Birch Cliff

Your Typical Neighbour

This is a family-centric area in a pocket of the city that was first to feel the effect of urban sprawl resulting from expensive downtown homes. It’s a mix of amazing houses, both big and small, spread amongst long time residents and new urban professionals who value space that downtown homes don’t offer.

What We Love

The trendiness found in the Kingston road corridor immediately east of Victoria Park is spreading. And the huge recreational offering is amazing for families. The stretch of Kingston Road between Birchcliffe and Birchmount Road has exploided over the past few years with new trendy home decor and floral shops, along with new cafes. Birchmount Area (hooray hockey!) is right in the centre of things. Birchmount Community Centre (hooray year round swimming!) just got a massive renovation and the community programs are amazing. Added bonus? It also houses a full time daycare.

What We Don’t Love

Kingston Road can be a busy thoroughfare with rush hour traffic morning and night.

The Real Estate Scoop

Single-family dwellings dominate this neighbourhood. And there is no longer the major gap in price that used to exist once you crossed over the Victoria Park Divide! Everything from the most typical two-storey and Storey-and-a-half houses to smaller pre-war cottage style bungalows can be found here. Much of the housing stock that was built between 1910 and 1950 show Tudor, Edwardian and Cape Cod design, though there is also a number of more modern 80’s and 90’s built homes.

The ‘Fallingbrook’ pocket of the neighbourhood lays claim to some of the most sought after homes in the eastern side of the city. There is a ravine in the landscape here, and homes that back onto it, the scenic Toronto Hunt Club and those overlooking Lake Ontario are more rarely offered and most always have stiff price tags attached.

Abundant green space in the area contributes to the affinity that families have for this area. And proximity to the downtown is certainly a factor high on the list of considerations for people who look for a home here. Depending on where in the neighbourhood you happen to be looking, an automobile may or may not factor into your day to day.

Transit

The Danforth Go Train Station is a boon to those needing to get downtown for work, and bus options can get you there, as well as to the subway line with ease. Kingston road offers the driver access to a number of major highways.

Schools

Schools are plentiful on both the public and separate fronts. A need for a private education will find you looking outside the borders.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Cliffside Public School
John A Leslie Public School
JR H King Academy
École élémentaire La Mosaïque
École élémentaire Jeanne-Lajoie
Birch Cliff Public School
Birch Cliff Heights Public School
Blantyre Public School
Courcelette Public School

SENIOR SCHOOLS

JR H King Academy
Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute
Collège français secondaire
Malvern Collegiate Institute

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School
ÉÉC Georges-Étienne-Cartier
ÉÉC du Bon-Berger
ÉSC Père-Philippe-Lamarche
Neil McNeil Catholic High School
St. Theresa Shrine Catholic School
St. Denis Catholic School
St. John Catholic School