Regent-Park, Toronto

Regent Park is Toronto’s oldest neighbourhood that once supported the city’s development. The people residing here come from various cultures. There are about 60 first-language-speaking communities living in this neighbourhood. Regent Park is one of the most culturally diverse neighbourhoods in Toronto. A promising chapter regarding the development of Regent Park is underway with a budget of $1 billion and is likely to take 15 years to complete. Regent Park came from the remains of the southern part, which was once known as the  Cabbagetown neighbourhood. This southern Cabbagetown was once among the worst slums in Toronto targeted by the upper class for urban development and later on came to be known as Regent Park. The project was built in 1949 and became known as one of the first public housing developments in Canada. With the development, Regent Park still has a limited number of shops and services that are located alongside Parliament Streets, River, and Gerrard. Healthcare centres and other convenience stores are also available in this neighbourhood. Moreover, the real estate of Regent Park is gradually developing and is home to low-income families and students. The real estate market of Regent Park consists of several property types, such as market condos, community, and retail space, along with affordable housing units. The newly constructed Community Centre is the major highlight of Regent Park. With a plethora of recreational activities, this neighbourhood also has employment centres, meeting rooms, teaching kitchens, rooftop gardens, and community halls.

With a liveability score of 66, Regent Park is a below-average neighbourhood for living. The area has accessibility to a fixed amount of amenities and other facilities. However, many changes and upliftments can be seen in the upcoming years after the development plan for Regent Park is completed. Additionally, the crime rates in Regent Park are 34% higher than that of other neighbourhoods of Toronto. The various score for livability in Regent Park are as follows:

The people living in Regent Park come from various cultural backgrounds. These new Canadians are the people who once used to reside in Latin America, Asia and Africa. This neighbourhood of Toronto has more than 60 first-language-speaking communities, making Regent Park one of the most diverse areas in the city. Over 50% of the population living in Regent Park is aged 18 years or above. In the past two decades, this neighbourhood of Toronto has become a home to immigrant settlement communities. It is also a home for immigrants who are facing trouble settling in other parts of Canada. Since the neighbourhood is slowly becoming old and needs reconstruction, the government aims to give it a whole new look in the upcoming 15 years. The redevelopment will help people live an enhanced life. The government has already started talking with the residents, staff, and the focus group for the redevelopment process. In comparison to other parts of Torontonians, the income of people living in Regent Park is half of the average amount. The people living here came to be known as low-income families. This is because 68% of people living here come under the bar of Canada’s low-income cut-off rate statistics. Poverty is believed to be a truth for every seven in ten families living in Regent Park. About half of Regent Park’s population is unemployed. Also, the employed sector is underpaid. Most of the people living here spend more than 30% of their income on shelter and the remaining amount on other living expenses.

Formerly a slum area of Toronto, Regent Park has gone through several developmental aspects to make it one of the first public housing locality in Canada. Multiple facilities are available for the betterment of residents. These services include schools, restaurants, cafes, shopping spots, fitness centres, and arts and entertainment hubs. Child education is gradually becoming a major focus and therefore, many schools have been set up. The following are the top schools available in Regent Park:

• Cadwallader Elementary School
• Evergreen Elementary School
• Holly Oak Elementary School
• Quimby Oak Middle School
• Davis (Caroline) Intermediate School
• Bernal Intermediate School
• Mt. Pleasant High School
• Oak Grove High School
• Silver Creek High School

Multiple restaurants and cafes are also available in Regent Park that acts as meeting places for residents and their friends. These food and beverage outlets give people a break from their everyday life to chill without worrying. They offer some of the best food and beverages. Vegetarian options are also available here for herbivorous residents. Some of the best restaurants and cafes available in Regent Park are as follows:

• Togo’s
• Yogurtland San Jose
• In-N-Out Burger
• Pho Papa
• Vegetarian Golden Bamboo
• Starbucks
• Pekoe
• LK Tea and Grill
• Jamba
• Coffee Lovers

