Over the past couple of years, Port Credit has grown from a small community located in the southern portion of Mississauga to a well-renowned tourist and sight-seeing destination for people across the Greater Toronto Area. It is a weekend hot spot for people looking to escape downtown Toronto while still having something to do for everyone in the family. If you visited Port Credit, you have probably asked yourself, “What is it like living in Port Credit?”.
As a local to Port Credit and a Port Credit real estate agent, I’m going to share with you what it’s like living in Port Credit, why I have fallen in love with the village within a city and why I think you will fall in love too. After this article, I’m convinced I will have you considering moving to Port Credit.
Port Credit is a neighbourhood located in the city of Mississauga, Ontario and is one of Mississauga’s oldest communities. One of the many reasons why people fall in love with Port Credit is its sense of community. If you asked the locals to describe Port Credit, you’ll often hear them describe it as a village within a city, myself included. Port Credit really has everything you need. It has entertainment, beautiful nature, shops and more. No matter what stage in life you are, Port Credit can accommodate you.
Is Port Credit A Good Place To Live?
Port Credit is an excellent place to live.
It’s a neighbourhood with amenities catering to everything you need. Whether it’s maintaining an active lifestyle, shopping, enjoying the outdoors or grabbing some good food, you can surely find it here. For those looking to maintain an active lifestyle, you can take a leisurely walk along The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Amp up the workout and consider cycling or rollerblading as the trail is multi-use friendly. Even niche activities have a place in Port Credit thanks to the Credit River. By the Port Credit lighthouse, there is a free launching area available for the public to use with ample parking if you are bringing your watercraft on a trailer.
Port Credit is easily accessible thanks to its commuting options which continue to grow and develop. The neighbourhood has its own train station – Port Credit GO Station which is growing to be a central commuting hub for the city. There is currently an LRT line being built which will connect south Mississauga to the northern parts of the city such as Square One and beyond running along Hurontario. MiWay bus routes converge at Port Credit allowing you to easily access the city through public transit. You can even access the surrounding cities such as Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Toronto and cities further east with the Lakeshore West GO train line.
Is Port Credit A Safe Area?
Yes, Port Credit is an incredibly safe area to live and grow.
I’ve grown up in Mississauga and spent the majority of my time living and hanging out in Port Credit and not once have I felt unsafe. Not only is Port Credit a safe neighbourhood, but the surrounding neighbourhoods like Clarkson, Lorne Park and Mineola are all safe neighbourhoods in Mississauga.
Since Port Credit has quite an active nightlife, it is not unusual to see Peel Regional Police canvassing the area. This is more of a proactive approach to creating a safe community rather than a reactive approach. All my times out in Port Credit have been pleasant and never found myself in an unsafe or bad situation.
Homes In Port Credit
You can’t talk about living in Port Credit without discussing real estate. Port Credit’s real estate market is unique. The small area is undergoing major development with new condo buildings being built every year. In fact, one of Mississauga’s largest developments is currently being built at Mississauga Road and Lakeshore – Brightwater. The number of housing options is growing which makes it a perfect community to grow in without ever needing to leave.
Unlike neighbourhoods in Toronto which only cater to one housing style such as a condo which makes it difficult to raise a family, Port Credit is home to multiple housing styles and options. In Port Credit you will find:
Modern, custom-built houses
War-time bungalows
Low-rise and high-rise condominiums
Freehold and condominium townhomes
Rentals
Retirement homes
There truly is no lifestyle which can’t be catered to in Port Credit which helps make the community so diverse. Even with the rapid development, Port Credit manages to maintain its charm.
If you search for a neighbourhood with charm, I’m sure Port Credit will make it on your list. A perfect case study of Port Credit maintaining its charm is the recent renovations and development of the old Port Credit post office. Pictured below, you can see how the old facade of the Port Credit post office was preserved while still making room for modern restaurants and offices.
If Port Credit is starting to sound like the community you can see yourself living in, that makes me incredibly happy. As someone who is passionate about the neighbourhood and who knows the ins and outs of this town, let me help guide you through the Port Credit real estate market. I would love to share with you the homes in Port Credit, the overall real estate market and what makes this village within a city such a great place to live.
Things To Do In Port Credit
Port Credit is a neighbourhood that has so much to offer for everyone’s lifestyle. Whether you are recently retired and looking to settle down, planning to start a family or a single individual, Port Credit has something for everyone no matter their lifestyle.
