Dufferin Grove Park raises the bar on
community activism with a range of
services and neighbourly camaraderie

Real Estate Guide › Central

Dufferin Grove

Average 2008 sale price:

$456,019

Property crime:

very high

Crime against people:

very high

Neighbourhood map:

See map

Many neighbourhoods in the city are collections of streets in search of a centre. Dufferin Grove, with its eponymous 14-acre park, is an exception. The park has created a focal point to this very local-minded neighbourhood, and has given rise to a wide range of services and neighbourly camaraderie—including potluck suppers, year-round farmers’ markets and a communal outdoor oven; there’s even park-wide Wi-Fi for afternoon bench surfing. Across the street, Dufferin Mall has gotten spiffier of late, adding big-name stores (H&M and Aeropostale are more-recent arrivals) and renovating its exterior. In contrast to Dufferin’s bustle, streets such as Rusholme manage an impressive degree of serenity. The neighbourhood is fairly family-heavy, with Portuguese still the dominant language in some areas. Brockton Village, which occupies the western half of this district, draws artists with its affordable prices.

HOUSING STOCK: Like the Annex 15 years ago, there are some grand single-family dwellings, a good number of large houses split into apartments, some houses in questionable states of repair, and some that are on the brink of falling over. Rusholme is the best street for finding structural integrity.

BARGAIN ZONES: Prices get lower as you head farther west, especially after Lansdowne, at the top of the Junction. Of course, those houses there are smaller, too. Dufferin Grove used to be the go-to spot for ambitious buyers priced out of Roncesvalles. However, two-bedroom Victorian and Edwardian row houses are now going for around the same price as both areas. Be wary of bidding wars.

THE VERDICT: Among the many similarities to the Annex of the ’80s and ’90s is one major difference—it borders on not one, but two active commercial strips: Bloor and College. This is a neighbourhood that’s been on the rise for some time but has not come close to its price ceiling.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Arabesque A real find—tiny, with two outdoor tables in good weather and room for only a handful of customers indoors—this Arabic and Middle Eastern nook has freshly baked pita with all manner of fillings, and one of the best falafels in the city. 1068 College St., 416-504-8146.
Brazil Bakery Open surprisingly late (last call for pastry is midnight), this bakery-cum-café hums with banter as Portuguese regulars chit-chat while selecting the perfect pastel de nata. 1566 Dundas St. W., 416-531-2888.
The Common Fair-trade organic coffee and delectable pastries baked by the owner’s father have established this relaxed hang as a neighbourhood hub for laptop toters and moms with kids. 1071 College St. W., 416-546-7789.
Zoinks! Music and Books One of a dying breed of used book and music stores, this stalwart sells DVDs, CDs, vinyl, and a small but wisely chosen (or serendipitous) collection of books. 1019 Bloor St. W., 416-913-8827.