Where should I live – this is the first question people ask when they start thinking about their next home. Toronto is a very diverse city, which gives a lot of options. But at the same time, these vast options can make your move not as easy as it may seem.
Here are my top tips for choosing a Toronto neighbourhood:
Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Young Professionals
These buyers prefer condos. Young professionals usually choose modern high-rise buildings with a wide variety of amenities such as a gym, lounge, pool, meeting room, rooftop terrace and so on. They often prefer apartments on the highest floors with unobstructed views. Convenient locations within steps of restaurants, supermarkets, entertainment venues and public transportation are the most common features of their future home. Young professionals have busy schedules and dynamic lifestyles. They don’t mind living in busy, dynamic areas with lots of things constantly going on around them. There are quite a few high-rise neighbourhoods in Toronto. However, you should be selective while choosing your area as they are very different and don’t perform equally well.
Some of the areas I can recommend are as follows:
Number one is Yorkville. Its residents have everything they need to enjoy life to the fullest. Variety of grocery stores, local fitness centres, easy access to designer boutiques and dining hotspots, and plenty of art galleries, museums, and cultural venues. Public transportation is extremely accessible too. For most residents, the Bloor-Yonge subway station and Bay Station are just a short walk away. Car owners can also get to the Don Valley Parkway quickly. Condo buildings in Yorkville in most cases have world-class amenities. Some of the buildings are ultra luxury with valet parking, private elevators, and upscale interior designs. As Toronto’s real estate market is changing the prices for condos are changing too. So, reach out to me if you’d like to receive active listings and an updated price analysis for this area.
Are you relocating to Toronto? I have numerous guides made for you. Learn more about relocating to Toronto with these resources:
Number two is Entertainment District. The neighbourhood is highly appealing to young professionals because of its luxury accommodations and amenities, top-class multi-cultural cuisine, exciting nightlife, theatres, galleries, cultural centres, and venues. The Entertainment District’s condo market is booming nowadays. You can find plenty of well-equipped with world-class amenities condo buildings on King Street West and on streets like John, Simcoe, and Blue Jays Way. The convenient location of Entertainment district provides fast access to the Financial district where most of the young professionals work, and also to public transportation which is very important as most of the residents don’t need cars.
There are a few condo buildings that I can highlight with reasonable maintenance fees, wonderful views, an advanced list of amenities and so on. Please reach out to me here to find out which condo building meets your needs.
Number 3 is Yonge and Eglinton. Often referred to as “Young and Eligible”, this neighbourhood is known for its younger, single, professional demographic. It is home to some of the most popular restaurants, cafes, local businesses, community centres, sports clubs and so on. It is also close to luxury Lytton and Lawrence Park, which brings the value of Yonge and Eglinton up. A great variety of condo buildings of different ages, styles and size makes the buyer’s choice not easy. Please call or text to inquire about more information about the condos on Yonge and Eglinton. These last years Yonge and Eglinton got very busy due to the enormous amount of construction sites. New condos are being built as well as a new Eglinton Crosstown line, which will connect Toronto’s east and west sides and make the commute really fast.
These three areas are some of the best in Toronto. But there are some other neighbourhoods with specific features, for example – wonderful Lake views, high walkable scores, parks, beaches, lots of activities around, proximity to Highways and so on.
Please reach out to me for more information. Call or text at 647-294-3039 and we will discuss the features of your ideal home.
Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Families
If you’re moving with a family, the city also has plenty of family-friendly neighbourhoods. My clients with kids have a few very common or standard criteria when choosing a home. First of all, it should be a safe neighbourhood, second, in most cases, they require their home to be located within the boundaries of a highly-ranked public school. They also value privacy, high walk score, and proximity to public transportation and main city streets. Here are some of the top family-friendly neighbourhoods in Toronto that I can recommend to my clients. I will pick one neighbourhood from East, west and Central Toronto to give you a basic idea of your potential options.
My favourite recommendation in Central Toronto will be Lawrence Park.
This area is family-friendly and has a real community feel. The Lawrence Park area is very prestigious and has some of the lowest crime rates in all of Toronto, making it a safe neighbourhood to live in with your children. Besides, it features one of the highly ranked public and the most distinguished private schools. John Ross Robertson Junior school, Lawrence Park Collegiate institute – for public schools and Havergal College, Toronto French School, Crescent School – for private options.
Are you looking for more resources for families in Toronto? Read some of these blogs:
- Best Private Schools in Toronto
- How to Choose the Best Private School in Toronto For Your Children
- Homes and Neighbourhoods Families Choose when Moving to Toronto
Living in Lawrence Park is quiet and convenient at the same time. The area is near Yonge Street where there are many shops, restaurants, local stores and small businesses. If you live here, you may also join great private clubs which are Rosedale Golf club, Granite club or Cricket Club. This will give you a great opportunity for quality time off and making connections with people living in the area. If these features are important for your family, The Lawrence Park area is the right place for you. Contact me for the active listings and the current pricing in this neighbourhood.
My pick from the East side of Toronto is The Beaches.
The Beaches are known for their stunning beaches and beachfront trails. With a good transit score and walk score, everything is easily accessible without a car. The area often has festivals and events bringing people from everywhere around Toronto. There are all kinds of activities for children in The Beaches. The downside is that these fun areas are often packed with tourists and non-locals.
Properties in The Beaches are a mix of Victorian-style detached homes, semi-detached homes and new and old condo buildings. Most people own homes in The Beaches. Crime rates, especially robbery rates, are low so it is a safe neighbourhood for you and your children. If you are aiming to be in a good school district while living in the Beaches, make sure you check rankings before submitting an offer.
For more information feel free to contact me at 647-294-3039 or by email here.
And my recommended neighbourhood from Toronto’s west side is High Park. It is an established community which is dominated by both families and professionals who love that connection to the park and lots of space, without sacrificing the convenience of being close to downtown. Sitting on picturesque streets, the oversized lots are perfect for growing families.
The upscale vibe is complemented by homes designed in the Tudor, Edwardian and Victorian Styles. High Park is a very safe area with lots of highly-ranked public and catholic schools. Although life in High Park is complete with family-oriented activities, such as nature walks, bike rides, and walkable local living – it is also a neighbourhood that constantly strives to provide top-notch cosmopolitan offerings.
Nearby Bloor West Village features a quality array of gourmet bakeries, cafes, restaurants, libraries, clothing shops, vintage stores, juicers, and speciality boutiques, that thoughtfully cater to their local clientele. Let me know if you are interested to explore available homes for sale in this neighbourhood.
Find Your Perfect Toronto Neighbourhood Today
If I didn’t mention a certain area, that doesn’t mean you should take it off your list. Many Toronto neighbourhoods meet common criteria. These are just my clients’ favourite picks. Typically, we discuss potential locations of a new home at the first consultation.
Do not hesitate to reach out. Contact us by calling, texting, or emailing. We are actively using WhatsApp, Viber and WeChat for your convenience.
