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Russel Lake Neighbourhood
Easily accessed by a dedicated exit off the Circumferential Highway, Russell Lake West is a convenient location for commuting to Dartmouth, Halifax and beyond. Burnside, Dartmouth Crossing, Mic Mac Mall and the newly renovated Dartmouth General Hospital are all less than 15 minutes away, and the airport is just a 20-minute drive. You’ve likely heard about the revival of downtown Dartmouth with its cafes, craft breweries and boutique stores, and from Russell Lake West, you can experience this hip neighbourhood as well. The Woodside Ferry Terminal is just minutes away so if you work in downtown Halifax, you can have a relaxing 12-minute commute. And a taxi to downtown Halifax is only around $25 so you never have to miss out on goings-on on the other side of the harbour.
But even more important to me than the convenience and amenities of Russell Lake West is the sense of community. People here want to be part of a neighbourhood and they make it happen. Throughout the year, there are street parties where neighbours can meet and mingle, creating friendships and a sense of belonging. Personally, I often socialize with my neighbours and consider them great friends. It reminds me of what it was like growing up in another time, where neighbours ran next door to borrow a cup of sugar and worked together to help each other finish a project. It’s a wonderful environment to raise kids and they’ll always find a game of street hockey to join. I love it when my son asks to play with the neighbourhood kids; it feels like home for both of us.
Finding your dream house is only one part of the home buying process; picking the right neighbourhood is another key decision. In this world where we have so much digital interaction on social media and the internet, many homebuyers are seeking human interaction in real-world communities. I am one of the lucky ones that found a community that isn’t just made of houses, but of neighbours.
Russell Lake West Growing in popularity
Russell Lake West, between Woodside and Portland Street, is becoming one of the most sought-after areas in Dartmouth. Bordered by Baker Drive, this area is surrounded by many amenities. On one side is Millstone Plaza at the end of Baker Drive. Walking distance to all of the Russell Lake West streets, this complex is home to Sobey’s, Lawton’s Drugs, Kent Building Supplies, BMO, a private wine shop, health food shop, café, veterinary clinic, hair and nail salons, fitness studios, and a multitude of health services including eye care, physiotherapy doctors, and more. You can even renew your driver’s licence at Access Nova Scotia, a chore none of us like but is made a lot less stressful if it can be done just up the street from home. A bonus is Millstone Public House, a popular neighbourhood pub, great for unwinding at the end of a long week or meeting the family for brunch.
Shops in Russell Lake In the opposite direction are the shops at Portland Street and Eisener Boulevard. At this second convenient hub, you’ll find Atlantic Superstore, Shopper’s Drug Mart, NSLC, Winner’s, Clay Café, Goodlife Fitness, Woodlawn Public Library, and more. The area is also home to a great selection of restaurants, ranging from fast food, pizza and donairs, to steak, Chinese and Japanese cuisine. And yes, we have a Tim Horton’s as well, two in fact!
Outdoors in Russell Lake
Two of the most popular amenities in Russell Lake West aren’t shops or services, but outdoor spaces. The area gets its name from a small picturesque lake that is home to a healthy natural ecosystem, and the best way to observe the lake is from the paved and maintained mixed-use walking trail that follows the lake edge. You can watch for ospreys, beavers, muskrats, turtles, water fowl, blackbirds and so much more. It’s a great way to soak in nature and teach the kids about wildlife. The trail continues to the shops at Eisener Boulevard and on through Portland Estates to skirt Morris Lake. I love taking this walk on a summer evening or weekend, and it’s a fantastic route for runners or strollers. Check out Soles in Motion on Baker Drive for gear and a walking/running group. The walking trails also connect the streets for easy and enjoyable strolls throughout the neighbourhood.
The second outdoor space is the brand new Baker Drive Community Park. It boasts a beautiful playground with areas suitable for both toddlers and older children, as well as walking trails, a gazebo and pickleball courts. It just opened last fall so I can’t wait to see what it’s like in the summer!
I love my neighbourhood and am always happy to help my clients become part of it. The area continues to grow so if you are looking for your dream home and a community to belong to, ask me about Russell Lake West.