I’ve lived in several of these areas including Danforth and Upper Beaches. I loved Danforth because of its combo of beautiful leafy streets with attractive homes, great walks, a vibrant ‘high street’ as the Brits would put it, and easy transit. I didn’t like Upper Beaches because it was not as attractive, awkward transit, and we only went to vibrant area on Queen Street on weekends. Birch Cliff sounds like a great option.
Leaside and Birchcliff are amazing, big fan of East Toronto, particularly because the neighbourhoods are situated against traffic and there's plenty of good schools for families to establish themselves.
In younger years, Rosedale was the best place I lived. Now I’d prefer summerhill. If you are ever in the area, you’ll notice it’s one of the few places people will say after you, or hold the door for you. Having said that, the city is beyond repair, too many problems, suburbs or small town can be a better life.
Leslieville smells like poop ALOT of the time due to being right at the treatment plant, it’s gross. Do real estate agents tell buyers this? At least 3 times a week, you will smell poop all day. I live in the beaches, we get it sometimes too but not like Leslieville. I can’t even use the bike path it’s sooo bad. Betty’s in Leslieville stinks, like literally on the patio.
Totally motivated to buy in Leaside and the alternative, thanks to recommendation from a teacher friend ,we bought a bungalow in East York, near great elementary schools and close to DVP, and a really convenient location.
I'm surprised you didn't include willowdale in your north toronto description. Half my neighborhood is on a ravine connecting to the giant golf course coming off of the 401.
Buying a single family detached home in this city is such a far off dream. I own a condo on West Queen West. It's a 550 sqft shoebox worth around $650k-$700k. I can't really imagine being able to afford anything bigger with prices being what they are.
I get it. In my experience, most freehold buyers initially purchased a condo (usually before 2017). After entering a relationship, they combined the equity from the condo with dual incomes and increasing salary, which helps them to move into the freehold market. Most of the time, they purchase a semi-detached home, detached is less common from a condo.
Made much harder when the city allows existing stock to be removed in replace of out of scale rental buildings. 52 Vernon street is a perfect example. A massive 60 tall foot 4-plex which will take up almost the full depth of the lot is under construction. Never mind the impact on the neighborhood (shadows, parking, privacy, architecture, etc…) but removing existing single detached homes only drives the cost even farther for buyers. City planning department is a joke.
Nowhere in Toronto is undervalued, only less insanely overvalued. in the 1990s crash nowhere was spared, trendy areas in mid-town saw prices fall by as much as 2/3. Something to keep in mind when making a decision to buy or sell at the moment.
Love Leslieville it's where I grew up and where I wanted to live. Always new shops coming and making Queen Street East, the new Queen Street West. Plus the free community centre. We bought during the peak of the market though and Leslieville really was ridiculous bidding war for a home sometimes really old or other times overpriced that we chose to live outside the city since we both ended up working from home post Pandemic. Now we're closer to my partner's fam in Thornhill, more renovated/new and bigger for what you can get in Leslieville.
I wanted to buy in DT core but wasn't ready to buy anything east of Yonge. Couldn't afford something in the Queen and University W area (which is my favorite area in DT) so ended up in Fort York. Couldn't be happier!
I know and looked in all those areas, and even other parts of Scarborough. I bought elsewhere when a suitable house within my budget came up. I looked at different areas than you pointed out in the west end.
I’d agree with you on everything except Leslieville…. The only reason people want to move there is because it is an ex-industrial area with lots of small bungalows, and was incredibly affordable until recently. It does have a few bigger homes too in some spots, Riverdale Danforth is a far nicer neighbourhood and does command higher average prices I’m almost certain…
Depending on which life-stage you're in and your priorities. Riverside/Leslieville is a well sought out neighbourhood for newly formed families with plenty of low to mid-rise condos.
