You’ve saved long and hard for a down payment. You’ve spoken to a mortgage broker and gotten pre-approved for a mortgage. Finally, you’re ready to go house hunting but have no idea where to start based on your budget.
For first-time home buyers, finding the “perfect” home in Toronto, is no easy task. Connecting a home buyer’s budget to one of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto, that fits that budget as well as the must-haves on a home buyer’s list can often seem daunting.
Don’t despair! There are numerous neighbourhoods in Toronto that offer great value & great local amenities for first-time home buyers looking to toe into the real estate market.
Whether you’re looking for a condo, a townhome or a detached property, you. Here is a short list of some of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto for first-time home buyers.
Stonegate Queensway
Hands down one of best places to live in Toronto’s west end. The boundaries encompass two other major sub-neighbourhoods (Sunnylea & Thompson Orchard), which are located in the southeast corner of Etobcioke, with Mimico Creek running through it. The entire area is known for its “country in the city” feel, which is comprised of bungalows and 2-storey homes with larger lots and private gardens.
Much of the area is within walking distance of the Bloor St subway line, and its proximity to the Gardiner and easy downtown commute make it a favourite choice for many first-time homebuyers. The area has numerous walking trails & parks, skating trails and recreation facilities with young families everywhere.
While demand for the Stonegate neighbourhood is rapidly growing with new condominiums being built along The Queensway, the area still offers some great value for first-time condo buyers, townhome buyers and detached home buyers, often trading at or below the average price in the rest of Toronto.
Top 3 Reasons To Buy Here
- Close proximity to Bloor subway & short commute to downtown Toronto
- Abundance of great schools! There are 11 public schools, 9 Catholic schools & 1 private school, all with excellent ranking.
- Vibe! There is a strong family-friendly community vibe in this neighbourhood that is hard to beat. Combined with some great restaurants and shopping, it’s a top choice for first-time buyers to explore.
About to buy your first home? Click here to read our top 5 tips for buying in West Toronto.
Rockcliffe Smythe, Keelsdale, Eglington West
This west Toronto neighbourhood is a multicultural gem and has been on the up-and-up for a number of years. Buyers will mostly find single-family detached homes with a mix of condos and townhomes.
Its proximity to the Eglington LRT makes this neighbourhood an attractive option for buyers looking for a family home generally priced below the average benchmark price compared to the rest of Toronto.
The area is close to Mt Dennis & Weston, which have an abundance of shopping, banks, and drugstores, as well as the GO/Up express line, making getting to the airport more convenient than commuting from the core.
Top 3 Reasons To Buy Here
- Smythe Park is an expansive park with baseball diamonds, swimming pools and soccer pitches covering 40 acres of space.
- Abundance of schools throughout Rockcliffe. There are 12 public schools, 9 Catholic schools & 1 private school, and they offer everything from French immersion to Islamic & special education programs.
- It’s still affordable! Although prices have gone up over the last number of years, the average price for a home in this neighbourhood is below the average benchmark price in much of the rest of Toronto.
Mimico, Humber Bay, Alderwood & Long Branch
Close to the Lake Ontario waterfront, parks, trails, TTC, restaurants and unique shopping, combined with a 15-minute drive downtown, this family-friendly Toronto neighbourhood offers a wide variety of property types & amenities for first-time home buyers.
Looking for a Condo? There are many options, with more on the way, and a new Go station is coming eventually. Condo prices in the area are generally a little lower than the downtown core, and the neighbourhood has plenty of newer and older townhome & detached bungalow options for first-time buyers.
Top 3 Reasons To Buy Here
- Endless outdoor amenities from parks, walking & cycling trails, to lakefront promenade.
- Great mix of home types and easy access to the downtown core via the Gardiner Expressway or TTC (streetcar); plus, there is a GO Station coming soon!
- Schools Schools Schools! 10 public, 9 Catholic & 4 Private schools.
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High Park – Swansea, Bloor West Village & The Stockyards
This west Toronto neighbourhood encompasses a large area east to west (Keele to Jane) and north to south (Eglington to Lakeshore).
There are endless amenities in the area, from High Park itself, which is an expansive 400-acre park, to restaurants and excellent schools, all within a reasonably short distance from the Bloor St subway station.
While prices vary, there are pockets in this area where first-time home buyers can find great opportunities, like in the Stockyards district and parts of High Park North in condo, townhome and detached markets.
Top 3 Reasons To Buy Here
- Amenities galore: Restaurants, bars, cafes, fruit & vegetable stores and butchers. This neighbourhood is not lacking in great shopping and dining options.
- Top school district – There are 10 public schools, 5 Catholic and 5 private schools in the area
- Great mix of home types and easy access to public transit and Bloor St subway.
Markland Wood
Markland Wood is a beautiful area located on the Etobicoke-Mississauga border. While Markland Wood is known for its slower pace, this neighbourhood is in close proximity to Sherway Gardens shopping mall and offers residents an abundance of green space with parks, walking trails and golf courses.
For first-time home buyers, especially those looking for large condos, “The Masters” building on Mill Rd offers some great 2-floor layouts at reasonable prices. Generally below the average condo price/square foot in the rest of Toronto.
The entire area is a great family-friendly neighbourhood and a great option for those who want to be closer to the city but not in the middle of all the congestion. Markland Wood is also well known for its strong community and homeowners’ association (MWHA).
Top 3 Reasons To Buy Here
- Some of the best cost/square foot for condominiums in Toronto. There are also great first-time home buyer opportunities for townhomes and detached homes, albeit prices in those segments are getting higher
- Great amenities for people who love lots of green space, golf, walking trails and parks.
- Tops School District- 10 public, 9 Catholic schools, all with excellent ratings
Detached homes under $1M? Yup, you can find them in this awesome east-end Toronto neighbourhood. This neighbourhood is vibrant and multicultural, full of young families and good schools and amenities. Residents are close to the Scarborough bluffs, offering great outdoor parks, trails and activities while still being relatively close to the downtown core. From a cultural aspect, there is also a great vibe with numerous multicultural restaurants and grocers truly offering something for everyone.
Birchcliff – Cliffside – Scarborough
Does Birchcliff-Cliffside, Scarborough have Detached homes under $1M? Yup! You can find them in this awesome east-end Toronto neighbourhood.
This neighbourhood is vibrant and multicultural, full of young families and good schools and amenities. Residents are close to the Scarborough bluffs, offering great outdoor parks, trails and activities while still being relatively close to the downtown core.
From a cultural aspect, there is also a great vibe with numerous multicultural restaurants and grocers truly offering something for everyone.
Top 3 Reasons To Buy Here
- It’s one of the last frontiers for affordable housing is the government’s plan to boost spending on more affordable housing options in the area. Buyers also have the added bonus to be able choose from a variety of home types from single-family detached homes, condos and townhomes.
- Great schools! – 13 public, 8 catholic
- You won’t get bored! – There is something for everyone, from the Scarborough bluffs, the beach, parks and trails to restaurants and cafes and shopping all at your doorstep.
Buying a Home? Work With Us!
Finding the best neighbourhoods in Toronto that fits your budget and checks all the boxes can be a stressful task.
But it doesn’t have to be! Our team of agents can help narrow the field, do the legwork for you and provide options that are right for you.
Call (416-884-8027) or email (team@amblerhomes.com) today for a free first time home buyers consultation or for more information about how we can help!
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