The 15 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Toronto

Planning on relocating to Toronto? With a population of nearly 3 million people, Toronto, Canada, is a culturally diverse metropolitan city with over 150 neighborhoods to choose from. Like a mini-New York City, Toronto stands out on its own as the largest urban metropolis in Canada, which features vast ethnic diversity, including a multitude of various cuisines like Chinese, Korean, Greek, and Portuguese, among others, plus art, museums, and top universities like the University of Toronto, yet offers a hometown vibe amidst captivating harbor views of Lake Ontario and CN Tower.

So, where is the best place to live in Toronto? Depending on what you seek, Hogtown provides multiple ways of life. From safe, family-friendly communities to those well-suited for university students and/or the single life, each district represents its own character and amenities, per the City of Toronto. Toronto is broad place — designated as "The Six" by Forest Hill-native and rapper Drake, the metropolitan area consists of these six distinctive municipalities: East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, York, including (Old) Toronto, which consists of West End, East End, Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown regions.

Whether you're in search of an area that's safe and sound, or a bustling urban environment that's also affordable, Toronto has distinguished neighborhoods in all directions. Keep reading to discover some of the top locations to explore within The Six.

Centered on business development, Bloordale Village is an up and coming, family-friendly area that offers a variety of daily services. From Walmart to Dufferin Mall, the quaint neighborhood runs about 10 blocks from Dufferin Street to Landsdowne Avenue with numerous independent shops, bars, and restaurants, including rare antiques and an artist's den with Mercer Union.

Whether you're a midtown professional or growing family, Davisville Village is a low-key, affordable area fit snugly between St. Clair and Eglinton with plenty of outdoor activities like tennis, baseball, cycling, and hiking with June Rowlands Park and Beltline Trail just steps away. Mount Pleasant Cemetery also borders the area with its historic architecture and monuments.

Find serenity in the village of High Park North while staying close to urban activity. Situated west, the welcoming neighborhood features one of the largest parks within North America, known only as High Park, which includes High Park Zoo. Highly rated schools like Humberside Collegiate are here as well, attracting an array of families.

Young families may migrate to Leslieville for its hip, yet discreet vibe. Locals love weekend brunch, summer block parties, and beer fests amidst the artsy and colorful district located just east of the Don River. Targeted around Queen Street East, you might explore the thoroughfare's many shops, restaurants/cuisines, and bars.

Originally a Polish neighborhood, Roncesvalles, or Roncy, has grown as a popular residential area within the west side of Toronto. Close to High Park Zoo and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Roncy is an attractive zone with shops, markets, and coffee houses for young socialites, as well as families who want to be situated within the local downtown landscape.

With nearly two miles of shoreline, The Beaches is a laidback community only about 15 minutes from downtown. Reasonably priced, many families inhabit the area with a chilled summer vibe, as they love the sandy beaches, boardwalk, the boutiques of Queen Street East, and lovely Kew Gardens, the venue for the International Jazz Festival.

Fashionable and lively, West Queen West may have it all. Known as one of the top spots for art galleries, fashion, music, and bistros, there's endless opportunities in WQW. With a thriving art scene, attend various art events in collaboration with The Drake Hotel or Gladstone House or chill out on the lawn in Trinity Bellwoods Park.