Riverdale
Located on the border between Toronto's east and west ends, Riverdale is a diverse neighbourhood that's well-known for its charming Victorian residences and vibrant shopping districts. Though located in the middle of the concrete jungle, Riverdale boasts a ton of greenspace. In fact, Riverdale Park is among the most expansive greenspaces in the entire city. It's a great place to live if you're looking to be close to the city core while enjoying a community feel.
The neighbourhood of Riverdale is bordered by the Danforth Avenue to the north, Lakeshore Boulevard to the south, the railway tracks to the east, and Broadview Avenue to the west. Residents love the close proximity to public transit that makes commuting to and from work a breeze, while families appreciate the excellent schools that call Riverdale home.
Real estate
Large two- and three-storey Victorian and Edwardian homes line the streets of Riverdale, each surrounded by impressive mature trees. These homes were built mainly in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Despite their age, many of these homes have been rehabilitated with modern touches.
North Riverdale tends to be where the larger, much more expensive houses are, while the south features smaller homes that are more affordable. The majority of the homes in Riverdale come with parking in back laneways. Homes in the area typically fetch close to $1 million, with many listings getting a lot more than that.
Demand for real estate in Riverdale is quite high, and homes are typically snatched up just as soon as they're listed. Listings don't come up very often, as residents tend to stay put once they plant some roots in the area.
Residents of Riverdale can enjoy shopping along Danforth Avenue at Broadview, which is lined with all sorts of different types of stores. There are also shopping options at Gerrard and Broadview, Queen Broadview Village, as well as the nearby Chinatown shopping district. There are also plenty of shops at the indoor Gerrard Square at Pape Avenue and Gerrard Street. As far as eateries go, there's a myriad of Greek restaurants, given the fact that The Danforth is considered to be the hub of Toronto's Greek community.
Thanks to the vast greenspace in Riverdale, there's no shortage of outdoor activities to partake in. The biggest parks in the neighbourhood are Riverdale Park East, Jimmie Simpson Park, and Withrow Park, each of which offers tennis courts, an ice rink, a baseball diamond, and a wading pool. Riverdale Park also features a track and outdoor swimming pool. There are also recreation centres in the area, including the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre and the Pape Recreational Centre, each having its own indoor pool and gym.