Areas and Suburbs in Toronto
According to a recent census, just under 50 percent of Torontonians are foreign-born. This fact is unmistakable as you stroll through the distinctive neighborhoods throughout the city – over 140 in all.
Toronto’s many neighborhoods are located within one of 10 distinct areas: Etobicoke, York, North York, the West End, Downtown, Midtown, Uptown, East York, the East End and Scarborough.
The city’s vibrant downtown core is a robust mix of commercial and residential property, making it a relatively safe place to live, play and work, especially when compared to other major North American cities. However, expect to pay a premium for condos and houses in the area.
Still, for those who can’t quite afford to buy or rent property within Toronto proper, there’s a healthy choice of outlying (“commuter”) towns that offer lower prices and a longer, but reasonable drive into the city
Expats should keep in mind that there are many other neighbourhoods to discover and explore. Take your time, do your research and find the community that fits you, your family situation and lifestyle.
Ideally, be sure to visit your potential neighbourhood yourself. Moving to a new country is a big step, and nothing compares to being there in person, talking to the locals and getting a feel for the community.
The City of Toronto offers an official guide to every Toronto neighbourhood, with profiles of each area that include statistics on ethnicity, income, languages spoken, types of dwellings and more.
York Mills was once a heavily industrial area, but is now one of the city’s most affluent neighbourhoods, with luxury condos and gracious homes. A GO Train station plus its proximity to major roadways like Bayview Avenue, Don Valley Parkway (known as the “DVP”) and Yonge Street make it a favourite of commuters.
Glen Park is home to large numbers of Italian and Orthodox Jewish families, as well as new immigrants from around the globe. While it does have a low-income pocket close to the Allen Expressway, the neighbourhood’s well-known public school is an award winner.
Willowdale is known for its luxury condos and sleek modern feel, thanks to its state of the art performance facilities and civic center. Shopping is abundant. The rebuilt Earl Haig Secondary School has already achieved a reputation for excellence; it also offers special programs in performing and visual arts.
Downsview has a large Jewish and Italian residential community, who are served by the enormous Yorkdale Shopping Center and Toronto’s largest urban park. Downsview Park is the site of family friendly events all year round. Downsview’s proximity to Highways 400 and 401 make it ideally situated for commuters.
Don Mills is the home of a major golf and country club, along with Edwards Gardens. While Don Mills is also the site of many corporate head offices, it is also a popular residential neighbourhood. The Shops at Don Mills are a destination of choice, thanks to a number of high end retailers and festivals and events taking place there all year long.
Bedford Park, thanks to its wide selection of schools, is a growing destination of choice for families with small children. They also appreciate other amenities, like good transit, a local library and plenty of playgrounds.
North Toronto is located in one of the city’s fastest growing areas, and one targeted for city redevelopment. Families benefit from the selection of schools, and access to parks and other facilities. Meanwhile, at the intersection of Yonge and Eglinton, towering condos and lively shopping and entertainment options create a lively urban atmosphere.
Lawrence Park is everything you would expect from an older, exclusive residential area: quiet, winding tree lined streets and large older homes. The community also has a good selection of shops and schools, but they are located on the outskirts of the neighbourhood, which keeps noisy traffic to a minimum.
Davisville Village is popular with young singles and couples with families, and has lots of high-rise condos and rental apartments, great shopping and entertainment options, along with handy recreational facilities.
The Annex, with its proximity to University of Toronto campuses, is a favourite of white collar/ “creative” professionals, who appreciate its casual, “artsy” atmosphere. Its bars, bakeries, cafes and pubs make it a particular favourite of students.
Forest Hill is one of the city’s most exclusive (and attractive) neighbourhoods, one adorned with dignified mansions, tree lined streets and prestigious private schools.
Yorkville is a glamourous yet charming neighbourhood, popular with visiting celebrities and locals alike. It is famous for its “Rodeo Drive” style shopping, four star hotels and gourmet eateries, all within walking distance of stunning Victorian era homes on quiet streets. Available residential properties in Yorkville are hard to come by and extremely expensive.
