An urbanism blogger looks at Cabbagetown, the Annex, Rosedale and Riverdale

[King of Kensington]

Here's his section about Toronto:

http://recities.blogspot.com/2011/03/case-study-30-toronto.html

Some interesting photos and analysis, but I'm not really sure if he "gets" this place.

 

[DTowner]

He's right about the 60s and 70s. Toronto is notorious for having had zero sympathy for heritage buildings and zero long-term vision in terms of urban development (Gardiner Expressway being PRIME example). Toronto came into its own during the suburban-dream heyday of the 50s and much of its architecture and downtown core suffered for it. Still, Toronto is a city where one can work, play AND live downtown. In fact, it's one of the few cities in North America that actually has a proper downtown (as long as Ford doesn't get his pro-suburban hands on it). He's also right about the disjointed communities. Toronto has a lot going on but you have to travel long spaces to get to them. This is true of many cities, though.

 

[King of Kensington]

Is Cabbagetown more bohemian than the Annex?

 

[TonyV]

Is Cabbagetown more bohemian than the Annex?

In a word, no. I wish that it were.

Cabbagetown, until recently, was the official home of the "silk-stockinged socialists". In more recent years I detect that the overall tone of this 'hood is getting just a tad bland, but I do think that Cabbagetown will retain its ways, overall.

 

[RC8]

I posted a couple of comments there. I think he only got to experience the suburbs and he did so at a time when they were even more underwhelming than they are today.

I have a spectacularly high living standard here in Toronto. I have countless (independent non-franchise) restaurants, pubs, parks, the lake, 3 sport venues, 2 breweries, and 5 supermarkets within walking distance from where I live. My commute consists of a 15 minute streetcar ride. I manage to enjoy all the benefits of living in a prosperous first world city without owning a car or even feeling the need to.

A city is what you make of it, and this is truer for Toronto than for any other city I know. To judge it from a 15-year old suburban standpoint is very unfair.

 

[King of Kensington]

What neighborhood are you in, if you don't mind my asking.

 

[RC8]

What neighborhood are you in, if you don't mind my asking.

Cityplace, which isn't very animated but it is a 15 minute walk to Union, King, Harbourfront, etc. Vast majority of the people in my building walk, bike, or take transit, too.

 

[King of Kensington]

Lots of silk stocking socialists in the Annex too.

 

[pman]

Lots of silk stocking socialists in the Annex too.

The French use the term "bobo", which is short for bourgeois bohemians. I'm surprised it hasn't caught on in Toronto.

 

[adma]

Though interestingly, a Torontonian originated the term.