Real Estate Guide › East

South Riverdale

Average 2007 sale price:

$498,548

Property crime:

average

Crime against people:

average

Neighbourhood map:

See map

There are very few bargains to be found in South Riverdale anymore, as the hipster demographic has gobbled up just about everything worth having in this once down-at-the-heels neighbourhood. The old diners and hardware stores that used to dominate Queen Street East are being pushed out by galleries, restaurants, interior design stores and coffee houses. Leslieville, which sits within South Riverdale’s borders, has firmly established itself as the new West Queen West. Recreation possibilities are plentiful, with bike paths along Dundas and Lake Shore offering easy access to downtown and the city’s primo birding spot, the Leslie Street Spit. Greenwood Park has outdoor swimming and a baseball diamond in the summer, and a rink in winter; the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre features indoor swimming, as well as outdoor tennis and basketball courts. Prices start in the low $300,000s for semis off Gerrard, and the high $300,000s for the same thing closer to the action on Queen.

HOUSING STOCK: Victorian and Edwardian townhomes, as well as post-war semis and single family dwellings line the street. Most abodes come with loads of character (which some may interpret as rundown—though one person’s dump is another person’s reno-ready opportunity).

BARGAIN ZONES: The only decent deals left are on the main streets, including Gerrard, Dundas, Broadview, Eastern and Carlaw; Dundas is your best bet, as it has less traffic and more parking.

THE VERDICT: Say what you will, but the battle over the pending arrival of a big-box shopping mall on the south edge of Leslieville is testament to the area’s boom. The proximity to downtown, terrific furniture shopping and sense of arrival that comes with living in an it neighbourhood all make up for the near-complete gentrification.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Bonjour Brioche Patient crowds are drawn in for weekend brunch with to-die-for fresh-baked croissants. 812 Queen St. E., 416-406-1250.
Ethel 20th Century Living Ethel’s collection of fibreglass furniture stands out from the area’s numerous turn-of-the-century antique shops. 1091 Queen St. E., 416-778-6608.
Lee-Ann Belter Bridal Brides on the prowl for affordable originality breathe a deep sigh of relief when walking into this up-and-coming designer’s studio. 785 Queen St. E., 416-778-6868.
Leslie Street Spit Retreat from urban mania for a bike ride in this headland outfitted with views of the lake and some 300 species of birds. Entrance at the south end of Leslie Street.