Is Leaside a good place to live?
Yes. Leaside is one of Toronto’s most sought-after neighbourhoods for families. It offers quiet, tree-lined streets, well-regarded public schools, a lively Bayview Avenue strip, big parks and ravines, and fast transit since the Eglinton Crosstown LRT opened in 2026. The trade-off is price: the typical detached home in TRREB district C11, which includes Leaside, was about $2.17 million in September 2026.
- Best for: families focused on schools and community, and professionals who want a quiet neighbourhood 20–30 minutes from downtown.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): TRREB district C11 composite benchmark $1,142,800; detached $2,174,100; semi-detached $1,304,000 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 25–35 minutes by Crosstown LRT and Line 1, or 15–30 minutes by car via the Don Valley Parkway.
- Areas to know: North Leaside, South Leaside, Bayview Avenue and the Laird Drive and Eglinton shopping area.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About Leaside, Toronto
Leaside takes its name from William Lea, whose family farmed the area from the early 1800s and whose 1854 house was called “Leaside.” In 1912 the Canadian Northern Railway’s land company bought about 1,000 acres and hired planner Frederick Todd to design a model town around its rail yards. The Town of Leaside was incorporated in 1913.
Growth was slow until the 1930s and 1940s, when wartime industry and housing filled in Todd’s curving streets with the brick two-storey homes Leaside is known for. The town merged with East York in 1967, and East York became part of the City of Toronto in 1998. Many street names, like Laird, Hanna and Wicksteed, honour railway executives.
Today Leaside is a close-knit, family-focused neighbourhood. Bayview Avenue has cafés, restaurants and independent shops, Laird Drive and Eglinton have big-box and grocery shopping, and Line 5 Eglinton (the Crosstown LRT) opened in 2026 with stations at Leaside, Laird and Sunnybrook Park.
| Fact | Leaside |
|---|---|
| Municipality | City of Toronto (former East York) |
| Incorporated | Town of Leaside, 1913 |
| TRREB district | C11 (with Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park) |
| Benchmark price, C11 (Sept 2026) | $1,142,800 |
| Benchmark price, C11 detached (Sept 2026) | $2,174,100 |
| Rapid transit | Line 5 Eglinton: Leaside, Laird and Sunnybrook Park stations |
| Major roads | Bayview Ave, Eglinton Ave, Don Valley Parkway |
| School boards | TDSB, TCDSB, Viamonde, MonAvenir |
📍 Leaside, City of Toronto, Ontario
Leaside Neighbourhood Guide
South Leaside
The original part of the town south of Eglinton, with curving streets of brick two-storey homes, many expanded or rebuilt. Close to Bayview Avenue shops, Trace Manes Park and Bessborough and Rolph Road schools.
- Walk to Bayview Avenue cafés and shops
- Trace Manes Park, tennis and rink
- Bessborough and Rolph Road schools
- Many renovated and rebuilt homes
North Leaside
The area north of Eglinton toward Sunnybrook, with slightly newer post-war homes, larger lots on some streets and easy access to Serena Gundy and Sunnybrook parks.
- Serena Gundy and Sunnybrook Park trails
- Northlea Elementary and Middle School
- Close to Sunnybrook hospital
- Short walk to Crosstown stations
Bayview Avenue corridor
Homes on and just off Bayview Avenue, with the neighbourhood’s best walkability to restaurants, shops and services, plus a growing number of boutique condo buildings.
- Walk to Bayview Avenue shops and restaurants
- Boutique condos for downsizers
- Leaside station on the Crosstown nearby
- More choice for smaller households
Laird and Eglinton
The east side of Leaside around Laird Drive and Eglinton, where new mid-rise condos are going up near Laird station and big-box shopping.
- Laird station on Line 5 Eglinton
- Grocery and big-box shopping on Laird
- Most affordable entry point into Leaside
- New mid-rise buildings under way
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Leaside | classic Leaside character | Brick detached and semis (1930s–40s), rebuilds | Premium |
| North Leaside | larger homes near ravines | Detached homes, some semis | Premium |
| Bayview Avenue corridor | walkability | Semis, townhouses, boutique condos | Upper |
| Laird and Eglinton | condo buyers and commuters | New condos and towns, some detached | Entry to upper |
Leaside Demographics
Who lives in Leaside?
Leaside draws families who want strong public schools and a real sense of community, professionals who work downtown or at Sunnybrook, and long-time residents who downsize into condos on Bayview without leaving the neighbourhood.
Growth and housing demand
The low-rise streets are fully built out, so new housing comes from rebuilds and from mid-rise condos along Eglinton, Bayview and Laird, especially near the new Crosstown stations. Demand for detached homes stays strong because so few come up for sale each year.
