Your Guide to Toronto's Neighbourhoods
| Allenby |
| The Beaches |
| Chaplin Estates |
| Forest Hill |
| Leslieville |
| Moore Park |
| Riverdale |
| Rosedale |
| Thornhill |
| Unionville |
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The small, tree-lined neighbourhood of Allenby is sometimes called Allenby School, as it officially became a village in 1927 when the local school was opened. Expanding northwest from the bustling Avenue and Eglinton intersection out to Lytton Park, Allenby combines 1920s Tudor-style homes with renovated bungalows and new two-story infill houses. |
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You’re looking for an unutterably funky, hopping neighbourhood with an ironclad sense of community and a ton of family-friendly events, just steps from the lake, look no further than the Beaches, sometimes called the Beach. The name is self-explanatory: the Beaches is a waterfront paradise of wooden two-story semis and detached homes with tons of character, miles of walking/jogging paths and indie shops. And, of course, the wide expanse of sparkling water that is Lake Ontario. Bordered by Coxwell to the west and Victoria Park to the east, and extending up to the railroad tracks and down to the shore, this is one of those rare neighbourhoods with something for absolutely everyone. |
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Small but perfectly formed, Chaplin Estates is a high-end residential paradise. Surrounded on three sides by the fabulous shopping along Avenue, Eglinton and Yonge streets, and containing a good portion of the Gardiner Beltline running trail, this neighbourhood is leafy Toronto at its best. |
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Take a leisurely walk in Forest Hill and you’ll find leaf-shaded streets, established shops, upscale businesses, and beautiful homes. Cozy neighbourhood spots include top restaurants like Il Molino, The Jerusalem Restaurant and the House of Chan (with over 50 years of being the best steak in Midtown). Many have packed patios on hot summer days, and in winter you’ll find bundled children making snowmen in their front yards. Strolling amongst the most expensive real estate in the city, you get the sense that you really are in a village. This is where the residents of the area's Edwardian mansions come to shop: an interesting mix of high- and low-end establishments, with upscale jewellery and shoe stores flanked by an old-fashioned barber shop and a Blockbuster. Worthy of Note Tatiana of BlogTO, a hip Toronto weblog, has these recommendations for the neighbourhood: Kitsch Boutique The Village Chill Banfi Forest Hill Barber Shop |
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Leslieville is sometimes considered part of Riverdale, but we think of it as a community all its own. It tends towards the quiet, residential, intellectual and creative; although it is gentrifying, it maintains a strong neighbourhood bond that has carried over from its working-class roots. The residents of Leslieville are often fiercely devoted to the neighbourhood and its unique character and history; take Joe Clark, who writes about the neighbourhood on his website devoted to it. Colourful murals on vast brick walls compete for space with new glass-fronted film studios and cozy 1920s semi-detached homes. |
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Moore Park, bounded by forested ravines, lush parklands and a serene historic cemetery, is one of Toronto’s older and wealthier neighbourhoods. Lots are wide and deep, homes are large and stately, and people are prosperous. Old-growth trees create a shaded canopy over the streets, where young mothers walk their babies in Bugaboo strollers. At the same time, with its proximity to Yonge Street and with Mt. Pleasant Avenue partially bisecting it, residents of Moore Park are just steps from all the amenities of Toronto’s midtown, from sushi restaurants to galleries to neighbourhood fruit stands. Moore Park is named after John Thomas Moore, a wealthy entrepreneur who built bridges over two ravines bordering the neighbourhood, linking them to other parts of the city. He also convinced the builders of the Belt Line Railway, an early “commuter railway” system that aimed to serve the areas that were then north of the city, to extend it out to Moore Park. That railway is no more, but the land beneath it has been refashioned into the beautiful Kay Gardiner Belt Line nature trail, which winds through the lower part of Moore Park and connects it with other nearby neighbourhoods. Any given Saturday, joggers, walkers and strollers are out in force on the Belt Line. Because the span of Moore Park connects it with so many Midtown hotspots, residents are spoiled for choice as to where to go. The stylish Yonge and St. Clair shopping district on the west side of the neighbourhood boasts coffeeshops, designer homewares and furniture, organic grocery stores, and boutique restaurants, along with small office buildings housing doctors’ and lawyers’ practices. Mount Pleasant Road, especially where it intersects with Davisville to the south, is also a popular shopping destination, with a lovely collection of neighbourhood shops. To the north, the Mount Pleasant Cemetery offers quiet contemplation, and there are often nature trails through the ravines that surround the neighbourhood; if you ever wanted to live in the woods while living in the city, this might be the place for you. If you’re car-free in the city, the west side of Moore Park is a good bet. It’s within easy walking distance to St. Clair subway station at the intersection of Yonge and St. Clair, and the Mt. Pleasant bus is a major, frequent route. Bus routes also run along St. Clair Avenue and Moore Avenue to the north. There are no major highways through the neighbourhood, which is good news for peace and quiet, but there’s easy access to the Bayview Extension and the Don Valley Parkway, both of which are important for commuters. Due to high property values, plenty of funding and highly involved parents, the schools that serve Moore Park are some of the best in all of Toronto. Nearly every single school gets top marks from the government in both English and math performance indicators; they are so good that they’re a factor in keeping property in the neighbourhood as valuable as it is. Whitney Jr. School is a fantastic public primary school right in the heart of the neighbourhood, and the Catholic school Our Lady of Perpetual Help has a great reputation. North Toronto Collegiate and Northern Secondary School are the two main secondaries; North Toronto does better in official rankings, but as Ferne has had two children at Northern, she can vouch for its quality! The Davisville/Metro School for the Deaf is also nearby. Many parents in Moore Park choose to send their children to private schools, and the neighbourhood’s location is very convenient to the elites, such as boys’ schools Upper Canada College and Crescent School, girls’ schools St. Clement’s School and Havergal College. |
