We are officially in the last quarter of 2024. What if, by the end of this year, your home search, too, comes to a close? And your new year begins afresh in a completely new neighbourhood in Toronto? We discuss hottest neighbourhoods in Toronto that offer the best of facilities and distinct lifestyles. Whether you are a first-time home buyer, someone new to the city, or simply looking for an upgrade, this blog will help you find the right place to call home.
Toronto is a city that has it all—a strong job market, rich culture, and endless entertainment. As the year wanes, it is the perfect time to explore some of the most desirable Toronto neighbourhoods. From family-friendly areas with urban settings to quaint neighbourhoods abundant with natural beauty, there is much to explore. So, finalise your budgets, ready your notepads, and surf through the top residential neighbourhoods in Toronto.
Danforth Village: Life on a Budget
Danforth Village is one of the most affordable housing neighbourhoods in Toronto. It is a great choice for tight-budget investors and first-time home buyers. Popularly called The Danny, it is a coming together of diverse cultures. Different cuisines and contrasting traditions are bound by one harmonious community! Danforth Village is often a top choice for homebuyers looking for a neighbourhood in Toronto’s east end. Take a look at some of its key highlights:
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- Average Property Price: Housing prices in Danforth Village average around $950,000. Popular housing choices include single-family homes, detached homes, semi-detached homes, and modern condos.
- Spirited Atmosphere: This Toronto neighbourhood is known for hosting Canada’s largest street festival, Taste of Danforth. The neighbourhood’s streets also bustle with multiple shopping avenues, dining facilities, and boutiques.
- Long-term Investment: Danforth Village is experiencing a rapid infrastructural boom. In addition to various residential benefits, it offers excellent growth prospects to real estate investors.
Connectivity
Danforth Village is located along Danforth Avenue on Toronto’s east end. The neighbourhood enjoys excellent access to the Bloor-Danforth subway line, including nearby stations like Coxwell, Woodbine, and Main Street. The Danforth GO train connects to the Union, while the UP Express links conveniently to the airport. Proximity to major roads helps residents easily commute to other parts of Toronto from the Danforth Village.
Popular Landmarks
From art centres to community parks, The Danny is home to numerous popular attractions. These include:
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- The Danforth Music Hall
- Todmorden Mills Heritage Site
- The Centennial College Story Arts Centre
- St. Barnabas Church
- Taylor-Massey Creek Park
Riverside: Nature Goes Urban
To live in Riverside is to live in wonder! This Toronto neighbourhood is widely known for its natural beauty and artistic culture. The proximity to the Don River offers charming trails, parks, and waterfront. The blend of old Victorian homes and modern developments makes it a real estate heaven. Whether you’re a big family with kids raging around the lawns or are a single one-bedroom person, Riverside has something for everyone. Here are some of the neighbourhood’s top features:
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- Average Property Price: Riverside’s housing prices average around $1,100,000. The area is popular for offering affordable options, including Victorian homes, townhouses, and low-rise apartments.
- Toronto’s Firsts: Riverside is the town of many firsts. It once hosted Toronto’s first-ever movie screening and is home to the city’s first urban land trust, the Toronto Islands Land Trust.
- Modern and Peaceful: Riverside offers a beautiful blend of the natural and the urban. One part is parks, trails, and pathways, while the other is businesses, shops, and boutiques.
Connectivity
Riverside is located east of downtown Toronto and bordered by the Don River to its west. Access to the Bloor-Donforth subway line, Don Valley Parkway, and Don Valley trails links it to the rest of the city. Other neighbourhoods like West Don Lands, Leslieville, and Cabbagetown are located near Riverside.
Popular Landmarks
Riverside residents enjoy parklands, breweries, art houses, and restaurants—all at once. Here are some popular attractions:
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- Broadview Hotel
- Riverside Park East
- The Opera House
- Toronto Necropolis
- Holy Name Parish Church
The Junction: Art Everywhere
This Toronto neighbourhood strikes an unconventional balance—it’s artistic and family-centred at once. On the one hand, it comprises well-developed housing properties with access to excellent schools, parks, and safe communities. On the other hand, it’s full of art galleries, studios, and graffiti. As one of hottest neighbourhoods in Toronto, The Junction is the right amount of nurturing and carefree. Here are some key highlights:
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- Average Property Price: Property prices in The Junction average around $1,200,000. Housing properties in this Toronto neighbourhood include detached homes, semi-detached homes, and condominiums.
- Rich Greenery: This neighbourhood in Toronto has multiple parks, like Runnymede Park and Baird Park. The Junction has also seamlessly embraced eco-friendly living practices in its shops and community.
- Vibrant Culture: Various art events and festivals are celebrated in The Junction, including the Contact Photography Festival and Summer Solstice Festival. It is also a popular filming location for movies and TV shows.
Connectivity
The Junction is a vast neighbourhood on the west end of Toronto. Transit options like the Dundas Street and Dundas West subway stations, TTC bus routes, and UP Express connect easily to downtown Toronto and the Pearson Airport. Some closely located neighbourhoods near The Junction include Runnymede, Pelham Park, and Carleton Village.