King West Village is experiencing rapid growth. The newly hip neighborhood is a favourite with young singles and couples, thanks to its proximity to downtown office buildings and an array of pubs and nightclubs.
Cabbagetown is one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, and residents display particular pride and affection for their area. Quaint older houses and tree lined streets are just around the corner from busy shops and restaurants. Cabbagetown is also abutted by Regent Park, the largest and oldest public housing project in Toronto and home to many new Canadians. In an effort to stem chronic crime in the project, the city is spending $1-billion to revitalize Regent Park with mixed income housing and new retail businesses.
Harbourfront is known for its plentiful condos with stunning views of Lake Ontario. City dwellers congregate there from all over Toronto to enjoy a breezy stroll by the lake, take a ferry to the Toronto Islands and visit Harbourfront's many antique stores, restaurants and galleries. Harbourfront is one of Toronto’s main cultural centers; that and its architectural flair and unbeatable location make it a highly desirable area to live.
Kensington has been home to generations of immigrants, who’ve all left their distinctive mark on this vibrant “funky” neighbourhood. Its famous market serves up eclectic arts and crafts plus vintage treasures, along with exotic food, teas and spices from around the world.
Liberty Village is unique among Toronto communities. This neighbourhood was only recently built, based on a master plan that blends commercial, retail and residential usage. New construction stands alongside old Victorian industrial buildings. The result is a “gritty” looking yet safe urban area that is popular with young “creative class” professionals.
The St. Lawrence/Distillery District, like Liberty Village, intentionally combines quaint Victorian and Edwardian Toronto charm with modern development. Most famous as the location of the old world style St. Lawrence Market, the area became more residential beginning in the 1960s, when decrepit buildings were transformed by “urban renewal.” The area of St Lawrence known as the Distillery District, meanwhile, is another recently revitalised destination of choice for young artists and professionals.
Junction Triangle is a one-time industrial and commercial area run through with railroad tracks. Today it is increasingly popular as a residential area, with the construction of townhouses and lofts. It is enviably close to High Park, good shopping and the subway (although many residents are also avid cyclists.)
Parkdale was once synonymous with crime and homelessness. However, it is slowly being gentrified by young families with children, attracted by the neighbourhood’s Victorian homes and growing number of thriving small businesses.
The Kingsway is one of the city’s most affluent areas, with mixed use properties along Bloor and Dundas Streets. Large lot, single-family detached Tudor homes on the side streets give the neighbourhood the look and feel of a quiet English village. As well, older apartment buildings stand alongside newer condominiums near the Old Mill subway station.
Bloor West Village is known as a popular shopping destination, but is also home to many families thanks to its selection of schools. As well, its proximity to High Park is a major draw. The neighbourhood’s Business Improvement Association was the first of its kind in the world and is still extremely active, organising annual neighbourhood fairs and festivals that help build a sense of community.
Old Mill is appreciated by higher income families thanks to the plentiful parkland, old world charm and picturesque beauty of the area. It stands along the banks of the Humber River yet is close to plentiful shopping in Bloor West Village.
Agincourt is home to Toronto’s East Indian, Pakistani (and to a lesser extent, Chinese) communities. It isn’t unusual to see stores and shopping malls adorned with multi-lingual signage and the neighbourhood’s largest movie theatre screens foreign films made in India, China and Pakistan. Agincourt has a number of public and Catholic schools. Almost half the residents live in high rise rental apartments.
Leaside is always in high demand; in addition to a good selection of schools, it is known for its family friendly parks, good public transit and handy shopping. Housing prices reflect this, with home buyers coming mostly from upper middle income families.
Danforth Village is known locally as “Greek Town” and retains many of the shops and restaurants that gave it its nickname, and is the scene of a hugely popular annual ethnic street festival. However, the neighbourhood’s blue collar look and feel is being transformed by newcomers from around the globe, along with successful local professionals from media and the arts. Danforth Village is served by a long stretch of the Bloor Subway line, making it one of the most convenient places to live in the city.
