Rathwood, Mississauga Neighbourhood Guide: A Mature Community

Developed in the 1980s, the Rathwood neighbourhood is a narrow residential strip in east Mississauga. Eastgate Parkway is its northern boundary and Burnhamthorpe Road is to the south. This quiet area has been attracting more and more families thanks to its large homes on expansive lots on picturesque tree-lined streets interspersed with parks and green space. The community also has many highly ranked schools.

This central community is home to a number of shops, restaurants, parks, and pubs. The housing styles within Rathwood range from sleek and modern apartment-style condominiums to multi-level townhomes, semi-detached houses, and detached family homes.

Rathwood is in close proximity to Sherway Gardens, as well as the Dixie Outlet Mall. Because of its great location, this community is a popular choice for commuters and professionals alike. A well-established, stable residential neighbourhood, Rathwood stands out with its high-density residential housing, office uses, and a nearby library and community centre.

Rathwood began as a farming community in the 1800s. The closest village and commercial centre was Dixie to the south. The city later established a plan to develop the community in the 1950s, with the bulk of the development taking place during the 1960s and ’70s.

Rathwood offers a good mix of housing types, including semi-detached and detached homes, townhouses, and condominiums. While most of the neighbourhood housing stock developed between the 1960s and 1980s, you can find newer homes in the Hickory Village area and custom-renovated houses in certain pockets. Streets are moderate to wide and typically have sidewalk space on at least one side.

For residents who enjoy taking in a bit of art, Rathwood is home to the Mississauga Arts Council, a registered, non-profit charity dedicated to ensuring a vibrant, creative, cultural community where arts and culture thrive.

Rathwood has a few local shopping plazas throughout the neighbourhood that feature grocery stores and other convenience-based businesses. The largest centre is Rockwood Mall at Dixie and Burnhamthorpe Roads. This 27,871-square-metre enclosed community shopping centre and adjacent plaza offer a variety of amenities, including a Food Basics, Winners, HomeSense, Shoppers Drug Mart, RONA, Chuck E. Cheese, Dollarama, The Beer Store, Burger King, and three banks.

The western part of the Rathwood neighbourhood is adjacent to Square One Shopping Centre. Sherway Gardens Mall is a short distance away.

For a late-night bite or drinks with friends, restaurant fare is close by. Many eateries are along Burnhamthorpe Road.

Applewood Fish and Chips offers delicious seafood dishes, while Byblos Cafe and Mediterranean Bistro is a great option for brunch. Also, check out Shanghai House for an authentic Chinese menu.

Rathwood has a number of smaller community parks throughout the community with amenities such as playgrounds, walking paths, and sports fields. Parks such as Garnetwood, Wood Creek, and Fleetwood are perfect for nature lovers looking for picturesque views and mature trees.

The Applewood Trail and the Lorrie Mitoff Trail are the two major pathway systems in the community. Rathwood District Park is also popular among families and has a softball and baseball diamond as well as a soccer field and children’s playground.

For residents who like to live an active lifestyle, Burnhamthorpe Community Centre, on Gulleden Drive, includes a gymnasium that hosts multiple sports leagues and fitness programs and has an auditorium, youth room, and multi-purpose rooms. This community facility also consists of an outdoor ice rink and an indoor pool with six lanes.

Centrally located, getting around Rathwood is exceptionally easy. Rathburn Road and other major arteries run through the community with good access to Highways 403, 401, and 410. Motorists can get into downtown Toronto in about 40 minutes.

The primary source of transit throughout the neighbourhood is the MiWay bus, but Dixie GO Station isn’t too far away for a quick commute into the downtown core. Alternatively, the TTC Bloor subway stations are a short drive away.

If you’re looking for a more mature, established Mississauga area with a good community and easy access to downtown Mississauga and Highways 403 and 401, you want to live in Rathwood.

It has large family-size homes on quiet, safe residential streets and is within close proximity to downtown Toronto and Bloor subway stations. No wonder interest in this family-friendly neighbourhood has picked up steam over the past few years.