Downtown, Peterborough

Downtown Peterborough is one of the most coveted residential areas in Peterborough. The area is ideal for all working professionals as several offices are nearby. It is also one of the busiest neighbourhoods, with great malls and shopping centres. The Otonabee River outlines the area on the east, Sherbrooke Street on the south, Aylmer Street on the west, and McDonnel Street on the north. You get to try out different cafes and experience the rich culture of Canada when you are in the Downtown neighbourhood. The place is also popular for being one of the leading manufacturing communities in Canada. The locality is about an hour away from Toronto and has some of the best schools in the country. In 1861, the entire neighbourhood had to be rebuilt after a fire broke out and destroyed the place. There is an ocean of buildings that surrounds the place.

Downtown is a job-dense area and is considered the central landmark of Peterborough. The place is not only an important shopping centre, but it is also an urban growth centre. It is one of the most coveted areas for real estate too. The neighbourhood is also known for its pet-friendliness. The Downtown neighbourhood also boasts a lavish lifestyle with several retail outlets in the vicinity. As per the following table, the livability score depends on factors like employment, crime rate, cost of living in Downtown, presence of local amenities, etc.

Downtown is known for its rich cultural heritage. It is close to museums and theatres where people can explore different avenues. It also has a busy festive calendar. Public art, like graffiti, is also common in the Downtown area. The area is a prominent employment hub; it is considered one of the best places to work in Canada. Downtown's real estate market is going off the charts as it transforms into a prime settlement place. The median household income of the locality stands at $87,266. The average unemployment rate is 4% and about 76% of the population is in the labour force. The number of people employed here is higher than in all the other neighbourhoods of Peterborough. Most people in Downtown are fluent in English and French, Canada's official language. About 91.9% of the population speak English and the remaining 8.1% of the population speak Spanish or French.

The Downtown area has multiple amenities that can be availed of by all its residents and the tourists who visit the area. The place is an important landmark of the city; hence, it is quite close to some of the most prominent restaurants like Fresh Dreams, Gerti's, cafes, entertainment hubs like The Canadian Canoe Museum, etc. In addition, it is home to some of the best hospitals and shopping centres in Peterborough.

Schools

Downtown has some of the best schools in Peterborough. People from all over the city have enrolled their children in these schools. Downtown should be your preferred choice if you are looking for a residential area with some of the best schools. The top schools in the area are listed below:

• King George Public School
• Kaawaate East City Public School
• The Children's Montessori & Preparatory School
• Queen Mary Public School
• Prince of Wales Public School

Restaurants

The Downtown neighbourhood is also a primary spot for meetups and get-togethers. Several restaurants and cafes in this area have the best food and a cosy ambience. You can come with your friends or family to these cafes and restaurants. The best eateries in the neighbourhood include the following:

• Fresh Dreams
• Gerti's
• St Veronus Café and Tap Room
• Amandala's Restaurant
• Ashburnham Ale House
• Taso’s Restaurant and Pizzeria

Shopping Centres/Malls

The shopping malls Downtown have some of the best retail stores. These malls have a mix of international and local brands, and you may find great deals at almost all the stores that are a part of these shopping centres. The best shopping centres in the area are the following:

• Downtown Peterborough
• Peterborough Square
• Lansdowne Place
• Parkway Centre

Medical Facilities

The Downtown neighbourhood has a range of premium medical facilities, as some of the best hospitals and clinics are a part of this area. You will find all kinds of doctors, like physicians, cardiologists, mental health specialists, etc. Some of the best hospitals in the area include the following:

• Peterborough Regional Health Centre
• The Medical Centre
• The Peterborough Clinic
• The Family and Youth Clinic

There are several cafes and restaurants in the Downtown Area. Hence, the area is always bustling with people. Visitors travel to this place by foot or vehicle, and there is space for everyone. From cafes to art museums, you will find some of the best attractions of Peterborough in Downtown. You can attend the much coveted Peterborough music fest if you are in Downtown. You can also visit the Canadian Canoe Museum, as it gains much traction throughout the day. In addition, there are several nearby stores like the Neighborhood Vintage, Tribal Voices, and the Food Shop that people can visit and explore. There are many other interesting attractions that you can visit if you are in or around Downtown Peterborough, such as the Del Crary Park, Publican House Brewery & Pub, Showplace Performance Centre, and Jackson Park.

Canadian Canoe Museum

The Canadian Canoe Museum is one of the most coveted places in Downtown. The place aims to treasure the rich heritage of Canada. The place is a home to several workshops and art classes. You can enroll in these workshops at a nominal price.

