You might think that living in the city means sacrificing the best that nature has to offer. But such isn't the case, especially for certain neighbourhoods in Toronto.
Community developers are increasingly seeing the importance of incorporating green space among residences and preserving the richness of nature. And those who love nature crave the green space that many of these communities have to offer.
So, where can nature lovers reside in the city? Here are some of the best communities in the city for those with an affinity for the natural world.
READ: Toronto Is Getting One Of The Largest Linear Urban Parks In Canada
Birchcliff
Photo courtesy of Core Development Group.
For starters, the neighbourhood of Birchcliff boasts close proximity to the lake, and any nature over who truly calls themselves one will certainly appreciate the beauty and serenity of the lakeside.
But in addition to Lake Ontario's waterfront, those who love nature can also enjoy Birchmount Park and Rosetta McClain Gardens, the latter of which is a gorgeous garden park overlooking the Scarborough Bluffs. It's also sprinkled with lovely raised planters, flower gardens, and a rock fountain encompassed in a pergola.
Those considering relocating to the Birchcliff neighbourhood are in luck, as there is currently an amazing townhouse complex in the works for development. The new Birchcliff Urban Townhomes development offers the perfect location for families or young professionals who love the idea of being super close to the lake, Queen Street, Danforth Village and countless parks, paths, and trails in the area. Plus, the new complex is just a short 8-minute drive to the Bluffs!
High Park
No "nature lovers" list would be complete without High Park. Taking up a huge chunk of the High Park neighbourhood is the park that the community is named after. Spanning a whopping 161 hectares, High Park offers something for everyone, including a recreational and natural park, gardens, playgrounds, sporting facilities, and even a zoo! What's amazing about High Park is that one-third of the park continues to remain in a natural state.
Many of the homes in the High Park neighbourhood are gorgeous Victorian, Edwardian, and Tudor-style homes mingled with lush and mature greenery. The neighbourhood also offers condominium buildings for buyers who are looking for something a little more affordable, and many offer stunning views of High Park and Lake Ontario from private balconies.
Trinity Bellwoods
Photo by Pexels.
Another neighbourhood in Toronto that has a "Central Park" type of green space is Trinity Bellwoods, a neighbourhood that offers great shopping strips, day-to-day amenities in walking distance, and easy access to major transportation routes.
For those who love the outdoors, there's the infamous Trinity-Bellwoods Park that spans the entire length of the area and features tons of open green space, paved walkways, sports fields, and even an artificial ice rink. Nature lovers can take in the sights, smells, and sounds of this vast outdoor space.
The area features many lovely turn-of-the-century Victorian homes that are still relatively affordable compared to other downtown neighbourhoods. There are also several lofts that provide another type of housing option for those who want something even more affordable while enjoying very little maintenance.
READ: Toronto Desperately Needs More Green Space, Not A Casino
Guildwood Village
Scarborough has its fair share of neighbourhoods with amazing parks, and Guildwood Village is one of them. In particular, Guild Park features about 80 acres of gorgeous natural areas. Plus, it’s right on the water overlooking the lake from the soaring cliffs.
Those who may be looking to call Guildwood Village home might be interested in taking a look at Tricycle Condos, a new condo development by Lash located at Markham and Ellesmere. The complex offers plenty of amazing perks, including Miami-inspired rooftop terraces! The condo will offer residents a ground floor wifi lounge and coffee bar, fitness centre, yoga studio, and party room.
Riverdale
Although Riverdale is dense in population, it still manages to have tons of parkland space for nature lovers to immerse themselves in Mother Nature's finest. In fact, Riverdale Park is one of the most spacious green spaces in all of Toronto.
To the east is Withrow Park, a great place to enjoy the outdoors and even pick up some fresh local produce at the popular farmers market. Not only that, but the area also has a 7.5-acre park filled with adorable animals for residents to interact with up close.
Homes in the area are predominantly Victorian. If you're looking for something a little less expensive, South Riverdale is the place to look.
The Beaches
Photo by Pexels.
Those who have an affinity for anything outdoors will love just sitting on a bench staring into the horizon. Plus, the sandy beaches and vibrant boardwalk provide ample opportunity to interact with plenty of neighbourhood places for those who love animals just as much as nature.
The Beaches have a variety of different home types, including cottages built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There is also a wide array of custom-built detached homes, semis, townhouses, and low-rise condos at the bottom of Woodbine Avenue in a subdivision simply known as "The Beach."
READ: Toronto’s Top 5 Green Spaces — That Aren’t Trinity Bellwoods Or High Park
Eringate-Centennial (Southwest Etobicoke)
The popular Centennial Park is located in the Eringate-Centennial neighbourhood west of Toronto. This park is home to all sorts of amenities and activities, so there's always something to do here. As one of the city's largest parks, there's no shortage of green space for the nature lover to enjoy.
The Eringate community is largely made up of single-family homes that are still somewhat affordable compared to other neighbourhoods in the city. That said, there are also a few newer townhouse complexes and condo apartment buildings as well.
Rosedale
Many of the city's most expensive homes are found in Rosedale, so it should come as no surprise that the green space in this area is lush. The area is uniquely surrounded by quaint ravines and vast parks that provide a quick escape from the concrete jungle of the city.
The homes in the area are mainly Victorian, Georgian, Edwardian, and Tudor style mansions, many of which are heritage homes. There are also several condos and co-ops that are a lot more affordable than the older mansions in the area.
