12 Up and Coming Neighbourhoods in Toronto

West Don Lands is an up & coming neighbourhood that’s undergoing a massive shift from an industrial area into a residential one. The neighbourhood’s proximity to downtown toronto and the water increased the demand of residential projects in the area, which prompted its complete transformation.

Nowadays, instead of barren lots, the neighbourhood sports all sorts of residential developments and amenities, such as high rises, low-income housing, student housing, and a park that spans over 18 acres.

West Don Lands offers a diverse real estate market, and thanks to the quick development of the area, the prices are still accessible at the moment.

History of West Don Lands

Once a thriving industrial hub, West Don Lands started its transformation into a residential area back in 2005, when the Toronto City Council approved plans for its revitalization. The plans were a success, and the neighbourhood received the Toronto Urban Design Award of Excellence in the same year.

The revitalization process took the better part of 10 years, but in 2015, the neighbourhood hosted the Athletes Village for the Pan Am Games. Since then, the buildings that hosted the athletes were repurposed into student housing and condominiums, giving the area a particularly fun and relaxed atmosphere.

West Don Lands Lifestyle

West Don Lands is a beautiful area surrounded by parks, natural trails, and in close proximity to the river. The neighbourhood is rated as one of the best for accessibility because it’s only a 15-minute walk away from downtown or the Distillery District, and it’s also crossed by several public transport routes. West Don Lands is also the first area in Toronto that started using Woonerfs, or shared traffic spaces for cars, cyclists, and pedestrians that encourage drivers to slow down.

The neighbourhood features a lively pedestrian promenade that’s lined with bars, shops, and restaurants. There are also playgrounds, picnic areas, parks, and convenience stores you can frequent.

Riverdale is an up & coming neighbourhood that’s renowned for its diverse community and Victorian homes. This is a large neighbourhood that’s densely populated, but that also offers its residents beautiful parks and fabulous shopping districts as amenities.

Riverdale is ideal for commuters because it offers residents quick access to public transport. During the warm months, the neighbourhood’s sidewalks are packed with people walking, cycling, or selling local produce.

History of Riverdale

Riverdale started as a small rural community called Riverside in the 1850s. The development of the railway brought more people in the area, but the neighbourhood started to flourish in the 1880s when it was annexed to the City of Toronto and renamed as Riverdale.

Nowadays, Riverdale is known for its affordable Victorian homes, as well as being one of the greenest areas in Toronto.

Riverdale Lifestyle

Riverdale is defined by its multiculturalism. The neighbourhood is home to many Greek and Asian restaurants and businesses. The area’s relaxed vibe, as well as its easy access to great schools and parks attracts a lot of young people.

You can spend your time in community gardens, at local cafes, bars, and restaurants, or you can simply stroll down the street or visit the farmer’s markets.

Leslieville is known to many as the “quiet neighbourhood”. This is a family-centric neighbourhood that witnessed a monumental transformation in the past few years. With new real estate developments and trendy restaurants popping all over the area, Leslieville is quickly becoming a hub for young adults living in Toronto.

The neighbourhood is also close to downtown, so it’s prime real estate for those who are looking for long-term investments that can offer high returns. At the moment, the real estate market in Leslieville is still low, but thanks to the massive investments in the area, things are bound to change in the near future.

History of Leslieville

Leslieville was founded in the 1850s as a small village. The village grew and expanded around the Nurseries owned by George Leslie, after whom the current neighbourhood gets its name. In the 20th century, Leslieville was home to several companies operating in the light industry.

Several industrial buildings built in that time were transformed into condominiums back in the 2000s. Nowadays, Leslieville is a hip place to live in. The neighbourhood offers a great variety of residential buildings to choose from.

Leslieville Lifestyle

Leslieville was called Hipsterville East in the Toronto Star due to its hip culture. The neighbourhood is home to a lot of people working in creative industries, and businesses that tailor their services to cater to the chic residents.

Leslieville is great for young adults because of its colorful streets, eye-catching cafes, and trendy retail stores. The Queen Street East is packed with restaurants, bars, yoga studios, and other fashionable destinations. On the weekend, young people from all over Toronto flock to the area to have brunch and roam its streets.

The famous Distillery District Neighbourhood is located near Toronto’s downtown core, and charms locals and tourists with it’s distinct 19th century industrial style. It has a growing community with a unique blend of cultures. Located near the world renowned St. Lawrence Market, this landmark neighborhood offers a bit of everything, with an enticing combination of old and new.

Best known for its condos, the Distillery District is perfect for young adults and middle-aged people. The combination between modern and industrial is well-balanced and offers modern amenities in the heart of a historical site.

