The real estate around Belmont Village is some of the best in Waterloo Region.

Situated on and around the imaginary line on the map, the line that separates Waterloo and Kitchener, Belmont Village is a small stretch of land that dates back to the days of the Great Depression. As a means of countering the economic hardships of the time, work crews constructed the area in the 1930s as the future location for a convention centre. While only the concrete ended up being constructed, the area served as a spot for festivals and dances until 1947 when Claude Musselman purchased the land. Belmont Hairstylists, the first business in the area, opened up soon after and it was followed by many other businesses including drugstores, children’s clothing companies, grocery stores and banks. Since 1989, the Belmont Improvement Area board has existed to promote Belmont Village real estate and Waterloo real estate for local businesses.

Walkability of the Area

Belmont Village is located close to many green spaces including Gildner Green, Argyle Park and Belmont Park, in addition to expansive spaces like Lakeside Park (Victoria Park) and Waterloo Park. You can enjoy walking, running, sports, bird watching and even ice skating in these parks, or head to the nearby Waterloo Memorial Recreational Complex for organized competitive sports. Belmont Village is located close to the Waterloo and Kitchener Public Libraries, which feature a wide variety of educational materials to choose from. The area also features museums like The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery and the Joseph Schneider Haus. Serving the Waterloo Region, the Grand River Hospital is located between King Street and Park Street. The Iron Horse Trail, (Trans Canada Trail) north through Waterloo Park and the University of Waterloo and south through Victoria park and beyond, runs through Belmont Village allowing for an easy commute by bike or by foot into UpTown Waterloo or Downtown Kitchener.

Local Access and Public Transportation

Belmont Avenue is the main street that runs through Belmont Village and contains most of the area’s local businesses. Located in Waterloo, the Conestoga Parkway and Highway 8 connect the area of Waterloo with Belmont Village, Kitchener and Cambridge. While a light rail transit system is being built to connect the entire region, public bus transit is available and currently provided by Grand River Transit throughout Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. The closest light rail transit stop running past this area will be in front of the Grand River Hospital – the corner of King and Pine Streets. The Kitchener GO Station, which was extended to the area in 2011 is a thirty minute walk.

Education: Elementary and Secondary Schools

There are many educational institutions in the area, ranging from public to private to independent schools. In addition to the Fellowship Christian School and the Foundation Christian School, there is also the Kitchener-Waterloo Bilingual School for those who want their children to become fluent in a second language. Westmount Public School serves student from Kindergarten through to Grade 6 and is considered one of Waterloo Region’s best schools.

Income Demographics and Local Tax Rates

The City of Waterloo had a population of 98,780 according to the 2011 census, which is a 1.3 per cent increase from 2006. The population density is 1 542.9 people per square kilometre. In 2011, the median household income was $67 150, compared to the national average at $54,089. The residential tax rate for those who live in the region of Waterloo is 0.627843 per cent. The monthly rate for water service within Waterloo for a residential single family home is $2.78 for a 15-millimetre water meter.

Annual Events and Festivals

Taking place each year in Belmont Village during the holiday season, Christmas in the Village includes pictures with Santa Claus, horse drawn carriage rides and a silent auction. The village also features a Sidewalk Sale each year where friends and neighbours can sell their goods along the street. Beyond the village, Waterloo features a variety of cultural and community events including the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, an annual nine day festival where you can enjoy the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, as well as the Waterloo Jazz Festival during the summer, which features a wide variety of jazz musicians for three days of music. The event held in UpTown Waterloo are within easy walking distance to Belmont Village.

Real Estate

You just have to take a walk or drive down streets like Avondale or Claremont, John or Severn to get a feel for the neighbourhood. With quaint older homes, tree lined streets and manicured yards, it is easy to see why this is such a popular neighbourhood. Similar neighbourhoods would include: The Mary Allen Neighbourhood, UpTown Waterloo, Westmount and, the East Ward of Kitchener.

Issues Facing the Community

As more than 300,000 new residents are slated to move into the region by 2031, one of the future challenges facing Belmont Village and Waterloo is how the region will accommodate its growing population. While the hope is that the downtown centre will be revitalized to attract residents, the current concern is how urban sprawl and its associated costs can be mitigated to best serve the residents as well as the local economy.

A wonderful neighbourhood with a bright future

Located between the communities of Waterloo and Kitchener, Belmont Village is a booming business area that is close to many of the amenities of the big city. With a variety of green spaces, cultural institutions and recreational centres, there is no shortage of ways for community members to enjoy this region and all it has to offer. Belmont Village is a wonderful neighbourhood with a bright future. Contact me it you’re interested in neighbourhoods like beautiful Belmont Village.