One stop east of the Castle Frank Subway, Bloor Street becomes Danforth Avenue, and the community to the north between Broadview and Victoria Park is called "The Danforth" The area is divided into several distinct communities starting in that funny little sliver between the Parkway and Broadview that extends north to Chester Hill. There are some very nice homes there on Cambridge , Eastmount, Thorncliffe and Chester Hill and the value is good. Prices range from the threes upwards to the high eights, with some recent renovations topping the million mark.
Everything north of Chester Hill and East to Woodbine, though now officially in the City of Toronto. is still called East York. This area is considered to have the most affordable housing in the core of the City. Bungalows can still be found for under $300000, and people can find really decent 3 bedroom homes for under $400000.
A pocket between Broadview and Jackman north from Danforth to Fulton Avenue contains some wonderful Century Homes. The Playter home was built in the 1870's and the PLAYTER ESTATES was otherwise farmland until around 1912, following which the rest of the residences were built. Playter's original home still stands. Prices in this area range from $600,000 to well over a million.
Riverdale runs to the south of Danforth from Broadview to Greenwood and pretty well follows the CNR tracks as its southern boundary. Riverdale actually extends north of the Danforth a few blocks between Broadview and Greenwood, and you will notice that the quality and age of the homes on Streets like Chester and Arundel are more like the Riverdale homes than the less substantial East York structures.
Riverdale is one of the most sought after districts in the city and the desire to be a part of that community has caused prices there to rise higher than most of the areas around them. Houses in Riverdale were largely built between 1880 and 1924, and they were generally built largely as well, especially in the north west section. Good schools, proximity to the Danforth and Subway, and a good smattering of parks are some of the reasons people love to live there...to say nothing of the Greek Cuisine. In fact the Danforth strip offers more than just Greek food...Brazil,Italy France,Thailand,Ireland, America, Mexico, China....they're all there.
You can find housing in the 4's and even under in Riverdale, but in the prime areas of this community expect to spend a whole lot more
On both sides of Danforth north to Milverton and south to the tracks, the community called Danforth Village is prized for its convenience to shopping and transportation. The homes are largely semis, and relatively affordable. Gerrard and Coxwell is noted for its indian contingent of restaurants and shops, and Monarch Park is lively with recreational facilities, including an artificial ice rfink as well as pools for both wading and swimming. The Ted Reeve Arena is home to the Toronto Minor Hockey League and was built in the south end of a large collection of playing fields. (made smaller now by some new homes)
As you travel east on the Danforth the housing gets more affordable but homes to the east seem to increase in value with every renovation and with every multiple offer situation. One terrific pocket where homes are very solidly built, architecturally pleasant and on streets blessed with mature healthy trees, is the section just east of Woodbine and west of Main, south from Danforth to the CNR tracks. Some very nice buys in the high 3's and 4's can put you into a very lovely community, just minutes from the Subway and the draw of the Danforth. Streets like Patricia. Iona Beck and Ethelwin are especially nice. Keystone backs on to Danforth, which is a drawback for some, and Oakcrest on the south side has the CNR tracks behind, but as long as you're aware of these situations, and can live with them you can find very good value in the area.
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Leslieville is on the south side of the CNR tracks between Carlaw and Coxwell and stretches south to Eastern Avenue. The houses along Queen and to the south have been around since the 1800's while the ones to the north were built in the early 20th Century. It's an affordable area, with lots of small bungalows and semi-detached 3 bedrooms being bought up quickly by first time buyers. The neighborhood is taking on a new look, with lots of pride of ownership. With the film studios expanding on Eastern Avenue Leslieville is now considered the "Film" district. That draws a crowd.
The Beach is certainly one of the better known communities in the city. It runs south from the tracks and east from Woodbine to Victoria Park. It has its own downtown, on Queen St starting just east of Woodbine . Summertime is very very crowded, and parking can be horrendous to impossible. However it's a fun place to be and the residents feel it well worth the hassle. There are beautiful homes, mostly on thed north side of Queen and many quaint properties nearer the water Prices range from the high threes to well over a million. If you have a car you should hold out for a place with parking if you can.
The Beach is so popular some call anything south of Danforth the north Beach. Well, you can see the water from a long way north, especiallly on a clear winter day.
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