Toronto Apartment Living

Our Top 5 Family-Friendly Neighbourhoods for Apartment Living in Toronto

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Finding the perfect neighbourhood for your family in Toronto can be challenging, especially when considering apartment living. As we look ahead to 2025, several areas stand out for their family-friendly amenities, safety, and overall livability. This guide will help you navigate the most ideal neighbourhoods for families seeking apartments in Toronto, ensuring you make an informed decision for your loved ones.

Why Choose Apartment Living in Toronto?

Before we dive into the top neighbourhoods, let’s explore why apartment living is becoming increasingly popular for families in Toronto:

  1. Affordability in a competitive housing market
  2. Access to modern amenities and facilities
  3. Reduced maintenance responsibilities
  4. Strong sense of community
  5. Proximity to urban conveniences

Factors to Consider for Family-Friendly Apartment Living

When searching for the ideal family apartment in Toronto, keep these crucial factors in mind:

  1. Proximity to quality schools
  2. Access to parks and recreational facilities
  3. Safety and community atmosphere
  4. Public transportation options
  5. Healthcare services availability
  6. Local amenities (grocery stores, restaurants, shopping)
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Our Top 5 Family-Friendly Neighbourhoods for Apartment Living in Toronto (2025)

1. Rosedale-Moore Park

  • Safety: Rosedale-Moore Park is one of Toronto’s safest neighbourhoods, with consistently low crime rates. It benefits from an active community policing program, regular patrols, and a resident-led Neighborhood Watch. The crime rate remains significantly lower than the Toronto average, maintaining its reputation as a secure area.
  • Schools: The area is home to top-rated public and private schools. Rosedale Junior Public School is known for its strong arts program, while Branksome Hall offers the International Baccalaureate. Whitney Junior Public School consistently ranks in the top 10% of Ontario schools.
  • Transit: The neighbourhood is served by Rosedale and Summerhill subway stations on the Yonge line, with multiple bus routes connecting to downtown and midtown. The average commute to the Financial District is 15-20 minutes. The area is also bike-friendly, with dedicated lanes on major roads.
  • Green Spaces: Rosedale-Moore Park boasts an extensive network of parks and ravines. Rosedale Park (9.2 hectares) hosts an annual spring fair, Chorley Park offers scenic views of the Don Valley, and Moore Park Ravine is ideal for hiking.
  • Healthcare: Residents have easy access to major hospitals like Toronto General and Mount Sinai. The neighbourhood also has several private clinics, specialists, and the Rosedale Medical Centre for walk-in services and family practice.
  • Amenities: The area features high-end shopping along Yonge Street and in Summerhill, gourmet grocers, and fine dining options. Annual events like Mayfair in Rosedale Park contribute to the community spirit.

2. Forest Hill

  • Safety: Forest Hill is consistently ranked among the safest neighbourhoods in Toronto, with very low crime rates. The community actively engages in safety initiatives, and private security patrols supplement police presence. Break-and-enter rates remain significantly below the city average, contributing to the area’s reputation for security.
  • Schools: Forest Hill boasts excellent public and private schools. Forest Hill Collegiate Institute consistently achieves high Fraser Institute rankings. The area is also home to prestigious private institutions like Upper Canada College (all-boys) and Bishop Strachan School (all-girls), both known for their top-tier education.
  • Transit: The neighbourhood is well-connected with multiple bus routes linking to subway lines. It’s in close proximity to St. Clair West and Eglinton West stations. The future Eglinton Crosstown LRT will enhance east-west travel. With a high Walk Score, Forest Hill is also very pedestrian-friendly.
  • Green Spaces: Forest Hill offers numerous parks and access to the Belt Line Trail. Sir Winston Churchill Park (8 hectares) features tennis courts and a running track. Cedarvale Park (35.5 hectares) includes an off-leash dog area and winter skating. The 9 km Belt Line Trail, built on an old railway line, provides excellent recreational opportunities.
  • Healthcare: The area is close to major hospitals like St. Michael’s and Sunnybrook. The Forest Hill Institute of Rehabilitation offers physiotherapy and sports medicine services. Residents have access to several family health teams and specialists within the neighbourhood.
  • Amenities: Forest Hill features upscale shops and restaurants along Eglinton Ave West, while Forest Hill Village maintains a charming village-like atmosphere. Gourmet food shops like Pusateri’s Fine Foods cater to discerning tastes. The community hosts annual events such as the Forest Hill Art Festival, enhancing its cultural appeal.

