The wild, wild west

Many people denigrate Parkdale as a haven for slumming hipsters, but it’s more diverse than that. It’s also home to a huge Tibetan immigrant community, great dive bars, newly opened restaurants, great West Indian takeout, and, as the Queen West strip stretches ever westward, recently relocated upscale retail and design shops. Here, social services and huge low-income apartment towers co-exist with the stately brick homes on the side streets.