I grew up in what was once the east end of Guelph, but what’s now almost… east/central? We lived close to Ottawa Crescent Public School. I still love that part of town, as do my parents who, I’m pretty sure, will never move.
I’ve been a ‘downtowner’ since I moved back to Guelph many years ago. I embraced everything that urban living had to offer, and I loved my little cottage in the heart of the city. But, one hubby, one daughter, two dogs and a cat later and… we needed to more room to roam.
Guelph’s east end was on our radar, albeit not at the top of our list. We were primarily moving in order to switch into a school district that met some specific criteria. The ‘far east’ part of the Guelph’s east end was on the list, but we weren’t quite sold on it. But, timing, fate, and finding the right place… voila… I’m an east-ender all over again.
I’m happy I made the move. Yes, I know some people mock the east end a little, and we’ve even joked about our new life in the ‘boonies.’ But, honestly, this part of town has so much going for it. I’ll give you five reasons you should give Guelph’s east end a chance.
Your Purchasing Dollar Goes Further Here
No, it’s not cheap to buy a home in the east end of Guelph. It’s not cheap to buy a home anywhere in Guelph. But, your dollar goes further in the east end than it does in the south end or even in the west end. You can buy a single detached home in Guelph’s east end for about what you’d pay for a comparable townhouse or semi-detached home in the south end. (At least for now.)
We’ve got a good variety of housing options in the east end. I’ve helped people buy and sell entry-level townhomes here, apartment-style condos, and of course detached homes of all shapes, sizes, and price points.
In the newer parts of the east end, that is… east of Victoria Road in what we in “real estate land” call Grange Road or Grange Hill, the lots aren’t huge. A 40-foot lot is considered a premium here. And admittedly we lack the beautiful, mature lots of some of the more mature east end neighbourhoods. But it’s not a barren wasteland, and a lot of us are working hard to do our part in building up the community with trees and landscaping.
Many people are drawn here for the schools, and I’m certainly in that category. Our experience has been nothing but positive… A+, even!
Parks and Trails were Well Thought Out
Eastview Community Park is a sprawling spot with a new playground, concession stand, volleyball courts, several sports fields, and more to come.
As compared to some parts of town, I think the newer developments in the east end were planned with a little more thought and consideration to trails, green spaces, and parks. Within a quick walk from my house, which backs onto Severn Park, there is also the huge and growing Eastview Community Park, and a smaller park closer to Ken Danby and Holy Trinity schools. Actually, now that I think of it there is a third closeby off Watson, but… you get the idea.
As for trails, they are all over the place and they’re not only well-connected, they’re clearly marked with helpful signage for those of us who are directionally-challenged!
The trails nearby are great for walking and the obligatory “surprise your kid by throwing piles of snow at them” moments.
Is it a bit ‘cookie cutter’ far up east? Yes. Do I love that about the area? No. But this is life. We can’t all afford character homes with mature trees and huge lots. We’re all on a budget. And kids force us to be practical. Sometimes you have to let go of some character and privacy in order to get other things, like storage and proximity to schools and parks, when kids come on scene.
Older parts of the east end, closer to where I grew up around John F. Ross high school, offer the same benefits as we have in Grange Hill, but the homes have more character, generally speaking have larger lots, and certainly boast more mature trees that add landscaping interest and create privacy.
Great East End Eateries & Shops
Owner/Chef Joey at Elizabeth Street Eatery will present you with a meal that looks like a work of art – and tastes fabulous.
Little known fact: there are some really – and I mean really – good places to eat in the east end of Guelph! Lunch or dinner at Queen’s Cafe and Elizabeth Street Eatery literally never disappoints and parking is plentiful at both locations.
Breakfast or lunch at the Airpark Cafe is especially fun with kids – the double-whammy of good food and planes landing or taking off! I don’t know of another place in town that can compete with the homemade pierogies at Broken Street Bistro, and quite possibly the best thai food in the city is nearby at Na Ha Thai. Most days, I see hungry trades workers come in droves to the sandwich bar at Angelinos for lunch. I could go on… this isn’t even close to a full list of the great dining venues in Guelph’s east end.
True, the east side of town isn’t where you’ll find large chains or big-box stores, but I’d argue that’s part of the charm here. For those of us with a strong desire to shop local, it’s easy to do in the east end. In the Grange Plaza alone, you can have a great meal, treat yourself to a mani-pedi, get your hair styled, paint some pottery, drop the kids off for an awesome workout, and indulge in Guelph’s best coffee.
My point is, the notion that there’s nothing out here… it’s just that – a notion. Get out and about and you’ll find out quickly that you don’t really need to leave this part of town for much.
It’s Easy to Get Around… Mostly
As for the convenience of getting around, I will grant you that it’s all relative. Our gas mileage has gone up exponentially since moving from downtown with the latter being 1) so central to everything, and 2) easily walkable for groceries, etc.
Still, for the most part it’s fairly easy to get around. I can be in the south end in a few minutes and I will take Watson Parkway any day vs. the gridlock on Gordon Street, thank you very much.
Heading north or south out of town, and getting into the downtown… all easy. I will admit that the notable exception is having to trek out to the west end. One can only assume that, back in the day, urban planners had no ability to imagine that Guelph’s east end would expand so far or that our population would grow… or that people in the west and east might want to, you know… get together now and then! Bit of a pain, but I’ve learned to allow for more time and just take it in stride.
It’s Quiet
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a plane taking off or landing while you have breakfast or lunch at the Airpark Cafe.
Yes, yes I know there isn’t a ginormous grocery store right up in the farthest points of Guelph’s east end, and this is a sore point for a lot of people. For me, it’s honestly not. I say… be careful what you wish for. It’s a fairly quick trek to Zehrs, FoodBasics, and FreshCo
– and we’ve also got great options with Angelinos and Wellington Country Marketplace, the latter of which has a great outdoor play area for kids and a couple of seriously entertaining goats. Is it super convenient? No. Walkable? Sadly, no. But the lack of noise pollution and light pollution is something I really value, having had to live with both for so long in town.
Sure, we’d love some more amenities up here <<raises hand in hopes of an LCBO coming someday>> but in the meantime, we are fairly well covered and we have the benefit of some much-needed peace and quiet.
No part of town is perfect and there are pros and cons to every neighbourhood in Guelph. I really like the east end, and in fact since moving out here I’ve surprised myself by liking it even more than I had imagined. Living is easy here. I wake up, enjoy sunrises that I hadn’t seen for years living downtown, and I ease into most days with a coffee at my kitchen table, watching people with kids and dogs romp around the park out back.
Perfect? Maybe not. But it’s a good life, and I’m pretty sure I’m here to stay.