One topic you don't cover is Renting Apartments in Toronto or the GTA. Some of the Studio Apartments in older apartment buildings are only 300 sq ft and rents are between $1750 to $2000 a month, these are not Condos, like apartments buildings built in the 1950s. Yet so expensive for garbage. The property management companies will not accept anyone who makes less than $75,000 to $100,000 a year??? And these Apartments aren't getting tendents, they remain on the market month after month on the market empty.
Maybe you have an answer. As a first-time home buyer Canadian I want to purchase a property hours outside of Toronto , immediately flip it and roll the funds into a home closer to Toronto, and repeat that til I can afford something in Toronto. But I don't want to pay capital gains tax each time. So the USA has a 1031 but as far as I can see Canada only has section 44 of the Canadian Income Tax Act but it seems I have to rent it out for some time to show rental income...is that correct? For how many months, before I can flip it?
Parkdale has a lot of sketchy characters unfortunately,. Add st clair west to the high park alternative. Lots of great restuarants, nice houses. Very up & coming & less expensive
Leslieville? Yech. Leaside and Lawrence Park, Bennington Heights, Moore Park. I wouldn't live in Leslieville if the house was free. Same thing with Roncy.
I’m 1100 sqft open concept corner suite, We see changing of fall colours , sunrise sunset, eclipses, star galaxies, skyline views , circling approaches of YYZ planes it’s so ridiculous , I can monetize My views one day ❤
I have been looking into Etobicoke South (Waterfront) and Liberty Village, but Liberty Village is becoming more and more dense and congested. Any alternatives?
I remember LV when it was a giant dirt flat with just the townhomes. Now it’s way too congested like you said. If you need to be close to the core, St Lawrence is less stress. Otherwise midtown imo
@@TomStorey Yeah Fort York seems like a nice block! But it also has a feeling of 'desertedness', with it being under/near Gardiner. That said the core of Fort York hood seems nice. Thanks for the info!
@@dealman3312 But I don't want to live east of Church, tbh. That part is mostly sketchy with druggie zombies roaming around and I witnessed a lot of scary scenes involving them. What block(s) are you referring to?
@@TomStoreyThanks! I was mostly looking into this area for convenience rather than neighborhoody vibes (the proximity to subway, downtown, highway, groceries, etc).
Great video! Right on the ball. A few years ago when it was just my partner and I, we lived in a condo at Fort York. When we found out we were going to be parents our first choice was leslieville for the exact reasons you mentioned. We put in a few offers but never came close. Glad we didn't get the first house we bid on because looking back, we would have outgrown it quickly. Instead, we bought in the upper beaches area. Got more house for less and still love it. The neighborhood is amazing with lots of families and great schools! Sometimes we dabble to see what else is out there and this video gave me a new location...birch cliff. Thank you!
Leaside is the buffer zone for Old money living in Rosedale. They don't want to be too close to Thronciffe Park.
I’ve lived in several of these areas including Danforth and Upper Beaches. I loved Danforth because of its combo of beautiful leafy streets with attractive homes, great walks, a vibrant ‘high street’ as the Brits would put it, and easy transit. I didn’t like Upper Beaches because it was not as attractive, awkward transit, and we only went to vibrant area on Queen Street on weekends. Birch Cliff sounds like a great option.
Mimico Village is the hidden gem
Leaside and Birchcliff are amazing, big fan of East Toronto, particularly because the neighbourhoods are situated against traffic and there's plenty of good schools for families to establish themselves.
Tom Storey, Your videos are fantastic! I just had to subscribe!
In younger years, Rosedale was the best place I lived. Now I’d prefer summerhill. If you are ever in the area, you’ll notice it’s one of the few places people will say after you, or hold the door for you.
Having said that, the city is beyond repair, too many problems, suburbs or small town can be a better life.
Leslieville smells like poop ALOT of the time due to being right at the treatment plant, it’s gross. Do real estate agents tell buyers this? At least 3 times a week, you will smell poop all day. I live in the beaches, we get it sometimes too but not like Leslieville. I can’t even use the bike path it’s sooo bad. Betty’s in Leslieville stinks, like literally on the patio.
