Leslieville

Your Typical Neighbour

Creative types abound here, alongside a middle working class sensibility that fades the farther north you go. Young professionals and/or families exploring the newer condos and smaller ‘condo alternative’ homes, although prime streets require particularly well-employed parents.

What We Love

The local retail and particularly the restaurant scene draws us even when we have no other reason to be there. There are plenty of family-friendly streets, with lots of green space – all close to downtown.

What We Don’t Love

Lineups for Sunday brunch at Lady Marmalade and Maha’s. Also, despite best efforts of the city, Canada’s largest waste water (read sewage) treatment plant at Ashridges Bay occasionally still lays a thoroughly unpleasant aroma down on the neighbourhood.

The Real Estate Scoop

The lower side of Leslieville south of Queen is populated with the oldest of the neighbourhood’s homes most of which were built in the late 1800s to house the local industrial workers. Cottage style homes synonymous with some of the tiniest places in Toronto sit alongside Second Empire row houses and Victorian Semi’s. But it is the relative teeny weeny-ness of some of these homes that lead to the often used “condo alternative” descriptor frequently seen in listings here. They do make an interesting option for a starter home where the buyer can see potential and can stomach the idea of living in a house that is potentially only 12 feet wide on the inside!

As you move north away from Queen street, the housing stock and lots tend to grow larger (with prices to match), eventually transitioning to the large detached homes of Riverdale.

Leslieville is also one of the best areas in Toronto for lofts. A number of live-work spaces have popped up, both industrial conversion and new-build, and there are some VERY cool spaces that come available from time to time. Some of our fav lofts include Church Lofts, Work Lofts, Wrigley Lofts, and the Garment Factory.  These lofts are  filled with creative types who appreciate something a little different, and in turn, are leaving their own mark on the neighbourhood. If you’re looking for a unique space, there’s a good chance you’d find it here.

Lastly, this area can be a haven for someone looking for a multi-use investment. If you’re a business owner or an investor, mixed-use buildings that pop up from time to time along Gerrard offer residential spaces atop street-front retail. And this neighbourhood isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, so if it’s not YOUR business that requires the space, there’s money on the table!

Transit

The Queen Streetcar is the TTC workhorse that most from the area rely upon to get to the downtown from the east side of the Don River. Big Walkability as well, and convenient access to the Gardiner and DVP via nearby Lakeshore. Though still a long way to go for those planning to plan roots here will benefit from the Relief Line that will connect Yonge-University-Spadina Subway downtown to the Bloor-Danforth Subway at Pape Station with a stop in the heart of Lesliville.

Schools

Proximity to family centric Riverdale leaves you with a number of school options, though most are close to or north of Queen Street.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Bruce Public School
Leslieville Junior Public School
Equinox Holistic School
Duke Of Connaught Public School
St. Joseph Catholic School
Morse Street Public School
Nelson Mandela Park Public School
Blake Street Junior Public School
É Élém La Mosaïque
Kew Beach Junior Public School
Duke of Connaught Junior and Senior Public School

SENIOR SCHOOLS

Jarvis Collegiate Institute
Monarch Park Collegiate Institute
Riverdale Collegiate Institute