“Toronto’s Leslieville Neighbourhood Map”
Leslieville as a gateway to the east of Toronto, because of its proximity to The Danforth, East Chinatown, Greektown, The Beaches and Bayfront neighbourhoods. Leslieville also covers three main streets (Gerrard Street, Dundas Street and Queen Street) as the main shopping and dining destinations, and has a unique position among Toronto’s neighbourhoods. Furthermore, its family-friendly environment, abundance of public and living facilities and easy transit to other neighbourhoods are some good reasons that have made it a top pick for property buyers. As a Toronto Real Estate Agent, I would say that Leslieville as an ideal place to live, run a business or just buy and hold a property as a rewarding investment.
Location & How to Get to Leslieville Neighbourhood
On the north, Leslieville Neighbourhood is bordered by Gerrard Street East, on the east by Coxwell Ave, on the west and south west it reaches Jimmie Simpson Park and Don River, and on the south it is cut by Lake Shore Blvd. East. You have many routes to get to Leslieville Neighbourhood.
Get to Leslieville By Bus
Get on line 72 (Pape Station) at Union Station and ride it to Carlaw Ave at Queen St East. From there, walk to Leslieville in a few minutes. Or, go to College St at Bay St, wait for 506 (Main Street Station) and ride it to Gerrard St East at Pape Ave.
Get to Leslieville By Streetcar
Get a 501 TTC streetcar at any station on Queen St East and ride to the west. It passes through Leslieville neighbourhood end to end. Also, from the westward, you can get on 503 at King St West at Bay St East and ride to Queen St East at Greenwood Ave.
Green Space and Parks in Toronto’s Leslieville Neighbourhood
Greenwood Park in the middle of Leslieville area is a big park with all sorts of sports amenities for adults and kids. To name a few, two baseball diamonds, a dog park, skating rink & path, an outdoor pool and even a hill to go up and workout there!
Another notable park is Ashbridge’s Bay Park in the south-east corner of Leslieville. It is a sandy beach beside Ashbridge’s Bay that you can swim, walk alongside the beach or ride a bike on the trail.
The Best Places for Dining & Drinking in Leslieville Neighbourhood
Leslieville is one of the main destinations for eating, especially brunch restaurants are amongst the best in Toronto. If you are starving for a tasty breakfast I offer Lady Marmalade beside Broadview Ave just north of Dundas St corner. Its creamy and pleasing inside really boosts your appetite on a Sunday morning!
Seafood lovers can try Eastside Social in Queen St East just before turning into Carlaw Ave. Their oysters, lobsters and grilled octopus are very popular. At 226 Greenwood Ave you can find Maha’s, an Egyptian restaurant. There, you will have a mind blowing chicken sandwich and Falafel.
Ascari Enoteca at 1111 Queen St East is another top place to eat especially for Italian dishes lovers. Their fresh pasta is one of the best in Toronto.
Te Aro at 983 Queen St East is another famous brunch destination. On weekends you have to stay in line to get this but after having the meal you will kind of “the time was really worth that!”
In Chula Taberna Mexicana at 1058 Gerrard St East you can have a dream dinner on an outdoor patio. Their shrimp and fish tacos are second to none.
Chez Nous, Pinkerton Snack Bar, Poor Romeo, Hitch, Lloyd’s on Queen and Lake Inez are some of the best bars and pubs in the area.
Where to Shop in Leslieville Neighbourhood
Along Queen St East and Gerrard St East you can go shopping for almost all imaginable things.
Arts Market at 790 Queen St East is full of a variety of collectibles, jewelry, clothing and hand-made gifts crafted by local artists. Even if you are not in a shopping mood, visiting there is a pleasant treat. Token Gift Shop is another place to find unique gifts and home décor items.
Doll Factory By Damzels is a boutique for women’s vintage clothing. They also sell shoes and accessories. Gadabout Vintage on Queen St East at Alton Ave is one of a kind vintage store. From men’s or women’s wear and accessories to rare decorative items, you can find a lovely piece to buy.
