| Neighbourhoods

While owning a car certainly has its advantages, relying on a personal vehicle for basic travel and everyday errands isn’t always necessary – especially in Toronto. Not to mention, owning a vehicle in the city can mean plenty of additional expenses and time spent sitting in traffic.

As more Torontonians are able to work from home, a growing number of homebuyers are looking to settle in more walkable, transit-friendly communities. 

Believe it or not, Toronto is one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the world. In addition to having one of the leading public transit systems in North America, a number of the city’s historic and recently developed neighbourhoods were built with pedestrians in mind. 

Here are a few of my favourite Toronto neighbourhoods that offer great walkability for residents. 

  1. The Waterfront

Located just south of the downtown core, Toronto’s Waterfront offers both unmatched walkability and convenience for its residents. If you like feeling close to the action, this could be the area for you. Regular streetcar and bus service with fast connections to Union Station means getting around town is just as easy without a vehicle. With plentiful parks, green spaces and bike paths along the lake, the Waterfront communities are a great option for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors recreationally. 

As the city has committed to preserving and reinvigorating the lakeshore in the coming years, residents can rely on the neighbourhood’s conveniences and amenities well into the future. 

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2. Liberty Village

As the most-recently developed area on this list, Liberty Village was built with convenience and walkability in mind. Located just outside the downtown core, this fast-growing and exciting area sits between the trendy Parkdale and Queen West neighbourhoods. Uniquely, housing in Liberty Village consists mostly of high-rise condos. As a result, many of the buildings in the area have on-site shops or other public amenities. You’ll find a variety of boutiques, supermarkets and restaurants quite literally around every corner of the neighbourhood. 

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3. Kensington Market

Located just west of Chinatown, the historic Kensington Market neighbourhood is truly one of the most unique communities in the GTA. Bustling with a variety of independent shops, cafes and food vendors from almost every part of the globe, the neighbourhood is one of the city’s most-visited attractions. While Kensington Market is a great place to experience as a tourist, its walkability and location also make it a great place to call home. 

Given the area’s proximity to downtown, Kensington Market residents have nearly every amenity within steps of their neighbourhood. In addition to everyday essentials, the neighbourhood also has great access to major transportation hubs. Both Union Station and Billy Bishop Airport are a roughly 30-minute walk from Kensington Market. 

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4. Yonge & Eglinton 

Located around the intersection for which the area takes its name, Yonge and Eglinton is a midtown community with downtown walkability. Once nicknamed “young and eligible”, the neighbourhood has become known for its community of young professionals. As a result of its tall office towers, modern condos and wide range of restaurants and shopping, Yonge and Eglinton has the atmosphere of a city centre, while still being well removed from Toronto’s core. 

Living in Yonge and Eglinton means you may not have to leave your neighbourhood as often. However, when you do, it’ll still be a breeze. The neighbourhood has great transit access via the centrally located Eglinton subway station. Additionally, with the new Crosstown LRT on the way, travelling across the city is about to become even easier. 

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5. Riverdale

Nestled directly east of the Don Valley Parkway is Riverdale. Riverdale is the perfect neighbourhood for Torontonians who are looking to live outside of the downtown core but still feel close to the action. The neighbourhood’s many parks, charming atmosphere and quirky local businesses have made it one of the city’s most popular areas for buyers in recent years. 

Not only do Riverdale’s amenities contribute to the area’s distinct and attractive culture, but they also offer a whole world of convenience for its residents. With food markets, specialty boutiques, and an abundance of cafes lining Queen Street, locals rarely need to venture outside of the neighbourhood. The area is also well served by transit. Residents can connect to downtown or the subway in less than 10 minutes via streetcar.