Leslieville is a far stretch so it depends where you are I suppose.
Totally motivated to buy in Leaside and the alternative, thanks to recommendation from a teacher friend ,we bought a bungalow in East York, near great elementary schools and close to DVP, and a really convenient location.
I'm surprised you didn't include willowdale in your north toronto description. Half my neighborhood is on a ravine connecting to the giant golf course coming off of the 401.
Lots of great neighbourhoods to choose from.
Buying a single family detached home in this city is such a far off dream. I own a condo on West Queen West. It's a 550 sqft shoebox worth around $650k-$700k. I can't really imagine being able to afford anything bigger with prices being what they are.
I get it. In my experience, most freehold buyers initially purchased a condo (usually before 2017). After entering a relationship, they combined the equity from the condo with dual incomes and increasing salary, which helps them to move into the freehold market. Most of the time, they purchase a semi-detached home, detached is less common from a condo.
Made much harder when the city allows existing stock to be removed in replace of out of scale rental buildings. 52 Vernon street is a perfect example. A massive 60 tall foot 4-plex which will take up almost the full depth of the lot is under construction. Never mind the impact on the neighborhood (shadows, parking, privacy, architecture, etc…) but removing existing single detached homes only drives the cost even farther for buyers. City planning department is a joke.
Around Yonge and Steeles area is undervalued right now 👌
It’s rough in that area
Nowhere in Toronto is undervalued, only less insanely overvalued. in the 1990s crash nowhere was spared, trendy areas in mid-town saw prices fall by as much as 2/3. Something to keep in mind when making a decision to buy or sell at the moment.
Love Leslieville it's where I grew up and where I wanted to live. Always new shops coming and making Queen Street East, the new Queen Street West. Plus the free community centre. We bought during the peak of the market though and Leslieville really was ridiculous bidding war for a home sometimes really old or other times overpriced that we chose to live outside the city since we both ended up working from home post Pandemic. Now we're closer to my partner's fam in Thornhill, more renovated/new and bigger for what you can get in Leslieville.
I wanted to buy in DT core but wasn't ready to buy anything east of Yonge. Couldn't afford something in the Queen and University W area (which is my favorite area in DT) so ended up in Fort York. Couldn't be happier!
I know and looked in all those areas, and even other parts of Scarborough. I bought elsewhere when a suitable house within my budget came up.
I looked at different areas than you pointed out in the west end.
I’d agree with you on everything except Leslieville…. The only reason people want to move there is because it is an ex-industrial area with lots of small bungalows, and was incredibly affordable until recently. It does have a few bigger homes too in some spots, Riverdale Danforth is a far nicer neighbourhood and does command higher average prices I’m almost certain…
Nah Leslieville is a really in demand it's hard to find much availability and when I was looking at homes there it's quite competitive.
Can you make a video like this about top 5 areas people want to buy Condos? I suspect these areas you mentioned are for single family homes.
Good idea.
Yes, this is what we need!
Depending on which life-stage you're in and your priorities. Riverside/Leslieville is a well sought out neighbourhood for newly formed families with plenty of low to mid-rise condos.
One topic you don't cover is Renting Apartments in Toronto or the GTA. Some of the Studio Apartments in older apartment buildings are only 300 sq ft and rents are between $1750 to $2000 a month, these are not Condos, like apartments buildings built in the 1950s. Yet so expensive for garbage. The property management companies will not accept anyone who makes less than $75,000 to $100,000 a year??? And these Apartments aren't getting tendents, they remain on the market month after month on the market empty.
Kingsway-Lambton are pretty great as well
High park and the Annex are my top 2
Maybe you have an answer. As a first-time home buyer Canadian I want to purchase a property hours outside of Toronto , immediately flip it and roll the funds into a home closer to Toronto, and repeat that til I can afford something in Toronto. But I don't want to pay capital gains tax each time. So the USA has a 1031 but as far as I can see Canada only has section 44 of the Canadian Income Tax Act but it seems I have to rent it out for some time to show rental income...is that correct? For how many months, before I can flip it?
