Brooklin, Durham

Situated in the north of the peaceful town of Whitby, Ontario, the Brooklin neighbourhood was once a rural area. However, its exponential infrastructural development in the last few decades has made it a popular community among home seekers and investors alike. The beautiful neighbourhood offers plenty of amenities and opportunities for its residents. Home to John Dryden, the long-serving agricultural minister of Ontario, Brooklin was previously named Winchester. It was later renamed to avoid confusion with another village of the same name in Ontario. The neighbourhood of Brooklin was also featured in the music video of the famous song Ahead By a Century by The Tragically Hip. The neighbourhood is surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests on the north and the west. It offers affordable real estate, excellent amenities, top-notch educational facilities, and several recreational opportunities, making it perfect for families.

The Brooklin neighbourhood has an exceptional livability score, making it a friendly and safe place to settle in. It ranks better than 99% of areas in Ontario. In addition, it is a thriving neighbourhood that has seen significant development in the past decade. As a result, the area has ample recreational, employment, and real estate opportunities. Many homes in the Brooklin location are a mix of Georgian, Ontario Vernacular, and Victorian architecture, giving the community a beautiful and traditional look. With many shopping areas, hospital services, and schools located in the vicinity of the neighbourhood, Brooklin is quite popular among people. It grades high in amenities, schools, housing, and crime. However, the grade for employment and cost of living is relatively low. Here is a table that provides a summary of the living situation in Brooklin. The Brooklin neighbourhood is exceptionally safe. The crime rate here is 53% lower than the national average and 35% lower than in Ontario. It is also safer than 72% of cities in Ontario. This table will give you a detailed look into the crime rate in Brooklin in terms of violent crime and property crime.

People from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds live in the Brooklin neighbourhood. It is home to many iconic events throughout the year, including Brooklin Christmas, Brooklin Spring Fair, and Brooklin Harvest Festival. These events are family-friendly and a must-see during a Brooklin visit. The residents of the Brooklin neighbourhood earn reasonably well. The household income is 84% higher than the national average and 74% higher than Ontario. In addition, the labour force participation and unemployment rate are 9% and 54% higher than the national average, respectively. This table will give you a glimpse into the employment statistics of the neighbourhood. While home to people from different backgrounds, the Brooklin neighbourhood is dominated by English speakers.

Brooklin ranks high in amenities. It is home to top-grade shopping areas, hospitals, and schools. The neighbourhood is also well-connected to nearby towns and cities, thus allowing its residents to build a thriving life. Here is an overview of the amenities available in Brooklin.

Schools

Brooklin is home to several popular elementary schools and a high school. The neighbourhood is also located in the proximity of high schools that provide French-language instruction. Here is a list of elementary and high schools in and around Brooklin.

• Meadowcrest Public School
• Winchester Public School
• Brooklin Village Public School
• Brooklin High School
• Chris Hadfield Public School
• All Saints Catholic Secondary School
• Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute
• Saint Charles Garnier Catholic School

Restaurants

Brooklin also offers many upscale and affordable restaurants with a large variety of cuisines to its residents and tourists. Here are some of the most popular restaurants in the neighbourhood.

• Corrados Restaurant and Bar
• A Tavola Bistro
• Brooklin Pub
• Harvest Restaurant
• 1847 Wine and Beer Bistro
• Coffee Culture Cafe and Eatery
• The Goodberry
• Hinata Sushi and Asian Cuisine
• Bella Notte Ristorante
• El Dorado Golf and Restaurant
• The Vault

Shopping Mall

The Brooklin neighbourhood is well-connected to several popular shopping malls and centres. The biggest centre in the neighbourhood is the Brooklin Town Centre, located on Baldwin Street South. The centre has more than 30 stores, restaurants, eateries, and entertainment options. Here are some other popular shopping areas nearby.

• Brooklin Town Centre
• Oshawa Centre
• Pickering Town Centre
• Whitby Mall
• SmartCentres Whitby
• Upper Canada Mall

Hospitals

The Brooklin neighbourhood is well-connected to exceptional healthcare facilities and hospitals. They provide the best treatment facilities and are equipped with the latest technology.

• Lakeridge Health - Ajax and Pickering
• Markham Stouffville Hospital - Uxbridge
• Lakeridge Health Oshawa
• Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
• Lakeridge Health Whitby
• Brooklin Medical Centre

Centrally located in the town of Whitby, Brooklin has plenty of attractions and places to keep its residents and visitors happy and entertained. Here are some of the top places to visit in the neighbourhood.

Rotary Sunrise Lake Park

The Rotary Sunrise Lake Park is located south of Sky Zone and is an ideal place to spend a sunny day. The park features several trails for walking and running and a pretty view of the water. It also provides basic amenities and a small playground for kids, making it a perfect place for picnics.

