Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
For 2027, the best Toronto neighbourhoods for families are Lawrence Park and Bedford Park, the Kingsway, North Riverdale, Bayview Village and Guildwood. All offer family houses, parks, nearby schools and transit. District detached medians from January to October 2026 ran from $938,750 in E08 (Guildwood) to $2,352,500 in C04 (Lawrence Park), per TRREB MLS data via REALM.
This guide is for parents, and parents-to-be, who want to raise kids inside the City of Toronto and are planning a move in 2027. You will get five family neighbourhoods from different corners of the city, at very different price points, with real 2026 prices, parks, schools, transit and the checks I would make in each.
How did I pick the best Toronto neighbourhoods for families?
I looked for areas that do four things well for children: houses with yards, parks and ravines within walking distance, elementary and secondary schools close by, and a subway or GO station so a teenager can get around without a ride. I also spread the list across the city and across budgets, from about $940,000 to over $2.3 million for a detached house.
I left out the neighbourhoods already in my top 5 Toronto neighbourhoods for 2027, such as Leaside, the Beaches and High Park. They are excellent for families too, and that guide covers them.
One rule before you read on: I name schools only to show what is nearby. I do not rank them. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the Toronto District School Board or the Toronto Catholic District School Board, since boundaries and programs change.
What do family homes cost in these Toronto neighbourhoods?
TRREB reports prices by district, not by neighbourhood, so each figure below covers the whole district the neighbourhood sits in. In Riverdale, I show semi-detached homes because that is the most common family house there.
| Neighbourhood (TRREB district) | Home type | Median 2026 | Change vs 2025 | Sales 2026 | Avg. days on market | Months of inventory, Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Park and Bedford Park (C04) | Detached | $2,352,500 | −4.0% | 380 | 21 | 4.0 |
| The Kingsway (W08) | Detached | $1,540,000 | −7.8% | 440 | 24 | 4.3 |
| North Riverdale (E01) | Semi-detached | $1,319,272 | +1.5% | 244 | 12 | 2.4 |
| Bayview Village (C15) | Detached | $1,411,000 | −4.0% | 225 | 29 | 4.6 |
| Guildwood (E08) | Detached | $938,750 | −12.7% | 166 | 29 | 5.4 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025 (district level, not neighbourhood prices); months of inventory for all home types from TRREB Market Watch, October 2026. The City of Toronto as a whole had 4.6 months.
The spread is huge. A detached house in district C04 costs about two and a half times one in E08. Riverdale is the tightest market on the list: E01 homes sold for 106% of list price on average in October 2026.
1. Lawrence Park and Bedford Park
What it’s like: Lawrence Park, between Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue from Blythwood Ravine north to Lawrence Avenue, began in 1907 as one of Toronto’s first planned garden suburbs. Most houses were built between 1910 and the late 1940s, in English Cottage, Tudor Revival, Georgian and Colonial styles, on narrow but deep lots. The streets roll gently around parks and a ravine.
Who it suits: families with a large budget who want a classic house, mature trees and Line 1 at Lawrence station. Highway 401 is a short drive north.
What it costs: the C04 detached median was $2,352,500 in 2026, down 4.0%. That needs at least 20% down, or $470,500 at the median.
What to check: schools that serve or sit near the area include Bedford Park Public School, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Blythwood Junior Public School and Sunny View. My guide to the top schools in Leaside and Lawrence Park goes further. Most shops are at Yonge and Lawrence, so many streets are a drive or a long walk from groceries.
2. The Kingsway
What it’s like: the Kingsway sits between Bloor Street and Dundas Street, from Mimico Creek to the Humber River, in the west end. Robert Home Smith developed it in the early 1900s on Garden City ideas, with Arts and Crafts houses on winding, tree-lined streets. Bloor Street is the shopping strip, and Home Smith Park and Kings Mill Park are close by.
Who it suits: families who want a character house, a short walk to Royal York or Old Mill subway stations, and a strong cluster of schools: Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School, Etobicoke Collegiate Institute (founded 1928), Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School and the private Kingsway College School.
What it costs: the W08 detached median was $1,540,000 in 2026, down 7.8%, but W08 also includes Islington-City Centre West and other areas with many condos and smaller homes, so the district figure is only a rough guide for Kingsway houses. You need 20% down at $1.5 million and up.