The Beach (or “the Beaches”) is one of the most coveted addresses in Toronto, with charming one of a kind old homes beside Lake Ontario rarely coming available. It has been said that the community “looks more like a lakeside resort town than a big city neighbourhood.” Residents and visitors stroll along the boardwalk beside the beach, and enjoy shopping and dining along Queen Street East.
Riverdale was once considered rather run-down, has been undergoing gentrification since the 1980s and now attracts diverse buyers looking for affordable homes that are still close to downtown. Riverdale boasts handy public transit, beautiful Victorian homes, well tended parkland (including a small working farm!) and a growing number of eclectic dining and shopping experiences.
Guildwood was established as an artists’ colony in the 1920s and is now an up and coming yet quiet family neighbourhood with a 1950s and 60s “suburban” feel. Residents can walk to the lake in minutes, and get to Union Station by GO Train in under a half hour.
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is the largest metropolitan area in Canada. Naturally, Toronto is the central city, and it is surrounded by the four regional municipalities (Durham, Peel, Halton and York) that collectively make up the GTA.
The Greater Toronto Area is also part of the famous “Golden Horseshoe,” a hub of agricultural, artistic, industrial and commercial prosperity when extends to the Niagara region. One-fifth of Canada’s entire population lives within this Golden Horseshoe.
Toronto is arguably the most desirable place to live in the region, but housing costs prevent many people from settling in the city proper. That’s why Toronto residents have the one of the world’s longest commuting times, at almost 90 minutes to and from work each day; the suburbs and “commuter” or “bedroom communities” within driving distance of Toronto and the GTA are popular with families. They feel they can get “more house for their money” while still being able to work in the city and enjoy Toronto’s many leisure activities.
Places to consider include
Toronto’s many neighborhoods are located within one of 10 distinct areas: Etobicoke, York, North York, the West End, Downtown, Midtown, Uptown, East York, the East End and Scarborough.
The city’s vibrant downtown core is a robust mix of commercial and residential property, making it a relatively safe place to live, play and work, especially when compared to other major North American cities. However, expect to pay a premium for condos and houses in the area.
Still, for those who can’t quite afford to buy or rent property within Toronto proper, there’s a healthy choice of outlying (“commuter”) towns that offer lower prices and a longer, but reasonable drive into the city
Expats should keep in mind that there are many other neighbourhoods to discover and explore. Take your time, do your research and find the community that fits you, your family situation and lifestyle.
Ideally, be sure to visit your potential neighbourhood yourself. Moving to a new country is a big step, and nothing compares to being there in person, talking to the locals and getting a feel for the community.
The City of Toronto offers an official guide to every Toronto neighbourhood, with profiles of each area that include statistics on ethnicity, income, languages spoken, types of dwellings and more.
Areas in Toronto Proper
North York
York Mills was once a heavily industrial area, but is now one of the city’s most affluent neighbourhoods, with luxury condos and gracious homes. A GO Train station plus its proximity to major roadways like Bayview Avenue, Don Valley Parkway (known as the “DVP”) and Yonge Street make it a favourite of commuters.
Glen Park is home to large numbers of Italian and Orthodox Jewish families, as well as new immigrants from around the globe. While it does have a low-income pocket close to the Allen Expressway, the neighbourhood’s well-known public school is an award winner.
Willowdale is known for its luxury condos and sleek modern feel, thanks to its state of the art performance facilities and civic center. Shopping is abundant. The rebuilt Earl Haig Secondary School has already achieved a reputation for excellence; it also offers special programs in performing and visual arts.
Downsview has a large Jewish and Italian residential community, who are served by the enormous Yorkdale Shopping Center and Toronto’s largest urban park. Downsview Park is the site of family friendly events all year round. Downsview’s proximity to Highways 400 and 401 make it ideally situated for commuters.
Don Mills is the home of a major golf and country club, along with Edwards Gardens. While Don Mills is also the site of many corporate head offices, it is also a popular residential neighbourhood. The Shops at Don Mills are a destination of choice, thanks to a number of high end retailers and festivals and events taking place there all year long.
