Is East York a good place to live?
Yes. East York is one of Toronto’s best-value areas for families who want a house close to downtown. It is known for solid postwar bungalows on decent lots, leafy ravine parks and quick access to Line 2, Line 5 and the Don Valley Parkway, with the Ontario Line on the way. In September 2026 the detached benchmark in TRREB district E03 was about $1.17 million.
- Best for: young families buying their first house, renovators, and anyone who wants ravine access close to downtown.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): $1,016,900 for all homes and $1,171,800 for detached in TRREB district E03 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 20–30 minutes on Line 2 and Line 1, or 15–25 minutes by car on the DVP.
- Neighbourhoods to know: Leaside, Danforth Village–East York, Woodbine Heights, Broadview North, Parkview Hills, Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About East York, Toronto
East York is famous for its postwar bungalows and modest two-storey homes, many of which are now being renovated or replaced with larger custom builds. It still has a close-knit, small-town feel, with local shops along Pape, Cosburn, Donlands and O’Connor.
The area includes Leaside, a planned 1910s–1940s community that merged with East York in 1967 and is now one of Toronto’s most sought-after family neighbourhoods, as well as the tower communities of Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park.
East York is surrounded by ravines, including Taylor Creek Park and the Don Valley trail network, and is home to Michael Garron Hospital.
| Fact | East York |
|---|---|
| Part of | City of Toronto (former Borough of East York) |
| Boundaries | Don Valley to Victoria Park Ave; Danforth area north to Eglinton/Lawrence |
| Benchmark, all homes (E03, Sept 2026) | $1,016,900 |
| Benchmark, detached (E03, Sept 2026) | $1,171,800 |
| Benchmark, semi-detached (E03, Sept 2026) | $1,060,800 |
| Subway & LRT | Line 2 along the Danforth; Line 5 Eglinton through Leaside |
| Coming | Ontario Line (Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park) |
| Hospital | Michael Garron Hospital |
📍 East York, City of Toronto, Ontario
East York Neighbourhood Guide
Leaside
Leaside is one of Toronto’s most in-demand family neighbourhoods, with tree-lined streets, Bayview Avenue shops, highly rated schools and new Line 5 stations along Eglinton.
- Bayview Avenue and Laird shopping
- Leaside High School
- Line 5 Eglinton stations
- Sunnybrook Park nearby
Danforth Village – East York
The area north of the Danforth between Coxwell and Victoria Park has classic East York bungalows and quick walks to Line 2 stations.
- Coxwell and Woodbine stations
- Danforth shops and restaurants
- Bungalows ideal for renovation
- Michael Garron Hospital nearby
Woodbine Heights / Broadview North
Woodbine Heights and Broadview North around Pape and Cosburn mix older homes and new custom builds, with Taylor Creek and the Don Valley close by.
- Taylor Creek Park
- Pape and Donlands stations
- Cosburn and Pape shops
- Strong renovation activity
Parkview Hills / O’Connor-Parkview
Parkview Hills is a tucked-away enclave beside Taylor Creek, and O’Connor-Parkview offers family homes with access to O’Connor Drive shops.
- Ravine and trail access
- Quiet, low-traffic streets
- O’Connor Drive shops
- Close to the DVP
Thorncliffe Park / Flemingdon Park
These high-rise communities are among the most affordable in central Toronto and will get Ontario Line stations, with major redevelopment planned.
- Future Ontario Line stations
- East York Town Centre
- Close to the DVP
- Most affordable entry point
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaside | school-focused families | Detached and semis, many rebuilt | Luxury |
| Danforth Village – East York | first homes near the subway | Bungalows, detached, semis | Mid to upper |
| Woodbine Heights / Broadview North | families and renovators | Detached, semis, bungalows | Mid to upper |
| Parkview Hills / O’Connor-Parkview | quiet ravine-side streets | Detached homes | Mid to upper |
| Thorncliffe Park / Flemingdon Park | condo and rental value | High-rise condos and rentals | Entry |
East York Demographics
Who lives in East York?
East York attracts young families, renovators and professionals who want a house close to downtown. Leaside has a high share of families with children. Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park are among Toronto’s most diverse communities, with large South Asian, Middle Eastern and African populations.
Growth and housing demand
Growth in East York is mostly house rebuilds and infill on its smaller-lot streets, plus planned redevelopment around future Ontario Line stations. Prices in district E03 were down about 6% year over year in September 2026.
