Condos for Rent in Mimico, Toronto, ON

Anyone who lives in Toronto should know that neighbourhood dynamics are subject to change — and fast. Most importantly, up-and-coming areas quickly tend to become expensive quite quickly. And since Mimico is having a moment right now, renters actually have a chance to get in before it’s too late.

Toronto is sprawling, and as it sprawls, neighbourhoods outside of the core start to enter the limelight. Technically part of Etobicoke, Mimico is situated south of the Gardiner Expressway and west of the Humber River, and extends all the way down toward Lake Ontario. Thanks to its lakeshore locale, Mimico has a calm atmosphere and plenty of green space to go around. And most importantly, the prices of Toronto condos for rent here are incomparable to those in the downtown core.

For those whose eyes widened upon reading the words ‘green space,’ we’ll go into some more detail now. Residents living in Mimico can explore each and every waterfront park — including Humber Bay Shores Park, Humber Bay Park East, Humber Bay Park West, Superior Park, Amos Waites Park, Mimico Waterfront Park, and Norris Crescent Parkette — before they settle on a favourite. Those who really love being out on the open water can also purchase a membership at the Mimico Cruising Club or the Etobicoke Yacht Club, both of which can be found in Humber Bay Park West.

Prospective residents interested in Mimico condos for rent needn’t worry too much about gathering provisions for the home. Commercial businesses are set up along Lake Shore Boulevard West and Royal York Road, including Mario & Selina’s No Frills at Royal York and Vanevery.

And while 21st century renters are just starting to understand just how desirable Mimico is, the neighbourhood’s interesting history is proof that it’s been an enviable place to live for some time now. Mimico was established as a police village just after the turn of the 20th century. It received this designation because its small population and lack of funding prohibited Mimico from becoming an official village. Rather than a standard municipal council, then, Mimico’s government was originally run by a group of police officers.

Mimico’s population experienced a decline toward the end of the 20th century, only for it to make a strong and speedy comeback after the new millennium. Today, young professionals and families alike flock to the neighbourhood, where they’re promised more affordable homes and less crowding than they’d find in downtown Toronto.

Mimico condos for rent are aplenty, but so are single-family homes. The latter were predominantly constructed sometime between the 1920s and the 1940s, followed by low-rise apartments and finally the high rises that are so abundant today. In fact, the interest developers have expressed in Mimico in recent years suggests even more condos will be built in the years to come.

Rentals by the lake are especially abundant: great options include Grenadier Landing Condos at 5 Marine Parade Drive, Hearthstone by the Bay Condos at 3 Marine Parade Drive, and Palace Place Condos at 1 Palace Pier Court. It’s even possible to find a townhouse unit in close proximity to Lake Ontario, such as the The Townhomes at Mystic Point, The Royalton Condos, and the Grand Harbour Townhomes.

There’s even an option for renters who want to live within a piece of Mimico’s industrial history. Suites in the Warehouse Lofts at 250 Manitoba Street have ceilings that can reach to a stunning 17 feet high, plus the building is situated within a gated community for extra piece of mind.

When it comes to getting around Etobicoke, Mimico residents can rest easy knowing traffic will never be as horrible as it is in the downtown core. Wider roads and the nearby Gardiner Expressway make life much less stressful for drivers living in this neighbourhood. Using the Gardiner, drivers also have the opportunity to transfer onto the 427, which will land them at the 401 in no time. A trip all the way to Pearson International Airport might even take as little as 15 minutes when using a combination of these highways.

And although Mimico is a ways away from the centre of the city, it’s still surprisingly accessible by public transit. Union Station can be reached in just 15 minutes using the GO Train, plus the 501 Streetcar is another great option for traveling toward downtown Toronto. The Bloor-Danforth line is within close reach as well: all one has to do is ride the bus north toward Islington, Royal York, or Old Mill Station.

The Locals: Anyone who cares about saving a buck or two on rent.

Code of Conduct: Living in Mimico and spending weekends exploring downtown Toronto is the perfect way to have your cake and eat it too.

What You’ll Find: The perfect balance between city and suburbia.

What You Won’t Find: The hottest new restaurants in town.

The Homes: Extremely varied.

Sealing the Deal: The array of waterfront parks.