The Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods in Toronto for Families

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Toronto is a huge and diverse city. With so many neighbourhoods and communities within Toronto, it can be difficult to know which area is best for you and your family. We know “family” has a broad definition and can look different for everyone, so this post is focusing primarily on the neighbourhoods with the best schools.

When you’re looking for homes for sale in Toronto for you and your family, consider these five neighbourhoods.

Don Mills

Don Mills is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Toronto, and much of that is due to it’s incredible reputation for families. Located a little further away from downtown, Don Mills features an eclectic mixture of homes along tree-lined streets. This suburban escape can make you forget how close Toronto’s city centre really is, but in reality it’s only about a 30-minute drive.

Northmount School in Don Mills is one of the biggest draws for families moving to the neighbourhood. Rated among the top 5 schools in Toronto, Northmount received a perfect 10 out of 10 when ranked by Fraser Institute. This makes the Don Mills neighbourhood a highly sought-out location for Toronto families. The Don Mills School District also offers French-speaking schools and montessori options for residents, so there are excellent options for all.

Some other amenities that Don Mills offers families are the Edwards Gardens and the Shops at Don Mills. The latter is an integral part of the Don Mills community and is the spot for several family restaurants, as well as the location of many annual events and festivals. Homes for sale in Don Mills range from single-family detached homes to multi-storey townhomes, with the average home price being $930,000.

The Beaches

You don’t normally think of beach real estate and think, “perfect for families” but Toronto is different than your average metropolis.  Nestled along the shoreline of Lake Ontario, The Beaches is excellent for families who love to spend time outdoors. Most well-known for the Beaches Jazz Festival, this neighbourhood has a wide range of eateries and cafes to discover. Take a stroll along the boardwalk and then head over to Queen Street East to explore the incredible sites The Beaches have to offer.

The Beaches is a great location for families because it has great schools and a low crime rate. Kew Beach Junior Public School and Glen Ames Senior Public School are some of the best in the Toronto area, so you never have to worry about whether or not your kids are getting an excellent education.

When it comes to activities, The Beaches is packed with things to do. Residents have the luxury of living along the lakefront and have prime access to the beaches along Lake Ontario. There is ample opportunity for beach volleyball, picnics, building sandcastles, and partaking in countless water sports. The Beaches provides the best of both worlds, as the neighbourhood’s quaint, cottage-y feel is just a street car ride away from the vibrant downtown core. The average price of a home for sale in The Beaches is $1 million.

Danforth

This vibrant, popular neighbourhood is located on the east end of Toronto and is known for its Greek restaurants and delicious cuisine. Many visitors come from far and wide to experience Danforth Village’s annual Taste of Danforth festival. However, there’s more to The Danforth than just food.

What makes Danforth real estate so great for families is the amount of activities available right outside your front door. Withrow Park is one of the most popular spots in the neighbourhood, with plenty of room for sports, picnics, biking, running, and burning off energy. Greenwood Park is excellent for the warm and cold months, offering a splash pad and playground during the summer and ice skating and tobogganing in the winter. If you’re looking for a spot indoors to take the kids to spend the day, Eastview Community Centre provides amazing activities, crafts, and daycare. The centre even offers annual memberships for more frequent visitors.

With these amenities and much more, there’s no question why so many young families choose The Danforth to make their home in. Other pros of the neighbourhood include easy access to the TTC Bloor-Danforth line and the Danforth GO Station, peaceful residential streets, and a short drive from downtown Toronto. The average home price in Danforth Village falls around $1.6 million, which is slightly lower than surrounding neighbourhoods this close to the city centre.

Bloor West

Located in a quaint pocket of west Toronto, Bloor West has a unique mix of architecture, a wide array of shops, and one of the best parks in all of Toronto. Bloor West is perfect for anyone who is looking for more space while still being close to downtown. With timeless architecture and tree-lined streets, this neighbourhood is ideal for families who want some peace and quiet in Toronto.

One of the biggest draws to Bloor West is High Park, otherwise known as “Toronto’s Central Park”. This incredible green space features 400 acres of land set along Grenadier Pond. High Park is perfect for sports, picnics, play time, and events, but it is by far the most popular for casual strolls. The springtime Cherry Blossoms bring in people from all over Toronto to soak in the beauty of the park and walk around it’s many gardens. High Park even offers an amphitheatre that hosts the famous Shakespeare in the Park festival.

Bloor West also boasts some of Toronto’s best schools and plenty of space to safely walk from place to place. Houses in this Bloor West generally feature front and back yards with sidewalks along the street, and they run for $1.1 million on average.

Milliken

Located in northeast Toronto, Milliken is situated within Markham and is an up-and-coming, community. Families have been moving into the Milliken neighbourhood because it offers more affordable housing options while still providing the space that a family needs. The average price of a home in Milliken is $1 million, but there are also a large number of condos and townhomes that run for closer to $600,000.

In addition to being newly developed and quickly growing, Milliken is home to some fantastic schools. Port Royal Public School received a score of 8.1/10, and Milliken Public School received a score of 8.2/10 according to The Fraser Institute. Both of these well-ranked schools are located in the Milliken neighbourhood, so parents can rest knowing that their children are receiving the best education possible.

As Milliken is one of the newer Toronto residential areas, there are several modern amenities that will serve your family well. Milliken Park is fantastic for a day spent outdoors, with picnic spots, room for sports, and a picturesque walking trail on offer. There is a wide array of Asian Cuisine located throughout the neighbourhood, which is a big drawing point for visitors from all over Toronto. Milliken also offers a recently-built public library that offers memberships and children’s activities for a variety of ages.

Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Families

We hope that this article serves as a good starting point for you and your family’s home search journey.  We recommend finding a local real estate agent to help you with your search and advocate on your behalf throughout the process. Between an agent’s expert knowledge and some necessary research, you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect new home for your family in no time.