Mountainside, Burlington Neighbourhood Guide: Enjoy Life Beside the Niagara Escarpment

The Mountainside neighbourhood is relatively peaceful compared to Burlington’s downtown, which is just a short distance away. However, around 8,000 people call this community home, and it is 128% denser in population than Burlington’s average.

However, those who live in this area enjoy the ease of getting around for shopping and other neighbourhood amenities. Thanks to its abundant green space, it’s also an ideal place to walk or bike.

The Niagara Escarpment has been in existence for more than 400 million years. While the Mountainside neighbourhood gets its name from this natural feature — formed before the end of the dinosaur era — the community also has some history.

This community was mainly built in the 1950s, with “The Mountain” (the nickname for the escarpment) serving as the scenery. Back then it was called Mountain Gardens. Today, it is a quiet community in Halton Region near prominent Burlington communities including La Salle.

As the Mountainside neighbourhood was built mainly in the 1950s, it has a variety of older-style homes including bungalows. Aside from the detached colonial-style houses, you’ll also find different types of bungalows.

Many of the modestly sized homes are made from brick but are placed on large lots with manicured lawns. It is also worth noting that Mountainside is one of the most affordable communities for real estate in Burlington, making it ideal for couples who want a bigger space than a condo.

Those who appreciate older buildings will like the look of some of the schools in the area, including M.M. Robinson High School founded in the 1960s.

Those in Mountainside who like to bask in culture will find some nearby venues. One of them is Stagecoach Performing Arts Burlington, offering drama and dance lessons to youth.

Also in the vicinity is the Burlington Royal Arts Academy. It’s a private arts and academic school focusing on music (instruments and vocals) as well as dance, along with visual and media arts.

There is ample shopping in the Mountainside area for some retail therapy. Mount Royal Plaza on Mount Forest Drive is the closest major hub for area residents, offering a mix of wellness clinics, salons, bakeries, clothing/accessories, and more.

This neighbourhood is also home to Sail on Industrial Street, which offers a massive selection of outdoor wear for hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping.

If you’re looking for even more selection, Burlington’s downtown with many retail offerings is less than 10 minutes away.

Popular eateries in the Mountainside neighbourhood include The Black Bull on Mountainside Drive, which has been a local favourite for more than three decades. It also features live music and events.

If you’re looking for some more international flavours, then you can try Mikaela’s Kitchen also on Mountainside Drive. It specializes in Filipino fare including seafood, and also offers catering.

The nearby Mount Royal Plaza also has a selection of foods including Rendezvous Sub Shop, serving the area for more than 45 years.

The aptly named Mountainside Park is easy to find in this neighbourhood along Mountain Forest Drive. It features two playgrounds, as well as a variety of other amenities that draw a crowd, especially during the warmer months.

There are smaller parks in the area with play facilities, including Clarksdale Park near Clarksdale Public School.

When it comes to things to do outdoors, Mountainside really shines. Mountainside Park alone offers a wide range of activities thanks to its skate park, splash pad, and a large outdoor pool with a waterslide.

If you’re up for a hike or a bike, then you can take advantage of the trail along the large swath of green space that runs through the community’s hydro corridor.

When it gets too cold or rainy out, you can duck into the nearby Mountainside Recreation Centre with an indoor skating rink and other recreational facilities.

Although surrounded by green space, Mountainside provides easy access to transit and major roadways, namely Highway 403 and the QEW. This route will get drivers to downtown Toronto in about 45 minutes.

Taking the train from the Burlington GO Station will get you to Union Station in Toronto in approximately one hour. However, you need to factor in the time to get to the first station by transit, which includes some walking and takes around 30 minutes.

Those who enjoy a nice mix of outdoor recreation and shopping will appreciate the Mountainside community. There is a range of retail stores and wellness clinics close by.

The local park and outdoor swimming pool are big draws, and a multi-use trail runs through the area’s hydro corridor.