Is North York a good place to live?
Yes. North York offers city convenience with more space and top schools. It has its own downtown on the Yonge subway, highly ranked schools like Earl Haig, ravines and parks, and homes from condos to estates. North York Centre (C14) had a composite benchmark of about $878,000 in September 2026.
- Best for: school-focused families, condo buyers who want the subway, and luxury buyers in York Mills and the Bridle Path.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): composite benchmarks from $728,800 to $2,267,400 by district; condos from about $443,000 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 25–30 minutes on Line 1 from North York Centre.
- Neighbourhoods to know: North York Centre, Willowdale, Bayview Village, Don Mills, York Mills, Bathurst Manor and Downsview.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About North York, Toronto
North York was a separate city until 1998. Its downtown, North York Centre at Yonge and Sheppard, has condo towers, offices, Mel Lastman Square and the Meridian Arts Centre, all on Line 1 and Line 4 Sheppard.
Around it are family neighbourhoods like Willowdale, Bayview Village and Don Mills, Canada’s first planned suburb, plus luxury areas in York Mills and the Bridle Path.
North York has major ravines and parks, including the Don Valley, Earl Bales Park and Edwards Gardens, plus York University, Sunnybrook and North York General Hospital.
| Fact | North York |
|---|---|
| TRREB districts | C06, C07, C12, C13, C14, C15, W05 |
| Region | City of Toronto |
| C14 composite benchmark (Sept 2026) | $878,400 |
| C14 condo benchmark (Sept 2026) | $547,700 |
| C12 detached benchmark (Sept 2026) | $3,061,400 |
| Subway | Line 1 Yonge, Line 4 Sheppard |
| Highways | 401, 404/DVP, 400 |
| Hospitals | North York General, Sunnybrook, Humber River |
📍 North York, City of Toronto, Ontario
North York Neighbourhood Guide
North York Centre
The downtown at Yonge and Sheppard has condo towers, Mel Lastman Square, Empress Walk area shops and Earl Haig Secondary nearby.
- North York Centre and Sheppard-Yonge stations
- Mel Lastman Square
- Earl Haig Secondary (Claude Watson Arts)
- Large condo supply
Willowdale
Willowdale East and West have family homes, many rebuilt as large custom houses, close to Yonge Street, the subway and top-ranked schools.
- Earl Haig and Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts
- Close to Line 1
- Custom new homes
- Korean and Persian food on Yonge
Bayview Village
Bayview Village has quiet streets, Bayview Village shopping centre, Line 4 access and condos near Bayview and Sheppard.
- Bayview Village Shopping Centre
- Bayview and Bessarion stations
- Ravine trails
- Quiet residential streets
Don Mills / Parkwoods
Don Mills was Canada’s first planned suburb, with mid-century homes, The Shops at Don Mills, ravines and Line 5 at Don Mills and Eglinton.
- The Shops at Don Mills
- Edwards Gardens
- Mid-century bungalows
- Line 5 stations
York Mills / Bridle Path
The Bridle Path, Hoggs Hollow and St. Andrew-Windfields have some of Canada’s most expensive homes on large ravine lots.
- Estate lots
- York Mills station
- Granite Club and golf clubs
- Top private schools nearby
Bathurst Manor / Downsview
West North York has more affordable bungalows and semis, Downsview Park, York University and Line 1 stations on the University side.
- Downsview Park
- York University
- Line 1 western branch
- More affordable homes
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| North York Centre | condo buyers near the subway | High-rise condos, some towns | Mid |
| Willowdale | family homes near Yonge | Detached, many new custom homes | Upper |
| Bayview Village | upscale family living | Detached, condos | Upper |
| Don Mills / Parkwoods | mid-century homes | Bungalows, detached, condos | Mid to upper |
| York Mills / Bridle Path | luxury and estate homes | Estates and luxury detached | Luxury |
| Bathurst Manor / Downsview | value near the subway | Bungalows, semis, condos, new towns | Mid |
North York Demographics
Who lives in North York?
North York attracts school-focused families, professionals working downtown or in North York Centre, and newcomers. It has large Korean, Chinese, Persian, Jewish, Filipino and Russian-speaking communities.
Growth and housing demand
North York Centre and Yonge Street keep adding condos, and Downsview is being redeveloped into new neighbourhoods. Condo prices dropped more than freehold prices in 2026.
Schools in North York
Public and Catholic schools
Earl Haig Secondary School
Public secondary · Willowdale · Claude Watson ArtsConfirm catchment with TDSBYork Mills Collegiate Institute
Public secondary · York MillsConfirm catchment with TDSBNorthview Heights Secondary School
Public secondary · Bathurst and FinchConfirm catchment with TDSBDon Mills Collegiate Institute
Public secondary · Don MillsConfirm catchment with TDSBCardinal Carter Academy for the Arts
Catholic secondary · WillowdaleConfirm catchment with TCDSBA.Y. Jackson Secondary School
Public secondary · Don Valley VillageConfirm catchment with TDSB| Board | System |
|---|---|
| Toronto District School Board (TDSB) | English public |
| Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
York University and Seneca Polytechnic’s Newnham campus are in North York, and the University of Toronto is about 25 minutes south on Line 1.