Apart from education and eateries, the residents surely need some time to rejuvenate while shopping. Regent Park has some of the best shopping places that one can look for and visit whenever one wants. Some of these shopping spaces are as follows:

• Valley Faire Mall
• AT&T Store
• Ross Dress for Less
• Berryessa Hills Plaza
• Stop and Save

The neighbourhood of ​​Regent Park also has fitness centres along with art and entertainment hubs. Some of the fitness centres in Regent Park are as follows:

• Planet Fitness
• 24 Hour Fitness
• Smash Gyms Evergreen
• Bally Total Fitness
• Club One Fitness

Some of the arts and entertainment hubs available in Regent Park are as follows:

• Silver Creek Valley Country
• Raging Water San Jose
• PanIQ Escape Room San Jose
• San Jose Youth Ballet
• The Bistro Restaurant
• Dead Time Dreams
• The Villages Golf & Country

The neighbourhood of Regent Park is also equipped with top-notch medical facilities and has some of the best clinics apart from Regent Park Community Healthcare Centre.

Regent Park is a neighbourhood in Toronto where one can enjoy, rejuvenate, relax, and experience things to remember for a lifetime.

Visit Art Galleries

Regent Park, Toronto, is a neighbourhood that cherishes art and culture. There are numerous art centres and shops that one can visit to get a view of beautiful masterpieces. One famous art centre is Urban Gallery, where one can witness solo and group art shows every month. It takes you back to the old era of art and brings the charisma of modern art to the plate. The galleries here display an extensive collection. One can also buy these artworks and make them a beautiful adornment for their house.

Stroll Down Victorian Houses Lane

Victorian-styled houses are yet another major attraction in the Regent Park neighbourhood. The Distillery District has the most number of Victorian houses that one can check out. The old building in Regent Park is preserved even after the development of enchanting streetways. As one walks past these houses, one can view the beauty of the old architecture. Moreover, they can notice how narrow these old buildings are and yet they maintain their sturdiness with all their strength.

Allan Gardens

Though this park is outside Regent Park, it is worth exploring. The Allan Gardens is located near the Cabbagetown but seems like it is inside the neighbourhood’s boundary. It is one of the oldest gardens built in the city that has two off-leash parks for dogs. Along with that, it is a place to explore where one can take glimpses of Allan's conservatory. This beautiful conservatory is blooming with lush-green plants all around the year.

Watch The Phoenix

The Phoenix is a concert theatre in Cabbagetown where one can enjoy live performances of many artists. This entertainment complex is divided into three experience zones, making it the right location for events and parties. The main room of the Phoenix is where one can find the largest dance floor along with a quality music system. The main room also features five bars to make the concerts more fun and exciting.

Checkout Antique Shops

The antiquity of Cabbage town is one of the most intriguing parts. There are multiple antique shops that people visit to relive the history of Regent Park. These shops have preserved the essence of old architecture and interior designs. There are numerous antique shops in Regent Park where one can find jewellery, paper, showpieces, and other relics of the city.

Enjoy the Cabbagetown Festival

The Cabbagetown Festival is one of the most beautiful events in the city of Toronto. It is a festival that runs annually in the Regent Park neighbourhood for one long week. In the meantime, it features a wide range of activities, food items, walking into the historic realms, and the much-awaited film festival. To provide a phenomenal experience, the films are selected by a jury from the list of old, new and upcoming films. This festival offers a plethora of fun activities to pursue and hence, can’t be missed.

Explore the Farmer’s Market

The Cabbagetown farmer’s market is a place where one can find fresh fruits and vegetables. The earthy goodness can be experienced in the taste and feel of the food available here. This place is a great way to be a support system for the local farmers by keeping oneself healthy.

