City-Centre, Simcoe

City Centre is a charming neighbourhood in Simcoe County. The neighbourhood is a sight of architectural magnificence and heritage buildings. The area was first established during the War of 1812 as a supply depot for British forces. It features affluent housing, top-notch road connectivity and all the modern amenities required for a comfortable lifestyle. Additionally, it is home to a growing technology industry. Overall, City Centre's real estate market is stable and thriving.

The City Centre neighbourhood has a livability score of 68 out of 100, considered average. It is equipped with high-end modern amenities rated as A+. The neighbourhood is home to a number of reputed schools that ensure diverse curricula and well-structured education. The cost of living is low and fairly suits all income groups. Unemployment is on the higher end and is considered a significant issue. The following table will help you get a better insight into a few of the many important aspects that make up the liveability score of the area:

The people of City Centre have a fairly good income rate. It is slightly less than the income rate of Ontario. The unemployment rate here is 43% lower than the national average, which points to the locality's growing economy. City Centre is home to a majority of English speakers. This indicates cultural homogeneity in the region. Only 0.01% speak French, whereas 7.19% speak both English and French.

The neighbourhood of City Centre features top-notch social infrastructure. It has a number of reputed schools and quality healthcare centres that provide a wide range of healthcare services. There are a number of shopping centres, heritage sites, entertainment zones, parks, trails and top-rated dining restaurants in this Simcoe neighbourhood.

Schools

City Centre has many reputed schools with well-designed curricula and learning activities. Some of them are:

• Elgin Avenue School
• Simcoe Composite School
• North School Cluster
• West Lynn Public School

Restaurants

The neighbourhood is home to multiple dining options which serve delicious cuisines and mouth-watering snacks. Some of the popular options that you can visit during your City Centre visit are:

• Ferrera
• The Garden Restaurant
• Barrel Restaurant
• Simcoe Arms
• Wimpy's Dinner
• Taj Shan Express
• Lily's Tacos
• Tito's Pizza
• Swiss Chalet
• The Shire
• Boston Pizza

Shopping Malls

The City Centre area is covered by dozens of opulent shopping centres. These shopping centres meet a wide range of customer needs. Many of the wealthy retail malls include:

• Simcoe Town Centre
• Simcoe Mall
• White Horse Plaza
• Norfolk Mall
• 416 Main

Hospitals

The neighbourhood has properly maintained hospitals that provide quality healthcare facilities. One can avail of a wide range of specialised treatments at:

• Norfolk General Hospital
• Mental Health Resources
• Queensway Medical Clinic

City Centre in Barrie is home to numerous popular locations like lush green parks, breweries, historical sites and farms. One can spend quality time with family and friends by exploring the neighbourhood of City Centre and nearby places. Some of the top-rated places to visit are:

Barrie Centennial Park

You can have a fun time with kids and family at Barrie Centennial Park. This popular park is a sizable green area with a view of Kempenfelt Bay that features a wide white sand beach, a giant wooden walkway, and a playground for kids with a variety of play structures. Five lifeguards are employed to ensure the safety of the visitors due to the size of the beach. However, during the off-season, there are no lifeguards on duty. The walkway is wide enough for two persons to walk parallel to one another in either direction, and it offers unimpeded views of the lake. In addition to the typical swing, slide, and monkey bars, the play area also features climbing walls, a cable car, and other activities for kids.

Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery

This is a must-visit place for one of its kinds of brewery experiences. The Flying Monkeys is a company at the forefront of Ontario's craft beer revolution, creating award-winning brews in their distinctive riverfront brewery. It is located in the heart of Barrie's Colonial District. You can see the realm of craft brewing on what is regarded as one of the warmest, most welcoming excursions around. Stop by anytime to the Tap Room to taste either of its 16 tap beers and delicious regional cuisine.

Spirit Catcher Sculpture

The Sculpture Bird, also known as Dream Catcher or Spirit Catcher, is a sculpture that may be found in Barrie, Ontario, on the edge of Kempenfelt Bay. The artwork is a prominent feature on the waterfront in Barrie and acts as both a gathering spot and nautical assistance for both tourists and locals. The sculpture's placement sparked an ongoing campaign to erect various works of art throughout the city. It is a must-visit spot to marvel at the artistry of the spirit catcher sculptor.

