or the "baby boomers" who are looking to retire, are settling in homes outside of the GTA. Despite such a shift, Portugal Village is by far one of Toronto’s oldest areas that has been able to keep its traditional feel and influence. It can be seen on the streets, heard in the bars and beautiful aromas from traditional pastry shops can be smelled. In order to maintain the neighbourhood's unique quality, if you take a walk down the quiet residential streets and even store fronts on the main road, you will find that many of the homes have added splashes of colour and flair!
The Convenience
Independent boutiques, bars, pastry shops with tradition Portuguese delights and traditional Portuguese BBQ restaurants line the streets of Little Portugal. The area is serviced easily by subway, streetcar or bus. Preferred method of travel is walking because you don’t want to miss any of the small finds long the streets. Colourful Edwardian and Victorian style row semi and detached homes built in the 1900s, contain as much character and allure as one would expect. Many lofts and low-rise condominiums are being built in this area to accommodate the population growth in more recent years. The area is known to be a great place to grab a drink... or two. In the summer, you can be sure to find street festivities and outdoor patio entertainment.
The Residents
The most visible and vibrant ethnic group is predominantly Portuguese, where there is a wonderful mix of older and young families.
The Best Part
If you’re seeking a neighbourhood with visual and cultural interest and vibe that's urban cool, then Little Portugal may be the place for you!
Are you thinking about calling Little Portugal your new home?
Contact us today, and we can get started on finding you a home in this one-of-a-kind Toronto neighbourhood
