Are you thinking of investing in Toronto real estate? If so, there are certain things you should look for when you’re assessing a potential property. One of the most crucial is the neighbourhood where it’s situated. From proximity to in-demand communities to plans for future development to an influx of young residents, there are certain things that make an area ideal for investment.
If you’re looking to invest in Toronto real estate, here are ten neighbourhoods to consider…
Lower Junction
The Junction has been one of the city’s “it” neighbourhoods for years. Now the area around the intersection of Sterling and Perth (often referred to as the Lower Junction) is about to gain the same status.
Since the opening of MOCA—and the exciting new development known as Lower JCT—this former industrial district has really come alive. With hot local businesses like Henderson Brewing, Drake Commissary, and House of Anasi Press in the community, home prices are bound to rise in the years ahead.
If you’re looking to get in on the ground floor, consider one of the area’s most exciting new developments: House of Assembly. Here you’ll find open-concept suites with oversized windows and stunning views. Located on Sterling Road, you’ll be in the heart of one of the city’s most vibrant new neighbourhoods.
Other notable projects in pre-construction include Westbend Residences by Mattamy Homes, The Sterling Automotive by Lamb Development Corp., and 41 Wabash, a boutique luxury project by Vandyk Properties which is directed more at end users than investors.
Though the Junction is particularly attractive for families, more and more single professionals are moving to the neighbourhood so they can be close to the action. Schools in the area include Annette Street Public School, Indian Road Crescent Public School, and Lucy McCormick Public School. For anyone interested in high quality education, it’s hard to find a better place to live or invest.
Related: Read our Junction Neighbourhood Guide
Bloordale Village
If Bloordale Village doesn’t sound familiar, you’re in good company. This small community along Bloor Street from Dufferin Street to Lansdowne Avenue has been one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets for years. However, investors are starting to take note of the incredible opportunities that lie within! Here’s an interesting fact: the Bloordale Village Business Improvement Area is one of the first ever in Toronto. This just goes to show you how forward-thinking and innovative this little community can be.
The neighbourhood offers a lively feel that is peaceful and low-key at the same time, making it a desirable area for families, young professionals, and newcomers to Canada. With trendy restaurants, great shopping, a hopping nightlife, and an art scene that is the envy of the city, Bloordale Village is a place to watch out for!
You’ll also find superb access to transit, with subway lines and Union Station nearby. And travel bugs love the convenience of the UP Express which takes you directly to Pearson Airport or Union Station, allowing neighbourhood residents to say goodbye to stressful traffic and long wait times!
Access to high-quality schools means young families will always be drawn to the area. Local schools include Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School, St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School, Dovercourt Public School, Brock Public School, and West End Alternative School.
Many people looking to relocate to this neighbourhood will be ready to buy a home. However, the demand for rentals in Toronto has never been higher and is growing throughout nearly every area in the city. Since this vibrant community is beginning to garner much attention, it is a prime spot for investment. Several resale homes may be available, but new projects are also in the works that could be the perfect opportunity for investors to expand their portfolios.
One of the most significant developments is Bloor-Dufferin by Capital Developments. This highly anticipated mixed-use community will offer TTC access and badly needed affordable housing with both condominium and apartment buildings on the way. Two other projects to note are Motto Condos by Sierra Communities and Galleria III Condos by Almadev.
Want to know more about the incredible city of Toronto and why it has so much appeal for residents and investors? The articles below are a great place to start:
Regent Park
Regent Park once suffered from a less-than-glowing reputation, but that’s changed. A mixed-income revitalization model has brought new life to this East Toronto neighbourhood.
Today, residents (including a growing group of families and young professionals) enjoy plenty of local retail, unique restaurants, a six-acre park, and a state-of-the-art community centre featuring an impressive pool. Regent Park has developed slowly but surely for over a decade, and it’s still evolving. In other words, purchasing property here is a safe bet from an investment perspective.
If you’re looking for a new development to invest in, you have plenty of options. Here are just a few exciting projects that are set to breathe new life into Regent Park over the next few years:
- The Wyatt Condos by The Daniels Corporation
- Warehouse Lofts Toronto by The Sher Corporation and Downing Street
- Leftbank Condos by Broccolini Construction Inc.
East Danforth/Danforth Village
At Danforth Village (also called East Danforth), you’ll find one of the most famous and dynamic shopping districts in all of Toronto! Of course, great shopping goes hand in hand with a superb dining scene. And without fail, you’ll find countless fabulous restaurants throughout the neighbourhood offering every cuisine anyone could dream of. It’s also home to one of Toronto’s most beloved festivals, a Taste of the Danforth.