What to check: many homes are older, so budget for updates and get a full inspection. My guide to the best Etobicoke neighbourhoods for families compares the Kingsway with other west-end options.
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3. North Riverdale
What it’s like: Riverdale sits just east of downtown, across the Don Valley. North Riverdale, between Danforth Avenue and Gerrard Street East, is known for Victorian and Edwardian homes. Withrow Park has an ice rink, ball diamonds, a soccer field and an off-leash area, and Riverdale Park has a running track, a pool and tennis courts.
Who it suits: families who want to walk everywhere and use the subway. Pape, Donlands and Greenwood stations on Line 2 serve the area, and the Danforth is at the top of the neighbourhood.
What it costs: the E01 semi-detached median was $1,319,272 in 2026, up 1.5%. At that price an insured buyer needs about $81,900 down.
What to check: Withrow Avenue, Jackman Avenue and Pape Avenue junior public schools, Earl Grey Senior Public School and Riverdale Collegiate serve the area. With 2.4 months of inventory and sales at 106% of list in October 2026, expect competition; get pre-approved and be ready.
4. Bayview Village
What it’s like: Bayview Village, in North York between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street, Highway 401 and Finch Avenue, was mostly built from 1954 to 1964 with ranch bungalows, split-levels and Georgian Revival homes. Many older houses are being replaced with new ones. The East Don Parklands run through it, and Bayview Village Park, Blue Ridge Park and Clarinda Park have playgrounds, splash pads and ball diamonds.
Who it suits: families who want a bigger lot, Line 4 Sheppard at Bayview, Bessarion or Leslie stations, and Bayview Village Shopping Centre close by.
What it costs: the C15 detached median was $1,411,000 in 2026, down 4.0%. Older bungalows and new infill homes sell at very different prices, so compare like with like.
What to check: Bayview Middle School and Elkhorn Public School are in the neighbourhood, but there is no secondary school inside it. Confirm the high school for your address. My guide to the top schools in North York is a useful starting point.
5. Guildwood
What it’s like: Guildwood, in Scarborough, sits between Kingston Road and the Scarborough Bluffs. It was laid out from 1957 on land sold by Rosa and Spencer Clark of the Guild Inn, who helped preserve trees and plan winding roads, cul-de-sacs and buried utility lines. Guild Park and Gardens is known for its collection of architectural fragments saved from demolished downtown buildings.
Who it suits: families who want a detached house for under $1 million, quiet crescents and the lake nearby. Guildwood GO Station is on the Lakeshore East line and is also used by VIA Rail.
What it costs: the E08 detached median was $938,750 in 2026, down 12.7%, the lowest on this list. An insured buyer needs about $68,900 down at that price.
What to check: schools include Guildwood, Elizabeth Simcoe and Poplar Road junior public schools, Jack Miner Senior Public School and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate. If a lot backs onto the Bluffs, ask about erosion and any limits on building near the edge.
Which family neighbourhoods just missed my list?
Leaside, the Beaches, High Park and Roncesvalles, and Willowdale East are all strong family choices, and I cover them in my Toronto top 5. East York is also worth a look: district E03 had a 2026 detached median of $1,195,000, with Line 2 along the Danforth at its southern edge.
How much cash does a Toronto family home need?
More than most families expect. Homes priced at $1.5 million or more cannot get mortgage insurance, so you need 20% down. Below that, the minimum is 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest. Inside Toronto you also pay two land transfer taxes, Ontario’s and Toronto’s. First-time buyers can get up to $4,000 back from Ontario and up to $4,475 from Toronto. My guide to land transfer tax in Toronto shows the math.
Two ongoing costs matter for families. Toronto’s 2026 total residential property tax rate is 0.767311%, about $767 a year per $100,000 of assessed value. And licensed child care in Ontario programs enrolled in the federal-provincial plan is capped at $22 a day for children under six, and the province puts the average at about $19 a day. Finally, the Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50% on 28 October 2026, and prime is now 4.70%, so update your pre-approval.
Families often stretch for the most famous neighbourhood and end up house-poor. I would rather see a family buy a solid detached house in Guildwood or Bayview Village with room in the budget than a semi they can barely afford elsewhere. Pick the school, the commute and the park first, then the postal code. If you are weighing the suburbs too, compare my list of the best GTA cities for families.
