The Beaches, Toronto real estate

Living in The Beaches

The Beaches sits on the Lake Ontario shoreline in Toronto's east end, running from roughly Coxwell Avenue east to Victoria Park Avenue, and from Kingston Road south to the water. Longtime residents often call it "the Beach," and both names have been in use since the 19th century. The stretch north of Kingston Road is often called the Upper Beaches.

The area grew in the late 1800s as a summer escape from the city, with cottages, private estates and a string of amusement parks: Victoria Park, Munro Park and Scarboro Beach Park all once operated here, and their names survive as street names. In the early 1930s the shoreline was made continuous and the boardwalk opened, setting the tone for the neighbourhood people know today.

The Beaches has a relaxed, small-town feel for a place so close to downtown. Side streets slope down toward the lake, lined with mature trees and front porches, and Queen Street East is the community's main street. The housing is a mix of Victorian and Edwardian semis and detached homes, converted cottages, low-rise apartment buildings and a smaller number of newer townhouses and condos.

Getting around

• Streetcars: the 501 Queen runs along Queen Street East straight to downtown, and streetcar service also runs along Kingston Road and Gerrard Street to the north.
• Subway: Line 2 Bloor-Danforth is reached by bus or a longer walk north, at Main Street, Woodbine and Victoria Park stations.
• GO Transit: Danforth GO station, next to Main Street station, is on the Lakeshore East line and offers a quick train to Union Station.
• Driving: Lake Shore Boulevard leads west to the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway. Rush-hour traffic along Lake Shore and Queen can be slow.
• Cycling and walking: the Martin Goodman Trail runs along the waterfront to downtown, and the neighbourhood's grid of quiet side streets is very walkable.

Parks and things to do

• The beaches and boardwalk: one continuous sandy shoreline known, from west to east, as Woodbine, Kew, Scarboro and Balmy beaches, joined by a long wooden boardwalk.
• Kew Gardens: the waterfront park that reaches up to Queen Street, with a bandstand, tennis courts and a rink.
• Ashbridge's Bay Park and Woodbine Beach: volleyball courts, picnic areas and the Donald D. Summerville outdoor pool.
• Glen Stewart Ravine: a forested ravine with stairs and boardwalks running north from Queen near Glen Manor Drive.
• Landmarks: the art deco R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant at the east end, the Leuty Lifeguard Station, and the historic Fox Theatre on Queen.
• Festivals: the Beaches International Jazz Festival each July draws large crowds to the waterfront and Queen Street.

Homes you'll find here

Houses south of Queen and in the streets near Kew Gardens are some of the most sought-after, with lake proximity and older character homes. North of Queen, toward Kingston Road, the streets get steeper and homes range from compact semis to larger detached houses. Lot sizes vary widely, from narrow lots in the western end near Woodbine to deeper lots in the east. Many homes are older and have been renovated in stages, so inspect basements, foundations and drainage carefully. Some streets have heritage designations protecting their cottage character, and new condo and mid-rise projects along Queen and Kingston Road have drawn strong community interest.

Who it suits

• Outdoor lovers who want the beach, boardwalk and waterfront trail as their daily backyard.
• Families looking for a village-style main street and lots of park space.
• Downtown commuters who can use the 501 streetcar or Danforth GO for a direct trip to the core.
• Downsizers interested in a low-rise condo or apartment within walking distance of shops and the lake.

Good to know before you buy

• Summer crowds: warm weekends and festival days bring heavy traffic and visitors. Many streets use residential permit parking, so check what applies to the home you're considering.
• Slopes and drainage: the land rises steeply north of Queen. Homes on hillsides or near the ravine can face drainage and retaining-wall issues, so a thorough inspection matters.
• Ravine protection: properties backing onto Glen Stewart Ravine or other ravine land fall under Toronto's ravine and natural feature protection bylaw, which limits tree removal and construction.
• Lake levels: high Lake Ontario water levels have flooded parts of the boardwalk and waterfront parks in some years. Check flood mapping for any home close to the shoreline.
• School catchments: boundaries can vary between nearby streets, so confirm catchments directly with the Toronto District School Board or Toronto Catholic District School Board.

Thinking about buying or selling in The Beaches? Talk to Mehran for a free, no-pressure conversation.

Neighbourhood guide by Mehran Salehian, Sales Representative.