Toronto’s size and sprawl means it has plenty of distinct neighbourhoods that are great places to raise a family. In fact, the city as a whole is well-known for its kid-friendly amenities and excellent schools, so house-hunters are spoilt for choice! Whether your focus is on school districts, outside space, easy transit, or safety, Sutton Group can help you find the perfect neighbourhood.
Best Waterside: The Beaches
There are a lot of great waterside neighbourhoods in the GTA, but the Beaches has to be top of the list for families with kids. It has 13 public schools, 11 parks, and easy access to the lake and some of the city’s best beaches; it’s also well connected to downtown at just a 20 minute drive away. You don’t need to leave the area to have a good time though - year-round you’ll find festivals and events on or near the historic boardwalk. Homes in the area are eclectic, with many older, detached beauties, as well as some newer low rise options.
Best Small Community Feel: Bloor West
Bloor West may be fairly central, but its close-knit community feel makes it seem like a little world of its own. Understandably popular with families, it boasts extremely safe, tree-lined streets and a quaint but lively atmosphere with many cafes and shops to relax in. There are also 9 public schools, numerous parks and playgrounds, and it’s right next to High Park - Toronto’s largest park and home to High Park Zoo (with free entry for kids). Homes in this area do not come cheap, sitting at a median of $1.6 million, but then the majority of properties in the area are larger detached houses.
Best for Schools: Allenby
Although there are many excellent schools throughout the GTA, Allenby Public School is often cited as the primary reason families move to Allenby. It offers a first-rate French Immersion Program that is one of the most competitive in the city. There are also several private schools in close proximity. The area is close to downtown but is very safe, well connected via transit, and well served by local shops, parks and restaurants. It’s a small neighbourhood with a limited housing supply, so prices can be steep.
If you’re interested in learning more about Toronto’s schools, check out our blog post on GTA neighbourhoods with the best schools.
Best for Green Space: Riverdale
Riverdale often comes top of people’s lists when it comes to family-friendly neighbourhoods, and this is partly due to its sprawling nature - it is one of the largest areas in the city. It has abundant green space, most notably Riverdale Park, which is ideal for all sorts of outdoor activities, and is bordered to the west by the Don River. It feels much quieter than its urban setting would suggest, and its tree-lined streets and detached Victorian homes are perfect for young families. There are multiple outstanding elementary and secondary schools nearby, as well as shops and restaurants, and good transit for those who commute. Property prices here are not as steep as in some other family-friendly areas, averaging about $1.2 million for a detached home.
Best for Affordability: Rockcliffe-Smythe
Rockcliffe-Smythe is an up-and-coming area that boasts some of Toronto’s most affordable single family detached homes, many with a garage and a yard - Toronto property gold! And a steal at an average house price of under $1 million. The area is primarily residential and is well connected to the rest of the city, despite having large areas of unspoilt green space courtesy of Black Creek Valley. It’s about a 35 minute commute to downtown by public transit - not that you’d know, as it feels very quiet and suburban within the neighbourhood.
Best Overall for Amenities: Danforth Village
There is no shortage of amenities across the GTA, so choosing any one area for its amenities may seem a little unreasonable - but Danforth Village deserves a shout-out for its well-roundedness. It’s a perfect spot for families of all types. It has a vibrant feel and is home to some of the city’s best schools, parks, shopping, rec centres, cafes, restaurants, parks, sports fields… the list goes on and on. It’s a little further from downtown than some other areas in this list, but transit is excellent and you can be at Union within half an hour. The local community is diverse and homes in the area are picturesque and relatively affordable.
Best for Safety: Bedford Park
Although all of the above neighbourhoods are safe, Bedford Park stands out in that both it and all of its immediate neighbours are incredibly safe. This means you can walk about 30 minutes in any direction without worry. Not bad for an area that’s an easy commute to downtown! Many young families live in Bedford Park, and there are excellent schools (public, French and Catholic), parks, playgrounds, a local library, and a bustling community hub with activities to keep your little ones busy all year round. Many of the homes here are semi-detached, though there are larger detached options too.
Options, Options, Options…
There is no shortage of great places to live for Toronto’s many kids and their caregivers (as demonstrated by the number enjoying life across the GTA!); the list above is a great starting point, but if you’d like to know more about your options, connect with a reputable local realtor to find out more.
