Dovercliffe Park/Kortright Hills

Calming, lush conservation areas, trails, and parks often form the backyard of Kortright Hills residents. Snuggled between the Speed River and Hanlon Parkway, Kortright Hills or Dovercliff Park has hidden surprises among its rolling hills of family homes. An open air movie night with the neighbours in Mollison Park makes for a cheery night. Try to keep it down though. The inukshuks in the nearby conservation area might be busy stargazing. At the crack of dawn, the city’s fiercest marathon runners turn the local bird sanctuary into dirt and grass training grounds, as the YMCA stirs back to life.

Kortright West

Kortright West is academic by association to its neighbour, Old University. Pockets of UoG students in this largely older family area are daring and few. Its own little collection of indie and large chain shops is no longer a secret. Neither is its off-leash dog park – the largest in Guelph – where canines prefer the fresh creek to their humans. Just as the young ones prefer the Kortright Splash Pad, and the not-so-young-ones, spotting a deer or two in the Preservation Park. In Kortright West, the road is gladly shared with the ducks, the deer and their friends and family. Remember to say hello on your next run. When you drive, go slow.

Clairfields

Right across Gordon St., to the west of Westminster Woods, is its less populated counterpart- Clairfields or Hanlon Business Park. The iconic Sleeman breweries shining brightly among the pines are a strong reminder of Guelph’s locally significant businesses. The residential neighbourhood takes up only a corner at Gordon and Claire. The rest is Hanlon Creek Conservation Area loved by cyclists, runners and anti-leash dogs alike. Nick’s dragonfly playground is the community is favourite gathering spot. Southend’s only Starbucks seems to be gradually replacing the role of libraries. Ask the busy students there.

Kortright East

The busy Gordon St corridor branches off in the east to perfectly manicured lawns, large homes, and winding streets. Welcome to one of the three centrally located neighbourhoods of Guelph, Kortright East. It is formed by the main veins of Guelph – Stone Rd. and Gordon St. in the northeast, and blocked off by Victoria Rd. and Arkell Rd. in the southwest. Hectic weeks see commuters ditch Gordon St. in favour of Victoria Rd. to get to 401. Precious weekends find residents in the Arboretum or the Victoria Road Golf Course, weather permitting. The area is seeing new housing and public spaces development.

Pineridge/Westminster Woods

Westminster Woods and its next-door neighbour Pineridge is Guelph’s shiny new neighbourhood. Built on New Urbanism principles – increased density, easy walkability, mixed housing, and quality architecture. Home to 9 to 5ers, big-city-jobs-small-family professionals, this neighbourhood is focused on convenience and modern aesthetics. Dream up a need and it’s right there. Groceries? Check. Banking? Check. Movies? LCBO? Starbucks, gym, trails, parks, new houses, high energy? Yep, all there. Still undergoing rapid development, it is home to youthful, diverse, on-the-go folks who embrace its proximity to highways to get out and get things done.

Central Downtown

Just as the summer splash pad doubles up as a skating rink, downtown Guelph transforms easily. As the day turns into night, the sounds in this neighbourhood switch from coffee sips and rock, to cocktail clinks and jazz. Professionals seek respite during the work week in open air movie nights at Market Square, live music nights in cafes, or a refreshing run through the historical neighbourhood. Saturdays draw the creme-de-la-creme of morning folks to the much-awaited farmer’s market. Downtown stores are quirky. Watch where you go, you might get asked to model the next spring collection.

Old University

If Downtown is Guelph’s heart, then the Old University is its mind. Best known for the University of Guelph, the Arboretum, and the city’s busy shopping mall, this is where different generations cross paths. Sometimes as proud supporters of the local hockey team (Go Storms Go!). At others, as they find their respective ways to unwind next to the Speed River – kayaking, hiking, lawn bowling, or grabbing their favourite ice cream flavour at The BoatHouse, while it’s open for the season. Steeped in heritage and prestige, it’s not just the agricultural and veterinary science schools at U of G with breathtaking architecture. Each home in the Old University neighbourhood tells a story.

St. George’s/St. Patrick’s

Some of the most beautiful old houses are found here, in one of Guelph’s old-timer-neighbourhoods – St. George’s. Majestic trees along with the Eramosa and Speed rivers adorn backyards big and small. Undergoing intense renewal from big city kids seeking old-world charm, the neighbourhood is a patchwork of old and new. But in this eclectic mix of high-end living and industrial revival, the local Portuguese, Italian, and Greek grocers have discerning patrons. St Georges’ proud Italian-Canadian community pitches its annual festival tent right here. Amo Club Italiano? You betcha.