OLD EAST YORK
Average 2008 sale price: $432,390
Percentage change from 2007: -5
Property crime: low
Crime against people: low
Commute to King and Bay: 9.4km
Closest subway station: Greenwood
With its abundance of quaint post-war bungalows and high population of retirees, Old East York still feels as if it's leftover from another era. The housing stock is very well maintained, and most homes feature lot sizes that would make Riverdalians drool. The large properties are driving many young families to snap up and renovate bungalows in the area. This trend is likely to define the growth of Old East York over the next few years, slowly transforming it into something very much like Leaside. The thin strip of land between O'Connor and the crest of the Don Valley is known as Todmorden Village. The homes on this side tend to be older and brick, some backing on to the ravine and commanding views of Taylor Creek Park. Prices in Old East York, start around $300,000 for an all-brick bungalow in need of updating, and go as high as the upper $900,000s for a spacious, modern, two-storey residence overlooking Taylor Creek Park.
HOUSING STOCK: Expect to find plenty of bungalows, some of which have second-storey additions, on comparatively spacious lots.
BARGAIN ZONES: Modest bungalows in need of some TLC south of O'Connor tend to be more economical. However, its bus-ride distance from the subway and a preponderance of smaller one-storey homes means the entire neighbourhood remains well priced in comparison to the booming communities to the south.
THE VERDICT: The placid side streets feel nicely removed from the hustle of downtown. While the quiet comes at the expense of being at the mercy of the city's bus system, the trade-offs are a bigger backyard and smaller mortgage.
NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Bona Pizza & Pasta From its perch at O'Connor and Donlands, this popular pizza place delivers piping hot, exotically topped (smoked salmon! asiago!), tasty pies to a broad section of the east end. 431 Donlands Ave., 416-406-5000.
The Chocolate Box This proudly all-British confectionery stocks plenty of fare from across the pond: lamb-flavoured crisps and Marks & Spencer's biscuits. 413 Donlands Ave., 416-850-9943. Fresh From the Farm Save the schlep to the farmers' market: this East York shop stocks super-fresh meat and eggs sourced from Ontario Mennonite farmers. 350 Donlands Ave., 416-422-3276.