Eastlake

Aptly named due to its location on Oakville’s eastern point along Lake Ontario, Eastlake lies east of the QEW, west of Lakeshore Road and nestled between Morrison Road and Ford Drive. Eastlake encompasses two separate communities, with the ultra-luxurious Morrison on one side of Lakeshore and the slightly more attainable (though still prestigious) Ford to the east of Ford Drive.

The Ford community is bordered by Maple Grove Drive, Royal Windsor Drive, Winston Churchill Boulevard and Lake Ontario. Morrison is nestled between Chartwell Road, Cornwall Road, Maple Grove Drive and Lake Ontario.

Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, Eastlake is steeped in rich history and proud of its reputation as a beacon of freedom and justice. Today, this stunning waterfront community is renowned as one of the most scenic places in the GTA.

Access to downtown Toronto and the QEW makes for easy commuting, which makes it popular with many families. The ‘east’ side of Eastlake is also called the Ford neighbourhood for a good reason. Developed largely during the 1960s and 1970s, Ford got its name just where you expect—from the Ford Motor Company of Canada, as it’s also home to the Oakville Assembly Plant – still present as one of the region’s top employers to this day.

Eastlake is a traditionally upscale neighbourhood that consists of two separate communities, Ford and Morrison. Real estate in Ford tends to be more affordable, and you’ll find some modest houses on smaller lots, such as 1970s bungalows, side-splits and two-storey homes. However, Ford also features some larger, more upscale residences south of Lakeshore Road.

If you want to experience true luxury, head to the Morrison community with its array of stunning and majestic homes, many custom-built and situated on sprawling lots. These premium real estate options add to Eastlake’s appeal to Oakville’s more affluent residents, especially upper-class families who are attracted to the neighbourhoods highly reputable schools.

History buffs will appreciate knowing that the famed Timothy Eaton (founder of the Eaton’s department store) was one of the prominent Torontonians who made a vacation home right here in Eastlake.

Quick access to The Oakville Waterfront Trail is ideal for a family stroll, and more moderately priced homes in the North end of Ford can enable people to finally get that sought-after Oakville postal code.

Family and community are the heart of Eastlake, so it’s not surprising that many of its amenities are geared toward outdoor recreation and activities. The Maple Grove Arena boasts an indoor ice rink for hockey and public skating. If you’ve had enough of gliding around on the ice, you can get your laps in at the aquatic centre at Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre, where there’s also a gymnasium, a playground, and an indoor fitness centre.

If you prefer a less formal setting for your activity, plenty of scenic parks are close by where you can relax in nature, including Lawson Park and Gairloch Gardens. Oakville is known far and wide for its incredible landscapes, but some areas just take it to new heights, like Lakeside Park – where you can take in the sight of the Oakville Lighthouse and Post Park with its lush forested green space and leash-free dog zone. Eastlake has an access point for the Trans Canada Trail, where you’ll often see people strolling, jogging, cycling, and even inline skating along the waterfront. Joshua’s Creek Trail runs from Winston Churchill Blvd to Dundas St and 9th Line and is well-loved by cyclists and hiking enthusiasts.

Eastlake is also a short drive to downtown Oakville, where you’ll have access to every convenience you can imagine. This charming and quaint area is known for its unique shops and fantastic restaurants, many located right along the waterfront.

Many of Eastlake’s affluent families place a high priority on providing an above-average education for their children. As you’d expect, it’s in the vicinity of a few excellent private schools, including St. Mildred’s Lightbourn School for girls, Linbrook School for boys, and Dearcroft Montessori School, one of the first independent schools in Canada. Those who prefer to stick to the public curriculum will also find numerous highly-ranked options:

St. Vincent Elementary (JK-Gr 8)
St. Joseph Elementary (Gr 5-8) (Fr. Imm.)
St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary (Gr 9-12) (Fr. Imm.)
New Central Elementary (JK-Gr 6)
Maple Grove Elementary (JK-Gr 8)
E.J. James Elementary (Gr 1-8) (Fr. Imm.)
Oakville Trafalgar High (Gr 9-12) (Fr. Imm.)