Go Back in Time at Toronto Necropolis

Necropolis might sound like a weird name at first, but it is actually a marvel to behold. Ornated with glass windows, the building has the mesmeric design of Gothic and Victorian-style architecture. Since it is among the oldest architecture in the city, it is a must-visit site for everyone. It also beholds a cemetery which is a resting place of prominent people of the city, such as former NDP leader Jack Layton, the first mayor of Toronto William Lyon Mackenzie, and many others.

The neighbourhood of Regent Park offers so much to do, starting from experiencing new cultures to making the day worth it by spending time in the best restaurants. Regent Park started out as the first public housing area in Canada, which is now in its modern development phase. There are multiple things that one can do here with friends and family.

Enjoy a Range of Cuisines

Regent Park offers a wide array of culinary choices. There are multiple food and beverage hubs to explore. Including Canadian food, Indian cuisine, and many others, this area has tons of restaurants and cafes worth visiting. One can start their day by grabbing an Italian-style breakfast and coffee and ending it with Chinese cuisine. These places are sure to satisfy the taste buds of the people.

Take Your Dog for Walk

This area welcomes dogs with open arms. There are multiple parks designed specifically for people to take their dogs out on a walk. Also, there are places where the owners can off-leash their dogs to let them enjoy themselves.

Fun in Afternoons

But what to do in the afternoons in Regent Park? Simply visit the art museums, explore the restaurants, and find the perfect place for lunch. Go on a stroll with your friends and family to explore the neighbourhood and find your corner of solace.

Go On a Shopping Spree

There are many shops in this area where one can find various things to purchase. Starting from antique items to clothing, jewellery, and more, there is much more to find. In Regent Park, one can find home decoration items, gifting options, and kids' apparel as well. Buy what you feel is for you and make the most of your day in this neighbourhood.

Learn About Nightlife

Nightlife in Regent Park is not as bright as the other parts of Toronto. However, there are a few places where one can enjoy and have fun. Multiple bars and dancing rooms are available to make a lively nightlife in Cabbagetown. End the day dancing all you want to your favourite songs with the best DJs in the country.

Regent Park is not a shopping district, therefore, not many markets are available in this area as compared to other Downtown Toronto localities. A few shops available in this area include medical shops, supermarkets, grocery shops, bakeries, flower shops, and art galleries are a few of them. If someone wishes to go on a shopping spree, they can go to the shopping district of Queen Street, which is a nearby locality of Regent Park.

The table mentioning the specifics of Regent Parks’ demographics is mentioned below. This table contains information for specifications like population, percentage of female and male residents, median age, and more.

Regent Park in Toronto is one of the most beautiful places which is kid-friendly and pet-friendly. Parents can be seen enjoying themselves with their kids in parks and kids' entertainment zones. Also, many dog owners can be seen on a walk with their pets. The best part about Regent Park is that it is safe for kids and the residents can always feel at ease for them. Pet owners are responsible and clean up the dirt that is left behind. The pets are trained well so that they do not harm people. There are a wide assortment of facilities like vet clinics, kids clinics, gaming zones, and others for both kids and pets.

The real estate market of Regent Park, Toronto has a stabilised system with a medium inventory of a minimal level of four months. Therefore, the cost of living in this area is 11% lower than that of the average price in other cities in Toronto. Also, the rental prices of living in Regent Park are 100% lower than the average prices of other cities in Toronto.

The real estate market of Regent Park is developing. Currently, the average price of a house in Regent Park is $641,059. There has been seen a 6% monthly change in the price of real estate in the housing market in Regent Park. Also, 1.8% is seen in the quarterly price change of the area’s real estate market. The annual change seen in the Regent Park housing market is 9.9%. The real estate housing market of Regent Park features condos and townhouses. The condos make up 99% of the market whereas the townhouses take up the rest 1%. The real estate housing market of Regent Park offers units starting from 1-bed up to 6-beds. The piece of each unit is subject to vary from one building to another. The price of housing units in Regent Park depends on the seller, furnishing, space, and amenities available nearby.