LOCATION:
West of Dufferin St along St Clair and Eglinton to Caledonia.
EPICENTRE:
St Clair and Dufferin
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:
Portuguese communities, gelatarias, cafes, bakeries, walkable main streets, St. Clair streetcar access.
DID YOU KNOW?:
Even though there is a significant Latin American, Caribbean and Portuguese community is Corso Italia, this neighbourhood is known as Toronto’s second Little Italy after Little Italy on College Street.
For the most part, this area is largely inhabited by working class Portuguese the more you go west, though its not so Portuguese that you would feel uncomfortable if you didn’t have that Portuguese connection. That said, it will not be hard to find a tasty Portuguese custard tart in these parts.
The area is still relatively inexpensive by Toronto standards and does not have the demand of some other emerging neighbourhoods. Prices are still fairly reasonable, since the hipster factor has not yet arrived in full force in this neighbourhood. If you don’t mind that, then there this is one of the more affordable Toronto neighbourhoods. The housing stock varies from small bungalows to two story Edwardian homes.
It’s not a neighbourhood where condos are popping up like dandy lions in Spring. No, it already has an established main street with some new condos sprinkled in, and some established businesses that cater to the Italian in all of us. It is not hard to find a good espresso and gelato around here.
Home prices are higher closer to St Clair, and all off closer to Rogers Rd and Eglinton. Of course with the completion of the Eglinton Crosstown, prices may be stronger further north in the future.