Danforth Village and East York are the kind of neighbourhoods that sneak up on you. You come for your kid’s toddler-friend’s birthday party or the subway access—and then suddenly, you’re staying for the community gardens, the neighbours who shovel your walk, and the joy of being able to walk to your favourite falafel spot in under five minutes.
This is home now. Max and I love the calm, the picturesque canopy of trees, the East Lynn Farmers Market, the locally-owned pet store (Way On The Danforth) and the fact that our neighbours always say hi. It’s unpretentious, well-connected, and full of good humans. Oh, and the subway? A six-minute walk from our front door. No big deal. Jays games just got a whole lot easier to get to.
The Real Estate Scoop
Danforth Village and East York real estate is all about charm, character, and value — three things that are increasingly hard to find in the city. Most homes here were built between the 1890s and the 1960s, so you’ll see everything from wartime bungalows and semi-detached classics to the odd reno’d showpiece with a second or third-floor addition and a dream kitchen.
The typical home? A solid brick bungalow or semi with great bones, a backyard, and just enough quirks to keep things interesting. Prices are still more accessible than other freehold areas in Toronto, and you’re not sacrificing location—thanks to the subway line, the Danforth, and quick access to the DVP and Lakeshore. Want a garage and a garden without fleeing to the burbs? This is your zone.
The Neighbourhood
Families love it here—and it’s easy to see why. R.H. McGregor Elementary is just one of several strong schools in the area. There are hockey leagues, baseball teams, amazing rec centres, and more playgrounds than your kid will ever get tired of.
But it’s not just for the kids. There’s something deeply chill about this area. You’re close to the action, but not drowning in it. You can walk to Local 1794 for a wine-and-flank-steak kind of night or head to Danforth Bowl to unleash your inner champion. Monarch Park Pool is the summer spot, Wag on the Danforth keeps the pups happy, and Royal Beef is a local staple that makes you wonder why you ever bought meat from anywhere else.
Need more convincing? Try Cumin Kitchen for Indian that hits every note. Grab gelato at the market. Linger at the farmers market on a Thursday afternoon. And then tell me this isn’t one of the most underrated (and best) neighbourhoods in the city.
The Neighbourhood in Photos (Photos by Karyn)