Sunnidale Park

Sunnidale Park is a huge public park containing a variety of plants, wildlife, meadows, and woodlands. The park is embellished with a variety of vibrant, spacious landscapes and a variety of different species of trees. There are registration tags on many of the flowers and trees. Vast expanses of grassy pastures and cobblestone walkways into the woodland are dotted with wild flora and shrubs. An orchard is connected to the main walkway. You can spend quality time strolling, birdwatching, and sightseeing. A spacious playroom, pit restrooms, a car park, an off-leash dog area, and the Dorian Parker Center are a few of the various Sunnidale Park amenities.

The City Centre neighbourhood is an ideal place for a wide range of outdoor activities. Its fun-filled parks, lush greenery, and heritage sites make up exciting spots for family time. There is a wide range of exciting things to do with family and friends here.

Visit the Barrie Antique Centre

It is popularly known as Sanford and Son. If you are a fan of vintage and antique goods, this store is a safe haven for you. It has large collections of unique period products, victorian artefacts and jewellery gifts. It has a diverse collection of gifts ranging from porcelain vases to Victorian jewellery. The store is equipped with two floors and is a must-visit in the City Centre region.

Outdoor Activities at Sunnidale Park

Sunnidale Park is the perfect spot to spend a weekend with family and kids. You will find a wide range of outdoor activities to do amidst the lush green meadows and beautiful scenery of this park. From strolling with friends to going on a short adventure trail, Sunnidale Park has it all. A stroll across the lush green walkways is sure to uplift your mood. Several viewing benches line the walkways, which are useful for birdwatching or listening to the birds singing. You can get views of numerous squirrels making their way to the huge trees. Spend a day picnicking with family amidst the natural beauty of this park. It is a pet-friendly park and has a well-maintained parking space.

City Centre has amazing and well-maintained connectivity to nearby areas. The wide roads ensure smooth travel, and you can drive to popular towns like Princeton Woods, Bayshore, Ardagh and Innis Shore. Here are some of the prominent locations in and around the neighbourhood, along with their approximate distance and commute time:

• The nearest Railway station is Allandale Waterfront GO Railway station which is located at a distance of 2.1km from Barrie.
• Lake Simcoe Regional Airport is at a distance of 19.2km and takes a 15-minute drive from City Centre, Barrie.
• The quaint neighbourhood of Ardagh with top-notch amenities is at a distance of 3.4km from Cty Centre.
• Innis shore is 5.1 km away, whereas the Bayshore is located at a distance of 3.5km from the neighbourhood.

City Centre in Barrie is home to one of the most popular Farmers' markets in the region. It also has a number of town centres, retail shops and shopping centres to take care of your shopping needs. Some of the most-visited shopping places in the vicinity are:

Simcoe Town Centre

This is an elevated mall with architecture that has a hint of antique design. It features 1980s-era cobbled flooring. There are several different retail stores and supermarket outlets where you can shop. The food court has a wide variety of culinary options, and there is a gaming area with kiddie attractions. The Ardene, Bubbles Coin Laundry, Dollar Stop, and Big Tiger are a few of the well-known establishments in this area.

Barrie Farmers' Market

This indoor market is the focal point of bakers, farmers and artists of the town. It functions every Saturday morning from 8 AM to 12 noon at the Historic Barrie City Hall. One can find fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally on farms. It also offers baked goods, handmade chocolates, dairy eggs, meat, and flowers. The market was started in 1846 to boost the growing agricultural community of Simcoe.

The demographic character of City Centre in Barrie is rich in diversity. The area has 4047 people, while the density is 3420 people for every square kilometre. The City Centre population-associated data is as follows:

There is a wide range of activities you can do in City Centre with your kids and pets.

• Sunnidale Park is the perfect spot to spend fun-filled quality time with both kids and pets. It is equipped with large playgrounds and has off-leash dog facilities too.
• You can accompany your kids to Smart Moves Play Place and Ardagh Bluffs. Additionally, you can take your kids to Heritage park, which has plenty of playground options.
• You can spend leisure time with your furry buddies at the Barrie Dog Off-Leash Recreational Area.

The cost of living in City Centre is fairly moderate compared to Ontario. The neighbourhood's cost of living is 8% lower than the national average. While utility and transportation account for the highest share of expenditure, housing is highly affordable. The following table provides further insight into the cost of living aspect of the neighbourhood:

The median listing price in City Centre, Ontario, is $615,754. Properties typically stay on the market for 33 days on average. There are several affluent townhouses, condos, bungalows, apartments and semi-detached homes available in the City Centre neighbourhood. Usually, prices fall between $690K for two-bedroom townhouses. Multiple City Centre houses are available for buyers at budget-friendly prices. Overall, the City Centre real estate market is stable and growing steadily.