Del Crary Park

The Del Crary Park is one of the most happenning places in Downtown. It is the hub for some of the most coveted music festivals and fairs. The park has a little lake in the centre that adds to the beauty of the place.

Jackson Park

Jackson Park is a popular place in Downtown where people from all the age groups gather to spend their evenings. The park is full of greenery and is an ideal place for kids and pets. The park also has some of the best gardens and fountains that make the place even more refreshing.

Besides being one of the best neighbourhoods in the city, Downtown Peterborough has a lot to offer to the residents of the place. You can visit several boutique stores situated close to the shopping mall. You can also explore some of the best cafes like the Cork and Bean Peterborough, Turnbull Café, and Speak Easy Café if you are looking for a fun place to enjoy a good meal. In addition, there are several other things that you can do if you are in Downtown, such as:

A Butter Tart Tour

The area is quite popular for its tart. Hence, you can go on a butter tart tour to all the cafes in the neighbourhood and try a variety of butter tarts. The Whistle Stop Café, Electric City Bread Company, and Black Honey Desserts are some of the best cafes for this tour.

Indulge in Art and Culture

Downtown is the best place to satiate your interests if you are an art and culture enthusiast. You can go to several art shows nearby and enjoy the exhibitions. You must visit the Market Hall, the Venue, and the Art Gallery of Peterborough. If you are in the neighbourhood during summer, visit the Peterborough Music Fest.

Downtown, one of the major commercial hubs, has the advantage of having several prominent locations within close distance. Below is some detailed information about the distance and commute to a few popular locations.

• The distance between Downtown and Peterborough Airport is 8.4 kilometres, which takes 16 minutes via car.
• The Kawartha Lakes Railway Station is only a kilometre away from Downtown. You can take a cab and reach the station in two minutes.
• The Toronto Union Station is about 140 kilometres from Downtown, and a car or bus can cover this distance in 1.5 hours.

As Downtown is transforming into a residential hub, several markets are building their presence in the area. These markets are easily accessible if you stay in and around Downtown.

Farmers' Market

• Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market
• Peterborough Regional Farmers Market
• Peterborough Wednesday Farmers Market

The Peterborough Wednesday Farmers' Market

These farmers' markets are quite popular among the locals as they offer some of the best deals and prices. The Wednesday Market is operational from 8 am to 1 pm. The market is generally set up at Peterborough Square Courtyard and Charlotte Street between George and Water. From local farms and companies, you will find the freshest food, best-tasting loaves of bread and sweets, ready-to-eat meals, cheese, wine, and a wide range of other products. The Regional Farmers' Market has a festive atmosphere full of food vendors, local artists, and musicians.

The term "demographic" refers to the statistical details of human populations (such as age or income). The population density of Downtown is about 1,324, which is quite high compared to the national average. This is because the area is quite lucrative, and there are several new residents who are now a part of Downtown. The Downtown population growth and associated data and services are as follows:

Downtown is synonymous with kids, and pet-friendly neighbourhoods as several cafes are specially designed keeping in mind the requirements of kids and pets. If you’re planning a fun day with your pets then several dog parks in Peterborough would be a perfect choice. You can visit the Beavermead Park, Jackson Park or the Millennium Park to have an adventure packed day with your fur friends. If you want your kids to engage in exciting activities, you can take them cycling. You can also make them try the highest lift lock in the world or take them to some of the bakeries nearby. Some other places that you can visit with your kids in Downtown include the Peterborough Lift Lock, The Canadian Canoe Museum, Riverview Park and Zoo, Indian River Reptile Zoo and the Del Crary Park.

The cost of living for a single person in Downtown is $1263. If you live in a family of 4, it can go up to $281,700.40. The cost-of-living index is calculated using the national average of 100. A score of 90 indicates that the cost of living is 10% less than the national average, while a score of 110 indicates that the cost of living is 10% more than the national average. The cost of living in Downtown isn't known, so estimations based on surrounding cities were produced. Important data indicate that:

Downtown's housing market is quite competitive. Several residential buildings are being constructed as the neighbourhood aims to accommodate 32,000 new residents. The area's real estate is quite lucrative as it is a prime location in the city. It is also reorienting its efforts to control ungoverned growth while upholding and preserving its natural and cultural legacy. According to recent Downtown MLS statistics, the median home price is $487,950, and 13 new properties have appeared in the last 56 days. According to data on Downtown housing, a home spends 43 days on average on the market. Peterborough has the virtue of not having been overdeveloped; it is still in its early phases, which makes it a fantastic investment opportunity for those looking to invest in a real estate property.