"Downtown" elites?

[King of Kensington]

This article makes a good point about the complexity of TO social geography, but then falls into the trap of calling all of the old City "downtown" (the Beaches LOL).

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...elites-really-downtown-its-not-so-simple.html

 

[christiesplits]

I imagine the residents of Hogg's Hollow make the 'elites' of the Annex look like skinflints.

 

[Johnny Au]

This article makes a good point about the complexity of TO social geography, but then falls into the trap of calling all of the old City "downtown" (the Beaches LOL).

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...elites-really-downtown-its-not-so-simple.html

If the Beach(es) is/are considered "downtown," then what is Oakwood Village / Five Points?

 

[jje1000]

I definitely think it's not correlated to income, but more so beliefs:

Brail said she doesn’t like the phrase “downtown elites” and thinks it’s “probably misused,” coming from a perception of privilege and the idea that downtowners have different lifestyles, values and priorities.

 

[animatronic]

I definitely think it's not correlated to income, but more so beliefs:

It’s code for “educated”, “white collar” and “immigrants taking our jobs”

 

[Johnny Au]

It’s code for “educated”, “white collar” and “immigrants taking our jobs”

...and hipsters and Starbucks clientèle.

In some circles, it can also simply mean "arrogant people I don't like."

I was a student of Shauna Brail as well. I too agree that "downtown elite" is inaccurate.

 

[King of Kensington]

Yes, for the Ford crowd "elites" is defined in terms of culture, not economics.

A construction company owner in Vaughan is not "elite" but a sessional university instructor that rents in say, Parkdale, is.

 

[King of Kensington]

One "defense" I hear of the ridiculously extensive all of inner city Toronto definition goes something like this: Maybe an urbanist like you can appreciate these micro-differences but to someone who grew up in Scarborough the Beaches seems like downtown.

Even though in actuality the Beaches feels more like Oakville than it does like King and Spadina.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

One "defense" I hear of the ridiculously extensive all of inner city Toronto definition goes something like this: Maybe an urbanist like you can appreciate these micro-differences but to someone who grew up in Scarborough the Beaches seems like downtown.

Even though in actuality the Beaches feels more like Oakville than it does like King and Spadina.

There is a retort to that - what do you think all those non-downtown Starbucks - and there are great many of them - are selling? Double double?

AoD

 

[christiesplits]

Even though in actuality the Beaches feels more like Oakville than it does like King and Spadina.

I always felt like The Beach was like a streetcar suburb with the sensibilities of a suburb suburb. Likewise, Liberty Village feels like a heritage district conceived by a Vaughan developer.

In contrast, there are signs of urbanity in places like Port Credit, Streetsville and Downtown Whitby.

 

[SunriseChampion]

In contrast, there are signs of urbanity in places like... and Downtown Whitby.

What?

OK, please do explain this one....I don't get it.

 

[sixrings]

Elites are when you walk to Starbucks. The suburbs are where people make fun of downtown elites but then go to the drive thru Starbucks.

 

[King of Kensington]

Pretty sure most people in these "quaint" town centers live functionally suburban lifestyles.

 

[SunriseChampion]

Pretty sure most people in these "quaint" town centers live functionally suburban lifestyles.

Maybe not Port Credit. That place is for real.

 

[narduch]

Isn't 'downtown elites' just another made-up slur used by Conservatives to try to belittle it's opponents.

I already saw it mentioned above but the real elites of Toronto are more likely to live north of downtown in a McMansion.