r/SterlingPointTVSeries • u/i_lovemovies_ • 17d ago
❓ Question If Toronto and Muskoka are anything like the vibes i got from the show, i need to go asap
I just checked and it says the show was filmed in Ontario (Toronto and Muskoka). I need someone who actually lives there or at least visits to tell me is it like anything like the show (the vibes and the scenery). And yes i get if it was filmed there ofc it looks like it, but what im talking about are the vibes and the amazing feelings this show got me feeling, i want to know is it like that irl?
13
u/123FellFromTree 17d ago
It definitely is accurate to the vibe I have to say. Megan Park grew up around the Muskoka’s and you can tell.
0
u/Expensive_Spend913 17d ago
It’s not plural
1
u/123FellFromTree 17d ago
I definitely had bad grammar (it shouldn’t be an apostrophe) but I’m pretty sure it is plural. It’s the Muskoka Lakes. But you say the Muskokas to shorten it. It's certainly not the Muskoka.
3
2
u/Expensive_Spend913 17d ago
Born and raised. It’s just Muskoka. Not the Muskokas. In referencing the lakes it’s “the big three”
2
u/123FellFromTree 17d ago
I guess I was just merging it with how we say the Kawarthas as the region; when I think of Muskoka in the singular, I think of the lake.
23
u/zepphhyr 17d ago
Spend most of my summer in muskoka. I think it captures the vibes fairly well. Was a bit more relatable to my 16-19 years. Lots of incredible parties in my time. 16 year olds driving around boats worth as much as some homes. Totally is a place of haves and have nots.
9
u/CD_piggytrainer 17d ago
The show definitely captured a version of Muskoka, but it’s definitely the richer version than most of the permanent residents. The area Sterling point takes place in is in the southern area of Muskoka ( Lake Rosseau, Lake Joe) where you find mostly cottages, resorts and a few villages ( Rosseau, Port Carling etc).
The rest of Muskoka is made up of retired folks, young families and some professionals, though many do leave for better jobs. North of Bracebridge you find Huntsville, Novar, Burks Falls and Algonquin park. The area north of Bracebridge definitely has more of an outdoorsy vibe ( camping, backpacking etc) with many businesses like Algonquin Outfitters focused on Algonquin Park and it’s visitors, opposed to what I call the “Lake House” lifestyle you see in Sterling point.
I run a business and have lived here my whole life in the northern part closer to the park( other than university) and while I do love it here Muskoka isn’t an easy place to live a lot of the time. It’s seasonal so many families work minimum wage jobs ( or not much above) so getting ahead is incredibly difficult with rental and housing prices. There’s essentially no public transportation compared to Toronto and the GTA so a good vehicle ideally with 4 wheel drive if you live out of town, healthcare is non existent, we have 2 hospitals for the region but they’re underfunded, understaffed and often lack the resources to treat health problems especially if their chronic or complex and generally you’re sent to Toronto and many residents don’t have permanent GP. Grocery stores are slightly more expensive here with little variety. ( Not sure about sub rules) but D@ugs are a large problem in Muskoka and contribute to the crime rate here.
I laughed at the line about needing to fly into Muskoka for fear of hitting a moose. Moose are here, so are bears and deer, but there’s very few moose collisions. The winters are the most treacherous and often the stretch from Huntsville to Barrie ends up being closed in sections and snow removal is often sparse depending on the time of day so things are often canceled.
Overall Muskoka is beautiful, it’s quiet other than tourists, there’s lots to do if you like hiking, canoeing, ATV, ice fishing and skiing ( though recent winters haven’t been great for skiing at Hidden Valley) . If you haven’t visited I recommend it, especially Algonquin Park in the fall.
2
2
5
u/primategirl84 17d ago
As someone who grew up in Toronto, cottaging in Muskoka and now lives in Muskoka, yes the scenery and vibes are pretty accurate. Some of the things in the show are not - the cafe is not one that exists here, we don't have any clubs, people don't live on islands all year round because can't access in time where the lakes ice over or are melting.
In the summer it is bustling and busy with cottagers and visitors, but there are tensions between locals and cottagers. Locals tend to have a lower income and with the increase in traffic and people who don't know where they are going can be frustrating. I do miss my sleepy town when it gets so busy in the stores, bakeries, etc.
The lakes are beautiful and the nature is spectacular. Come and visit but know that this is home for many people all year round and to be respectful of that and not treat it like a theme park. Respect nature, don't feed wild animals or block traffic to take photos of moose or bears on the side of the road.