Uptown
Bedford Park, thanks to its wide selection of schools, is a growing destination of choice for families with small children. They also appreciate other amenities, like good transit, a local library and plenty of playgrounds.
North Toronto is located in one of the city’s fastest growing areas, and one targeted for city redevelopment. Families benefit from the selection of schools, and access to parks and other facilities. Meanwhile, at the intersection of Yonge and Eglinton, towering condos and lively shopping and entertainment options create a lively urban atmosphere.
Lawrence Park is everything you would expect from an older, exclusive residential area: quiet, winding tree lined streets and large older homes. The community also has a good selection of shops and schools, but they are located on the outskirts of the neighbourhood, which keeps noisy traffic to a minimum.
Davisville Village is popular with young singles and couples with families, and has lots of high-rise condos and rental apartments, great shopping and entertainment options, along with handy recreational facilities.
Midtown
The Annex, with its proximity to University of Toronto campuses, is a favourite of white collar/ “creative” professionals, who appreciate its casual, “artsy” atmosphere. Its bars, bakeries, cafes and pubs make it a particular favourite of students.
Forest Hill is one of the city’s most exclusive (and attractive) neighbourhoods, one adorned with dignified mansions, tree lined streets and prestigious private schools.
Yorkville is a glamourous yet charming neighbourhood, popular with visiting celebrities and locals alike. It is famous for its “Rodeo Drive” style shopping, four star hotels and gourmet eateries, all within walking distance of stunning Victorian era homes on quiet streets. Available residential properties in Yorkville are hard to come by and extremely expensive.
Downtown
King West Village is experiencing rapid growth. The newly hip neighborhood is a favourite with young singles and couples, thanks to its proximity to downtown office buildings and an array of pubs and nightclubs.
Cabbagetown is one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, and residents display particular pride and affection for their area. Quaint older houses and tree lined streets are just around the corner from busy shops and restaurants. Cabbagetown is also abutted by Regent Park, the largest and oldest public housing project in Toronto and home to many new Canadians. In an effort to stem chronic crime in the project, the city is spending $1-billion to revitalize Regent Park with mixed income housing and new retail businesses.
Harbourfront is known for its plentiful condos with stunning views of Lake Ontario. City dwellers congregate there from all over Toronto to enjoy a breezy stroll by the lake, take a ferry to the Toronto Islands and visit Harbourfront's many antique stores, restaurants and galleries. Harbourfront is one of Toronto’s main cultural centers; that and its architectural flair and unbeatable location make it a highly desirable area to live.
Kensington has been home to generations of immigrants, who’ve all left their distinctive mark on this vibrant “funky” neighbourhood. Its famous market serves up eclectic arts and crafts plus vintage treasures, along with exotic food, teas and spices from around the world.
Liberty Village is unique among Toronto communities. This neighbourhood was only recently built, based on a master plan that blends commercial, retail and residential usage. New construction stands alongside old Victorian industrial buildings. The result is a “gritty” looking yet safe urban area that is popular with young “creative class” professionals.
The St. Lawrence/Distillery District, like Liberty Village, intentionally combines quaint Victorian and Edwardian Toronto charm with modern development. Most famous as the location of the old world style St. Lawrence Market, the area became more residential beginning in the 1960s, when decrepit buildings were transformed by “urban renewal.” The area of St Lawrence known as the Distillery District, meanwhile, is another recently revitalised destination of choice for young artists and professionals.
West End (including York & Etobicoke)
Junction Triangle is a one-time industrial and commercial area run through with railroad tracks. Today it is increasingly popular as a residential area, with the construction of townhouses and lofts. It is enviably close to High Park, good shopping and the subway (although many residents are also avid cyclists.)
Parkdale was once synonymous with crime and homelessness. However, it is slowly being gentrified by young families with children, attracted by the neighbourhood’s Victorian homes and growing number of thriving small businesses.
