YORKDALE-GLEN PARK
Average 2008 sale price: $302,354
Percentage increase from 2007: -3
Property crime: average
Crime against people: low
Commute to King and Bay: 12.2 km
Closest subway station: Lawrence West, 0.2 km
At the eastern edge of this otherwise peaceful neighbourhood is notorious Lawrence Heights, the sprawling public housing development also known as "the Jungle" thanks to high rates of gun and gang violence. Recent proposals to redevelop the area may bear fruit, but don't expect a Regent Park-scale make-over for at least a decade. In complete contrast is the other well-known local landmark, Yorkdale Shopping Centre; it's representative of middle-class Glen Park, a suburban-feel community of brick houses and backyards. The homes here are relative bargains compared to those to the south and east.
HOUSING STOCK: For the most part, Glen Park homes tend to date back to the 1950s and 1960s, when developers perfected the uniform vista of bungalows and backsplits.
BARGAIN ZONES: The streets bordering Lawrence Heights offer the deepest discounts.
THE VERDICT: This neighbourhood is still relatively untapped—the lots are wide and offer the typical suburban lifestyle. Shoppers have plenty of options, and commuters have easy access to both Highway 401 and the Allen. On the minus side, the car is king: parking lots dominate at strip malls, outlet centres and Yorkdale.
NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Orfus Road Bargain hunters flock to this area on weekends for two blocks packed with such outlets as Nine West (53 Orfus Rd., 416-256-3988), Deblins Linens (39 Orfus Rd., 416-782-2910) and Grande Cheese (22 Orfus Rd., 416-787-7670).
Yorkdale Shopping Centre Highlights of the fifth-largest mall in Canada include Holt Renfrew, Zara, The Bay, Williams-Sonoma, Harry Rosen and Pottery Barn. 1 Yorkdale Rd., 416-789-3261.