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Riverdale is one of Toronto’s most charismatic neighbourhoods. It has a long and storied history starting out as a small town east of the city and incorporating into the City of Toronto in 1884. Many of the sturdy Edwardian and Victorian homes in the area date from the late 1800s and first few decades of the 1900s, and many possess the unique charm and loving attention to detail that characterise houses from the period. Although Riverdale has seen its fortunes rise and fall with the times, it’s currently on the rise, and boasts an incredibly strong arts and creative community and a rich working-class history along with a tight-knit, family-friendly vibe. One of the best things about the neighbourhood is the sheer diversity of opportunity here. To the north you’ll find Greektown and the Danforth, home of some of the best Italian and Greek cuisine on the planet as well as some of the coolest people in the city. To the west is the Don River Valley, which is not only beautiful but is also a prehistoric archaeological site: people were living here almost fifteen thousand years ago! To the east is Leslieville, and to the south is Gerrard Street East, where you’ll find the small but vibrant East Chinatown. In terms of transportation, you’re in fantastic shape if you drive: the Don Valley Parkway is just a few blocks from anywhere in Riverdale, and meets up with the Gardiner Expressway just south. From here, you can get anywhere in the city right quick! Public transportation is certainly no slouch, though: the Gerrard streetcar will take you right downtown in less than twenty minutes, to College subway station in less than fifteen, and there’s also a streetcar that goes along Broadview and one along Queen. One of the highlights of the neighbourhood, especially for families with children, is the Riverdale Farm, just across the Don River from Riverdale proper, is a 7.5-acre fully-working educational farm. A restful rural space within the bustle of East Toronto, Riverdale Farm was built on the grounds of the old Riverdale Zoo, and today houses cows, chickens, goats and other animals along with butterfly-laden gardens. There are also several other parks around, the largest of which is Riverdale Park, an expanse of green lawn and reaching trees, with a swimming pool, tennis courts and an outdoor skating rink. Speaking of sports: the Toronto Recreational Sports League is an adult organisation that offers both summer and winter sports from soccer and basketball to hockey: plenty of Riverdalians play with the TRSL! Riverdale schools are of mixed quality, but there are certainly some gems among them, and the rock-solid community and dedication of many of the area’s parents means that they are improving. In particular, Frankland Community Junior School gets high marks from the government in all areas. There are also some interesting and innovative independent schools nearby, like The Beach School, which has an egalitarian and radically democratic philosophy. More traditional private girls’ school Branksome Hall is to the northwest, and Royal St. George’s College, an Anglican boys’ school with a nevertheless diverse student body and an excellent reputation, is within striking distance. |
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Rosedale is sometimes called the crown jewel of Toronto real estate, and for good reason – some of the most expensive, exclusive houses in the city are tucked away in this shaded fairyland of a community. A few condos dot the margins, and as you approach the heart of the neighbourhood, ivy-covered homes slowly give way along winding streets to huge, stately mansions with intricate stonework and willow trees that bend over circular driveways. If you’re looking for a beautiful, elegant place to live, Rosedale may be perfect for you. |
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Thornhill is a Toronto suburb just north of the city boundary of Steeles Avenue, which means it has the best of both worlds: a short hop south to city life, and a short drive north to cottage paradise. Thornhill itself is divided into two major municipalities: east of Yonge Street is Markham (which contains Unionville), and west of Yonge is Vaughan, which bills itself as “The City Above Toronto.” Together they make a diverse “bedroom community”. Property values in Thornhill are high, and its addresses have grown in demand over the past few years as some buyers trade the high-rise condo life for greenery and backyards. Two of the nicest sections of Thornhill are Thornhill Woods and Old Thornhill. Thornhill Woods is bordered by Highway 7, Rutherford, Bathurst, and Dufferin, and boasts beautiful townhomes and detached homes, many of which are newly built. It’s very popular with young families and is widely known as a welcoming, family-friendly community. There’s also the heritage district of Old Thornhill, with its stately homes and old-Canada character. Take a walking tour of the area with the Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill. Public schools tend to be excellent. There are over 31 schools in the Thornhill district, with many celebrated programs for gifted children, such as the one at Thornlea Secondary School. As there are so many schools and Thornhill is so large, it’s best to figure out where you’ll be living and then choose the best school in the area – there are good schools all over Thornhill, so you’re bound to be close to one, no matter where you choose to be. All of the public schools come under the York Region District School Board; we’d also be happy to help you find the Thornhill public school that’s best for your child. For Catholic schools, have a look at the York Region Catholic District School Board. |
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The Toronto suburb of Unionville, situated in Markham, is a perfect fusion of rich history and modern living. It combines the quaint village feel of its famous Main Street with all the luxuries of contemporary life. One of the great draws of Unionville is that there’s plenty of space to spread out! Property values are strong and lots tend to be large. Homes range from historic “century homes” along Main Street, dating from the 1800s, to soaring condo towers and brand new dream homes in the wider Unionville area. With its close proximity both to Toronto and to cottage country, this town has something for everyone. Settled in 1974, the first written record of Unionville can be found in the 1851 Canada Directory, referring to what was then a tiny town centred around the Union Mills, a compound of grist mills built by entrepreneur Ira White. Since that time, especially after the coming of the railway in 1871, this bustling village along the curve of the Rouge River has grown into a town of over 110,000 people. Today, the town is quite family-oriented, and is popular among young families, professionals who work in the city, retirees, and those looking for a great alternative to big-city living. |
