Berkley Street’s proud gabled houses sport
the area’s few professionally landscaped
plots

Real Estate Guide › Central

Moss Park

Average 2008 sale price:

$357,347

Property crime:

high

Crime against people:

high

Neighbourhood map:

See map

Home to picturesque Allan Gardens and its lovely conservatories, Moss Park has potential, but it’s hampered by crime. Local aid agencies are working to turn the area around, but progress has been slow. Among the grittier streets, there are such gleaming stretches as Berkeley Street—where a row of proud gabled houses sports the area’s few professionally landscaped plots—as well as Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, George Brown College and Inglenook High, the oldest continuously operating high school in Toronto. According to 2006 census numbers, there are fewer children, youth and seniors here than in the average Toronto neighbourhood, which could be ideal if you’re 25 to 64 with no kids. There are many little hidden streets, such as Trinity (north of Eastern), with its mix of old and new townhouses, and Wilkins Avenue, with only 20 houses and a residents-only parking lot.

HOUSING STOCK: Residential architecture varies enormously. Smallish townhouses are prominent, mixing with condo and loft developments such as King’s Court on King Street East. A trio of 16-storey boomerang-shaped residential towers, each containing about 300 subsidized units, dominates the area. The Toronto Community Housing Corporation operates the towers, as well as the Pembroke Mews—a graceful seven-storey apartment building.

BARGAIN ZONES: Look for more accessible options on Seaton, north of Dundas, where reno fodder coexists with Edwardian lovelies that have already been spruced up.

THE VERDICT: The neighbourhood’s negative associations (crime and drugs) produce deals you’re not likely to find elsewhere. Not as much of a leap of faith as Regent Park (page 37), Moss Park is a sure bet for greater than average appreciation, in both senses of the word.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
The Aga Shop This is the place to be if you’ve got a ton of money—say, $13,000 to $30,000—to drop on one of the most coveted kitchen appliances (four ovens in one!) in the world. 154 King St. E., 416-943-0242.
Kultura In a lavishly restored Georgian building, this chic wine bar (there are some 50 wines on the list) serves upscale tapas—mushroom orecchiette with pinot noir–pear chutney, for example—to King East’s condo crowd. 169 King St. E., 416-363-9000.
The Patrician Grill One of the best diners in the city, the Patrician is a hangout for many of the George Brown culinary students across the street. 219 King St. E., 416-366-4841.