History of Distillery District

Local history begins in the 1830s when the firm Gooderham & Worts started off with a small windmill, which over the years grew to become the world’s largest distillery. After 158 year of industrial activity, the site was redeveloped as an art and cultural center.

Local architecture was preserved and now the neighborhood, centered around the old distillery, boasts a distinct Victorian-era industrial style, complete with red brick buildings and cobblestone streets.

Distillery District Lifestyle

The district's attractions are concentrated around the old Gooderham & Worts Distillery and its pedestrian-only shopping and dining area. Located at a walking distance downtown, it’s creative businesses and art galleries are the heart and soul of the neighbourhood.

With enough stylish eateries to satisfy even the pickiest of foodies and its old-world aesthetics, it’s easy to understand why this is one of the most visited places in Toronto.

High Park Neighbourhood is primarily a residential area with 20th century homes. One of Toronto’s greener areas, it is associated with winding streets and charming brick houses. It is especially attractive for families with children due to the proximity of its educational institutions.

The newer condos located on High Park, Quebec and Gothic Avenues provide a more affordable alternative to the spacious Victorian and Edwardian homes. The neighbourhood’s closeness to Toronto’s largest park is one of its best assets. And, whilst it is located at a significant distance from the city center, it only takes about 20 minutes by subway to reach downtown Toronto.

History of High Park

Formerly a part of West Toronto Junction, the neighbourhood was annexed by the city of Toronto at the beginning of the 20th century. By the mid 1920s, most of the area surrounding the central street area of High Park Avenue was developed with single and semi-detached houses.

In the 1960s, the whole area entered a phase of redevelopment with the addition of high-rise apartment buildings. All of the historical development of the area has been centered around the conservation of local natural resources like its park and many green spaces. Careful development and conservation has led to the tranquil vibe of this village-like patch of the city.

High Park Lifestyle

Located near `Bloor West Village`, locals are within walking distance to a diverse array of restaurants, cafes and European style bakeries. Easy access to outdoor recreational activities and seasonal attractions like the Cherry Blossom festival and Shakespere in High Park are a few other strong points.

Despite its name, Little Italy has a very diverse mix of cultures. Set along College Street, this neighbourhood is a busy mix of residential and commercial, with sidewalks, cafes and a wide range of restaurants that cater to all tastes.

This is a place where you can enjoy a vibrant nightlife, great food and entertainment all within walking distance from your home. Its main attraction is the eclectic charm, with a youthful spirit and amenities catering to an active lifestyle.

History of Little Italy

The neighbourhood’s history begins in the 1920s, with the majority of Toronto’s Italian population settling in a single area. College street was lined with two- and three-story buildings which doubled as commercial and residential. The side streets were detached or semi-detached homes in an Edwardian style.

The 1970s were marked by a migration of the Italian residents towards the suburbs, and a shift in demographics. In the present day, many of the residents are of Italian, Latin or Portuguese descent.

Little Italy Lifestyle

As a very popular destination, Little Italy caters to all tastes, with venues such as cafes, bars, classical Italian trattorias with casual dining, to boutiques, clothing stores and record shops. People come here for the animated atmosphere and vibrant nightlife.

Davenport is an up and coming Toronto neighbourhood that offers spectacular views. Hillcrest Park, one of the highest areas in the area, located at the corner of Christie Street and Davenport Road, gives you a clear view of the city, so it’s a good spot for those who enjoy walking.

The neighbourhood is located near the Wallace Emerson Community Center, so residents can take advantage of the facility’s indoor pool, tennis courts, gym, and the seasonal ice rink that runs during the wintertime.

History of Davenport

Davenport’s history goes back thousands of years. The First Nations people used to travel through the area when they moved overland between the Humber and Don rivers. In the 1600s, French fur traders used Davenport Road to transport their goods.

Up to 1861, Davenport was a rural farming community. But the construction of the Northern Railway attracted industry in the area, which led to the development of a larger community. The accelerated growth of the area attracted wealthier citizens who built Victorian style houses in the early 20th century. Development and conservation efforts preserved these houses, making this neighbourhood one of the most attractive areas in Toronto.

Davenport Lifestyle

Davenport is home to the Galleria Mall, several large grocery stores, a hardware center, and a good variety of shops, bars, and restaurants.

The neighbourhood is connected with other important areas in Toronto by bus routes and the subway. Residents are only 10 - 15 minutes away from downtown by car, and about 20 minutes away from the expressways.

Junction Triangle is an up & coming neighbourhood in Toronto’s west end. Thanks to its low prices, the area is a popular choice for creatives and families who want to find affordable living spaces.

The neighbourhood has a triangular shape that’s defined by railway tracks on all sides. A former industrial zone, this neighbourhood has gone through a complete facelift over the last few years. Nowadays, the area is witnessing a rebirth, combining traditional housing options with smart, innovative designs.