Junction is just as expensive as High Park now, for the same type of home.
Where is Bloor West / Sunnylea / Kingsway???
All great areas. Had to pick 5 for this video.
These ppl can’t afford that
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Parkdale has a lot of sketchy characters unfortunately,. Add st clair west to the high park alternative. Lots of great restuarants, nice houses. Very up & coming & less expensive
How about Willowdale east and Bayview Village?
Leslieville? Yech. Leaside and Lawrence Park, Bennington Heights, Moore Park. I wouldn't live in Leslieville if the house was free. Same thing with Roncy.
Agreed; all the families living there look dirty and the parents are covered in tattoos
Agree. Summerhill is nice too.
Leslieville smells like poop all day long. I doubt agents are telling buyers this. It’s horrible. And I would never live on the west side anywhere.
I remember the days where a nice house in Leslieville was going for $500K. Man, I fucked up.
I bet people thought 500K was too expensive back then also.
@@TomStorey Yep.
@@TomStoreythey did. And they were waiting for a crash that never came
It’s still that expensive. Housing is just ridiculously inflated
@@virgoteaze actually it’s the currency that has been inflated via excessive money printing
Should get "the pocket" in there!
I’m 1100 sqft open concept corner suite,
We see changing of fall colours , sunrise sunset, eclipses, star galaxies, skyline views , circling approaches of YYZ planes it’s so ridiculous , I can monetize
My views one day ❤
How about the Rockcliffe-Smythe area?
We had a listing there last week. Tons of action. Lots of good options under 1M.
I have been looking into Etobicoke South (Waterfront) and Liberty Village, but Liberty Village is becoming more and more dense and congested. Any alternatives?
Fort York (West of Bathurst) has some underrated buildings.
I remember LV when it was a giant dirt flat with just the townhomes. Now it’s way too congested like you said. If you need to be close to the core, St Lawrence is less stress. Otherwise midtown imo
@@TomStorey Yeah Fort York seems like a nice block! But it also has a feeling of 'desertedness', with it being under/near Gardiner. That said the core of Fort York hood seems nice. Thanks for the info!
@@dealman3312 But I don't want to live east of Church, tbh. That part is mostly sketchy with druggie zombies roaming around and I witnessed a lot of scary scenes involving them. What block(s) are you referring to?
@@KyleKimGoesON from Vu Lofts and west
What about Corso Italia? Houses are 40% less than Bathurst/st Clair area.
Another good example.
What do you think about the Yonge & Bloor area?
Mostly condos. Very busy, but depending on what stage of life you're at, a lot of people enjoy that area.
@@TomStoreyThanks! I was mostly looking into this area for convenience rather than neighborhoody vibes (the proximity to subway, downtown, highway, groceries, etc).
Willowdale. That's the only one for me.
What do you think of caledonia and eglinton area , with the new LRT line on eglinton operating soon.
I really hope the 10 year wait for the LRT is worth it! Solid area. Lots of opportunity.
@TomStorey yes I think so, future development right near caledonia station, the beltline yards also.
Shh don't tell people about birch cliff / cliffside
My bad!
These days I see a huge amount of muslims on the streets of Leaside. Are there newly built temples?
And I see a lot of trolls on TH-cam!
these days? that area has always been a more of a muslim community
Great video! Right on the ball. A few years ago when it was just my partner and I, we lived in a condo at Fort York. When we found out we were going to be parents our first choice was leslieville for the exact reasons you mentioned. We put in a few offers but never came close. Glad we didn't get the first house we bid on because looking back, we would have outgrown it quickly. Instead, we bought in the upper beaches area. Got more house for less and still love it. The neighborhood is amazing with lots of families and great schools! Sometimes we dabble to see what else is out there and this video gave me a new location...birch cliff. Thank you!