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Tailor-made for upper-middle-class<br />
families, High Park–Swansea has few<br />
entry-level homes. In 2005, 6 Mossom<br />
 Place sold for $975,000
Tailor-made for upper-middle-class
families, High Park–Swansea has few
entry-level homes. In 2005, 6 Mossom
Place sold for $975,000

Real Estate GuideWest

High Park - Swansea

Average 2008 sale price:
$544,423
Property crime:
very low
Crime against people:
very low
Neighbourhood map:
See map

In some neighbourhoods, a single major civic asset overshadows all others, and adds incalculable value to houses and apartments for at least half a dozen blocks in every direction. The asset here is the city’s largest public green space, High Park. John Howard, an English-born architect, painter and city surveyor, became the greatest benefactor in Toronto history when he donated both his 400-acre park and his home, Colborne Lodge, in 1873. In the early 1890s, newly built roads to the park allowed bankers and other luminaries to construct their homes on nearby Indian Road and High Park Boulevard. The nabe offers some of the best lots in the city, both alongside the park and on Riverside Drive. Swansea, the region to the west of the park, is a cohesive community, with its own town hall and the city’s smallest public library.

HOUSING STOCK: Brick and stone mansions on High Park Boulevard and Indian Road give way to Swansea’s smaller but very smart brick and stone homes close to the park. The more modern two-storey abodes are in the extreme southwest, close to the scenic but loud QEW.

BARGAIN ZONES: In general, the best deals are on the stretches of Southport and Windermere that run along the Queensway.

THE VERDICT: Made for dogs and kids, the area attracts families wanting to mitigate big-city life with contained rustic charm. With shopping and entertainment in Bloor West Village to the north and Roncesvalles to the east, there’s no reason to leave (except to go to work to pay that big mortgage).

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Bark & Fitz The high-end canine boutique has become a de facto hangout in this dog-friendly area. 1959 Bloor St. W., 416-916-6207.
The Cheese Boutique A neighbourhood stalwart for fromage fans. 45 Ripley Ave., 416-762-6292.

Nearby Restaurants

Floor-to-ceiling ripples of red tile on one wall add punch to this otherwise low-key Bloor West ... (1.03 km away)

This Bloor West Village fixture has weathered the no-carb fad, serving freshly made pasta for ... (1.04 km away)

No ordinary burger joint, this lively British-style pub features a selection of over 35 burgers. ... (1.08 km away)

Tucked between trendy shops in the west village, this tiny, quaint Japanese restaurant offers everything ... (1.11 km away)

The dated though immaculate decor at this humble slice of eastern Europe on Bloor West ... (1.11 km away)

Chef Brad Long learned how to cook for crowds at 360 and the ACC, experience ... (1.18 km away)

Always hopping with regulars, this laid-back neighbourhood pub serves up a hearty and varied selection ... (1.35 km away)

Nearby Shopping and Services

No one in Toronto ages cheese better than the Pristine family, which is why so ... (0.44 km away)

Certified hypno­therapist and registered midwife Shawn Gallagher believes mental gymnastics are the key to getting ... (0.87 km away)

Cool girls flock to Trove to dip their fingers in the sparkling loot, whimsical accessories ... (1.03 km away)

Interiors Only carries wool carpets, hardwood flooring, custom vinyl tiles and a smattering of window ... (1.04 km away)

Casual cotton sportswear for women is the focus here, whether it’s shorts, pants, skirts or ... (1.05 km away)

A butcher’s since 1929, this bustling shop with Old World charm—a quaint cashier’s booth, folk-art ... (1.05 km away)

Locals needing anything from a main course to a side dish hit this long, sleek ... (1.05 km away)

Commuting
Gardiner and 427:
6.7 km
King and Bay:
7.6 km
401 and 400:
9.0 km
Subways:
Runnymede Station 1.1 km
Jane Station 1.2 km
High Park Station 1.6 km

Commuting and subway distances measured from neighbourhood centre.

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