Family-Friendly Neighbourhoods in Toronto: What to Look For
Updated: Oct 7
Selecting the right neighbourhood in Toronto is not solely about property value; it's about finding a community that you and your family can thrive in whilst also maximizing growth potential. Here are key insights to prioritize:
1. Proximity to Healthcare Facilities
As a physician, proximity to healthcare facilities is paramount. Neighbourhoods like Bay-Cloverhill, known for its proximity to several hospitals and medical institutions, Danforth, home to the Michael Garron Hospital and High Park/ Bloor West/ Roncesvalles, with close proximity to St. Joseph;s Health Centre, Humber River Health and a plethora of dental and veterinary clinics offer great opportunities for healthcare professionals seeking convenience and investment growth.
2. Quality Education Institutions
Access to quality education is a top priority for families.
Hollywood Public School, the top primary school in the TDSB, is located in Bayview Village, outranking 3,064 other elementary schools in the Fraser Institute ranking.
In High Park, Ursula Franklin Academy is the top-rated secondary school in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), ranking fourth in all of Ontario. Meanwhile, Runnymede/ Bloor West Village’s Runnymede Junior and Senior Public School performs strongly as an elementary school, securing the seventh position within the TDSB and offers French Immersion.
Your children will receive excellent education in Leaside with 14 public schools, six Catholic schools, and two private schools. Northlea Elementary and Middle Schools offer French Immersion, while North Toronto Collegiate is ranked sixth in the TDSB for secondary schools.
Bathurst Manor hosts Avondale Elementary and Secondary Schools, both achieving perfect scores of 10 in EQAO testing. Additionally, William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, TDSB's third-ranked high school, is situated in the same neighbourhood.
Looking for some of the best private schools in the city? Forest Hill, Rosedale & Lawrence Park are home to some of the most prestigious, long standing private schools such as Upper Canada College, Bishop Strachan School, Branksome Hall and Havergal College.
3. Safety, Security & Community
Safety is non-negotiable, especially when raising a family. You'll want to explore neighbourhoods that are not only low in crime but also rich in community with proximity to important facilities, including hospitals, schools, parks and leisure spaces. Looking at all of these safety and community factors, Toronto Life ranks Leaside-Bennington, Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills, High Park / Runnymede-Bloor West Village, Lambton Baby Point. Lawrence Park North, Kingsway South and Mount Pleasant East as some of the highest.
4. Affordable Housing Options
Affordability is a key consideration when investing in real estate. Areas undergoing revitalization present promising investment opportunities with relatively affordable housing options. Avondale, Yonge-Doris, Yonge-St. Clair and Danforth offer a balance between affordability and potential property appreciation, attracting a diverse range of residents, from young professionals to growing families. The most affordable neighbourhoods in Toronto for condos include West Hill, Centennial Scarborough ($462,167), and Malvern, Rouge ($491,173). Additionally, High Park North, Junction, Runnymede offers relative affordability at $688,033, attributed partly to older buildings and good transit access. Regent Park, St James Town, sits in the middle of the list at $750,448, likely due to newer, smaller units incentivized by developers for profitability. By considering these factors, you can confidently choose the ideal family-friendly neighbourhood for your real estate investment in Toronto that meets your unique needs as a physician investor. Remember that the perfect neighbourhood balances the demands of your profession and the wellbeing of the family.