Transit and Getting Around North York
Line 1
Line 1 serves Yonge Street to Finch and the University branch through Downsview and York University to Vaughan.
Line 4 Sheppard
Line 4 runs east from Sheppard-Yonge to Don Mills, serving Bayview Village and Fairview Mall.
Highways
Highway 401 crosses North York, with the 404/DVP and 400 at either end.
Approximate commute times from North York
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station | 25–30 min | Line 1 from North York Centre |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 25–45 min | DVP or Yonge |
| Yorkdale | 10–15 min | Line 1 / 401 |
| Pearson Airport | 25–30 min | Highway 401 |
| Markham | 20–25 min | Highway 404 / 407 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in North York
Parks & Ravines
- Edwards Gardens
- Earl Bales Park
- Downsview Park
- Don Valley trails
- Sunnybrook Park
Shopping
- Yorkdale Shopping Centre
- Fairview Mall
- Bayview Village
- The Shops at Don Mills
- Yonge Street Korean and Persian shops
Recreation
- Mel Lastman Square skating
- Earl Bales ski hill
- North York Centennial Centre
- Golf courses
- York University sports
Culture
- Meridian Arts Centre
- Aga Khan Museum
- Toronto Botanical Garden
- North York Central Library
- Ontario Science Centre area
North York Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $878,400 |
| Detached | $1,904,000 |
| Semi-detached | $1,260,000 |
| Townhouse | $732,600 |
| Condo apartment | $547,700 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -3.61% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. Headline figures are for district C14 (Willowdale East / North York Centre); see the table for other districts. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
| TRREB district | Areas | All homes | Detached | Condo apt | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C14 | Willowdale East, Newtonbrook East (North York Centre) | $878,400 | $1,904,000 | $547,700 | -3.61% |
| C07 | Willowdale West, Newtonbrook West, Lansing-Westgate | $975,500 | $1,593,200 | $617,800 | -4.61% |
| C15 | Bayview Village, Don Valley Village, Hillcrest Village | $761,500 | $1,470,800 | $499,000 | -5.21% |
| C13 | Don Mills, Banbury, Parkwoods, Victoria Village | $987,400 | $1,586,800 | $598,000 | -6.83% |
| C12 | Bridle Path, York Mills, St. Andrew-Windfields | $2,267,400 | $3,061,400 | $1,045,200 | -4.83% |
| C06 | Bathurst Manor, Clanton Park | $909,000 | $1,360,700 | $472,900 | -11.27% |
| W05 | Downsview, York University Heights, Humber Summit | $728,800 | $1,010,200 | $443,000 | -6.25% |
Willowdale’s detached market is driven by school catchments and custom rebuilds. North York Centre condos are a popular way to get into Earl Haig’s catchment.
Condo prices fell faster than freehold prices in 2026, especially in C06 and C15.
Pros and cons of living in North York
Pros
- Top-ranked public schools
- Lines 1 and 4 plus Line 5 nearby
- Big parks and ravines
- Wide range of home types
- Great food and shopping
Cons
- Highway 401 noise and traffic
- Expensive detached homes near Yonge
- Condo-heavy North York Centre
- Car-dependent in some areas
Buying or selling in North York? Here’s what our clients say
5-star Google reviews“Very efficient, Damali was able to show her expertise to maximize the chances on my side, very knowledgeable, even with complex landlord she knows how to set the tone. In 3 weeks I had everything ready.”
“As a first time homebuyer, I was so pleased with the service that was provided to us by Desemal. She was very friendly and knowledgeable about the entire process. Des was very patient with us and was very understanding about our concerns as she guided us through everything. … It took a while but in the end we found our dream home at the right price.”
“Desemal is friendly, extremely reliable and results oriented. Always goes above and beyond the service she provides, exceeding our expectations each time!”
Frequently Asked Questions About North York
Yes. North York offers subway access, top schools, ravines and a wide range of homes. It is quieter than downtown but still very urban near Yonge Street.
TRREB reports Toronto prices by district. In September 2026, MLS® HPI composite benchmarks were $878,400 in C14, $975,500 in C07, $761,500 in C15, $987,400 in C13, $2,267,400 in C12, $909,000 in C06, $728,800 in W05. Condo apartment benchmarks ranged from $443,000 to $1,045,200 (TRREB).
Earl Haig Secondary (with the Claude Watson arts program), York Mills Collegiate and Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts are among the most sought-after. Confirm catchments with TDSB or TCDSB.
Willowdale and Bayview Village for families, North York Centre for condos, Don Mills for mid-century homes, York Mills and the Bridle Path for luxury, and Bathurst Manor for value.
About 25 to 30 minutes on Line 1 from North York Centre to Union Station.
Yes. North York was a separate city until 1998, when it became part of the amalgamated City of Toronto.
North York mainly covers C06, C07, C12, C13, C14 and C15, plus W05 in the west.
Usually, yes. In September 2026 C14’s composite benchmark was $878,400, compared with $1,862,100 in Midtown’s C04.
Last updated October 2026. Written by Damali Thomas and Desemal Thomas, Realtors, and Jermaine Whyte, Mortgage Agent Level 2, at the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage. Data: Statistics Canada 2021 Census; TRREB MLS® HPI; Metrolinx; local school boards.
