Best Toronto Areas for Young Professionals

With something for everyone, it’s no surprise Toronto is such a popular place to live. And with a third of the population between the ages of 25 and 45, young professionals make up a large portion of the city’s demographic. But with 158 distinct City of Toronto neighbourhoods to choose from, how can you know where’s the best place to call home? Here we break down the best among the many diverse options for young professionals.

Best for a Bit of Everything: Yonge and Eglinton

Yonge and Eglinton offers a taste of all that Toronto has to offer, so this is a great area for those seeking variety. There’s plenty of restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, retailers (both big name and niche), and it’s a quick subway ride to both the financial and fashion districts. It’s well connected to the rest of the city too. There’s a variety in housing available - many condos, but also some detached homes as well.

Best for the High-Rise Life: King West

Home of TIFF, King West is a cool area with the densest concentration of high-rise and high-end condo buildings in the city. It’s also home to some of Toronto’s best artisan beer and coffee. Within walking distance are the downtown core and the entertainment district, so you’ll never be short of things to do. 

Best for Foodies: Trinity Bellwoods

If you’re into independent eateries, farmer’s markets, bakeries and other interesting food-related establishments, then Trinity Bellwoods is the area for you. The local park is very popular through the summer, and the architecture in this part of the city is mainly detached Victorian-era homes.

Best for a Close-Knit Feel: Liberty Village

Liberty Village boasts a village feel that belies its proximity to downtown. Feeling relatively enclosed, and offering its own suite of amenities that makes it especially popular with creatives, it’s only a short distance from the corporate core of the city. With plenty of lofts and townhouses, it’s also a surprisingly cheap option.

Best for Accessibility: Bay Street Corridor

If you need everything on your doorstep, the corridor encompassing Bay Street and one block either side, running from Front to Bloor, has plenty of condos and means that you’re right at the centre of the city. Not only does this mean that you can jump on any bus, tram, or subway within a few steps, but it also means that you’re right next to the restaurants and entertainment options popular with after-work crowds.

Best for History: Cabbagetown

Found just east of downtown, Cabbagetown is rapidly making a name for itself as one of the trendiest parts of the city. Culturally diverse, it’s home to the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in North America. With vintage, design and art stores aplenty, this is the perfect home for those looking to enjoy Toronto’s rich history.

Best for Student Life: The Annex

Although the Annex is best known as home to many of U of T’s students, there are plenty of reasons for young professionals to relocate here. Bordering downtown, it’s ideally placed, and offers a mix of older, more budget-friendly restaurants and pubs, and new, higher-end options. With old houses and quiet, tree-lined streets, this area feels very distinct from its neighbours.

Best for Hipsters: Roncesvalles

Roncesvalles used to be the Polish district of Toronto, but now is better known as hipster heaven! Picturesque and offering a variety of characterful, independent retailers and eateries, it’s cheaper than some of its competitors - although as its popularity grows, so do prices. The downside is that it is a little ways from downtown.

Best for Young Families: Leslieville

Leslieville is frequently rated as Toronto’s most family-friendly neighbourhood, so it’s no surprise that real estate is competitive here. It’s a largely residential neighbourhood, in close proximity to several excellent schools, and within walking distance of coffee shops and family-friendly restaurants. It’s also close to downtown, making it ideal for commuters.

Best for Socializing: Distillery District

Part of the Waterfront, the Distillery District has transformed an old distillery and its environs into a hub for crafts, festivals and events, and is perfect for those needing to be near downtown and wanting plenty of opportunities to get out with friends. It’s largely pedestrianized, and its proximity to Union Station means you can get from here to anywhere else trivially. 

Best for a Budget: The Junction

If you’re on a budget, the Junction is a great option - downtown, with all of the amenities that it offers - but without the price tag of somewhere like Queen West. It’s still considered up-and-coming, so new stores and restaurants are popping up all the time; but the flip-side of this is the threat of gentrification and a corresponding rise in prices. For now though, it’s still one of the more affordable areas in the city.

Best for Coolness: West Queen West

Lastly, those looking to live in just one of the coolest places on the planet can head to West Queen West, a notoriously fashionable, creative and quirky neighbourhood, home to all manner of businesses big and small. In keeping with its eclectic character, there are a range of residential options - everything from detached houses to small apartments - though this is an expensive place to live.

Remember that you can always consult one of the experienced Toronto realtors at Sutton Group Admiral, and make your real estate decisions with confidence!