District prices hide big gaps. W08 mixes the Kingsway with Islington-City Centre West and other areas, and C04 mixes Lawrence Park with Bedford Park-Nortown, Forest Hill North and Englemount-Lawrence. Never set an offer from a district median. Ask for sales of similar homes on the same streets over the past 12 months.
What to do next
- List your must-haves in order: school, commute, yard size, transit, budget.
- Get a mortgage pre-approval at today’s rates, and work out your down payment for homes above and below $1.5 million.
- Confirm the schools for each address you like with the TDSB and TCDSB.
- Visit your top two neighbourhoods at school drop-off time and on a weekend.
- Ask for the last 12 months of sales on your target streets before you make an offer.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What is the best neighbourhood in Toronto for families?
There is no single best Toronto neighbourhood for families, but my 2027 picks are Lawrence Park and Bedford Park, the Kingsway, North Riverdale, Bayview Village and Guildwood. Each has family houses, parks, nearby schools and transit. Leaside, the Beaches and High Park are also excellent and appear in my separate top 5 Toronto neighbourhoods list.
What is the most affordable family neighbourhood in Toronto?
Guildwood in Scarborough is the most affordable neighbourhood on my 2027 family list. Its district, E08, had a detached median of $938,750 from January to October 2026, down 12.7%, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. It has quiet crescents, Guild Park and Gardens, nearby schools and Guildwood GO Station on the Lakeshore East line.
How much does a family home cost in Toronto in 2026?
A detached family home in Toronto cost anywhere from about $940,000 to over $2.3 million in 2026, depending on the district. Median detached prices from January to October 2026 were $938,750 in E08 (Guildwood), $1,411,000 in C15 (Bayview Village), $1,540,000 in W08 (the Kingsway) and $2,352,500 in C04 (Lawrence Park), per TRREB data.
Where should I raise kids in Toronto on a budget?
On a budget, look at Scarborough neighbourhoods such as Guildwood, where the E08 district detached median was $938,750 in 2026, or at semi-detached homes in east-end areas. A home under $1.5 million qualifies for an insured mortgage, so you can buy with 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the rest instead of 20%.
Which Toronto neighbourhoods have the best schools?
I do not rank schools in this guide. Neighbourhoods with well-known schools nearby include Lawrence Park, the Kingsway and North Riverdale, but quality varies by school and by child. Check EQAO results through the TDSB or TCDSB, visit the schools, and confirm the boundary for each address before you buy in 2027, since boundaries can change.
Is Toronto good for raising a family?
Yes, Toronto can be very good for raising a family if you choose the neighbourhood carefully. Many areas offer ravines, parks, walkable schools and subway or GO access. The challenge is cost: detached medians ran from $938,750 to $2,352,500 across the districts in this guide in 2026, so most families trade house size for location.
How much is child care in Toronto?
Licensed child care in Ontario programs enrolled in the Canada-wide early learning plan is capped at $22 a day for children under six, a cap the province set from January 1, 2025. The province says the average is about $19 a day. Not every centre is enrolled, so families moving in 2027 should ask each centre about its fees and apply early.
Is the Kingsway good for families?
Yes, the Kingsway is one of Toronto’s best family neighbourhoods. It has Arts and Crafts homes on winding, tree-lined streets, Royal York and Old Mill subway stations, Home Smith Park and schools including Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School, Etobicoke Collegiate Institute and Our Lady of Sorrows. Its district, W08, had a 2026 detached median of $1,540,000.
Do I need 20% down for a family home in Toronto?
You need 20% down for any Toronto home priced at $1.5 million or more, because mortgage insurance is not available at that price. Below $1.5 million, the minimum is 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest. At Lawrence Park’s 2026 district median of $2,352,500, 20% down is $470,500.
Sources
- TRREB Market Watch, October 2026
- City of Toronto: Property tax rates and fees (2026)
- Government of Ontario: Canada-Ontario early years and child care agreement
- Lawrence Park, Toronto (history, housing, schools, transit)
- Kingsway South / The Kingsway (history, boundaries, schools)
- Riverdale, Toronto (housing, parks, schools, transit)
- Bayview Village (housing, parks, schools, transit)
- Guildwood (history, Guild Park, schools, GO station)
Related reading
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Mississauga in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Brampton in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Markham in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Oakville in 2027
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.