Real Estate Guide › East

Danforth Village

Average 2007 sale price:

$533,508

Property crime:

low

Crime against people:

low

Neighbourhood map:

See map

You knew something was up when a Starbucks moved in at the corner of Danforth and Langford a few years back. The bastion of low-fat lattes has an uncanny ability to sniff out the next hot market and, sure enough, housing prices soon started to percolate. As a result, the predominantly Greek area has grown more diverse, and spas and hair salons have moved in. In addition to Thai and sushi joints, bakeries and South Asian groceries have expanded the dining options. Some sections of the strip remain a bit forlorn—vacant storefronts, dollar stores, a bare-bones LCBO—but the residential streets are well-kept, with street parties and joint garage sales creating a friendly feel.

HOUSING STOCK: The handsome Edwardian brick homes between Pape and Donlands rival Riverdale’s for size and style, if not price (addresses on Langford Avenue command marginally lower prices than, say, Logan or Hogarth). Further east, there are cute semis from the ’20s and ’30s that hover around the high $300,000s.

BARGAIN ZONES: Prices tend to drop a little east of Greenwood. Streets lined with smaller semis—such as Strathmore, Glebehome and Milverton—are good places to start the search.

THE VERDICT: The value is good, considering that public transit and various amenities are so close at hand. As real estate agent Duncan Fremlin says, “You simply can’t go wrong buying in this area. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.”

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Aji Sai The menu here features creative spins on the usual maki. 783 Danforth Ave., 416-469-2124.
Olive & Olive Oil The eponymous wares at this prosaically named shop are sourced from the fertile groves of northern Turkey. The black olives with preserved lemon and basil are especially flavourful. 585A Jones Ave., 416-833-3410.
Royal Beef This old-style butcher shop carries quality tri-tip sirloin, as well as good deli and antipasto items. 1968 Danforth Ave., 416-421-1029.
Sarah’s Café and Bar With its excellent beer selection, this bistro-meets-pub is one of the few places in the neighbourhood to grab a casual pint on a Friday night (or nurse a hangover with brunch the next morning). 1426 Danforth Ave., 416-406-3121.