In addition to Port Credit having so many options of things to do, you also get a wide variety of free vs. paid activities. It has become an Ontario cliché that if you want to hang out with friends and spend little to no money, all you can really do is hang out in the parking lot of a Tim Hortons. Luckily, Port Credit offers a bit of fresh air to this Ontario stigma by offering exciting things to do at little to no cost.
Port Credit Attractions
What makes Port Credit such an interesting place to live is its local amenities and attractions. Rather than Port Credit being a suburban pocket of cookie-cutter homes with no sense of community, Port Credit has attractions which liven the community up.
Port Credit Memorial Park
This sprawling park in Port Credit is one of Mississauga’s largest parks. Running along the east bank of the Credit River, this park is a great place for residents and visitors to picnic, relax or get active.
What makes Port Credit Memorial Park so unique and loved by residents of Mississauga is its vast open space making it the perfect location for hosting venues and events. Many notable Mississauga festivals are actually held here such as Southside Shuffle. The once-beloved Mississauga Waterfront festival was even held here but sadly it is no longer held. Port Credit Memorial Park isn’t just for large events though, smaller events held on by local community groups are put on here. There are large pavilions for dancing, designated picnic areas, lawn space and even a skate park.
If you plan on visiting Port Credit Memorial Park, you will likely need to park in one of the shared parking lots with either the Port Credit library or the Port Credit Memorial Arena. Both of which can be accessed from Stavebank Road.
Port Credit Lighthouse
The Port Credit lighthouse is arguably Port Credit’s most iconic landmark and would likely be considered a landmark for all of Mississauga. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Port Credit lighthouse was Mississauga’s most photographed building.
Today, the Port Credit lighthouse is a pumping station for Peel Region and serves as a great lookout point that gives you a clear view of the Port Credit marina and the Credit River.
The Port Credit lighthouse has been a symbol of the Port Credit community and has welcomed mariners in Port Credit from their ventures out on Lake Ontario. It is a beautiful, charming red and white building symbolic of Port Credit and Canada for those sailing across Lake Ontario from our neighbours down south.
Waterfront Trail
The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail passes right through Port Credit along the edge of Lake Ontario. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, or what locals simply call “The Waterfront Trail” for short, is a beautiful scenic route that takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of Port Credit.
The trail caters to everyone. Whether you’re walking, cycling or rollerblading, the Port Credit portion of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is accessible to almost all modes of transportation.
Adamson Estate
Adamson Estate is a historic estate located along the lake just east of the main street of Port Credit and forms the eastern boundary. The notable Great Lakes Waterfront Trail runs right through the estate. It is a beautiful public park which features unique and time-period buildings and in the fall, the park transforms into an encapsulated haven of orange and yellow leaves.
Adamson Estate is often used by photographers and videographers alike to capture engagement photos, graduation photos, wedding photos and more thanks to the property’s natural beauty.
Credit River
The Credit Rivers flows through the middle of Port Credit from Lake Ontario stretching as far north as Caledon. The Credit River is a natural attraction providing visitors with the opportunity for fishing along its river banks. In the summer, you can also self-launch a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board and make your way up the river to the Mississauga Golf & Country Club where the water gets too shallow to continue.
In the wintertime, when fishing or kayaking is no longer an option, residents still manage to have fun. There is about a one to two-week period of time when the water freezes and gets thick enough which will allow you to skate on it. Although it is not recommended or authorized by the City of Mississauga or the Mississauga Fire Department, you will still find a few families skating.
Port Credit Restaurants & Bars
Once you’re done your sightseeing of Port Credit’s many attractions, you’ll be sure to have worked up an appetite. You might want to consider visiting on an empty stomach because Port Credit is home to some of Mississauga’s best restaurants.
Snug Harbour
Snug Harbour has become an iconic building and restaurant in Port Credit thanks to its unique positioning located at the mouth of the Credit River before entering Lake Ontario.
For many people coming to Port Credit, one of the first buildings they will see is Snug Harbour as they cross over the bridge on Lakeshore Road. Snug Harbour has an incredible view of the harbour and river depending on where you are situated in the restaurant. It is a great, large space restaurant perfect for celebrating life’s milestones.
