Families looking for reasonably-priced, detached homes in a good school district.

As well, Applewood homes may suit those looking for an urban home but who really prefer the country lifestyle, i.e. small town feel, tree-lined streets, a big yard and a shopping area that isn’t dominated by big box stores.

Applewood is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Mississauga, named for its history as an orchard and farming community back in the late 1800s. In the 1950s the 23 acre orchard was purchased by G.S. Shipp & Son Ltd. who began its transformation into a residential community.

With a location in the south eastern-most point of Mississauga, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is Etobicoke. With easy access to major highways, Applewood is a great for commuters; it’s just a 20 minute drive to both downtown Mississauga and downtown Toronto. This is mature, family-centric neighbourhood where buyers will find older homes (often in need of renovations or upgrades) at a more reasonable price point than some of the other popular family locations in Mississauga.

One of the biggest draws is the lot sizes. If you’re after a big yard without blowing the budget, Applewood homes for sale are well worth a look. Parks are also in abundance in Applewood and streets tend to be quiet and tree-lined. As well, almost all of the Applewood homes for sale have garages, thanks to a mandate by the lender to Shipp & Son.

In terms of retail amenities, Applewood shopping isn’t typical for Mississauga in that there’s a decided lack of big box stores that have become synonymous with GTA suburban communities. Instead, you’ll find small plazas and mom & pop shops here. Chain stores (Shoppers Drug Mart, ValuMart, LCBO, etc.) can however be found in the larger strip malls like Applewood Hills Plaza and the Central Parkway Mall. Plus, Dixie is the next community over and so Applewood residents are just minutes away from the Dixie outlet mall and the Dixie GO station.

Applewood boats the #1 middle school in Mississauga, Tomken Road Middle School (although its position does change in some years based on the latest Fraser rankings).

What makes Tomken so special is their specialty tracks that allow kids grades 6, 7 and 8 to excel. They have a well-respected French immersion program and also a SciTech program that accepts 56 students each year into its three-year stream to develop ethically-minded, critical thinkers. Students in SciTech participate in a range of hands-on and what they call “minds-on” programming over and above regular curriculum and are encouraged to participate in competitions including the Canada Science Fair.

Tomken also excels in extracurricular programming including the arts but in particular, they’re known for athletics, having won multiple provincial sports awards in recent years. They were even selected to carry the Olympic torch in 2010.

Applewood is known for its diverse resident make-up. If you’re into learning about different cultures and (like us) love sampling a variety of cuisines, Applewood is a hidden cultural gem. You’ll find a variety of community events, restaurants and grocers in Applewood that reflect the area’s diverse cultural make-up.

From the tasty Ukrainian delicacies at the Ukrainian Catholic church’s annual pavilion and the Polish delights at John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre’s farmer market and family events to Portuguese Churrasqueira and Italian meats and cheeses, this is a great spot for foodies who love having easy access to simple and delicious comfort food.