3 Great West Toronto Neighbourhoods For Downsizers

09/20/22

When the time comes, downsizing your home is a deeply personal decision. Perhaps you’re transitioning into retirement, an empty-nester or navigating another substantial life change such as a divorce or death of a partner.

If you’re thinking about beginning your downsizing journey but are unsure about where you want to move next, we’ve got you covered!

With an abundance of diverse and lively neighbourhoods, great walkability, plenty of transit access, and a mix of homes, West Toronto is a downsizer’s dream. As long-time residents and local experts, here are three neighbourhoods that we think make a great fit for downsizers.

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Table of Contents

The Junction
High Park
Bloor West Village
Downsizing With a Real Estate Agent

The Junction

The Junction stands out among other neighbourhoods in Toronto for its eclectic energy, boutique shopping, organic grocers, and delicious array of cafés and restaurants. Once considered an up-and-coming neighbourhood, it’s now one of the city’s hippest area codes. The Junction features great transit access, with regular bus service to Keele and Dundas West subway stations, residents can reach downtown in as little as 15-20 minutes.

As the Junction has seen its fair share of gentrification and revitalization over the past couple of decades, housing in the neighbourhood is shifting to welcome residents from all walks of life. For downsizers, there are a variety of housing options available. A handful of new condo buildings are slowly arriving in the neighbourhood, offering great convenience, amenities and beautiful living spaces. Alternatively, many of the historic Victorian and Edwardian homes in the area have been converted to two and three-unit dwellings. These are particularly popular among renters.

Want to learn more about life in The Junction? Check out our community guide.

Downsizing in today’s market requires navigating a variety of shifting variables. Explore these helpful resources from our blog to learn more.

High Park

Nestled along Bloor Street West, High Park is a beautiful and historic neighbourhood with a lot to offer downsizers. Of course, the community is best known for the incredible 161-hectare outdoor oasis where it takes its name. High Park’s lush wooded areas, countless walking and cycling trails and plenty of recreational amenities make the adjacent neighbourhood a great place to live for downsizers who are passionate about the great outdoors.

The neighbourhood’s two subway stations make access to downtown fast and easy. Right next door to High Park, Bloor West Village’s many shops, grocers, cafés and eateries make running errands a breeze. Existing condo buildings along Quebec, High Park, and Pacific Avenues offer a strong variety of housing options for downsizers. There are also some modern pre-construction developments as well.

Ready to call High Park home? Search available listings in the neighbourhood here.

Bloor West Village

Just west of High Park is the charming and friendly community of Bloor West Village. While the neighbourhood is best known for its shopping district, Bloor West Village also features quiet, tree-lined streets and great recreational amenities too. For downsizers, Bloor West Village’s distinct walkability and strong transit access make the neighbourhood uniquely liveable. As Bloor West Village is only a 20-minute subway trip to downtown, many residents don’t rely on vehicles for everyday errands.

Like many of the surrounding communities in West Toronto, multi-unit dwellings converted from historic homes are popular. These properties are great options for renting or short-term stays. Along Bloor Street West, an array of walk-up apartments above local businesses also cater well to downsizers. There are some smaller apartment complexes in the neighbourhood too.

Want to learn more about Bloor West Village’s unique atmosphere? Check out our local community guide here.

Downsizing With a Real Estate Agent

Far more than just a transaction, downsizing is a big life change. The best place to start is by talking to a real estate agent. At Smith-Proulx, we believe in providing full-scale support throughout the entire process. We offer personal guidance and can lend a helping hand anytime you need it!

If you don’t see your perfect neighbourhood on this list, we can help you find it. Our team has spent decades working and living in West Toronto, and we can put that knowledge to work for you. After discussing your unique needs and goals, we can help you discover your next home and community.