Waterloo West
View All 10 Neighbourhoods Below
View All 10 Neighbourhoods Below
One of Waterloo’s most popular neighbourhoods is Beechwood, a lively area of Waterloo with the perfect blend of activity and privacy, but in close proximity to the highly sought-after City of Waterloo jobs. Beechwood is one of the older parts of Waterloo, with most homes dating back to the 1980s or earlier. The homes are big and traditional, with large lots and gorgeous trees. Beechwood was created with families in mind. There are six community pools, tennis courts, parks, soccer fields and skating rinks in the Beechwood community. Childcare facilities are nearby. Residents enjoy paved walking trails among the trees and plenty of parks for the kids.
On the west end of Waterloo is a subdivision of newer homes called Clair Hills. The farther you go into the division, the larger the homes get. This is especially true as you enter Rosewood Estates. These homes enjoy a gorgeous backdrop, which happens to be one of Waterloo’s best kept secrets: the Clair Forest. With over five kilometres of walking trails amid dense woods of older tall trees, Clair Forest is both beautiful and peaceful. The houses found in this welcoming subdivision range from small bungalows to large executive homes, most of which were built within the past eight years. These properties are ideal for those who want beauty without the pressures of maintaining vast landscapes. The lots are small and the neighbourhoods provide an attractive air of intimacy. With the development of the Boardwalk, the west end has become a lot more appealing to people seeking housing in Waterloo. The Boardwalk offers such amenities as restaurants, entertainment, shopping, health clubs, spas and an abundance of health care related services right at your fingertips.
Laurelwood is one of the most coveted areas for people moving to Waterloo, in part because it boasts the #2 elementary school in Kitchener-Waterloo, (and one of the top 25 schools in Ontario) but the well-educated, high-tech professionals who are looking for homes and condos in Waterloo will get far more than just great schools. Laurelwood provides a nice balance of active living and relatively quiet streets. Outdoor living is abundant in Laurelwood, due to its close proximity to the Laurel Creek Conservation Area. Laurel Creek will keep you outdoors all year, with its lake, beach, ample trails, wildlife and campsites. Homes in this area range from townhouses to single-story homes, but you will have to look elsewhere for apartments for rent in Waterloo. Two brand new senior homes have also opened in Laurelwood offering independent and assisted living for Waterloo seniors who want to enjoy a safe neighbourhood with shopping plazas within walking distance.
On the northern boundary of Waterloo, bordered by St. Jacobs and picturesque farms, owned by old order Mennonites; is Lakeshore North. This is a neighbourhood that seems to strike the perfect balance for its residents. North Lakeshore is convenient to the expressway, the restaurants in Waterloo, and the mall, while still offering its residents some distance from the city’s most active parts. The homes in North Lakeshore were built primarily before 1994, but they are situated on nice-sized lots. The parks in North Lakeshore are expansive, offering lots of room for child play or picnics, living up to the Waterloo reputation for great community living. Waterloo residents have really come to love this locale. The residents take pride in their community and the yards and gardens are well kept.
One of Waterloo’s largest neighbourhoods is Lakeshore. This beautiful area is in close proximity to the university schools in Waterloo, making it popular with students and young families alike. Lakeshore has a wide range of housing options available, from semi-detached homes and townhouses to spacious single-family homes. Lakeshore is centrally located in Waterloo, with easy access to Uptown Waterloo and the expressway. The homes in Lakeshore are older homes, but the streets are wide and lined with tall mature trees. There’s plenty of outdoor activities happening in Lakeshore, with numerous parks and walking trails to explore. Lakeshore is also home to the City of Waterloo’s Albert McCormack Arena, offering indoor skating, hockey and Lacrosse.
Upper Beechwood is an upscale neighbourhood of lovely homes in West Waterloo. The cost of living in Waterloo is generally appealing, but the homes in Upper Beechwood do rate on the higher end of the price scale as compared to others. These homes, most of which were built in the 1980s and 1990s, are considered high-end properties, featuring sprawling lots and towering mature trees. Upper Beechwood is convenient to shops, restaurants and amenities in the new Boardwalk. It also has two community associations: Upper Beechwood and Upper Beechwood II, with private pools and tennis courts. There are plenty of paved walking trails and parks to explore, but the friendly neighbours are often the greatest selling point. The Upper Beechwood neighbourhood pride is immediately evident, as homes are well kept and the yards remain neatly manicured. Residents of of this neighbourhood typically move in and settle for 20 years or more, making this area a great choice for families looking to establish their roots.
University District is home to both Wilfred Laurier and University of Waterloo. Both of these schools are thriving and play an integral role in shaping the cultural energy of the region. The University of Waterloo has seen an increase in enrolment year after year. It’s quickly becoming one of the largest universities in Canada and establishing itself as a hotspot for technological innovation. It’s estimated that the university district directly contributes over 1.5 billion in annual GDP to the local economy. With Google establishing offices in neighbouring Kitchener, it’s easy to see how important these institutions are. This of course affects local real estate and the booming condo industry is most visible in the district, multiple towers are currently under construction. University Avenue runs directly through Waterloo, from the South-West side up to the North-East end. The South-West showcases established neighbourhoods with larger homes bordering the avenue while the central university district offers a combination of older brick residences alongside high-rise condos. There are plenty of restaurants and coffeehouses which accommodate the many students seen walking the streets. Property values are historically strong buoyed by the presence of these fine schools.
Uptown Waterloo, which is actually our downtown neighbourhood, offers a variety of housing options for those ready-to-hire affordable movers. Condominiums are plentiful in Uptown Waterloo, an attractive option for residents who don’t have (or need) a car. Uptown Waterloo has plenty of access to mass transit for its residents, and one can easily cover most of the neighbourhood by foot or bicycle. The homes in Uptown Waterloo are typically more than 50 + years old, with all of the charm of wrap-around porches and wood burning fireplaces. With everything you need nearby including shops, restaurants, the newly developed bike lanes, the cities main library branch, and Waterloo Park; Uptown Waterloo has a great deal of appeal for those wanting a more urban lifestyle.
In the southwest corner of Waterloo is a much-loved area known as Westvale, a well-established neighbourhood which dates back more than 30 years. When it was first established, Westvale was on the outer limits of the city. As Waterloo’s reach has expanded, Waterloo movers have embraced Westvale, offering affordable homes on large lots, all close to good schools, The Boardwalk and all new Medical Centre. This neighbourhoods population is also starting to grow as a number of new homes are being built in the subdivision. Most of the homes are older though, averaging over 25 years old. The benefits of these older homes include spacious lawns and comfortable distances between neighbours. The sizes of Westvale homes also range from intimate townhouses to four-bedroom, four-bath family homes. Its proximity to the two universities also makes this area a popular location for Waterloo student housing. Students often take up residence in a basement suites of these family homes. Seniors also find Westvale appealing with the addition of the new Westhill Senior Community.