Moving to Toronto - Neighborhood suggestions?

Question

Looking to relocate to Toronto in early 2009 for a couple of years, with my husband and 18 month old. Curious to hear any suggestions regarding the neighborhood we should consider renting in. My husband will be working downtown so we would like to be near TTC services. Also, given we have toddler, we would like to be an area that is perhaps popular with small families, has parks, etc. With that being said, we don't want to feel like we're "out in the 'burbs", so to speak... So somewhere that has access to restaurants, good shops and such.

When I've visited the city previously, I've stayed in the Little Italy area and really liked it, but I'm not sure how suitable it is with having a small child (lots of clubs and things). Have heard people mention that The Beaches, High Park, Bloor West Vilage or Lawrence Park would be good options. Also Etiobicoke? But this seems much further out on the maps than the other areas = suburbs.

Gee, we don't want much, do we? :-) Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I liked the High Park/Bloor West/Keele St area when I lived there quite some time ago I know the neighbourhood HAS changed since I lived there but it was a nice area with lots of parks, schools and single family homes as well as the awful highrise apartments.

For me I would look in an area bordered by Bloor in the north,  Roncenvalles (sp) in the east to Parkside Dr in the west the lake is in the south.  Somewhere within walking distance of Sunnyside pool on the lake if it is still there.

Transportation is good there is the subway at Bloor & Keele and Bloor & Dundas, there is the Dundas and Roncenvalles street cars and also another car that runs down near the lake that I can't remember.

Lawrence Park wasn't that great a place when I lived there and depending on where you look along St Clair st you will still be in "little Italy" but away from the main part try more of the western side say west of Landsdowne

Good luck on your search.

Answer 2

Im looking to leave Toronto, the crime is just horrible here.

Stay away from the east end. Scarborough is just brutal.

Murders, shootings, stabbings, gangs, terrible.

How do you feel about the suburbs?

Like Mississauga, or Oakville or even Etobicoke.

Toronto is a beautiful and amazing city, SO SO SO much to do in the summer, but the crime rate and congested hiways and major traffic are sending me and my family packing.

Answer 3

East York is perfect. Lots of parks...hospitals...day cares..18 mins by TTC downtown....perfect spot..minutes to Lawrence Park...Rosedale..all major highways...Couldn't be a more perfect spot.   Welcome to Toronto (Borough of East York)

Answer 4

If you have a little one, you would love the Yonge&Eglinton (and up to Lawrence) area.  This neighbourhood is experiencing a baby boom!  Everywhere you look there are strollers.

Why are these young families living here?  It's because this hood is safe, quiet and friendly.  And there are a ton of parks.

Yonge & Eglinton was known as 'Yonge & Eligable' for years.  It's now more like 'Yonge & Expecting'.

;)

Answer 5

i would suggets living near yonge and finch their the the yonge subway that connects to most parts of the downtown and their also lots of buses and their it call the finch stn.at that station their is also fo transit and york region transit that connects to the suburs of toronto.if u want lots of parks this area isn't bad but another place that is about 10 mins subway ride is midtown toronto near yonge and elighton or yonge and summerhill or rodedale or even yonge and davisville.

Answer 6

You didnt say what your budget is for an apartment.

I live in Midtown Toronto, and have a young child. I love the area because it's quite safe and there are tons of parks around.

I'd suggest looking for places close to the Yonge subway line, at Summerhill, St. Clair, and up to Davisville. The only drawback to this area is the price... you'd be looking at a 2-bedroom apartment starting at about $1500.

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Edit: Ok, now that you've written in your budget, it's easier to narrow down. I'd recommend the Yonge-St. Clair Area (that's where I live, and we love it). Everything is close by--- the TTC, gorgeous parks, good schools, good restaurants/shopping, doctor's office... it's like a mini-city within the city. And your monthly budget would let you live in a nice apartment in this area.

http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/cns_p...

Yonge/St. Clair also borders the lovely Forest Hill area. You could look for apartments all down St. Clair Ave. between Yonge and all the way to Spadina Ave to the west. All that surrounding area is nice. Past Spadina/Bathurst to the west, St. Clair becomes a little more iffy, so I'd avoid it.

Also look at Forest Hill Village. It's a nice neighborhood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Hill...

Answer 7

Yonge & St.Clair, Forest Hill, Rosedale, are the most expensive s****. parts of town.  Is that what you'd like ?

Etobicoke is old and cramped and "burby" and  badmouthers of other suburbs.

Little Italy???  old, cramped, even the Italians are moving out of there (ciao !  gone to Woodbridge....see 'ya! )

I'd suggest Don Mills, just north of East York, its like East York, but newer, more modern, more spacious and green, and close to a major indoor mall, several wonderful parklands, various restaurants, bike trails (you could bike to downtown), sports fields, close to IKEA, and even right on the newest subway, a short subway ride to the Yonge Street subway and a great bookstore at Bayview.  Thats the best because even when there is a lot of snow, you won't be tied up in street-level traffic.  If you go by car, its close access to the highway that goes downtown, Don Valley Parkway, and East-West  Hwy 401.  This area is quieter than High Park area because of the noisy activities that happen during late summer along western Lakeshore, like Canada Day country music festival, Caribanna, and the Exhibition.  Don Mills / Fairview area has a lot of apartment towers, townhouses, and bungalows to choose from, and you won't have to pay as much as right downtown.

Answer 8

The lack of a target rent makes this hard to answer. Personally I'm a downtown in the financial district or nothing type. But I don't have a child and I enjoy clubbing. For your situation I think the Beaches is your best bet. Maybe Young and Eglington area. Financial district if you are willing to spend a bit more on rent. www.mls.ca is mostly for buying but you can check rent uncheck buy and it ill let you get an idea on rental prices for different neighbourhoods. The Danforth is also worth looking at.

I think Etobicoke is a too down-market to be considered.