When it turns to men’s fashion, you can’t ignore Good Neighbour at 935 Queen St East. Located inside a cottage, it is a different store both in the shape and items delivered. Some of their pieces are so special that you cannot find anywhere else in Toronto.
Recreation, Entertainment & Sightseeing in Leslieville Neighbourhood
Greenwood Park contains a playground, a pool, an ice rink and three baseball diamonds. Jimmie Simpson Park has many sports facilities including playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, hockey rink and wading pool. Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre is on the corner of Jimmie Simpson Park offers indoor sports. Jonathan Ashbridge Park also provides an array of recreational activities such as tennis, wading.
Cherry Beach in the vicinity of Leslieville provides a full array of beach and water sports such as kite surfing, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. Tommy Thompson Park is laid on the most southern part of Leslieville on the lakeside, with serenity and picturesque nature. Strolling or biking alongside Lake Ontario or fishing in the bay is a unique experience. S.H. Armstrong Community Centre is a good place for swimming and indoor ball sports. And the last but not least, Matty Eckler Community Recreation Centre, with a clean pool, a well-treated gym and indeed a basketball court is a wonderful place to resort for a while.
For theatre lovers, Crow’s Theatre at 345 Carlaw Ave is an intimate place to sit and watch a play. The Opera House, located at 735 Queen St East is an old theatre now hosting concerts and special events. It is a good place to get entertained by a local show or concert.
If you are an artworks fan, Blue Crow Gallery at 1610 Gerrard St East is the place to visit. There are many painting and pottery pieces by local artists to see, enjoy and also you can buy a gift or attend their painting classes. Gerrard Art Space at 1475 Gerrard St East, Visions Gallery at 1114 Queen street East, Dianna Witte Gallery at Queen St East, Coady Ave and Heliographics Gallery at 1256 Queen street East are other galleries in the area worth visiting.
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Demographics of Leslieville Community
Leslieville community is a homogenous mix of families, young couples and singles. From the population of about 26,000, almost 60% are university or college graduates and 40% are in high school level. Average household income per year is $101,000 and owners to renters ratio is about 60% to 40%. Most of the population live in detached and semi-detached houses, lofts and low and medium rise condos. The area is rich in schools and parks, many facilities for kids and is an ideal place for families.
Real Estate in Leslieville Area
Leslieville is a diverse composition of old and new buildings from detached and semi-detached Victorian and Edwardian houses to modern lofts and condos. The variety of size and amenity has made these houses equally suitable for families and singles. The average price of a typical detached house in the Leslieville neighbourhood is about $1,700,000 and condos are on sale at about $700,000 on average.
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Some Notable Developments in Leslieville Neighbourhood
Elevate at Logan located at Gerrard St E & Logan Ave is an under construction, four story townhouse complex with a beautiful, contemporary design. It is equipped with high end appliances and high tech systems. The designers have tried to keep the tone of the neighbourhood in the material and colors (wooden floors and ceilings, and red-brick walls). Excellent walk and transit scores has made Elevate at Logan a highly demanding project. It is expected to be completed in 2021. The Lofthouse condos at 794 Gerrard St East is very similar to Elevate at Logan.
The Carlaw condos at 345 Carlaw Avenue & 1190 Dundas Street E, Showcase Lofts at 88 Colgate Ave, 1001 Queen East Lofts, Flatiron Lofts at 1201 Dundas St East, The Taylor Lofts at 1238 Dundas Street E, Wonder Condos at Carlaw Ave & Eastern Ave and Quest Leslieville at 1285 Queen St E are some completed or under construction projects in Leslieville neighbourhood. Depending on the size and amenities, condo prices start from $500,000 to well over $1,200,000 and rentals are in the range of $1,800-$3,500.
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Conclusion
Leslieville neighbourhood is an outstanding area to raise children by parents, start a family by couples or just to reside by singles who want to work in small businesses, shops and restaurants. Because of the great variety in the building types, in Leslieville you can find a suitable home at affordable prices (still a bit lower than Toronto’s average). We are fully aware of your needs in Leslieville and by filling out the questionnaire, you’ll get connected to one of the Best Toronto Real Estate Agents that covers Leslieville.
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