The hipster community is famous for disapproving of most things. But even the most jaded eye-rollers can find something to love about downtown Burlington.
Hipsters are generally defined as 20 or 30-something men and women, with very specific (and often counter-culture) tastes in clothes, food and music. You can be a full blown hipster embracing the lifestyle, fashion, culture and politics, or you can simply love to read and care for the environment and still identify as a hipster.
Downtown Burlington has always had plenty to offer, with a world-class waterfront, Victorian homes and amazing shops and restaurants. But let’s take a look at what would appeal to someone who wants to continue living the hipster life and worries that is impossible outside Toronto.
Downtown Burlington offers:
1. A Book Store That Doesn’t Also Sell Lego
For over forty years, A Different Drummer has been a proud independent community bookstore and a popular stop for serious readers.
It’s the perfect spot for people who want their home to smell like old books.
2. Condos That Look Down on Other Condos
The Molinaro Group’s Strata building on Maple Avenue is a stone’s throw to the lake and has: a rooftop green space, a state-of-the-art geothermal heating and cooling system, and many other environmental features that make other condo buildings feel shitty about themselves.
If you are considering renting or buying, the downtown Burlington area has options that are easy on any Velcro or duct tape wallet:
- Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the downtown area starts at $1400 per month
- Condos in the Strata building go for as little as $265,000
- Detached homes in downtown Burlington sell for as little as $400,000
Figures based on 2015 sales records listed on RAHB.
3. A Fixie-Bike Ride to the Burlington GO Station
Walk or take your vintage bike to the train station in the morning. Then enjoy a leisurely GO ride into the city to get to your internet-based blogger/designer/community manger job.
Or take the train into the city on weekends to see your Toronto friends, and tell them how Burlington is basically like Ossington Street, before it became trendy.
4. Cupcakes That Won’t Kill You!
Kelly’s Bake Shoppe was featured in a Buzzfeed article that listed The Top 25 Cupcake Shops You Must Visit Before You Die (they were #3… just sayin’).
Their treats are incredible, yet still somehow gluten-free, peanut-free, egg-free, milk-free…. Oh, and of course, vegan.
5. A Store for People Who Prefer Vinyl or Carry a Diskman
The area’s old fashion music store, Looney Tunes stocks a huge amount of music that I’ve never heard of.
They pride themselves on stocking or finding rare LPs, CDs, DVDs and posters.
6. Non-Big-Box-Store Options For Organic Food
You don’t have to buy your fruit and veggies at Costco or Walmart.
Check out the farmers market every weekend. Our local vendors and growers carry fresh produce, baking, meats, cheese and eggs.
7. Fair Trade Matcha Lattes and Soy London Fog
We realize the sentence above made no sense to non-hipsters.
But people who take their coffee seriously may worry their options are limited to Timmy’s or Country Style. Not true.
The Tamp Coffee Co. offers a great place to set up for the afternoon and catch up on your reading.
8. Locally Brewed Beer on Waterfront Patios
Enjoy some local brews at Emma’s Back Porch and The Water St. Cooker or Pepperwood Bistro, Brewery & Catering.
Both have amazing water views, and food worthy of a write-up in your blog.
9. The Most Manly Barbershop in the Universe
Stop into the Village Cigar Company & Barbershop to get your beard trimmed.
Then browse their 100 square foot walk-in humidor to find the perfect cigar, and enjoy a good smoke in their private courtyard.
10. A Cruelty-Free Beauty Salon/ Spa
The products recommended and used at Je Spa are cruelty free and carefully selected for high quality ingredients. Spoil yourself, without any guilt. Or give a more enlightened gift to your friends this Christmas.
Downtown Burlington Has Something for the People Who Hate Everything
If Toronto has gotten too trendy for you, or your toy factory loft is getting too expensive, it’s time to make a change. Consider making a move to downtown Burlington that change. See more of what it has to offer by clicking here.
You can also click here to contact us, or call us at 905-336-1010. Or for a closer look at what Burlington has to offer, watch the video below.
