Toronto’s neighbourhoods are not all created equal. Some are chic and bougie, others are artsy and full of character, and a few feel like you’ve stepped into a Hallmark movie (in the best way).
To definitively decide which Toronto neighbourhood is best, we asked our readers on Narcity Canada’s Facebook page, “If you could live in any neighbourhood in Toronto, where would it be?”
Hundreds of people responded, with a bunch of suggestions, opinions and a lot of sarcasm (we’ll touch on that later). From those responses, eight neighbourhoods in particular came up time and time again.
“Bridle Path, if I won the lottery,” one person responded. With palatial mansions, private tennis courts, and A-list neighbours (hello, Drake), this enclave in North York is where old money and new money peacefully coexist behind very tall hedges. With winding roads and towering trees, the Bridle Path is home to some of Canada’s most expensive real estate.
The Beaches was another popular response. The city’s laid-back lakefront gem has colourful homes, cozy patios, and breezy boardwalk energy that make it feel more small-town than urban sprawl. This summer, it’s where everyone suddenly wants to live — and you really can’t blame them.
Forest Hill was another top choice. It’s got tree-lined streets, top-tier private schools, and stately homes that somehow look both modest and massive. With a charming village strip, this neighbourhood feels curated, quiet, and incredibly well-kept, so it’s hardly surprising it was chosen so often.
Lawrence Park’s leafy streets and elegant homes also made it among the most popular Toronto neighbourhoods, according to Narcity readers.
Rosedale — another of the OG elite neighbourhoods — also got plenty of mentions. It features heritage mansions, tree-covered ravines, and a deep sense of “old Toronto” prestige.
For some people, it’s High Park that’s at number one. With Toronto’s largest park in its backyard, residents here enjoy leafy trails, cherry blossoms in the spring and a close-knit community that feels surprisingly removed from the urban rush.
Conversely, the Annex is lively, intellectual, and chaotic in the best way — which is why multiple people chose it. Home to students, artists, and academics alike, it’s where century homes meet bookstores, record shops, and late-night falafel.
Then there’s Roncesvalles. With its Polish roots, trendy boutiques, and adorable cafes, this west-end gem has a wholesome, small-town feel. It generally feels like one of the coziest spots in the city and it was a top choice among those who responded.
Despite all those well-known neighbourhoods, there was a lot of shade thrown towards Toronto in Narcity’s comment section, too.
One person commented, “Stay as far away from Toronto as possible!”
“Nowhere…hate that big city,” another reader said.
“I wouldn’t live in Toronto! Moved away 14 years ago. Best thing I ever did,” said a third.
Following that same trend, someone else said, “There should be a sequel to Escape From New York called Escape From Toronto. I did it and am better for it.”
Many users said they’d rather live in Ottawa or outside Ontario altogether. Some mentioned relocating to Alberta, B.C., Quebec, and Saskatchewan, among other spots.
There were a lot of comments saying Toronto was a third-world s**thole, too. Yikes.
Is it really that bad, guys?
Toronto’s top neighbourhoods, according to Narcity readers
- Bridle Path
- The Beaches
- Forest Hill
- Lawrence Park
- Rosedale
- High Park
- The Annex
- Roncesvalles
Whether you’re dreaming big or just looking for your next weekend stroll, these neighbourhoods showcase Toronto at its best (apparently, anyway).
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AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of Narcity’s Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
