Moore Park
A gem in the heart of the city, Moore Park is defined by its geographical boundaries – the tracks to the south, the ravine to the west, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery to the north and David Balfour Park to the east. Developed primarily in the early part of the 20th century, many of the homes are either English cottage, Georgian or Tudor style, with larger or more modern homes creating a patchwork of interesting architecture.
Moore Park is literally a hop, skip, and a jump from downtown Toronto. At best, a 10-minute walk to the subway which gets you downtown in 15. A 12-minute walk will get you to a good restaurant; and add another three for a choice of coffee houses!
Located at the corner of Welland and Moore, Moorevale Park is the centre of play. Offering a large playground, wading pool, tennis courts and a baseball diamond, there’s lawn bowling in the summer and skating in the winter … something for everyone.
Many of the people who live here now grew up in the area and have gradually moved back to raise their families. They continue to enjoy the neighbourhood traditions that have stood the test of time: the Mayfair and the Mayfair parade “rain or shine”; Whitney’s Terry Fox run through the neighbourhood; the annual street parties held each year on different streets. Fond memories in the making. Who knew city living could be so civilized?
Bennington Heights
Located just south of Moore Avenue and west of Bayview, Bennington Heights is truly its own little enclave. Charming 1950s bungalows and 1960s split-levels are intermingled with contemporary new builds, attracting young families who want city amenities but with a true neighbourhood feel. And with only destination traffic, it’s the perfect environment to raise a family.
Often described as the neighbourhood with a “Leave it to Beaver” feel, Bennington Height’s central location allows residents to enjoy a quick commute to and from the office, a bonus when maximizing family time is the goal. The hub of the community revolves around Bennington Heights Public School, whose after-school enrichment program equals many of Toronto’s best private schools. And for a taste of nature, the ravine just off of Heath Street is another community favourite, perfect for walking, running and cycling. A few paces further to Evergreen Brickworks, a must-see in every season.
Summerhill
With a mix of Victorian rowhouses, townhomes, luxury condos and detached homes, Summerhill appeals to those looking for the true urban experience. The close proximity to Yonge Street means you don’t need a car to access the fabulous stores, restaurants, cafes and subway nearby.
Summerhill attracts: the young urban professional; the downsizing couple who traded in the big, hard-to-manage Rosedale mansion for a smaller but still glamorous setting; and the family looking for that Manhattan lifestyle. The French joie de vivre lives here with delightful local grocers like Harvest Wagon, Oliffe Butcher Shop and Pisces Gourmet Seafood, offering fresh ideas for every meal. The LCBO — with its splendid architecture recently renovated — is also in the perfect spot for picking up that recent release of Beaujolais Nouveau. Drop in for a sandwich at the cozy Black Camel cafe, a slice of New-York-Style pizza at Yeah Yeahs or enjoy a coffee with friends at Boxcar Social.
Annex
The Annex is an eclectic mix of architecture and people. The proximity to U of T makes it desirable for both professors and students, however the location right near Bloor Street and Yorkville also attracts the wealthier individual looking for a truly urban lifestyle. Your neighbour could be a hipster, an art dealer, a student, or a software developer. Those that choose the Annex welcome diversity.
Prestigious streets like Huron, Lowther and Admiral are filled with elegant grande dame Victorian homes, most of which have been extensively renovated while maintaining the heritage of the homes and neighbourhood. University housing and student apartments are also integrated into the landscape. The land value is high, so when some of these older multi-family dwellings come to market, they are often renovated extensively and converted back to single-family homes.
The charm of the Annex is the proximity to culture, classes and more. In addition to the University of Toronto, there is the ROM at your doorstep, the Bata Shoe Museum, and the Royal Conservatory of Music. The diverse selection of stores and restaurants give the neighbouhood its wonderful flavour.
The Annex is the perfect neighbourhood for those who are attracted to the boho-chic lifestyle with the sites, sounds and scents of urban living.
DEER PARK
The midtown neighbourhood of Deer Park is close to chic shops and amenities at Yonge and St Clair. Homes vary from detached single-family dwellings to duplexes, apartment buildings and condominiums. The area attracts urban professionals and young families who want to be steps away from city life but not part of the concrete jungle.
Deer Park has wonderful tree-lined streets and is an attractive alternative to Forest Hill without the hefty price tag. Plus, it’s extremely convenient for those with kids at Upper Canada College or BSS. The demand for homes in this area is high, with many being bought and then painstakingly renovated.
Runners enjoy Beltline Trail which runs through the top of the neighbourhood, taking you into Forest Hill or over to Mount Pleasant Cemetery. You’ll find families congregate at Oriole Park which offers a wading pool in the summer, plus tennis courts and a fabulous playground.
Deer Park is a neighbourhood with options and opportunities.
Davisville
Davisville Village used to be a fantastic “starter home” area. Boy, how things have changed! Savvy builders noticed the relatively reasonable land values and bought lots to build new homes, attracting those willing to sacrifice home size for proximity to work.
Typically, lot widths range from 20ft to 40ft, with many detached homes intermixed with semi-detached. You’ll also find a large number of condominiums here which makes for a great mix of options for singles, young professional couples and new families.
Davisville Village is in high demand because of proximity to the subway coupled with the areas shops and restaurants. You’ll find pre-schools, children’s bookstores, toy stores and clothing stores intermingled with hip restaurants and coffee shops, all just a short stroll away. For those pedicure-obsessed, Davisville Village offers a vast selection of walk-in spas.
Whatever you are craving—whether it be a fresh scoop of gelato or a big chunk of rare Italian Fontina—it can be found in Davisville Village. One can no longer say this is a “starter home” area.
Yorkville
Toronto’s original bohemian enclave in the 1960s, Yorkville has long given way to designer boutiques, high-end hotels and restaurants.
The neighbourhood features small courtyards, alleyways and charming Victorian homes along with the infamous “Mink Mile” of Bloor St., housing designers like Louis Vitton, Tiffany and Hermes.
You’ll find renovated Victorian homes on Hazelton Avenue, while those who prefer the condo life can choose from a wide range of options, from small apartments to full-floor suites with all the amenities.
Yorkville residents are steps away from some of the finest restaurants the city has to offer, and close to the ROM, the Gardiner museum and numerous art galleries.