Top 5 areas to stay in Toronto

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Long gone are the days in this city where there are neighborhoods just waiting to be discovered. It is not even so long ago that there were small pockets in our fair town that the cool kids fell over, tapped into and turned around.

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To the great annoyance of potential buyers, such forward-thinking areas seem to be a thing of the past.

But the city’s attraction seems to be eternal. Even with all the challenges posed by the pandemic, demand is as strong as ever. People either want to stay here to take full advantage of all that the city has to offer, or they have to stay here to take advantage of Toronto’s status as Canada’s business, finance and technology centers.

In both cases, where sales prices are now higher than ever – the average price of a detached house in the city is now more than 2 million USD – buyers in many cases have to reach beyond their pain point to make it work, so it is important that they find a suitable place to take root and then remain seated. The thing with real estate is that in the medium to short term it can go up, it can go down, but as long as you are willing to hold on, there are certain areas in our city that will almost always hold up their value.

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If you were looking for a place to land, something with all the benefits of living in the city with good schools, good neighborhood facilities, access to parks, shopping, transit and highways, here are a few areas that should be on the short list.

RIVERDALE

Close enough to downtown to be on foot, yet far enough away to feel its own unique liveliness, Riverdale at the east end has a distinct vibe. With streets lined with charming Edwardian and Victorian brick houses of all sizes, some of the most beautiful parks in the city and more independent coffee shops and restaurants than you know what to do with, people tend to move here for life. From young families all the way to retired downsizers, Riverdale has endless appeal.

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DANFORTH

Another destination neighborhood at the east end, Danforth, is one of the special areas of the city that feels like its own little world. With excellent schools, direct access to the Bloor-Danforth metro line and the city’s best Greek food, Danforth is a magnet for young families.

BLOOR VEST

Just west of downtown and High Park is Bloor West Village, an urban pocket that is quite perfect and highly sought after by residents, young and old. A neighborhood unto itself, yet a stone’s throw from Junction, Roncesvalles and Kingsway, it is in many ways the great bridge between city life and the suburbs at the western end. Shops, restaurants, cafes and bars abound, plus good schools, the Bloor metro and access to the motorway for commuters are what attract people,

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DAVISVILLE

Once upon a time, Davisville was simply the area between other more established neighborhoods. Not quite Leaside, but not quite Yonge and Eglinton or Chaplin Estates, the pocket that runs from Davisville to Eglinton and Mount Pleasant to Bayview is now one of the most popular destinations for young downtowners who want to slow down and hit down in their next chapters. The grounds tend to lean a little less, the houses closer located, but the streets are filled with children and strollers and happy little families who have set their roots with plans to stay.

SEATON VILLAGE

Rounding out the list, Seaton Village is one of those lovely Toronto neighborhoods that you probably never knew the name of. Seaton Village is not completely annexed. It runs between Bloor and Dupont and is home to charming not-too-large brick houses, shops and cafes, parks and splash cushions. Ideal for commuters in the center, students, young professionals and downsizers, the central location leaves it desirable for both owners and tenants.