As Canada’s largest city, it’s no surprise that Toronto offers an enormous range of amenities at every price point. And at the luxury end of the market, these are the neighbourhoods that offer the most to their lucky inhabitants:
Source: Wowa 2023
Forest Hill South: Privacy in the City Centre
Forest Hill South offers the best of both worlds to those able to afford it - proximity to downtown and all of the options and vibrancy that offers, and quiet, tree-lined, private streets with large, luxurious homes. The mix of historic homes, fine dining establishments and some of the GTA’s top schools combine to give the area a strong sense of community. And with upscale boutiques, multiple galleries, well-maintained parks and nature trails, and a variety of wellness and fitness establishments, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Single-family homes and condos are both common in the area; the average detached house goes for $5.4 million, the average condo for $870k, and the average townhouse for $2.4 million.
Notable Forest Hill South Amenities:
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Lonsdale Gallery
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Petroff Gallery
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Al Green Gallery
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Kay Gardner Beltline Trail
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Viewmont Park
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Eglinton Park
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Cedarvale Park
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Upper Canada College
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The Bishop Strachan School
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Forest Hill Collegiate
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Forest Hill Arena
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Nicol Macnicol Parkette
The Bridle Path, York Mills and Sunnybrook: Millionaire’s Mile
Although three distinct areas, the Bridle Path, York Mills and Sunnybrook are all neighbours, and all part of what is known as Toronto’s “millionaire’s mile”. Located in the north end of central Toronto, millionaire’s mile is best known for multi-million dollar mansions and elite residents. Of the three, Bridle Path is perhaps the most desirable, as its homes are particularly grand and tend to be on large lots that offer a ton of privacy. It also nestles between some of the GTA’s best parks, and houses one of the most exclusive social and athletic clubs in the country.
On the other hand, Sunnybrook is characterized by its community feel (as many of its residents have generational roots in the area) and many outdoor amenities, while York Mills has a greater range of properties while still offering the many luxuries occupants of the millionaire’s mile expect. All three neighbourhoods boast a lushness and sense of space that belies their proximity to Toronto’s core - but not without a price.
The average detached home sells for $4.4 million (though many properties in the area will easily exceed $10 million), the average condo for $2 million, and average townhouse for $1.6 million.
Notable Millionaire’s Mile Amenities:
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The Granite Club
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Crestwood School
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Crescent School
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Parklane Public School
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Toronto French School
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Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf
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York University Glendon Campus
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Toronto Botanical Garden
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Windfields Park
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Sunnybrook Park
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Edwards Gardens
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CF Shops at Don Mills
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Banbury Community Rec Centre
Rosedale: Historic Luxury
Rosedale is a designated heritage conservation district - and no surprise given the number of architecturally important, historic homes in the area. Distinguished single-family homes line winding, tree-lined streets in the naturally beautiful area, giving it a very peaceful feel despite the fact that it’s bordered on one side by the busy Yonge St. Greenery abounds and yet residents are moments from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Some of Toronto’s best schools can be found in Rosedale too, rounding out its status as the perfect family-friendly, quiet residential neighbourhood within spitting distance of the city’s core. (And if you want to find out more about Rosedale’s schools - as well as other Toronto neighbourhoods with great schools - read here).
The interior portion of Rosedale is mostly detached homes, averaging $4.4 million (though this is just the average - a disproportionate number of Toronto’s $5 million+ homes are in this neighbourhood). The outskirts are where you’ll find condos and multi-family units; condos average $1.2 million and townhouses $2.8 million.
Notable Rosedale Amenities:
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Rosedale Park
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Beaumont Park
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Chorley Park
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Park Drive Reservation Lands
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Evergreen Brick Works
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Craigleigh Gardens
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Rosedale Valley Ravine
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Yonge Street
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Whitney Junior Public School
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Rosedale Junior Public School
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Summerhill Market
Casa Loma: Well-Rounded Luxury
Casa Loma is named for the not-quite-historic castle built by the region’s founder in 1911 - which still hosts many exhibits and events for locals to enjoy. The neighbourhood is also home to some gorgeous detached properties (mostly found in the area’s interior roads) in a range of styles, from Tudor to modernist. These homes tend to be on large lots, while the majority of the neighbourhood’s multi-family and condo buildings are clustered more on the major streets that form the area’s boundary. This mix creates a diverse environment of prestige and amenities that all locals can enjoy. There are a multitude of green spaces, easy access to famous attractions and landmarks, and several highly-ranked schools, as well as a variety of shops and dining options, galleries, markets and much more.
The average detached home in Casa Loma lists at $2.7 million, the average townhouse at $1.8 million, and the average condo at $943k. It should be noted though that condos are very in-demand in this area, so while the average costs below a million, it’s not unusual for condos to list for as much as $2 or $3 million.
Notable Casa Loma Amenities:
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Casa Loma Castle
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Nordheimer Ravine
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Sir Winston Churchill Park
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Spadina Park
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Spadina Museum
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Tarragon Theatre
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Wells Hill Park
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Wells Hill Bowling Club
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Wychwood Public Library
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Hillcrest Community Centre
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Forest Hill Village
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Dupont St
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Hillcrest Community School
Data source: Zola 2023
Notable Mentions
The areas listed above are just some of our picks of the most exceptional luxury areas in the GTA, but there are many others, each with their own advantages (and prices). And there are other definitions of luxury, too! For example, for some, being waterside is the most luxurious thing imaginable. Others think that family-friendly amenities constitute real luxury. But whatever your concept of luxury, a Sutton Group realtor with in-depth experience of the Toronto market can make your dreams a reality.
And for more food for thought, here are some of the notable mentions that just missed out on our luxury shortlist:
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Lawrence Park
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Hogg’s Hollow
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Yonge-St. Clair
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St. Andrews
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The Annex
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Banbury-Don Mills