Riverdale

Located East of the Don Valley to Jones Avenue and South of the Danforth to Lakeshore, Riverdale is a community with lots of character from the older Victorian style homes to the large luxurious parks it provides.

In addition to the beautiful parks, Riverdale Farm is another beloved destination that families have been visiting since the 1800’s (when it was originally called the Riverdale Zoo). With many schools, parks, grocery stores, libraries, shopping and public transit available, you’ll have everything you need right at your doorstep, making it one of the best Toronto neighbourhoods!

Riverdale’s stunning, stately homes are all about heritage character with an impressive selection of charming Victorians and Edwardians on quiet, shady streets.

• Public Schools: Withrow Avenue Junior Public School, Jackman Avenue Junior Public School, Frankland Community School
• High Schools: Riverdale Collegiate Institute
• Catholic School: Holy Name Catholic School
• Private Schools: Montcrest School
• TTC Stations: Broadview, Chester, Pape
• Parks: Riverdale Park, Withrow Park, Kempton Howard Park

Bloor West Village and High Park

Located on Bloor Street West from Jane Street to Parkside Drive and south to The Queensway, Bloor West Village/High Park is one of the most sought after and best Toronto neighbourhoods in the city.

High Park itself is adored by many, especially children. The park consists of: a large pond, large playground and a small zoo! In addition to the park, the community itself gives off a smaller community feel that keeps locals as well as guests always feel welcome.

Known for wide streets, impressive front yards, and mature trees, even the less well-maintained homes in Bloor West Village are snapped up in an instant. 

• Public Schools: Swansea Junior and Senior Public School
• TTC Stations: Keele, High Park, Runnymede, Jane
• Parks: High Park

Learn more about Bloor West Village by reading our neighbourhood guide right here.

Read all about High Park in our guide here.

The Beaches

Located from Woodbine Avenue to Victoria Park Avenue from Kingston Road to Lake Ontario, The Beaches have always been considered one of the best Toronto neighbourhoods to live in for people of all ages.

The main attraction, of course, is the beach itself with its fabulous boardwalk and bike trails located right next to the water. The locals say some of their favourite things about living in the beaches are its schools, the shopping available on Queen Street and the activities that are available for the whole family year round.

Hilly, curvy, shady streets make this neighbourhood feel magical, as do the eclectic and unique assortment of homes ranging from tiny cottages to stately, imposing homes. 

• Public Schools: Adam Beck Junior Public School, Balmy Beach Community School, Kew Beach Junior Public School, Kimberley Junior Public School, Norway Junior
• Public Schools: Williams Road Junior Public School, Glen Ames Senior Public School
• High Schools: Malvern Collegiate Institute
• Catholic School: Neil McNeil Secondary School, Notre Dame High School
• TTC Station: Woodbine, Main, Victoria Park

Get the full scoop on The Beaches in our neighbourhood guide here.

Allenby

Bordered by Latimer Avenue to the west, Briar Hill Avenue to the north, Avenue Road to the east, and Eglinton Avenue West to the south you can’t get more niche than Allenby.  

Sounding like a leading character right out of a Jane Austin novel, Allenby is a small community on the outskirts of Midtown Toronto. Ample shopping (you’re minutes from Yorkdale too BTW), cafés, boutiques, and dining, in hand with endless fun at Toronto Memorial Community Recreation Centre and the madly popular Beltline Trail make this area 100% family-centric.

Although listings get scooped up fast in this tight knit community, it’s worth the wait and effort if you have the patience! 

• Public Schools: Allenby Junior Public School, North Preparatory Junior School, Oriole Park Junior Public School, St. Monica Catholic Elementary School
• High Schools: Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School, Forest Hill Collegiate Institute
• Private Schools: Havergal College, Blyth Academy, Eitz Chaim Hebrew Girls School, Alive Montessori
• TTC Stations: Eglinton and Eglinton West
• Parks: Eglinton Park, Memorial Park 

Leslieville

Bordered by Carlaw Avenue to the west, Coxwell to the east, Gerrard Street to the north and Eastern Avenue to the south, Leslieville is no longer considered the “wrong side of the tracks!” 

Minutes from downtown and right off the Don Valley and Gardiner, this neighbourhood is surprisingly green with a nice big dollop of trendy, edgy chicness. There’s a surprising number of bars and restaurants for an area so popular with young families. 

This lower-key side of Queen rivals anything Queen West offers sans the frantic weekend crowds fighting for space at Trinity-Bellwoods Park. There’s plenty of green space to go around here. Tons of activities at S.H. Armstrong Community Recreation Centre and the nearby public library complete the family appeal. 

A selection of condos, harder to find but still available fixer-uppers, complete remodels and more offer a bevy of home types to choose from. 

• Public Schools: Leslieville Junior Public School, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Morse Street Junior Public School, Bruce Junior Public School, Duke of Connaught Junior and Senior Public School, Roden Public School
• High Schools: Monarch Park Collegiate Institute, Riverdale Collegiate Institute
• Private Schools: Liberty Preparatory School, Kew Park Montessori School
• TTC Stations: Queen, Osgoode, Main, College, Coxwell, Greenwood
• Parks: Greenwood Park, Jonathan Ashbridge Park, Kew-Balmy Beach, Tommy Thompson Park

Curious about Leslieville? Read our neighbourhood guide here.

Let the Best Toronto Real Estate Team Show You Around

If you’re a young family looking for the perfect neighbourhood to suit your needs, let us know! We can help you find just the right place. Get in touch today, call 416.291.7372 or email us at hello@christinecowern.com with any questions or to set up a call. We’d love to work with you!