Townhouses For Sale in Highbush, Pickering

Highbush between the Rouge and Altona Forest

Highbush sits on the Toronto-Pickering border, with Altona Forest, about 102 acres and part of the Rouge-Duffins Wildlife Corridor, on its eastern edge and Rouge National Urban Park close by. A hydro corridor runs along the north.

The neighbourhood has several small parks, including Ridge Park, Valley View Park, Pine Grove Park, Woodview Tot Lot and Chickadee Park. Creeks and conservation land around the edges give it a greener, quieter feel than its location near the city line might suggest.

Highbush's newer townhouse pockets

Highbush is one of Pickering's oldest neighbourhoods. Cottage-like homes went up between 1900 and 1940, and newer subdivisions followed in the 1980s and 1990s. Townhouses are concentrated in a few newer developments, especially on Pine Grove Avenue and Sparrow Circle, surrounded by detached and semi-detached homes on generous lots.

Because the stock is limited, Highbush townhouses often attract buyers who specifically want this edge of Pickering rather than people browsing the whole city. If you're one of them, set up alerts for those streets, since units can come and go quickly.

Ravine lots and conservation rules

With forest and creek valleys around the edges, some Highbush properties back onto land regulated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, which covers Pickering's watersheds. If a townhouse backs onto a ravine or woodlot, ask:

• Is the rear of the lot within a regulated area, and would a deck, shed or addition need a conservation authority permit?
• Are there grading or drainage issues, such as water running toward the house from the slope?
• Who owns the trees and the land beyond the fence: the condo corporation, the city or the conservation authority?

A ravine backyard is a real asset, but it comes with rules worth knowing before you plan any outdoor projects.

The Durham neighbourhood closest to Toronto

Highbush's location on the city line is its commuting advantage. Kingston Road nearby has shopping and restaurants, and Highway 401 is a short drive away for trips into Toronto. Downtown Toronto is roughly a 25-minute drive outside rush hour.

For the train, Pickering GO is to the east, but some Highbush residents find Rouge Hill GO, just over the border in Toronto on the same Lakeshore East line, a convenient alternative. Compare drive times and parking at both before you decide which station you'd use, since the closer station isn't always the easier one.

Old cottage lots and future infill in Highbush

Some of Highbush's oldest homes sit on large lots from the cottage era, and lots like that sometimes get redeveloped into new detached homes or small townhouse projects. If you're buying near one, check the City of Pickering's development applications for any nearby proposals.

Infill can bring construction noise for a while, and it may change the look of the street. It can also bring newer neighbours and updated infrastructure. Either way, it's better to know before you buy than to find a sign on the lot next door after you move in. The city's planning pages list active applications by address, and notice signs are posted on sites under review, so a quick walk around the block before you make an offer is worthwhile.