When my spouse and I started looking for a home to raise our blended family, we had a clear checklist in mind. We wanted space for the kids to run around, strong local schools, a safe and quiet neighborhood feel, and a commute that was reasonable. I was coming from the Beach, which is beautiful but pricey Toronto neighbourhood near Lake Ontario - he was coming from Scarborough and had often rollerbladed with friends among the quiet Centennial Streets or raised a pint at the Black Dog so we centered our search in the lakeside community of Centennial - and valued the privacy of a single detached home.
Like many buyers looking in Toronto, we quickly realized that balancing those priorities isn't easy. Centennial Scarborough was quiet, mature, lakeside community tucked away in the city's southeast corner. After exploring the area and weighing all the factors, here is a breakdown of what it’s really like from a buyer’s perspective and whether it’s the right spot to anchor a family.
The Neighbourhood Feel in Centennial Scarborough: Quiet, Established, and Space to Breathe
The first thing you notice driving through Centennial is the layout. Unlike newer townhouse developments or high-density condo hubs, Centennial is dominated by single-detached homes sitting on generous lots with wide, tree-lined streets.
The community has a distinct, classic suburban rhythm where kids play outside, neighbors actually talk to each other, and evening walks are the norm. It offers a calm, safe environment that can be surprisingly hard to find within Toronto city limits. At last count there were 15 basketball nets on our street!
Schools and Family Infrastructure in Centennial
For most families, schools are a non-negotiable factor. Centennial shines here with a solid lineup of public, Catholic, and French-immersion options right inside or right next to the neighborhood boundaries.
Elementary & Middle Schools: Highly regarded options like Centennial Road Junior Public School, Charlottetown Junior Public School, and Joseph Howe Senior Public School serve the local community. Many elementary schools will have a bus pick up on the street.
Secondary Education: Local teens typically attend Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate or the IBS programme at nearby Sir Wilfred Laurier Collegiate in Guildwood
Community Connection: The neighborhood is home to an active community association the Centennial Community Recreation Association, which offers events all year round. As well, Port Union Community Centre has a fitness centre and offers programming and clubs year round. There is also a lovely library in the Port Union Community Centre. With a relatively low crime rate, it remains a safe choice for families.
Outdoor Life: Lake Ontario and Green Spaces
If your family loves spending time outdoors, Centennial is hard to beat. Bounded by the lake shoreline and the Highland Creek valley, access to nature is built into daily life:
Port Union Common Waterfront Park: Perfect for family bike rides, strolls along the lake, or letting the kids burn off energy along the paved water’s edge trails. It has a fun water feature in warmer months and a great playground.
Colonel Danforth Park & Ravines: Provides wooded trails, shaded picnic areas, and running paths through the Highland Creek ravine system stretching from Lake Ontario up through University of Toronto Scarborough Campus
Rouge National Urban Park: Located just minutes to the east, offering hiking trails, and beach access (well that's under construction till next year, but coming soon!)
The Commute: A Major Advantage with GO Transit
A common concern with moving to Scarborough is the commute into downtown Toronto. Centennial has a distinct advantage over many surrounding areas thanks to the Rouge Hill GO Station right on its edge, with 3 parking lots.
Taking the Lakeshore East GO train gets you straight into Union Station in under 35 minutes, allowing you to skip highway traffic altogether. For drivers, Highway 401 and Kingston Road provide direct routes across the GTA.
Housing Stock and Investment Potential
Housing in Centennial consists predominantly of mid-century detached bungalows, split-levels, and two-storey homes, along with some newer custom builds.
Because lot sizes are generous and homes were built with solid foundations, many buyers use Centennial as a "forever home" location—purchasing an older home with good bones and updating or expanding it over time - as an added bonus, many homes have swimming pools. While Toronto real estate is an investment anywhere, detached homes on large lots in established waterfront communities tend to hold their long-term value exceptionally well - but provide excellent value for people looking to move up from higher density areas like East York & The Beach.
The Bottom Line: Is Centennial Scarborough a Good Place to Buy?
If you are looking for nightlife, dense urban high-rises, or walkable downtown-style shopping districts, Centennial might feel a bit too quiet.
However, if your goal is to raise a family in a peaceful, safe neighborhood with large yards, top-tier access to parks and the lake, reliable transit into the city core, and strong local schools, Centennial Scarborough is one of the best choices in the GTA. It offers a genuine sense of community and room to grow without giving up Toronto convenience.
4 Things I love about my Centennial neighbourhood
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Port Union Waterfront Video Tour
