Niagara-on-the-Lake, one of Canada's prettiest towns has become a popular residential choice for people who enjoy culture, nature and a sense of community. Averton Square is building 20 bungalows with front porches close to the town’s centre.
Culture, history, wineries and nature attract home buyers of all ages
Imagine relaxing on a sprawling porch, reading a novel by a favourite author while sipping a cool glass of wine. A friend walks by and stops to chat until the day fades into a warm summer evening.
It's idyllic and dreamy, but you don't have to be pinched. It's real at Averton Square in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Each of these prestigious 20 bungalows by Averton Homes features an expansive front porch, harkening back to the days when people actually knew their neighbours and enjoyed chatting.
Meant as a transitional space between the home proper and the garden, porches were once popular in North America. But this slowly disappeared in the late-20th century as families moved from the front of their homes to the anonymity of their backyards and hamburger barbecues in sprawling subdivisions across the GTA.
The way Averton sees it, Niagara-on-the-Lake is now a community where people can reconnect with the land and make new friends. "Niagara-on-the-Lake is about people," says an Averton spokesperson. "That's what makes it so special [and] why the porches are so integral."
Environment, surroundings and activities further enhance where a person lives and Niagara-on-the-Lake leads the way on many fronts. The town is renowned as Canada's prettiest, bursting with gardens, vineyards, orchards, rivers, the lake and the Niagara Escarpment – a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and global attraction. To see it, hike along the Bruce Trail, the country's oldest and longest marked footpath running 890 km from Niagara to Tobermory.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, one of Canada's prettiest towns has become a popular residential choice for people who enjoy culture, nature and a sense of community. SUPPLIED
There's also plenty of golf and biking in Niagara. In fact, you can cycle or drive around the region's 27 local wineries, ranging from award-winning estates to medium-sized operations and boutiques. They're nestled between orchards of tart cherries and juicy peaches which give Niagara its nickname as Ontario's fruit basket.
If you enjoy culture and fine dining, it's all within walking distance. From April to November, the Shaw Festival stages the celebrated works of the great Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, and hosts other productions, such as Alice in Wonderland. After a show, couples and families alike can dine at neighbouring top-flight restaurants or shop at Queen Street's many boutiques which boast the latest fashions and trends. World famous, the Shaw is Niagara's leading attraction, second only to nearby Niagara Falls.
Many housing sites claim to be inside Niagara-on-the-Lake, but they're actually far removed from the heart of the historic town. Averton Square, however, is part of an infill project on John St. within the town's entertainment area, just a short hop from five-star restaurants, shops and theatres. "It's relaxed, but classy," says Pat Darte, Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake. "Dignity is part of our brand and we will never waver from that."
Construction is underway and there are a number of finished homes including two models. The homes, all on 50-foot lots, range from 1,357 to 1,756 square feet and sell from the mid-$600,000s to high-$700,000s. Each one boasts nine-foot ceilings on the main floor with oak veneer stairs, granite countertops and imported ceramic tile in the main foyer, kitchen, breakfast area, bathrooms as well as laundry and mud rooms. There are also hardwood floors and gas fireplaces, but most significantly the exteriors have been designed to blend with the heritage architecture of the town.
Retirees have always come here, but Niagara-on-the-Lake is pushing to attract younger residents. "After working hard all your life it's time to relax and have fun," Mayor Darte explains, "but even older people don't want the place to become a retirement village." He notes that Niagara-on the-Lake is close enough to Toronto to stay "plugged in" to family and friends, but lies far enough from the proverbial rat race that many, including younger couples, are happy to avoid. Good news is the province has slated the town for eventual full GO Train service which would allow workers to commute to Toronto.
Throw in Niagara Falls with its casino and family entertainment, local museums, Fort George and a myriad of other War of 1812 features, and Niagara-on-the-Lake is rich in features that will keep the area one of the most interesting in the province, if not the country.
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