Highbush, Durham

Highbush is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Pickering, Ontario, located within the Durham Region. It is situated along the border between Toronto and Pickering. The neighbourhood is popular for its rich natural beauty and intimate lifestyle. It is a relatively less urbanised area that offers a suburban environment. Famous for its numerous parks, Highbush is home to multiple trails, creeks, and preserved lands.

Detached homes, semi-detached homes, and townhouses are some popular housing types in this neighbourhood. Its residential landscape, including spacious and small homes, is dominated by vintage cottage-style architecture. The Rouge National Urban Park borders the neighbourhood to the west, with Petticoat Creek and the Altona Forest to its east. Transit options like the Altona Road, Highway 401, and CN railway line are easily accessible from this area.

Residents of Highbush enjoy a rich social life. Parks like Pinegrove Park, Woodview Tot Lot, and the Altona Forest foster a close-knit environment. While other landmarks like the L’Artist Gallery & Boutique and Brookdale Centre provide multiple entertainment options.

Highbush is a peaceful neighbourhood, with crime rates averaging 53% lower than the national average. It is safer than 72% of the cities in Ontario. Violent crime rates in Highbush are 51% lower than the national average. Only 1 in 51 residents stand a chance of falling victim to a violent crime. Here is a detailed account of the same:

Highbush showcases rich diversity, with residents belonging to different backgrounds. Some popular minority groups include South Asians (27.4%), Blacks (13.3%), and Chinese (3.2%). There are also multiple visible minorities in this area. Despite this diversity, English remains the popular language in the area.

Pickering’s Highbush neighbourhood has showcased favourable income and employment trends. The area’s median income is 73% higher than the national average, while unemployment levels are 1% lower. Highbush’s 9.8% of the total population earns between $80,000 and $100,000. Key trends are detailed below:

Highbush connects readily to Pickering’s other neighbourhoods. Some nearby neighbourhoods are listed below:

• Roguemount
• Amberlea
• West Shore
• Dunbarton
• Woodlands

Schools

Multiple schooling options are available in Highbush. These include public schools, Catholic schools, and others. They offer primary and secondary levels of education. Some options include:

• Westcreek Public School
• Highbush Public School
• Altona Forest Public School
• St. Monica Catholic School
• St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School

Restaurants

Highbush features multiple restaurants and local eateries. From streetside snacks to international cuisines, these offer a variety of choices. Some popular restaurants are:

• Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
• Kobo Gourmet
• Kathryn’s Diner
• New Knight’s Corner Pub & Grill
• Banban (Pickering)

Shopping Malls

While Highbush does not have many shopping facilities, it is close to Pickering’s other popular malls and retail hubs. These include shopping plazas, regional malls, and convenience stores. Some easily accessible options are:

• Brookdale Centre
• Steeple Hill Shopping Centre
• Whites Road Shopping Centre
• The Shops at Pickering City Centre
• Amberlea Shopping Centre

Hospitals

Residents in Highbush can comfortably access multiple hospitals located in Pickering and nearby neighbourhoods. These provide reliable healthcare and medical assistance. Some nearby hospitals are:

• Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering Hospital
• Markham Stoufville Hospital
• Scarborough Health Network - Centenary Hospital

Explore some famous landmarks near Pickering’s Highbush neighbourhood below:

Altona Forest

Spanning 102 acres, this forest is one of Highbush’s most famous attractions. It is a part of the protected Rouge-Duffins Wildlife Corridor, where visitors can enjoy scenic hikes, trails, walks, and marshlands.

Rogue National Urban Park

Part of the Rouge-Duffins watershed, the Rogue National Urban Park provides expansive 40 square kilometres of parkland. Visitors can also explore rich and rare wildlife along with its mesmerising greenery.

L’Artist Gallery & Boutique

An elegant art gallery owned by Paul Lafrance and his wife. The gallery mesmerises with its rich decor and stunning art collection. Popular showcases include photographs, glasswork, art pieces, jewellery, and more.

Highbush provides a spirited and colourful social life. Here are popular leisure activities to do in this neighbourhood:

Visit George Ashe Library and Community Centre

The library offers studying, reading, book discussions, and other facilities. The community centre can further be booked for special events and celebrations.

Shop at Brookdale Centre

It is located on Kingston Road and is a major shopping centre in Pickering. The Brookdale Centre has multiple outlets, including The Home Depot, Food Basics, and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Dine at Popular Restaurants

From international cuisines to karaoke setups, restaurants near Highbush have much to offer. Some popular options include Thai One On and Knight Corner Pub.

• Altona Forest is 2.2 km from Highbush.
• Rogue National Urban Park is 6.6 km away.
• Brookdale Centre is located at a distance of 3.8 km.
• George Ashe Library and Community Centre is less than a kilometre from Highbush.
• Pinegrove Park, Chickadee Park and Woodview Tot Lot are less than 3 km from this neighbourhood.
• Westcreek Public School and Highbush Public School are about 2 km away.
• Restaurants like Thai One On and New Knight’s Corner Pub & Grill are less than 2 km away.
• Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering Hospital and Scarborough Health Network Centenary Hospital are less than 13 km from Highbush.

Some of Pickering’s popular markets close to Highbush include:

FreshCo Kingston & Whites

Located at 650 Kingston Rd. in Pickering, FreshCo offers a range of affordable groceries. The market is just over a kilometre from Highbush and provides fresh produce, meat, bakery items, and more.

M&M Food Market

M&M Food Market in Pickering is located at 705 Kingston Road. Buyers prefer it for frozen items, including appetisers, desserts, prepared meals, bakery items, and more.

Food Basics, Pickering

Food Basics’ Pickering outlet is located at 1105 Kingston Rd. It is known for offering budget-friendly grocery items and can be reached within ten minutes from Highbush.

Highbush has a population density that’s 702% lower than Pickering’s. It also houses much younger residents, with a 7% lower median age being 7% lower than Pickering. Here are key demographic details of this neighbourhood:

Visit the Altona Forest

A family vacation at the famous Altona Forest promises a remarkable experience. Visitors can indulge in hiking, walks, and other activities.

Tasteful Dining

Families can explore international flavours at the various restaurants in the Pickering neighbourhood.

Enjoy Local Parks

Highbush is full of lush greens. Parks like Pinegrove Park and Woodview Tot Lot provide expansive play areas for children and pets.

Compared to Pickering’s other neighbourhoods, Highbush offers a more affordable lifestyle. The cost of living in this neighbourhood is 6% lower than Pickering’s average. Utility, transportation, and goods & services are some of its high-priced markets. The table below provides a detailed overview:

Highbush’s housing market offers both sale and rental choices. Property for sale in this neighbourhood ranges from $1.44 million to $2.88 million. At the same time, rental properties range from $3,000 to $8,000. Homebuyers can find a mix of large and small housing options in Highbush. Popular property types in this area include semi-detached homes, detached homes, and townhouses.