Go Local and Go Home

Like 2.6 million other Canadians I live in Toronto. One of the many things I love about Toronto is that in addition to great universities, colleges and hospitals it also has a wonderful variety of restaurants, cultural activities, green spaces and shopping resources. I can find almost anything I could possibly want or desire somewhere in Toronto.

Toronto also has many wonderful neighbourhoods and communities - there is The Danforth known for its Greek food; Chinatown; funky Beaches and trendy Bloor West Village, just to name a few. I don't live in any of these areas. When purchasing our house we traded a vibrant trendy neighbourhood for affordability and a big backyard.

Rather then lament this perceived reality and slip into the grey of suburbia, I recently made the decision to 'shop and do' as local as possible. These aforementioned vibrant neighbourhoods only got that way because people shopped there and nurtured the local economy long before it was trendy.

In addition to the expected benefits of shopping locally [saves gas and parking money; better for the environment etc], I have been pleasantly surprised by the less known benefits of discovering some of the 'hidden' gems all within close proximity of my front door.

Across the street and down three houses is good Italian restaurant; another restaurant that I can see literally from my back door is being revitalized with 'Opening Soon! ' promises adorning the windows; there is a famous German bakery [Dimpflmeiers] so close that I can swing by, pick up fresh bread and get it on the table while it is still warm; I found out yesterday about a cheese shop that just opened its doors a few weeks ago. [I cannot wait to check it out!]

However, the biggest surprise of all is how much fun and how personally rewarding it is to find and frequent these establishments! It makes my day when I uncover a new gem that I can recommend to friends and family as 'being in my neighbourhood'. Nor does it hurt my ego when I walk into one of the neighbourhood shops or restaurants and be greeted with a friendly 'nice to see you again!'.

So, ditch your map and pick up your walking shoes. Discover your neighbourhood, you might just be surprised what lurks around the corner!