Real Estate Guide › West

Edenbridge - Humber Valley

Average 2008 sale price:

$963,158

Property crime:

high

Crime against people:

low

Neighbourhood map:

See map

Nestled between two golf clubs—St. George’s in the northwest and Lambton Golf and Country Club just across the Humber River—this is a country club–like area, with large lots, spacious homes and tree-lined streets, many of them still without sidewalks. The prices match the surroundings. Two decades ago, a nice little three-bedroom in Humber Valley Village was less than half a million. Now it will cost at least three times as much, and lots with river or golf-course views fetch even more. The houses on Edenbridge Drive, which skirts James Gardens and the Humber River parklands, average $2.5 to $3 million. The region’s many affluent families love the area for its shops (Humbertown Shopping Centre), one-stop schooling (junior kindergarten to Grade 8 at Humber Valley Village Junior Middle School) and tranquility.

HOUSING STOCK: Some of the area was developed as early as the 1930s, but the dominant look is classic 1950s and 1960s. There are bungalows and backsplits in the north, and monster homes everywhere from Chestnut Hills Parkway to the gracious heights of North Drive.

BARGAIN ZONES: Expect to spend big everywhere, though houses farther from the golf courses are somewhat more reasonable.

THE VERDICT: Next to The Kingsway and Princess–Rosethorn, this is Etobicoke’s most affluent and desirable area. It’s highly polished suburbia, but there’s next to no entertainment and very little decent dining. However, the park-size lots more than compensate.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Humbertown Jewellers Watches and baubles are so dear you need an appointment. Humbertown Shopping Centre, 270 The Kingsway, 416-234-1600.
James Gardens With a riverside location and spring-fed pools, these well-kept gardens are a wedding photographer’s dream. Edenbridge Dr., east of Royal York Rd., 416-392-8188.
St. George’s Golf and Country Club With a long history, limited membership and a venerable top-three rating, St. George’s maintains old-school class and exclusivity. 1668 Islington Ave., 416-231-3393.