Neighbourhoods
Leaside
Where the city feels a little more like home.
Leaside has that rare Toronto magic—a true neighbourhood feel, surrounded by beautiful tree-lined streets, character-filled homes, parks and ravines, yet close to everything.
There is Bayview Avenue for coffee, dinner and a little shopping. There are parks and trails for weekend walks, wonderful schools, and a community where people tend to stay, put down roots and know their neighbours.
Trace Manes Park, with its tennis courts, outdoor rink and playground, sits right beside the Leaside library, while Sunnybrook and Serena Gundy parks open onto the Don Valley ravine trails. Families value the local schools, including Bessborough, Rolph Road and Northlea, and Leaside High School, and the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens has been a gathering place for skating, swimming and community events for generations.
Leaside was where some of my own firsts happened. My first house. My first baby. So many memories of raising a family in Toronto.
That personal connection is perhaps why I understand what makes Leaside so special.
Please verify school boundaries with the school board.
Photo: Dillan Payne / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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 is 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?
Rosedale
Old Toronto charm, with a life of its own.
Rosedale is one of those rare Toronto neighbourhoods where the streets seem to have a story to tell. Winding roads, beautiful old homes, mature trees and ravines create a sense of discovery around every corner. It is elegant without feeling formal, and historic without feeling stuck in the past.
And then there is the community. Rosedale and neighbouring Moore Park blend naturally into one another. You may start out walking the ravines and end up at Summerhill Market, or find yourself at Mayfair, the spring fair in Rosedale Park that has brought neighbours together since 1946.
My own kids went to Mayfair for many years, and my son even worked there when he was older. Rain or shine, it was always the event of the spring.
At the heart of it all is Mooredale, where local families have gathered for decades for swimming, sports, camps, preschool and community events. My own kids were among them, heading to Mooredale House for swimming.
Rosedale is beautiful, certainly. But its real charm is the life that happens between the houses—the walks, the traditions, the neighbours, and the feeling of being part of something wonderfully established, yet very much alive.
Photo: SimonP / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Lawrence Park
Room to breathe. Space to call your own.
Many Toronto neighbourhoods grew up over time. Lawrence Park was planned. Laid out in 1907 as one of the city’s first garden suburbs, it was designed with curving crescents, generous lots and landscaped grounds, where the garden mattered as much as the house.
More than a century later, it still has a sense of calm that is rare this close to Yonge Street. Outdoor living comes naturally here, from morning walks through Blythwood Ravine to a quiet stroll in Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens.
With good local schools, the shops and restaurants of Yonge and Lawrence close by, and an easy subway ride downtown, Lawrence Park offers peaceful living without giving up city convenience.
It is also where my own Toronto story began. I grew up here and went to Bedford Park. Wanless Park, just across Lawrence Avenue, was a childhood favourite, and it is still a neighbourhood gathering spot today.
I have lived in many parts of this city since, but Lawrence Park is where it all started.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Bennington Heights
A quiet pocket above the ravine.
Tucked just south of Moore Avenue on either side of Bayview, Bennington Heights is truly its own little enclave. It sits along the ridge of the ancient Lake Iroquois shoreline, with the Moore Park Ravine curving around it, so many streets see little more than local traffic, and some homes enjoy lovely ravine views.
Original bungalows and split-levels sit alongside striking new builds, and the neighbourhood draws young families who want a central address with a true neighbourhood feel. Commutes are quick, which leaves more time for what matters at home.
Life here tends to revolve around Bennington Heights Elementary School and the parks close by. For a taste of nature, the Moore Park Ravine trail, part of the old Beltline railway, is perfect for walking, running and cycling, and it leads down to Evergreen Brick Works, a favourite in every season.
Photo: John Vetterli / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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 do not 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 walkable, everyday city living. The French joie de vivre lives here with delightful local grocers like Harvest Wagon, Olliffe Butcher Shop and Pisces Gourmet Seafood, offering fresh ideas for every meal. The LCBO, set in the splendid former North Toronto train station, is also in the ideal spot for picking up that recent release of Beaujolais Nouveau.
Coming soon: a second Summerhill subway entrance is under construction at the south end of the station, connecting into the new residential and commercial development at 10 Price Street, with work scheduled into 2028. Drop in for a sandwich at the cozy Black Camel cafe or enjoy a coffee with friends at Boxcar Social. For dinner, Seahorse serves up seafood and a lively raw bar, while Manita, in the much-loved former home of the Rosedale Diner, is a neighbourhood favourite from morning to night. And for something sweet, Chocolat de Kat on Price Street offers beautiful bonbons and chocolate bars.
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 draws buyers looking for a truly urban lifestyle. Your neighbour could be a professor, an artist, a student or a tech entrepreneur. Those who 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 neighbourhood its wonderful flavour.
The Annex is an ideal neighbourhood for those who are drawn to a creative, culture-rich lifestyle with the sights, sounds and scents of urban living.
Photo: Alain Rouiller / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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 in the middle of the bustle.
Deer Park has wonderful tree-lined streets and is an attractive alternative to Forest Hill without the hefty price tag. Plus, it is 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 will 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.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Davisville
Big-city convenience with a village heart.
Davisville Village was once known as a smart place for a first home. Today it is one of midtown’s most sought-after pockets, and it has kept the friendly, walkable feel that drew people here in the first place.
The homes are a true mix. Detached and semi-detached houses, many on lots of about 20 to 40 feet, sit alongside newer custom builds and plenty of condominiums, which makes the area a fit for singles, young couples, growing families and downsizers alike.
Much of the appeal is location. The subway is close at hand, and the shops along Mount Pleasant Road have a true village spirit: preschools, children’s bookstores and toy shops share the street with cafés, wellness studios and restaurants, all an easy stroll away. June Rowlands Park adds tennis courts, a splash pad, a playground and room to roam.
Whatever you are craving, whether it is a scoop of fresh gelato or a wedge of rare Italian Fontina, you will likely find it in Davisville Village.
Photo: Canmenwalker / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
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 famous “Mink Mile” of Bloor St., housing designers like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and Hermès.
You will 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.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, public domain