Toronto is the biggest city in Canada and there are plenty of great neighbourhoods to choose from. The problem is, that choosing the perfect one can be challenging. Toronto is such a diverse city with many different cultures, religions, personalities, and more. The neighbourhoods in the city thus match that diversity.
So, we are going to take a look at the best neighbourhoods for families, people on a budget, single professionals, and our favourite neighbourhood overall. Keep reading to find the best neighbourhood in Toronto for you.
Best Neighbourhoods In Toronto
Best neighbourhood for families: The Beaches
The Beaches neighbourhood is well-known for having tons of families and older people because of how peaceful the neighbourhood is. The Beaches are aptly named as the lakefront in the neighbourhood is split into four different beaches: Woodbine Beach, Kew Beach, Scarboro Beach, and Balmy Beach. These beaches are a bit nicer than the ones in the downtown area and thus an excellent place for a family.
As the neighbourhood is a bit further out, rent tends to be cheaper, and Downtown Toronto is still easily accessible by streetcar. There are many different types of properties available at The Beaches. Whether you’re looking for a Victorian home, new home, condo, or apartment, you can find it in The Beaches.
With plenty of great schools, shops, restaurants, and cafes, and a low crime rate, The Beaches is an excellent neighbourhood for families.
Best neighbourhood for people on a budget: The Annex
The Annex is a popular neighbourhood for students thanks to its proximity to the number one university in Canada, the University of Toronto. Despite being a student-centric neighbourhood, it is a very beautiful area perfect for anyone on a budget. Professionals and families also live in The Annex, so it is a very unique and diverse neighbourhood!
The location is to die for thanks to how central it is with access to multiple subway stations. There are also cheap food options everywhere, and many bars offer great drink specials to cater to a student’s budget.
Housing tends to be a bit more affordable compared to other neighbourhoods downtown to cater to students. Many students rent rooms in houses, but there are beautiful Victorian homes available for purchase. Condos are always popping up in the area as well.
Best neighbourhood for single professionals: Yorkville
If you are into fashion or shopping, you have likely heard of Yorkville before. It is one of Toronto’s most expensive and best neighbourhoods, thanks to its location and high-end shopping. Yorkville is located in the heart of midtown with Bloor and Bay subway stations, so not only is it super central, it’s easy to get anywhere in Toronto from Yorkville.
If shopping at high-end stores isn’t your thing, Yorkville still has plenty to offer! You will find plenty of fancy restaurants to enjoy fine dining at or visit the Royal Ontario Museum located in The Annex. Even just enjoying a walk around the neighbourhood is a luxury! The Annex is one of the busiest neighbourhoods in the city, so there’s plenty to see.
Our favourite neighbourhood: Harbourfront
Harbourfront has made the list as our favourite neighbourhood in Toronto because it has everything you need! First of all, the location is great. Even if you don’t have a view of Lake Ontario, you will be close enough to it to take lovely strolls every day to get a great taste of nature. But, you aren’t far away from Downtown Toronto, so you still have prime access to all the amenities the city has to offer.
As Harbourfront is known for having plenty of condos, finding somewhere to live is easy. There are no houses in Harbourfront, so it might not be the best option for big families, but smaller families can still enjoy the neighbourhood and all its outdoor space.
With easy access to Toronto Island in the summer and the many festivals and events that take place at Harbourfront Centre, Harbourfront is the ideal place to be.
Best neighbourhood for retirees: Humber Valley Village
The Humber Valley village is a family-oriented area surrounded by cycling paths, golf courses, and tennis courts. The local amenities are easily accessible. New residents to the area can choose from a range of home styles including bungalows, detached homes, townhouses, and condos.
Golf enthusiasts will enjoy easy access to one of the top golf courses in Canada, the St. George’s Golf and Country Club which is in Islington. People who like cycling can use the Humber Park Trail, which is a scenic bike trail suitable for all ages, to explore their new neighbourhood. The Toronto Bicycling Club is active in the area and it costs $20 to sign up and you will be able to stay active while meeting people your age.
Best neighbourhood for young professional couples: Yonge-Eglinton
The Yonge-Eglinton area is nicknamed “young and eligible” because it is known for its younger and professional demographic. The area has some of the hottest and most sought-after properties, including condominiums, and is within walking distance of many corporate headquarters, great shops, and restaurants.
This popular area also has easy access to public transportation making commuting into the office even easier. Living in central Toronto, you will never run out of things to do and will be surrounded by many like-minded people who also enjoy the hustle and bustle of a major cosmopolitan city.
Best neighbourhood for downtown living: Queen West
Queen West, in the heart of downtown Toronto, is often regarded as the coolest neighbourhood in Toronto and features a fantastic selection of homes. The residents of Queen West benefit from easy access to restaurants, shops, bars, and the iconic Trinity Bellwoods Park. You will also find unique boutiques, vintage outlets, galleries, museums, and nightclubs in the area.
New residents to Queen West can choose from new-build luxury condos and thoughtfully redesigned loft spaces to heritage red-brick Victorian homes. Homes in Queen West are a stimulating mix of architecture and design with original low-rise brick buildings juxtaposed with new highrise condo and office buildings.
Conclusion
With 158 neighbourhoods in Toronto, you would be hard-pushed not to find an area to suit your taste in Toronto. The downtown neighbourhoods offer their residents easy access to all the best amenities Toronto has to offer, while people preferring quieter areas further away from downtown, have many leafy and peaceful neighbourhoods to choose from.