El Jefe
When I think about summer, I think about enjoying the beautiful weather on a patio with a few good drinks like a mojito! El Jefe is my go-to option when looking for a patio thanks to its elongated patio stretching right to the edge of the sidewalk. The main building of El Jefe is tucked away but the owners have made great use of the space.
You’ll probably find the adjoining wall familiar since a beautiful mural was painted along it. Just like the Port Credit lighthouse, this wall mural has become an iconic place in Port Credit for photos.
The Crooked Cue
The Crooked Cue is a great night-out option because they provide something to do other than drinking and eating – playing pool or ping pong! With ample amounts of pool tables, it’s quite easy to secure one and play a game of pool with friends.
The Crooked Cue is also centrally located in Port Credit making it a focal point of our community. It caters to private events with its party room upstairs and makes for a great social spot.
Canvas Art Bar
A new addition to Port Credit in 2022 has been Canvas Art Bar. What I love about this place is its downtown Toronto-inspired venue space with a large rooftop patio. Every time you walk past Canvas Art Bar, you can peek into their store-front window and see something new each time.
Although they’ve only just recently opened, it seems they are really trying to provide residents with something more than just drinks and food. On their website, it seems they might even be offering mixology classes soon which is something I’ll definitely be partaking in.
Port Credit Events
As mentioned earlier, Port Credit is home to many festivals and events which make the small, village-like community so vibrant and attractive to tourists and residents of nearby cities. The events put on by the local community groups such as the Port Credit BIA are one of the great reasons to live in Port Credit. It beats having to fight your way through traffic to attend any of these events.
Port Credit's Farmers' Market
What better way to foster a sense of community and small village feeling than with a farmers’ market? Throughout the summer, Port Credit is home to the Port Credit’s Farmers’ Market located in the parking lot of LCBO east of Hurontario every Saturday.
Paint The Town Red Canada Day Parade
Paint the Town Red is Port Credit’s Canada Day celebration. It is an exemplary example of cultural diversity, inclusiveness, civic & national pride, artistic encouragement, veteran awareness & community spirit. The parade, entertainment & fireworks provide an opportunity for family & friends to spend quality time together and most importantly – it’s free!
As the only Canada Day parade in the GTA, the participants include more than a dozen colourful, cultural marching bands & performance groups, youth, community groups & Mississauga businesses. There is live music throughout the village & Port Credit Memorial Park. You will find local music school students and local musicians focusing their performances on Canadian musicians and songwriters. It’s a highly anticipated, first-class, red & white celebration, attracting tens of thousands of citizens & visitors to the Village of Port Credit, cohesively enjoying what it means to be a Canadian.
Busker Fest
Port Credit is always embracing the arts and street performances are no exception. The Port Credit Busker Fest is a street festival that takes over the village for a weekend every summer and has been running for over a decade!
Be mesmerized by shows put on by some of the most globally acclaimed buskers and watch as the beautiful village is transformed by their magic. Many of these talented performers travel across North America putting on their acts for thousands of people across Canada and The United States. The festival features a Kid Zone, Fire Show, Best of the Festival Closing Show and many surprises, making it a great day out for the entire family.
Southside Shuffle
If you love live music, you will definitely love Southside Shuffle.
The Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival is always a cause for celebration amongst music lovers around the world. It was recognized as such at the 2018 Mississauga Arts Council’s Awards Gala in May, receiving the MARTY award for “Mississauga’s Best Festival”. It has made residents of Port Credit and surrounding communities fall in love with Jazz and the blues.
Most of the festival is held in Port Credit Memorial Park but with the spirit of Jazz sweeping the town, you don’t need to search far to find local music filling the local bars and restaurants. Throughout the weekend of the festival, nearly every bar along Lakeshore Road has live music performances.
Final Thoughts On Living In Port Credit
Overall, I love living in Port Credit. I am fortunate enough to be able to call this little village home. It is an incredible neighbourhood along the lake with great waterfront views, an active harbour with access to great amenities like the Port Credit GO Station.
With its parks, marina, shops and arena, Port Credit has the vibe and attraction of downtown Toronto without the headache. It is one of the main reasons why I stay west of Toronto instead of living right downtown.
If you are on a search to find a town that is family-friendly with great walking accessibility to nearby parks, shopping and schools, then I am confident Port Credit will be the place for you. Trust your move to Port Credit with the help of a local Mississauga real estate agent. Let’s discuss your real estate needs to make living in Port Credit a reality.