3. Yonge-Eglinton (Midtown)

  • Safety: Yonge-Eglinton is generally a safe area with moderate crime rates. The busy intersection benefits from a 24-hour police presence. Community Safety Committees actively collaborate with the local police division to address security concerns.
  • Schools: The neighbourhood boasts high-ranking public and private schools. North Toronto Collegiate Institute is renowned for its strong academic and athletic programs. Eglinton Junior Public School offers a diverse student body and French immersion. Toronto Prep School, a private institution, emphasizes technology in education.
  • Transit: Yonge-Eglinton is a major transit hub centred around the Eglinton subway station. Multiple bus routes serve the area, and the future Eglinton Crosstown LRT will significantly improve east-west transit. Bike Share Toronto stations are available throughout the neighbourhood, promoting eco-friendly transportation options.
  • Green Spaces: The area features several parks, including Eglinton Park (9 hectares) with its community center, pool, and ice rink. June Rowlands Park offers a popular playground and hosts a farmers’ market. Kay Gardner Beltline Park forms part of a 9 km recreational trail, providing ample green space for residents.
  • Healthcare: Yonge-Eglinton is close to Sunnybrook Hospital, one of Canada’s largest trauma centers. The neighbourhood houses numerous medical offices and clinics. The Medcan Clinic offers comprehensive health assessments, contributing to the area’s strong healthcare infrastructure.
  • Amenities: The Yonge Eglinton Centre provides extensive shopping options. The area boasts a diverse dining scene, including popular spots like The Burger’s Priest and La Carnita. Entertainment options such as Cineplex VIP Cinemas are available. The annual Yonge-Eglinton Festival celebrates local businesses, enhancing community spirit.

4. The Beaches

  • Safety: The Beaches brag low crime rates compared to the city average. The area benefits from an active Beach Community Safety Committee and regular foot patrols along the boardwalk, contributing to its secure environment.
  • Schools: The neighborhood offers well-regarded public schools. Beaches Alternative Junior School emphasizes environmental education, Malvern Collegiate Institute is known for strong academic and arts programs, and Kew Beach Junior Public School is highly rated with an active parent council.
  • Transit: The area is well-served by multiple streetcar routes, including the 501 Queen. Residents have access to GO Train service at Danforth Station, and Woodbine subway station is within walking distance for some. The neighbourhood is bike-friendly, featuring lanes on major streets and the Martin Goodman Trail.
  • Green Spaces: The Beaches boast abundant green spaces and 3 km of beaches. Woodbine Beach is Blue Flag certified and offers volleyball courts. Kew Gardens spans 6.5 hectares with tennis courts and a baseball diamond, while Glen Stewart Ravine is an environmentally significant area with a boardwalk.
  • Healthcare: Michael Garron Hospital (formerly Toronto East General) is nearby, and several medical clinics, including Beach Medical Centre, serve the area. The community also organizes health initiatives like Beach Health Awareness Days.
  • Amenities: Queen Street East is vibrant with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Local landmarks include the Fox Theatre, Toronto’s oldest operating cinema. Kew-Balmy Beach features a dedicated off-leash dog area, and the neighbourhood hosts annual events like the Beaches International Jazz Festival.

5. Leaside

  • Safety: Leaside is one of Toronto’s safest neighbourhoods. The area benefits from an active Neighborhood Watch program and regular community police liaison meetings.
  • Schools: The neighbourhood is known for top-rated public and private schools. Leaside High School consistently achieves high Fraser Institute rankings, Rolph Road Elementary School demonstrates strong academic performance, and St. Anselm Catholic School is highly regarded in the separate school system.
  • Transit: Leaside is served by multiple bus routes connecting to subway lines. The future Eglinton Crosstown LRT will add stations at Laird, Leaside, and Sunnybrook Park. While relatively car-dependent, the area offers good road access to downtown and a growing network of bike lanes.
  • Green Spaces: Leaside features multiple parks and access to an extensive trail system. Serena Gundy Park spans 17.7 hectares and is part of the Don River Valley system. Trace Manes Park serves as a community hub with a library, playground, and tennis courts. The Lower Don Trail is accessible for cycling and hiking.
  • Healthcare: The neighbourhood is close to Sunnybrook Hospital, a major academic health sciences center. Leaside Health Centre offers family practice and walk-in clinic services, and several specialty clinics, including physiotherapy and dental practices, are available.
  • Amenities: Leaside offers shopping centers like Leaside Village and Leaside Centre. Bayview Avenue features a mix of chain stores and local businesses. The local Leaside Farmers’ Market operates from May to October, and recreation facilities such as Leaside Memorial Community Gardens are available to residents.

Tips for Choosing the Right Apartment for Your Family

  1. Assess space requirements carefully
  2. Look for essential family-friendly amenities
  3. Consider lease terms and long-term residency options
  4. Engage with the local community before making a decision
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To summarize:

Choosing the right neighbourhood for your family’s apartment in Toronto involves balancing various factors such as safety, education, amenities, and family services. Each of the five neighbourhoods we’ve explored offers unique advantages for families. Rosedale-Moore Park and Forest Hill stand out for their safety and excellent schools, while Yonge-Eglinton offers unparalleled transit options. The Beaches provides a more relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere with great access to nature, and Leaside offers a good balance of all factors.

As you make your decision, consider your family’s specific needs and priorities. Visit the neighbourhoods, talk to local residents, and imagine your daily life in each area. With careful consideration, you’ll find the perfect place to call home in Toronto’s vibrant apartment landscape.

Sources:

Have you lived in any of these neighbourhoods? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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