Read More About Eastwood Area in Kitchener
Eastwood Area in Kitchener
Greetings! Welcome to the WRX Property Group website and blog. The topic for today is yet another Kitchener-Waterloo neighbourhood. Let’s get acquainted with: the neighbourhood of Eastwood, in central Kitchener.
See Homes for Sale in Eastwood Area Kitchener
Overview
Eastwood is located fairly centrally within Kitchener, and this location turns out to be quite ideal. To the northwest is Downtown Kitchener, site of unique shops, restaurants, public transit, and major development; to the east is the Stanley Park Conservation Area and, a bit further, the Grand River; and to the southeast and southwest are some of the most exciting commercial areas in the city.
Eastwood is a well-established neighbourhood, with many of the homes dating back to the ‘60s and ‘70s, along with a few newer models (and renovated homes). Most of the homes here are detached bungalows and two storeys. Common features include spacious lawns and mature trees. The fairly wide streets are quiet, and lined with sidewalks throughout.
The features of Eastwood’s residential core make it a rather nice place to settle and call home, particularly for families. And as we’ll explore, it has great access to several Kitchener hotspots, making it all the better. Let’s take a look.
Location
Eastwood’s boundaries are made up approximately by Ottawa Street North in the north; the Conestoga Parkway in the west and southwest; and King Street East in the southeast and east. If you’re thinking that Eastwood sounds like a relatively small neighbourhood, you’re right. But within its relatively small amount of territory, it has a great deal to offer its residents.
Transportation
The Conestoga Parkway was constructed in the ‘60s, and since that time, it’s become a staple to life in Kitchener-Waterloo. Comprised of Highway 7, Highway 8, and Highway 85, the Conestoga Parkway extends from the western edge of Kitchener, all the way north to Waterloo, and down to the southeast corner of Kitchener, where it connects with Highway 401.
Eastwood is one of the neighbourhoods that most benefits from access to the Conestoga Parkway. There are on- and off-ramps at the northern and southern tips of the neighbourhood, and the southbound branch of Highway 8 actually starts at the segment of King Street East that comprises Eastwood’s southern boundary.
The Conestoga Parkway has somewhat of a distorted ‘Y’ shape when looked at on a map, and Eastwood actually lies essentially right in the middle. What this means is that, depending on which direction you’re travelling (whether north to Waterloo and St. Jacobs, west through Kitchener and on to Wilmot, or south through Kitchener and on to Cambridge and the 401), Eastwood residents can easily choose the corresponding on-ramps with ease.
But it’s not just the Conestoga Parkway that benefits Eastwood in terms of transportation: the neighbourhood is also well-equipped when it comes to public transit options. The useful #7 and iXpress 200 bus routes run through the neighbourhood (running to and from locations including Conestoga Mall, the Wilfrid Laurier campus, Uptown Waterloo, Downtown Kitchener, Fairview Park Mall, and the Sports World transit hub).
Even more transit options and connections lie northwest of Eastwood, in Downtown Kitchener. The LRT will soon be operational, and it will make getting across Kitchener-Waterloo via public transit faster and more convenient than ever. The Borden LRT station is just northwest of Eastwood’s boundaries, and there are more throughout downtown. Intercity transit, and numerous other bus routes, can be accessed via the Charles Street Terminal (and, within a few years, the massive King/Victoria Transit Hub).
Shopping and Attractions
As noted, Eastwood is quite close to Downtown Kitchener, while still being far enough away to retain its quiet, residential feel. But it’s a short walk, drive, bus ride (or, soon, LRT ride) to the bustling heart of Kitchener’s downtown core. The Kitchener Farmers’ Market; Victoria Park; the events and attractions held year-round in several downtown venues; a plethora of cafés, bars, restaurants, and shops; and the downtown branch of the Kitchener Public Library – all this and more are nearby.
Around the periphery of the Eastwood neighbourhood are a range of smaller restaurants and shops. One notable local attraction is the Schwaben Club, which is one of the Waterloo Region’s five traditional German clubs. It’s a great place for music and a meal, and it’s absolutely incredible when Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest rolls around.
For more shopping options, Eastwood residents can head southwest to Laurentian Mall (Kitchener’s SmartCentre), where there are larger chains (including Zehrs), restaurants, and shops. Or for even more options, they can simply follow Weber Street to the south. This stretch of Weber has quite a few shops and restaurants, and even more can be found in and around Fairview Park mall.
Education
Students in the Eastwood neighbourhood who are part of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) are zoned for Rockway Public School, located a few blocks to the south, for Kindergarten to Grade 6. They will move on to Sunnyside Public School, southeast of Eastwood, for Grades 7 and 8.
For secondary school, WRDSB students in the Eastwood neighbourhood are (quite naturally) zoned for Eastwood Collegiate Institute. Standing right along Weber Street East, Eastwood Collegiate Institute (or ECI as it’s commonly referred to) is a major part of the neighbourhood’s identity. You can read all about ECI in our feature on it here.
Students in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board will attend St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School, which is located a few minutes’ drive west of Eastwood. Because of the relative distance, bussing is available for students. For secondary school, they will move on to St. Mary’s Catholic High School, a few minutes’ drive southwest of Eastwood. You can learn more about St. Mary’s here.
Conclusion
Though the Eastwood neighbourhood may be small, it has quite a lot going on, both within its borders and nearby. In the heart of this primarily residential neighbourhood are quiet streets lined with mature trees, and a mixture of fine homes on spacious properties.
Eastwood is great for families, people who need access to the Conestoga Parkway, and anyone eager to take advantage of Downtown Kitchener without living there. If you’re looking to buy a home in Kitchener and would like us to help find the perfect place, please don’t hesitate to contact us!