Finding Home in Etobicoke

It wasn't in my cards to end up in Etobicoke. I landed here at the end of naturopathic school, and it turned into the place I chose to build a life and a practice.

When I first moved to Toronto for school, I lived in Scarborough, mostly because it was close to my campus in North York. I knew almost nothing about the city then, or about the neighbourhoods and communities inside it, and those first couple of years left little room to find out. Medical school took every moment I had.

Once COVID restrictions started to ease, I began looking for a new place to live for my final year of school and beyond. I wanted somewhere that felt like a community, where I could easily get to the places I needed to go, but still have access to nature and green space.

That’s how I ended up in Mimico/Etobicoke. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the area. It had the sense of community I was looking for, while still being close to the city, the lake, and plenty of places to get outside.

A small community inside a big city

This area gave me a sense of community that I didn’t realize I was missing. It feels a bit like a small town tucked inside a big city, with the best of both worlds. Close enough to downtown when I want it, but far enough away that it has its own pace and doesn’t feel consumed by the hustle.

There are so many local businesses, familiar faces, and people who are open to connecting. That sense of community has become one of the things I love most about living here, and it has brought me a lot of joy over the years.

Back by the water

And, of course, there was the waterfront. I’ve always loved being by the lake, and there is something about it that feels like home to me. Walking along the waterfront through every season, watching the same stretch of shoreline change throughout the year, has become one of my favourite parts of living here.

As a naturopathic doctor, I talk a lot about the value of spending time in nature, getting outside and into the sunshine, and staying active. Living in Etobicoke makes all of that feel easy and accessible. But more than that, it has surrounded me with people, local businesses, and a community that I’m so grateful to be part of.

That’s what makes it feel like home.