This former farming territory was originally owned by the Church of England before being annexed into the City of Toronto in 1908. The neighbourhood runs from Greektown to the Scarborough boundary at Victoria Park Avenue.
Danforth Village is a fast-growing community for a good reason. It offers a very high standard of living that is still relatively affordable, a combination almost impossible to find anywhere else in Toronto. This is great news for anyone looking to buy a new home for their family and for investors to add to their portfolio without breaking the bank.
With downtown Toronto minutes away and convenient access to the Bloor-Danforth subway line, Go station, and streetcars means getting around is easy, which adds even more to the appeal to the neighbourhood. All the more reason to get out and explore the amazing amenities and recreational opportunities that exist all around!
Speaking of amenities, Monarch Park is a massive attraction in the area, a recreational centre with an ice rink and an outdoor swimming pool. As a highly walkable neighbourhood full of scenery and convenience, Danforth Village is both fun and family-friendly!
Many private schools in the area focus on tech, designed to give young people a great start on life, including Danforth Collegiate And Technical Institute, CanSTEM Education Private School. Plenty of public options are also available, including George Webster Public School, Secord Elementary School, Gledhill Public School, William J McCordic School, Earl Beatty Junior and Senior Public School.
The real estate market offers modest homes, condos & townhouses that are popular with families and first-time buyers. New condos in development also present fantastic opportunities for anyone looking to invest. Here are a few to watch out for:
- The Dawes by Marlin Spring, with 423 units available.
- Danforth Village Condos by Marlin Spring and Trolleybus Urban Development Inc, which will offer 616 residential units.
- Danny Danforth by Gala Developments, a low-rise project that will feature some of the most affordable condos in the city, which will quickly get snapped up by investors and first-time buyers.
Mimico
If you’re looking for an investment unit, it doesn’t get better than Mimico. From its incredible lakefront views to its charming local businesses to its gleaming modern condo buildings, this Etobicoke gem truly has it all.
Another major benefit of living here is the access to GO Transit. Buyers are catching onto the fact that they can get from Mimico to the city’s core in 20 minutes flat—and units are moving fast. While prices are rising with demand, you can still purchase living space here for significantly less than you would in Downtown Toronto.
When searching for a place to invest, it’s hard to go wrong by buying near a school as many parents with young children will happily pay more for access to education. And Mimico truly has it all, with John English Junior Middle School and Mimico High School as two public options right in the neighbourhood. There are also several private schools nearby, including The Mildenhall School and Phoenix Montessori School.
One of the hottest developments planned for the area is Grand Central Mimico. This project is now sold out. The building offers an irresistible combination of classic design and modern amenities, along with easy access to transit. At an impressive 1.85 million square feet, this master-planned community is sure to be the area’s next big thing!
Other upcoming projects to consider are 327 Royal York Condos by Vandyk Properties, Grand Park Village by Minto Communities and 351 Royal York Condos by UrbinCo, all strategically located next to Mimico GO Station.
Yonge-St. Clair
In the heart of midtown sits Yonge-St. Clair, one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets. The area boasts all the conveniences of a dense, urban area, along with proximity to one of the city’s most beautiful ravines.
Yonge-St. Clair has also undergone significant revitalization in recent years, including beautification efforts. Large murals have been created, adding some colour to the neighbourhood. Buzz-worthy new developments like One Delisle are now under construction, along with The Clair Residences in pre-construction with a sales launch to be announced. With future growth on the horizon, this midtown community is a great place to consider investing.
Access to great schools makes Yonge-St. Clair particularly attractive to both families and investors! The long list of options includes Jarvis Collegiate Institute, Cottingham Junior Public School, Brown Junior Public School, North Toronto Collegiate Institute, and Jesse Ketchum Jr and Sr Public School.
Runnymede
An established, quiet neighbourhood that is also one of the most affordable in Toronto, Runnymede lies within the proximity to affluent areas like Baby Point, High Park, and Bloor West Village. Fortunately, affordability doesn’t mean sacrificing the quality of living for those lucky enough to call Runnymede home.
A quick jaunt over to Jane, Annette, or Dundas Street provides a wide array of shopping opportunities, from discount stores and antique shops to grocery stores and independent markets. The food scene alone is worth a visit, with numerous restaurants, bars, and fast food outlets scattered throughout.
Dundas Street West commercial corridor lies to the north of this peaceful residential community, providing employment opportunities & an economic boost. Etienne and Home Smith parks offer an escape from the hectic day-to-day life and activities like hiking, cycling and rollerblading, or even fishing by the side of the Humber River. It’s easy to see why this neighbourhood is quickly becoming more desirable with newcomers and Toronto residents alike.