Whispering Ridge Golf Course

Whispering Ridge is a midsize golf course known for providing value for money. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned player, the golf course can accommodate everyone. It is a must-visit if you are interested in golf.

Luther Vipond Memorial Area

The Luther Vipond Memorial Area is popular in Brooklin. Named after the famous lacrosse player Luther Earnest Vipond, the area features an arena, several tennis courts, a children’s playground, and a skateboard park.

Lynde Shores Conservation Area

Lynde Shores Conservation Area is counted amongst the local gems of Brooklin. It is known for its beauty, well-marked trails, and a wide variety of birds. In addition, the place is kid-friendly and is perfect for picnics.

The Brooklin neighbourhood has plenty of recreational and entertainment events to engage residents and tourists. From huge conservation areas to friendly park areas and libraries, the neighbourhood has a little something for everyone. Here are the top things to do in Brooklin.

Attend the Brooklin Harvest Festival

The Brooklin Harvest Festival is one of the most popular events in the Brooklin neighbourhood. The festival features a plethora of activities for kids and adults, along with several unique shops and live music. It is also pet-friendly, so you don’t have to leave your furry friend behind.

Spend a day at the Lynde Shores Conservation Area

The Lynde Shores Conservation Area is an ideal place for picnics. It is well-known for its cleanliness, trails, and variety of wildlife and birds. If you are a bird lover, this conservation area will not disappoint. You can easily see Chickadees, Blue Jays, and American Finch, among others, here.

Visit the Brooklin Spring Fair

The Brooklin Spring Fair happens annually in late May or early June. The fair has a history of over 100 years. It features carnival rides, live entertainment, food vendors, and agricultural exhibits, among many other things. It also hosts several competitions, including an ambassador competition, demolition derby, and pie-eating contest.

Brooklin is located at the south junction of highways 12 and 7 in Ontario. It is well-connected to many popular locations and is easily accessible by road and air travel. Here is the distance and approximate commute time between the Brooklin neighbourhood and some of the most popular locations in its vicinity.

• The Toronto Pearson International Airport is approximately 69.8 kilometres from Brooklin.
• Toronto is located approximately 64 kilometres from Brooklin.
• The Whitby GO Station is 12 kilometres from Brooklin, and the commute takes only 20-22 minutes.
• Oshawa is located 14 kilometres east of Brooklin.

Brooklin has many local markets that sell fresh produce, artisanal goods, trinkets, and crafts. Here are some of the most popular markets in the neighbourhood.

Brooklin Farmers’ Market

The Brooklin Farmers’ Market typically opens in May-June and provides almost everything, from groceries to gifts. It is located near Brooklin Library and allows visitors to buy locally and engage with the residents.

Whitby Farmers’ Market

The Brooklin Farmers’ Market features locally grown produce along with beautiful handcrafted items. It is a perfect place to buy essentials and have a fun day. The market is also pet-friendly, so you can take your furry friend along.

Oshawa Markets

Previously known as The Pickering Markets, Oshawa Markets is home to 300+ vendors, food courts, and a farmers market. The market features bath and beauty products, accessories, groceries, fresh produce, collectables, and more.

Brooklin boasts a diverse population, with people from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds calling it home. For example, 5.81% of the people living in Brooklin are Black, 5.02% are South Asian, 2.78% are Chinese, and 1.7% are Filipino. The median age is 8% lower than in Whitby. The total population in the neighbourhood is 23,230, with a population density of 2,785 per square kilometre. The population density is 195% higher than in Whitby. This table shows the demographics of the Brooklin neighbourhood in detail.

Brooklin has a plethora of fun activities to do with kids and pets. The Brooklin Community Centre and Library has plenty of facilities and fun activities for adults and children alike. The Grass Park is located centrally and is the perfect place to spend a relaxing day with family. The Brooklin Harvest Festival is also held here. Spend some time feeding birds at the Lynde Shores Conservation Area. The area is kids-friendly and is ideal for letting children enjoy the experience of feeding birds.

The average cost of living in Brooklin is 2% higher than the national average. However, it is 8% lower than Whitby's average, making it an affordable place to live compared to other neighbourhoods in Whitby. This table accurately summarises the cost of living situation in the Brooklin neighbourhood.

The median listing price in Brooklin is $1,197,312. As a part of urban Whitby, the neighbourhood has seen rapid population growth. Its safe and welcoming environment, along with a multitude of recreational opportunities and amenities, makes Brooklin a desirable option for home seekers. Most of the properties here are single detached homes. However, options like duplexes, apartments, row houses, and townhouses are also available. Brooklin real estate prices are currently seeing a decrease of 1.5% quarterly, and property stays on the market for a mere 9 days, making it an excellent time to invest.