The Danforth, also known as East Danforth and Danforth Village, is a well-known and well-loved community in Toronto’s east end. Located along Danforth Avenue (the extension of Bloor Street that runs east of the Don Valley Parkway), this bustling neighbourhood is full of life and culture year-round.

The Danforth is perhaps best known for its collection of shops, restaurants, and nightlife hotspots along Danforth Avenue. It’s also one of the largest Greek neighbourhoods in North America! Residents and visitors can expect to find authentic Greek cuisine right on their doorsteps, along with a superb collection of local grocers, fruit stands, cafes, and restaurants along the Danforth strip.

When it comes to local homes, there’s a very diverse range of styles, sizes, and locations. Go north of Danforth Avenue and you’ll find some of the more traditional detached and semi-detached homes in the Victorian and Edwardian styles. Go south, and you’ll find more of a mix—including a selection of newer builds, bungalows, condo buildings, and apartments.

From singles to young couples to large families, there’s space for everyone in the Danforth. Thanks to the diverse range of homes available to buy and rent, anyone can find the perfectly-sized place here.

One of the best parts about The Danforth is how multicultural the neighbourhood is. The community is home to local residents from all over the world, which contributes to its warm and welcoming feel—along with its fantastic food and culture.

One can’t-miss local event is the annual “Taste of the Danforth” street festival, where thousands of local vendors and millions of visitors take over the avenue for a multi-day celebration of cuisine and culture. This summertime festival is one of Toronto’s most popular food-related events.

The Danforth is also very close to public transit, as Danforth Avenue contains several easily-accessible subway stations. These include Broadview, Chester, Pape, Donlands, Greenwood, Coxwell, Woodbine, and Main Street Stations. Additionally, regular bus routes serve the area.

Another huge perk of living in the Danforth is its selection of schools. Some of its most popular options include Secord Elementary School and Gledhill Public School, which welcome students from kindergarten through grade 6.

Additionally, Earl Haig Public School, George Webster Public School, Earl Beatty Public School, and St. Brigid Catholic School all welcome students from k-8.

Situated along the lakeshore in Toronto’s far east end, the Beaches is named for its proximity to a collection of sandy beaches along Lake Ontario.

The Beaches is bordered by the lake to the south, and it contains extensive public parks and green spaces—all of which makes it a very outdoor-oriented community. Locals and visitors from across Toronto love to visit in the warmer months, when the area’s natural beauty is out in full force.

The friendly, laid-back vibes provided by the Beaches make it a very alluring place for many. With little crime and lots of fantastic public schools, it’s also a great neighbourhood for families.

Here you’ll find plenty of older detached and semi-detached Victorian and Edwardian homes, which usually contain a generous amount of square footage. More unique to the community is the large number of original frame cottage-style beach houses, which were constructed around the early 20th century.

Naturally, the Beaches is a neighbourhood that appeals to many, which is why there’s a great diversity of residents here. Between young professionals who enjoy the appealing Queen Street East community to large families who value the quieter residential streets, you can find just about everyone in this charming east-end neighbourhood.

Without a doubt, one of the most appealing things about living in the area is how close it is to four public beaches. These include Balmy Beach, Scarboro Beach, Kew Beach, and Woodbine Beach—all of which are connected to form one large continuous beachfront featuring a 3-kilometre long boardwalk.

There’s also a fabulous strip of independent stores, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes along Queen Street East. These conveniences give the quaint little beach-side community a distinctly small-town feel in the big city.

The expansive park system within the Beaches is also very appealing. Green spaces like Woodbine Park, Ashbridges Bay, Woodbine Beach Park, Beaches Park, Balmy Beach Park, and Glen Stewart Park all have their own unique features and feel.

Some of the area’s most popular elementary schools include:

• Williamson Road Junior School
• Kew Beach Montessori School
• Kew Beach Junior Public School
• Avalon Children’s Montessori School

For older kids, Glen Ames Senior Public School, Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School, and Malvern Collegiate Institute are all popular choices.

Encapsulating two of Toronto’s most historic waterfront neighbourhoods—the Distillery District and the Esplanade—Downtown East is one of the most exciting places to be in Toronto. The Esplanade is primarily residential, while the Distillery District contains both commercial shopping areas and offices (as well as some private residences).

Both parts of the lakeside Downtown East neighbourhood were originally constructed in the mid 1800s. They’re known for their beautiful heritage features, which showcase the best that the time period has to offer. Expect cobblestone streets, repurposed industrial-era buildings, and remnants of early Toronto railway and shipping lines.

From this waterfront community’s 19th-century blue-collar beginnings to the shopping and residential hub it is today, Downtown East has always been a bustling part of Toronto’s eastern lakeshore.

While this fascinating part of Toronto would appeal to almost anyone, the neighbourhood’s tight and condensed layout means there are few homes large enough to accommodate growing families.

What you will find is many modern condo buildings and redeveloped industrial-era lofts, which are ideal for singles and young couples. Those who want to enjoy the liveliness and historic beauty of the Distillery District can expect to pay a premium.

Since its redevelopment into a pedestrian-friendly commercial and residential area in 2001, the Distillery District has remained one of the most popular shopping and tourist destinations in the city.

Surrounded by iconic Toronto landmarks (namely the Gooderham and Worts Distillery, founded in 1832), this neighbourhood offers one of the most unique shopping atmospheres around.

With everything from high-end furniture stores and trendy restaurants to independent cafes and fun boutiques, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in the district. Not only that, but the area’s extremely popular Christmas Market (where live entertainment, incredible food, and artisanal goods converge) is a city-wide favourite.

Downtown East is also very close to major intersections, highways, and public transit. With the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard at your doorstep, it’s quick and convenient to get where you need to go.

Market Lane Junior and Senior Public School welcomes students in junior kindergarten through grade 8, while the Downtown Alternative School services students from kindergarten to grade 6.

St Michael’s Catholic School is another great option for elementary students, providing faith-based learning for children from k-8.