The Kingsway is one of the city’s most affluent areas, with mixed use properties along Bloor and Dundas Streets. Large lot, single-family detached Tudor homes on the side streets give the neighbourhood the look and feel of a quiet English village. As well, older apartment buildings stand alongside newer condominiums near the Old Mill subway station.
Bloor West Village is known as a popular shopping destination, but is also home to many families thanks to its selection of schools. As well, its proximity to High Park is a major draw. The neighbourhood’s Business Improvement Association was the first of its kind in the world and is still extremely active, organising annual neighbourhood fairs and festivals that help build a sense of community.
Old Mill is appreciated by higher income families thanks to the plentiful parkland, old world charm and picturesque beauty of the area. It stands along the banks of the Humber River yet is close to plentiful shopping in Bloor West Village.
East End (including East York and Scarborough)
Agincourt is home to Toronto’s East Indian, Pakistani (and to a lesser extent, Chinese) communities. It isn’t unusual to see stores and shopping malls adorned with multi-lingual signage and the neighbourhood’s largest movie theatre screens foreign films made in India, China and Pakistan. Agincourt has a number of public and Catholic schools. Almost half the residents live in high rise rental apartments.
Leaside is always in high demand; in addition to a good selection of schools, it is known for its family friendly parks, good public transit and handy shopping. Housing prices reflect this, with home buyers coming mostly from upper middle income families.
Danforth Village is known locally as “Greek Town” and retains many of the shops and restaurants that gave it its nickname, and is the scene of a hugely popular annual ethnic street festival. However, the neighbourhood’s blue collar look and feel is being transformed by newcomers from around the globe, along with successful local professionals from media and the arts. Danforth Village is served by a long stretch of the Bloor Subway line, making it one of the most convenient places to live in the city.
The Beach (or “the Beaches”) is one of the most coveted addresses in Toronto, with charming one of a kind old homes beside Lake Ontario rarely coming available. It has been said that the community “looks more like a lakeside resort town than a big city neighbourhood.” Residents and visitors stroll along the boardwalk beside the beach, and enjoy shopping and dining along Queen Street East.
Riverdale was once considered rather run-down, has been undergoing gentrification since the 1980s and now attracts diverse buyers looking for affordable homes that are still close to downtown. Riverdale boasts handy public transit, beautiful Victorian homes, well tended parkland (including a small working farm!) and a growing number of eclectic dining and shopping experiences.
Guildwood was established as an artists’ colony in the 1920s and is now an up and coming yet quiet family neighbourhood with a 1950s and 60s “suburban” feel. Residents can walk to the lake in minutes, and get to Union Station by GO Train in under a half hour.
Toronto: Nearby Communities
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is the largest metropolitan area in Canada. Naturally, Toronto is the central city, and it is surrounded by the four regional municipalities (Durham, Peel, Halton and York) that collectively make up the GTA.
The Greater Toronto Area is also part of the famous “Golden Horseshoe,” a hub of agricultural, artistic, industrial and commercial prosperity when extends to the Niagara region. One-fifth of Canada’s entire population lives within this Golden Horseshoe.
Toronto is arguably the most desirable place to live in the region, but housing costs prevent many people from settling in the city proper. That’s why Toronto residents have the one of the world’s longest commuting times, at almost 90 minutes to and from work each day; the suburbs and “commuter” or “bedroom communities” within driving distance of Toronto and the GTA are popular with families. They feel they can get “more house for their money” while still being able to work in the city and enjoy Toronto’s many leisure activities.
Places to consider include
- Vaughan (known for its strong Italian community, as well as immigrants from Eastern European)
- Markham (“Canada’s most diverse community”)
- Richmond Hill (town motto: “A little north, and a little nicer”)
- Oakville (historically English and Scots/Irish, with a high median household income)
- Milton (“the fastest growing area in the GTA”)
- Mississauga (a steadily growing large city made up of many little villages, with an incredibly diverse population from around the world)
- Brampton (with its large South Asian population)
- Oshawa & Pickering (one time farmland that are now rapidly growing communities, with amenities and more affordable housing).