Schools in Leaside
Public and Catholic schools
Leaside High School
Public secondary · Leaside (opened 1945)Confirm catchment with TDSBBessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School
Public elementary and middle · South LeasideConfirm catchment with TDSBRolph Road Elementary School
Public elementary · South LeasideConfirm catchment with TDSBNorthlea Elementary and Middle School
Public elementary and middle · North Leaside · English and French ImmersionConfirm catchment with TDSBSt. Anselm Catholic School
Catholic elementary · LeasideConfirm catchment with TCDSB| 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
The University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University and OCAD are about 25–35 minutes away by transit. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a major teaching hospital, is on Leaside’s northern edge.
Transit and Getting Around Leaside
Eglinton Crosstown LRT
Leaside, Laird and Sunnybrook Park stations serve the neighbourhood, with connections to Line 1 at Eglinton and to Kennedy and Mount Dennis.
Subway via Eglinton or Davisville
Transfer to Line 1 at Eglinton station for downtown, or take the bus to Davisville or Bloor-Danforth stations.
TTC bus routes
Buses on Bayview, Laird and Millwood connect Leaside to subway stations on Lines 1 and 2.
Highways
The Don Valley Parkway is minutes east, with Highway 401 about 10 minutes north. Downtown is about 15–30 minutes by car.
Approximate commute times from Leaside
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (transit) | 25–35 min | Line 5 + Line 1 |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 15–30 min | Don Valley Parkway or Bayview |
| Yonge & Eglinton | 5–10 min | Line 5 Eglinton |
| Pearson Airport | 30–40 min | Highway 401 |
| North York Centre | 20–30 min | Drive or Line 5 + Line 1 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in Leaside
Parks & Nature
- Sunnybrook Park
- Serena Gundy Park
- Trace Manes Park
- Howard Talbot Park
- Don Valley ravine trails
Shopping
- Bayview Avenue shops and cafés
- Laird Drive and Eglinton shopping
- Sunnybrook Plaza
- Grocery stores on Laird and Bayview
- Yonge & Eglinton (5 min)
Recreation
- Leaside Memorial Community Gardens (pool, rinks, curling)
- Trace Manes tennis and rink
- Leaside library branch
- Ravine cycling and running trails
- Sunnybrook stables and fields
Culture & Food
- Bayview Avenue restaurants
- Leaside Village and Laird food spots
- Community events and festivals
- Evergreen Brick Works (short drive)
- Ontario Science Centre area
Leaside Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $1,142,800 |
| Detached | $2,174,100 |
| Semi-detached | $1,304,000 |
| Townhouse | $556,600 |
| Condo apartment | $409,600 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -2.39% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. Figures are for TRREB district C11, which includes Leaside along with Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park. Those high-rise areas pull the composite and condo figures down, so detached and semi-detached prices best reflect Leaside’s low-rise streets. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
Detached and semi-detached homes make up most of Leaside, and few come up for sale each year. Original homes often sell to buyers planning a renovation or rebuild, while finished rebuilds command the top of the market.
Condos along Bayview, Eglinton and Laird are the most affordable way into the neighbourhood and are popular with downsizers. Because Leaside is in Toronto, buyers pay both the Ontario and Toronto land transfer taxes, so we factor that into every budget.
Pros and cons of living in Leaside
Pros
- Well-regarded public schools
- Quiet, leafy streets with a strong community feel
- New Crosstown LRT and fast DVP access
- Big parks, ravines and a major community centre
- Walkable Bayview Avenue shops and restaurants
Cons
- Among the highest detached prices in Toronto
- Double land transfer tax (Ontario and Toronto)
- Very limited supply of family homes
- Construction from rebuilds and new condos
Buying or selling in Leaside? Here’s what our clients say
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“It is a pleasure working with Damali and Desemal of Thomas Team. They are very professional and tenacious in the services they provide for their clients. Another satisfied client, highly recommend for your real estate needs!”
“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.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Leaside
Yes. Leaside is one of Toronto’s most desirable family neighbourhoods, with leafy streets, well-regarded schools, big parks, Bayview Avenue shops and the new Crosstown LRT. The main downside is price, along with very limited supply of detached homes.
Leaside is part of TRREB district C11. In September 2026, the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark in C11 was $1,142,800 for all home types, $2,174,100 for a detached home and $1,304,000 for a semi-detached. C11 also includes Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park, so Leaside’s low-rise homes are best judged by the detached and semi figures.
Yes. Line 5 Eglinton opened in 2026 with three stations serving Leaside: Leaside, Laird and Sunnybrook Park. It connects to Line 1 at Eglinton station for a quick trip downtown.
Leaside High School is the local public secondary school. Elementary options include Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School, Rolph Road Elementary School, Northlea Elementary and Middle School (with French Immersion) and St. Anselm Catholic School. Always confirm catchment for the exact address.
Leaside was its own town from 1913 until it merged with East York in 1967. East York became part of the City of Toronto in 1998, so Leaside is now a Toronto neighbourhood.
Yes. Leaside is in the City of Toronto, so buyers pay both the Ontario and Toronto municipal land transfer taxes. First-time buyers can get rebates on both. Our Buyer’s Kit shows the cash you need to close.
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.