Popular Landmarks
The following landmarks highlight The Junction’s blend of history, community, and artistic energy:
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- Runnymede Park
- The Junction Craft Brewery
- Stock Yards
- ARTiculations Art Supply
- West Toronto Railpath
Leslieville: The Ultimate Community Life
Remember those friendly neighbourhoods where everybody knows everybody? You shake hands with everyone and smile at every stranger you walk past. That’s what Leslieville is all about. This neighbourhood in Toronto is known for its laid-back atmosphere, tree-lined streets, and intimate settings. From spacious estates to tiny apartments, Leslieville provides multiple choices to homebuyers. Take a look at some of its key features:
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- Average Property Price: Housing properties in Leslieville average around $1,300,000. Buyers can choose between traditional properties like Victorian homes and Second Empire row houses and modern constructions like detached and semi-detached homes.
- Thriving Local Businesses: Leslieville is perfect for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The neighbourhood has multiple cafes, boutiques, shops, and studios.
- Rich Social Life: Restaurants, coffee shops, shopping centres, bakeries, and parks always keep Leslieville abuzz. Residents here enjoy a healthy and enriching community life.
Connectivity
Leslieville’s location makes it one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Toronto. It is just east of Toronto’s downtown core, with the Don River on its west. Access to the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway provides excellent city-wide connectivity. Some closely located areas near Leslieville include Blake-Jones, Riverside, and West Don Lands.
Popular Landmarks
Leslieville is rich in public attractions and getaways. Some of the popular landmarks in this Toronto neighbourhood include:
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- Crow’s Theatre
- Maple Leaf Forever Park
- Left Field Brewery
- Leslie Grove Park
- Ashbridge’s Bay Park
The Beaches: Lakeside Living
Who does not dream of a house near the shores? Named after four sandy beaches along Lake Ontario, this Toronto neighbourhood is perfect for a leisurely lifestyle. The Beaches provide the atmosphere of a small town with the amenities of an urban centre. Beaches, schools, playgrounds, parks, and sports facilities—residents get it all. The tree-lined streets of this neighbourhood also house multiple architectural styles. Here are some of its key features:
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- Average Property Price: The estimated average price of housing properties in The Beaches is $1,600,000. Popular housing types in this area include beach houses, Victorian homes, custom detached houses, and low-rise condominiums.
- Multiple Beaches: The neighbourhoods include four beaches: Kew Beach, Woodbine Beach, Balmy Beach, and Scarboro Beach. Residents can swim, sunbathe, relax, or picnic with family whenever they like.
- Annual Festivals: The Beaches hosts multiple popular festivals, such as The Beaches International Jazz Festival and Beaches Arts and Crafts Show.
Connectivity
Located along the shores of Lake Ontario, The Beaches provides excellent connectivity to residents. It is surrounded by Coxwell Avenue to the west, Victoria Park Avenue to the east, and Kingston Road to the north. 501 Queen Streetcar Route and Kingston Road provide direct access to downtown Toronto. Some popular neighbourhoods near this area include Leslieville, Fallingbrook, and Upper Beaches.
Popular Landmarks
This Toronto neighbourhood is more than just lakeshores and beaches. Explore some of its famous attractions below:
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- The Fox Theatre
- Kew Gardens
- The 3 km long Boardwalk
- Woodbine Beach
- Glen Stewart Ravine
How to Decide the Best Neighbourhood in Toronto for You?
Now that the best of Toronto’s neighbourhoods have been explored, it’s time to make a pick. Here are some key things to consider before deciding on a suitable neighbourhood in Toronto for you and your family:
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- Budget: The average prices of the neighbourhoods discussed above range from $950K to $1.6 million. Having a clear budget can help swiftly finalise a neighbourhood and property type that’s right for you.
- Location: When exploring various neighbourhoods, check for nearby roads, buses, trains, and subway stations. This is crucial for staying connected to the city’s major centres and ensuring accessibility.
- Lifestyle: Every neighbourhood offers a different lifestyle. Neighbourhoods like Danforth Village and The Junction are great for their cultural richness, while Leslieville and The Beaches are known for their laid-back settings.
- Growth & Returns: Before investing in a neighbourhood, it is best to explore its developmental trajectory. Be sure to check the upcoming projects and investments to ascertain the area’s future prospects.
- Amenities: Social and physical amenities are key to an area’s overall lifestyle. When choosing a neighbourhood in Toronto, consider the availability of schools, hospitals, offices, parks, restaurants, and other facilities.
Wrapping Up
The variety of residential neighbourhoods makes Toronto such a prestigious housing location. Whatever your lifestyle preference, there is a neighbourhood in Toronto that suits you. The safe and sound areas of Danforth Village, Riverside, and Leslieville are perfect for families. Meanwhile, the colourful characters of The Junction and The Beaches attract artists and independents. There is an expanse of Victorian houses and a modernity of condominiums. Ultimately, a clarity of budget, preferences, and purpose will anchor you through your home ownership journey and help you find a suitable neighbourhood.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Riverside, The Junction, and The Beaches are some of Toronto's trendiest and hottest neighbourhoods.
A suitable neighbourhood is determined by one’s budget and preferences. Homebuyers and investors looking for a house in Toronto can explore neighbourhoods like Riverside, Danforth Village, Leslieville, The Junction, and The Beaches.
Humber-Heights Westmount, Forest Hill South, and Rosedale are some of Toronto's safest places to live.
Regent Park, Moss Park, St. James Town, and Flemingdon Park are some Toronto neighbourhoods with high poverty rates.
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