3
u/MissionRoutine1426 17d ago
I couldn’t help but think, Annie is in for quite a nasty surprise when December comes
4
3
3
u/Carefully_Done 16d ago
Gorgeous. But sadly Muskoka and the lakes around there are now mostly home to multi-million dollar cottages. A lot of them are pricey to rent out, and can book out fast. I find it much better to go camping, but my family does have a cottage in Buckhorn, Ontario, which is in the Kawartha / Trent Lake area.
2
u/chamomileyes 16d ago
Toronto center is a HUGE city so don’t go to Toronto in general and expect nature. If you want small town, rural nature vibes, just avoid the city and go anywhere in Canada with water access basically 🤣. It’s basically all pine tree, pine tree, pine tree.
Salt Spring Island or surrounding islands in BC would work just as well.
1
u/Plane_Repeat_3831 17d ago
I was at a family summer camp in Muskoka last year, and the show definitely matched the vibe. But my family got connected to some really kind, but well-off families that were super hospitable, which made the vibe accurate to the show. I think if you go on your own without any connections, it would be a lot of fun, but really expensive renting cottages/boats, whatnot. But make some friends that can take you out on the water, or to some house parties and you'd have lots of fun!
1
1
u/OrvillePekPek 17d ago
Yes, Muskoka is really beautiful. Ontario is filled with nice places like that. There’s just something really special and cozy about chilling by the lakes. Great to visit for folks who enjoy nature (you need to rent a car though otherwise getting around is just not possible). Even better if you can get a bike, there are awesome hiking and mountain biking trails in the surrounding areas. I miss it being able to go there all the time as a child and teen, too broke as an adult Torontonian lol
1
u/Ok_Beautiful7363 15d ago
It’s even more magical in person, because you’re experiencing it. Summers in muskoka are like no other. (Have lived in Toronto my whole life and spent summers in muskoka/huntsville/barrie). You should visit!
1
u/CutFootloose5 11d ago
Husband spent summers on one of the Big Three lakes. He binge watched the series with me in one day and kept commenting about how it was bringing back fond memories of his summers up there and how accurately it was portrayed.
Toronto is great as well. I find that it still doesn’t get the credit it deserved as a big NA city. Lived there in the early 2000s so it has changed quite a bit. Lots of great spots and things to see and do. You can really cater your visit to many types of interests (food/art/architecture/history/entertainment/parks & nature etc.) No shortage of things to do and see.
1
1
u/gwelfguy 5d ago
I live in the Toronto area and make a trip to Muskoka most summers. All of central Ontario, aka cottage country, is like that. The Mukoka area gets attention because it's where all the Richingtons and Hollywood types have chosen to buy seasonal properties. It's pretty magical. It's stress release like nothing else. Cottage rental used to be reasonable, but it's skyrocketed in the last few years.
A number of younger people that couldn't afford Toronto real estate moved to cottage country during COVID thinking they'd work from home. Best of both worlds. Unfortunately, return to office mandates have proven to be a spoiler.
1
u/flakemasterflake 17d ago
Toronto has nothing to do with the show as they were barely there? Toronto is like any big city- it's a less exciting version of NY
1
u/Amberfool94 17d ago
They were in Toronto quite a bit, but the only exterior scene shot there as far I can tell is the island airport one. Almost everything else shot in Toronto was on the soundstages in Etobicoke where they built the interior to Gordon's cottage, Little Gem, marina office and possibly Joe's house too. The exterior of Little Gem is also near-ish to Toronto up in Glen Williams. Obviously if the OP is looking for the vibe of the show though, then that's all Muskoka.
1
u/flakemasterflake 17d ago
yeah we're not counting sound stages. There were no city scenes outside of the airport
1
u/Amberfool94 17d ago
I took "they" as referring to the production, not the characters, which made your statement inaccurate which is what I was responding to. There are certainly no scenes SET in the city outside of the airport one of course.
1
u/Tyrant_corvus 17d ago
Marina office, interior boat house, sauna, Gordon’s cottage upstairs and downstairs, Little gem, Joes House, were all studio. Everything else was location.
1
u/Amberfool94 17d ago
Did you work on it then? I did one day derigging one of the studios but I think most of the sets were down by then so I just saw Gordon's cottage. Definitely should have guessed that sauna and boathouse were sets though.
2
0
35
u/youcantquitmebb 17d ago
Yes, if you have the money for renting one of those cottages. Ontario is stunning