Real Estate Guide › Central

Humewood - Cedarvale

Average 2008 sale price:

$765,570

Property crime:

low

Crime against people:

low

Neighbourhood map:

See map

By far the biggest draw here is 35-acre Cedarvale Park, which cuts this midtown neighbourhood horizontally in half, with posh Cedarvale to the north and slightly cheaper, but still sought-after Humewood to the south. Nestled within the Cedarvale ravine, along a tributary of the Lower Don, the park offers enough space for multiple teams to practise soccer while grannies head out for power walks and teens smooch on the steep hills. The nearby community centre has tennis courts and a skating rink that are well-used by the area’s families. Plenty of commercial and retail space surrounds the ’hood—both Eglinton’s upscale Jewish strip and the West Indian turned Latin stretch of St. Clair offer restaurants, groceries and shops. Years of development have yet to bring a high school to the area, so teens ride the TTC to Forest Hill Collegiate Institute or Oakwood Collegiate Institute, both of which have good reputations.

HOUSING STOCK: Architecturally stunning contemporary homes ring the park, their three- and four-storey glass expanses peering down into the picturesque ravine. Only a few apartment buildings can be found on the major streets. The main offerings are detached and semi-detached single-family abodes. Cedarvale features more impressive early-20th-century piles, but even the more humble residences in Humewood are still incredibly well maintained.

BARGAIN ZONES: Humewood is far more affordable and still contains a smattering of post-war semis and bungalows on substantial lots. Streets closer to Vaughan, like Arlington Avenue and Atlas Road, have yet to be razed for renovations so there’s good potential to snag reasonably priced a fixer-upper.

THE VERDICT: One of Humewood–Cedarvale’s great triumphs was the cancellation of the Spadina Expressway, which would have ruined Cedarvale Park and destroyed the area’s walkable winding inner streets. Today, it’s one of midtown’s great nabes, with excellent amenities, including a plenitude of public transit options, plus quick access to downtown and Highway 401, via the Allen Expressway.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Mark Lash Fine Jewellery Bright baubles and sparkling creations for weddings and special occasions will tempt you to drain your bank account. 938 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-256-5229.
Marron Enjoy a haute kosher meal that might include sweetbread escalope and herb-crusted tilapia. 948 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-784-0128.
Nortown Butchers Locals pick up such hormone-free meat as Nortown’s famous burger patties. 892 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-789-2921.