Neighbourhood schools such as Humbercrest Public School, Runnymede Jr & Sr Public School, Humberside Collegiate Institute, and Runnymede Collegiate Institute provide a top-quality education for students of all ages.
For investors, Runnymede offers fantastic opportunities with both resale properties and pre-construction. Here are two up-and-coming developments in the works:
- 3385 Dundas St W by Terra Firma Homes
- Vita On Beresford by Urbinco
Oakwood Vaughan
Oakwood Vaughan is another one of those neighbourhood that hasn’t always had the best reputation. More recently, young creatives have begun migrating here due to the (relatively) affordable rents—a potential sign that an area will soon be in high demand.
Residents of this York District community enjoy local schools and green spaces, along with Italian restaurants, bakeries, and shops. They’re also conveniently close to Dufferin, Eglington, and St. Clair.
Here you’ll find a variety of housing, from modern new builds to small, moderately-priced single-family homes. They present a great opportunity for aspiring home buyers and investors alike. Two notable projects coming to the area are Oakwood Living by UrbinCo and 908 St Clair by Canderel Residential.
Real estate investing can be a great way to grow your wealth, but there are a few things you should know first. The posts below will help bring you up to speed:
- What To Look Out For When Buying Pre-Construction
- How To Get Started As A Real Estate Investor
- What Is An Assignment Sale?
Birch Cliff
Once one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets, the stunning Birch Cliff neighbourhood lies close to the Scarborough Bluffs and Lake Ontario. The community got its name when a cottage owner John Stark started calling his property “Birch Cliff” because of the birch trees growing all around the area. Local residents must have liked it because the name has stuck ever since!
The bluffs and the water provide breathtaking scenic beauty, and Kingston Road delivers the excitement and the convenience, where you’ll find a slew of amenities, including upscale restaurants, clothing stores, and cafes. It’s also the site of an annual community parade that takes place in May. You couldn’t ask for a better combination of peacefulness and suburban flair than what you find in Birch Cliff.
Existing homes in the neighbourhood were constructed from the 1910s to the 1950s and range from bungalows and storey-and-a-half detached houses to stunning heritage homes in Tudor, Edwardian and Cape Cod styles.
Amenities include Birchmount Community Centre and Taylor Memorial Branch Toronto Public Library, which both provide recreational programming for adults, teenagers, and small children. You’ll also find interesting landmarks and monuments around the neighbourhood. For example, the R.C. Harris Filtration Plant is the largest water filtration facility in Toronto, providing 30% of the city supply and an acclaimed historic building that has been used in dozens of films and television series.
Birch Cliff is actually two communities in one: Fallingbrook, which is more upscale with many homes backing onto the ravine and Birch Cliff Heights, the more accessible area. Several public schools provide excellent access to education, including Cliffside Public School, John A Leslie Public School, JR H King Academy, and Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute.
As an investor, keep an eye out for the upcoming Birchcliff Urban Towns project. When completed, this development will boast 52 modern suites in the heart of the action amid the shops, restaurants, beach, park and marina. This upcoming development represents a rare opportunity to buy into a highly desirable and growing neighbourhood. Two other projects coming to the area are Residences at Bluffers Park by Skate Developments and Cliffside Condos by LCH Developments.
West Don Lands
Welcome to the future! A new master-planned community is coming near the waterfront, and house hunters and investors alike are on high alert. Bordered by the Don River to Parliament Street and King Street to the rail corridor, West Don Lands will feature about 6,000 new residential units. 20% of these will add to the supply of affordable housing in the city. With all east/west streets leading to Don River Park, the new development will offer the best in both scenic beauty and city convenience. It is within easy walking distance to St. Lawrence Market and minutes to downtown by car. And with the new Cherry Street streetcar line, every resident will be within a five-minute walk from transit.
The innovative streets will be a wonder to behold, with Woonerfs designed to capture the attention of all passersby. Other highlights of the area? Parks, parks, and then some more parks, each more stunning and exciting than the last. The largest is Corktown Common which provides 18 acres of natural parklands with a playground and water features children will want to revisit time and time again. There are also great places to stop and have a picnic and a dog park so your favourite furry companion can join your explorations. The proximity to downtown, revitalized waterfront, and transit accessibility means West Don Lands is poised to become one of the most desired areas in all of Toronto!
With housing options consisting primarily of modern condos and elegant townhouses, West Don Lands is a must-watch neighbourhood for all investment-minded people.
Whether you’re interested in one of the pre-construction properties mentioned above, or you’re simply looking for expert real estate investment advice, we’re here for you! Get in touch to learn more about investing in Toronto and beyond.
