Welcome To Riverside
Welcome to Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood.
Riverside is often referred to as Riverside/Leslieville. This is because the two neighbourhoods meld into one another. The streets that make up the Riverside area run from the Don Valley Expressway to Logan Avenue, and Gerrard Avenue to Eastern Avenue. This block of real estate has been snatched-up by savvy investors, families, and young professionals. Collectively, they seemed to understand that the east end of the city, although once dilapidated old, sometimes abandoned, buildings and businesses, was destined for greatness.
Walking down Queen street, from the Don Valley Expressway, you’re greeted with that palpable ‘east end vibe’…old buildings stand tall (but not too tall) with pride, showing off their raw and understated industrial charms to passers-by. Boutique windows are artistically crafted. Cafes are packed with eyes that peer over an illuminated ‘Apple’. Latte machines make whisking noises and writers, quietly, read (and re-read) their prose. In cooler months, young families push strollers in well-heeled Frye boots and Nobis Jackets. Tired looking ‘hipsters’ line walkways, huddled to the side of a building, waiting in single file to get into the hottest brunch spots where pancakes are piled-high. It’s worth the wait.
The same can be said for this once predominantly working-class neck of Toronto. The beautification of the area was spearheaded by the Riverside B.I.A. This has resulted in preservation of all that’s good about Riverside’s past while embracing and adapting to pave way for a bright and prosperous future. This sweet, and charming, combination of old and new can be seen in the handful of local industrial loft conversions, new builds, modern renovations, and classic Victorian and Edwardian dwellings.
Properties For Sale
Your Typical Neighbour
The bohemian nature of the neighbourhood is what drives the cool factor here. Young professionals and creative types intermingle with various immigrant cultures from diverse income classes.
What We Love
Amazing food, retail and culture right outside your door. The introduction of the Broadview Hotel at the corner of Broadview and Queen St E has changed the landscape of the neighbourhood.
What We Don’t Love
While the commute to the downtown core is relatively short, the Don River CAN be a mental barrier to people who really should consider this neighbourhood.
The Real Estate Scoop
The gentrification and the resulting effect on the cost to live here is definitely showing. The food scene is amazing and some local favourite spots include (but are not limited to): La Carnita, Lady Marmalade, and the Broadview Hotel. Riverside is often lumped together with Leslieville, although Riverside tends to be a little more rough around the edges and can feel more urban…kind of Leslieville’s bad-boy brother.
An easy commute to the financial core of the downtown also continues to drive demand here, and developers have taken note. Broadview Lofts was one of the earliest in the area, a beautiful example of classic hard loft conversion. The neighbourhood remains a good option for first-time buyers and young professionals who value the neighbourhood feeling minutes from work.
Most of the homes in the area are of a Victorian or Edwardian style. There are very few fully detached options in the area, and when they are offered for sale, their scarcity is reflected in the price. The older semi-detached and attached row houses that are more common, and can be quite narrow; to see examples of the classic Victorian row house architecture of the neighbourhood, drive a few minutes north of Queen street along Degrassi. Note that these homes commonly lack off-street parking, but the neighbourhood is so close to the Downtown core that saving on the cost of purchasing a home with parking can be beneficial.
Schools
Some great schools live here, including an aboriginal focused First Nations institution, and the SEED alternative school aimed at underperforming students who require an ‘outside the box’ learning environment.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Dundas Junior Public School
Queen Alexandra Middle School
Morse Street Junior Public School
SENIOR SCHOOLS
Transit
Streetcar options on Queen and Broadview anchor the transit options, alongside a strong walkability. Drivers have super easy access to the DVP and Gardiner.
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