Schools in East York
Public and Catholic schools
Leaside High School
Public secondary · LeasideConfirm catchment with TDSBMarc Garneau Collegiate Institute
Public secondary · Flemingdon Park · TOPS enriched programConfirm catchment with TDSBEast York Collegiate Institute
Public secondary · Cosburn / CoxwellConfirm catchment with TDSBNorthlea Elementary and Middle School
Public elementary · LeasideConfirm 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
Downtown universities (University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University) and colleges are 20–30 minutes away by subway.
Transit and Getting Around East York
Line 2 Bloor-Danforth
Pape, Donlands, Greenwood, Coxwell and Woodbine stations along the Danforth serve south East York.
Line 5 Eglinton
Line 5 opened in 2026, with stations through Leaside and east along Eglinton, connecting to Line 1 at Eglinton station.
Ontario Line
The Ontario Line will add stations in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park, linking to downtown and to Line 2 at Pape.
Don Valley Parkway
The DVP runs along East York’s western edge, about 15–25 minutes from downtown outside rush hour.
Approximate commute times from East York
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (subway) | 20–30 min | Line 2 + Line 1 |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 15–25 min | Don Valley Parkway |
| Yonge & Eglinton | 10–15 min | Line 5 Eglinton |
| Pearson Airport | 30–40 min | Highway 401 |
| North York Centre | 20–25 min | DVP / 401 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in East York
Parks & Ravines
- Taylor Creek Park
- E.T. Seton Park
- Sunnybrook Park
- Don Valley trails
- Leaside Park
Shopping
- Bayview Avenue (Leaside)
- SmartCentres Leaside
- East York Town Centre
- Pape and Cosburn shops
- The Danforth nearby
Recreation
- Leaside Memorial Gardens
- East York Memorial Arena
- Don Valley cycling routes
- Leaside Pool
- Community centres across East York
Culture & Food
- The Danforth restaurants
- Aga Khan Museum nearby
- Evergreen Brick Works nearby
- Local cafés on Pape and O’Connor
- East York Civic Centre
East York Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $1,016,900 |
| Detached | $1,171,800 |
| Semi-detached | $1,060,800 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -5.82% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. Benchmarks shown are for TRREB district E03 (Danforth Village–East York, Broadview North, Woodbine-Lumsden, O’Connor-Parkview). Leaside and Thorncliffe Park fall in district C11. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
Many buyers purchase East York bungalows to renovate or rebuild, so lot size and zoning matter as much as the house itself. Detached homes in Leaside regularly sell well above the E03 benchmark.
Condo apartments in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park are among the most affordable in central Toronto, and Ontario Line stations could make them more attractive over time.
Pros and cons of living in East York
Pros
- Detached houses close to downtown
- Ravine parks and trails
- Line 2, Line 5 and the future Ontario Line
- Strong schools in Leaside
- Quick DVP access
Cons
- Smaller homes on some streets
- DVP traffic at rush hour
- Leaside prices are high
- Ongoing transit construction
Buying or selling in East York? Here’s what our clients say
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Frequently Asked Questions About East York
Yes. East York is a good place to live for families who want a house close to downtown, with ravine parks, Line 2 and Line 5 transit, quick DVP access and the Ontario Line on the way. Leaside is a premium area; the rest of East York is more affordable.
In September 2026, the TRREB MLS® HPI benchmark for district E03 was $1,016,900 for all home types, $1,171,800 for detached and $1,060,800 for semi-detached homes.
Yes. Leaside was a separate town until it merged with East York in 1967, and both became part of the City of Toronto in 1998. Leaside is now one of Toronto’s most sought-after family neighbourhoods.
About 20 to 30 minutes by Line 2 and Line 1 from stations like Pape or Coxwell, or about 15 to 25 minutes by car on the Don Valley Parkway outside rush hour.
East York is known for its postwar bungalows, ravine parks like Taylor Creek, Leaside’s family streets, and being Canada’s only former borough.
Yes. The Ontario Line, under construction, will have stations in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park and connect to Line 2 at Pape and Line 5 at Science Centre.
Popular options include Leaside High School, Marc Garneau Collegiate (with the TOPS program) and East York Collegiate (TDSB), plus Catholic elementary schools like St. Anselm. Always confirm catchments with the board.
Yes. East York has one of Toronto’s largest concentrations of postwar bungalows, which are popular with buyers planning to renovate, add a second storey or rebuild.
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.
