Moving to Port Credit, Mississauga: the complete guide for this up-and-coming neighbourhood!

Port Credit is a picturesque waterfront neighbourhood in south central Mississauga, located at the mouth of the Credit River on the north side of Lake Ontario. A popular tourist destination, the neighbourhood has seen significant development in the last few years that has made it one of the most desirable areas in Mississauga. This up-and-coming neighbourhood has drawn many people from Toronto that have moved out of the city during the pandemic. 

Where is Port Credit? 

Port Credit is located on the west end of Lake Ontario. The neighbourhood sits between Seneca Avenue and Richards Memorial Park, with Lake Ontario serving as its southern boundary and the Canadian National Railway serving as its northern border. The Credit River runs right through the neighbourhood with the Port Credit Harbour acting as a focal point for the entire south Mississauga region.  

The History of Port Credit

Port Credit has a rich history dating back to the early 1700s when the region was initially settled by the Mississauga Ojibwe First Nations. A trading post was built in 1720 for fur trading between the Mississauga and the European Settlers. After the war of 1812, the Mississauga would give up much of the surrounding land, keeping only the area at the mouth of the Credit River. This area would become a thriving harbour community used jointly by the First Nations and the European Settlers. The Mississauga would leave the area in 1847 to relocate to the Six Nations Reserve, near Brantford. 

By the early 1900s, with the development of the railway and Lakeshore Highway, Port Credit became a popular summer destination for people looking to find an escape from the busy city. The town would remain independent until it was incorporated with the rest of Mississauga in 1974. The Port Credit Harbour was redeveloped into a marina and is now the largest marina in the region. In recent years, there has been a lot of development in the Port Credit area renovating older houses and constructing new high-rise condos. 

The types of homes in Port Credit 

Port Credit is primarily a residential area comprised largely of houses with a few low-rise apartment buildings scattered around the neighbourhood. The houses in Port Credit are a mix of bungalows built in the 1950s, some larger modern custom homes, and mid-sized townhouses. In recent years, many of the older houses in the area have been redeveloped and extensively renovated, often embracing a more modern minimalist design aesthetic. 

New Condo Development in Port Credit

Right now, Port Credit’s residential area is almost all houses, but that will soon change. There is development of a brand-new high-rise condominium complex on Lakeshore Road West and Mississauga Road. This condominium complex will be called Brightwater Condos and will comprise several buildings on 72 acres of land right next to Lake Ontario. The complex will have many amenities including several new grocery stores and restaurants. Once complete, the new condos will be home to over 5000 new residents of Port Credit. 

Moving to Port Credit 

Port Credit is an enticing destination for a wide variety of different people. If you are a just starting your family and want to get some distance from the hustle and bustle of Toronto, Port Credit is a great choice. With its proximity to the highway and GO train, you can still get into the city with relative ease, but you get the benefits of being in a less densely packed area area by the water. Port Credit is also perfect for homeowners who are looking to downsize and move out of Toronto, especially with the new condos being built by the water.

Whether you are downsizing to a smaller space or just looking to declutter the space you already have, self storage can be a great solution. Right now, Storwell Self Storage is providing an exclusive offer to my clients for 4 weeks or free storage. Storwell has 3 locations in Scarborough, Etobicoke, and one location in Mississauga, which is just a 10-minute drive west from Port Credit on Royal Windsor drive. You can call or visit the facility in person to demo a unit.

Storwell Self Storage

2525 Royal Windsor Dr, Mississauga, ON L5J 1K9

Phone: (905) 823-5555

Things to do in Port Credit

Port Credit is a lively neighbourhood that is jam packed with interesting events and locations to visit. The most recognizable structure in Port Credit must be the iconic lighthouse on the corner of Front Street and Lakeshore Road. Just east of the lighthouse you have the Port Credit harbor marina, which is beautiful place to enjoy the view of the lake and launch your own boat. The Port Credit Yacht Club provides many activities for boat owners and non boat owners alike. The Yacht Club runs many races throughout the summer months. 

While many activities in Port Credit are centered around the water, there are plenty of other things to do in the area. Every Saturday morning from June to October you can visit the Port Credit Farmers Market for fresh fruit and produce. For the last 21 years, Port Credit’s Memorial Park has been home to the Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival. The 3-day music festival is a paradise for any music lover. If you are looking for a fun and creative way to spend the evening with friends, consider dropping by Studio Paint Bar at Port Street East and Helene Street South. You and your friends can spend the night sipping delicious cocktails and following along to a painting lesson. 

The Best Restaurants in Port Credit

Port Credit has a growing food scene with options from many different types of cuisine. Maranello Café is a family run restaurant serving Italian comfort food using recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Bobby’s Hideaway is a fixture of the Port Credit community serving up traditional diner classics. Port Credit even has vegan options with Raw Aura Organic Cuisine, a restaurant that specializes in plant-based gluten free organic cuisine. Port Credit is also home to The Back Road Motor Coffee Company, a unique venture that melds motorcycle culture with high quality coffee roasting.  

Parks and Recreation in Port Credit

Port Credit not only has a wonderful view of Lake Ontario and the Credit River, but it also has several great parks to explore allowing you to reconnect with nature. JC Saddington Park has a children’s playground and access to the Waterfront Trail that goes alone the edge of Lake Ontario and is a perfect place to take walks in the evenings. To the north, you will find Port Credit Memorial Park on Stavebank Road. Port Credit Memorial Park has several fields, a children’s playground, and a skatepark with obstacles built to accommodate a variety of different skill levels. Right next to the park there is the Port Credit Memorial Arena, which has a well maintained ice rink and amenities. 

Schools in Port Credit

The strong school system is one of the main factors that draws families to the Port Credit area. The Peel District School board operates several schools in the Port Credit neighbourhood and its surrounding areas. Port Credit Secondary School located on Mineola Road is the only option for high schools in the area but it is a particularly good option. The school received stellar grades from the Annual Fraser Institute Report Card for 2020, ranking as one of the top 70 high schools in all of Ontario out of nearly 800 different schools. The elementary schools in the area that received high marks from the Fraser Institute include:

• Kenollie Public School

• Forrest Avenue Public School 

• Tecumseh Public School 

The private school, Blyth Academy has a campus in Port Credit on Enola Avenue, which is another excellent option for your child’s education.