History of Junction Triangle

Junction Triangle developed as an industrial area in the 1880s. The close proximity to the railway system encouraged business owners to build factories in the area, such as the Heintzman and Company piano factory, Motor Works, the Queen City Flour Mills, and the Union Stock Yards.

The commercial railway changed in the 1960s, which led to a decline in the jobs available in the area. For many years, the warehouses and factories in Junction Triangle were abandoned. However, developers started converting these buildings into residential ones in recent years.

Junction Triangle Lifestyle

The relative affordability of the area attracted a lot of creative types in the neighborhood. The brick exterior of many of the houses in Junction Triangle are custom painted, giving the neighbourhood an artistic, joyful vibe.

Junction Triangle residents are close to the Galleria Shopping Centre and the Crossways, so they can explore several indoor and outdoor entertainment options. The West Toronto Railpath was recently converted into a bicycle path that’s 2.1 km long. You can enjoy the path on a bike, on foot, or with a baby stroller. The local YMCA offers different programs for children of all ages, and the Perth Dupont Public Library is a great place for children and adults alike.

Liberty Village is an up & coming neighbourhood that has a unique urban feel and vibe. The area is dominated by red brick Victorian architecture, but the housing options available vary from new townhouses to lofts in restored industrial buildings and ultra-modern condo towers.

The area went through a massive transformation in recent years, and now it attracts a lot of young adults working in media, tech, or design. As a result, the neighbourhood is a popular destination for those looking for hip coffee shops or trendy stores.

History of Liberty Village

Liberty Village was part of a military fortification that protected the Town of York (modern Toronto) called Garrison Common. The area grew considerably with the arrival of the railway, and became the home of several warehouses and factories. The area continued to grow through the 1900s, and was the subject of modernization efforts in recent years.

Liberty Village Lifestyle

Liberty Village is a popular destination for young adults looking for entertainment. The neighbourhood is home to several chic coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. The local waterfront trail is a favoured area for joggers, cyclists and walkers.

The neighbourhood offers easy access to world-class sporting venues, and it’s only minutes away from Toronto’s Entertainment District. Streetcar lines provide quick access to the other neighbourhoods, and the Exhibition Station is within walking distance.

Trinity-Bellwoods is a picturesque neighbourhood in Toronto that grew around the Trinity-Bellwoods Park. The area offers a good mix of housing options, from affordable Victorian houses to ultra-modern developments.

The neighbourhood provides residents with various entertainment options, such as galleries, bookshops, antique stores, playgrounds, tennis courts, ice rinks, pools, fashion stores, and more. Ossington Avenue is one of the most popular destinations for coffee shops, bars and restaurants in Toronto.

History of Trinity-Bellwoods

Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood started as a small community in the 1880s and took the shape it has today in the early 1900s. During the 1920s and 1930s, the neighbourhood became home to many immigrants of Polish and Ukranian descent. In the 1960s, the area became popular for Portuguese immigrants.

Nowadays, the area’s multi-ethnic inheritance can be seen in its wide variety of restaurants and food shops.

Trinity-Bellwoods Lifestyle

Trinity-Bellwoods is home to several public schools and recreation venues. There are also several parks in the area, making it one of the greenest up and coming neighbourhoods in Toronto.

The neighbourhood offers a lot of entertainment options. Residents can spend their time at the Trinity Community Recreation Centre, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, or shopping in one of the nearby retail centers.

Weston is an area that looks and feels like a small Canadian town rather than a neighbourhood in Toronto. With cast iron street lamps and blue and white street signs, the area features a lot of Victorian style houses that date back to the late 1800s.

Rich in history and with an amazing bike path along the Humber River, this neighbourhood is perfect for families who want to settle in one of Toronto’s proudest and most laid back communities.

History of Weston

Weston’s first citizens settled down in the area back in the 1790s, in a hamlet that was called “The Humber”. Thanks to the abundance of timber and the close proximity to the Humber, the hamlet grew over time and eventually became an industrial community in the 1850s with the arrival of the railway system.

The village continued to grow during the early 1900s thanks to the industrial efforts in the area, and was eventually amalgamated with the Borough of York in the 1960s.

Nowadays, Weston is home to many Victorian and Edwardian style houses, but also features some Tudor and ranch-style bungalows as well as recent housing developments.

Weston Lifestyle

Weston is home to the Lions Park off Hickory Tree Road, a large park that overlooks the Humber River. The park features tennis courts, swimming pools, playgrounds, and baseball diamonds.

Residents can also spend their time in various national chain stores, bars, restaurants, and boutique retail shops. The area is served by bus routes and the Lawrence subway station, so it provides easy access to downtown Toronto.