Introduction

Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are great two great places in Canada for people looking to start a family or to raise children. Both of these areas are known for being ethnically and culturally diverse with something for everyone. From parks and green spaces, to beaches in the summer, walking, hiking, and cycling trails, community centres, restaurants, great public transportation, hospitals, and more, it is no wonder why people who are raising children are choosing to live in the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Additionally, some of the best schools in Ontario and in Canada as a whole can be found in the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Deciding where to live no matter what the stage of life you are in at, can be difficult. This is true whether you are young, middle-aged, or old, childless, or you are already raising children, have a baby on the way or you are hoping to have children one day, or you are an empty nester. This might be challenging for you whether you are single, or you are in a committed relationship, etc. is a big deal. This is true whether you are sticking around your hometown or are new to the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). There are so many things to think about when choosing the right neighbourhood for you and your family. It is important to remember what you are looking for in a neighbourhood will depend on what stage in life you and your family are in, what you need and what you are looking for a new home, if you hope to have kids one day, are expecting or have young, small children, will probably be different than someone who has older children, or someone whose financial situation is different from yours. 

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For example, if you are looking for a new home and you are single and childless professional, you might put more weight on finding a home with close proximity to restaurants, bars (if you go to them), nightlife, transportation, and boutiques, you might not need to consider whether your neighbourhood is family-friendly or kid-friendly, with great schools, libraries, programs for kids, etc. While if you are a person with young kids, you might put more emphasis on finding a home in a community that is more family-friendly, with close proximity to excellent schools, libraries, your children’s pediatrician’s office, and activities you can do on hot summer days, rainy days, and winter days with your kid(s). 

It is important to remember that the neighbourhood which is right for you and your family might be different than your best friend’s neighbourhood or where you grew up or where your family is currently living if they live in the area. Some people might feel drawn to deciding to live exactly where their close friends, family, and/or relatives live and that is ok, but that might not be right for everyone and that is ok too. In this situation, you need to consider and figure out what is best for you and your family, even if that means that your family, relatives, and/or friends are not your next-door neighbours.

Whether you have moved many times and are a seasoned pro or if you are relatively new at this, there are things you should consider when choosing the best neighbourhood for you and your family. What might be right for one person and one family might not be right for you and your family? It is important to remember, that there are many family-friendly neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In fact, there are 140 officially recognized neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto alone, which is one reason why the City of Toronto is known as the ‘City of Neighbourhoods’. 

This list includes 20 of the best neighbourhoods for raising kids in the City of Toronto and six of the best suburbs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that are known for being great places to raise kids. However, the best neighbourhood for you and your family might not be included on this list, in part because the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area are so large and expansive that it is not feasible to consider examine many more neighbourhoods. It is important to note, that none of these neighbourhoods included in this guide are not ranked or listed in any particular order. This guide is not a definitive ranking based on how a neighbourhood or community scores compared to others with a certain set of criteria, with one neighbourhood being considered a more ideal neighbourhood to raise a family than another neighbourhood on this list, this guide is an exploration of some great family-friendly neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto and The Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Related article: The Best High Schools in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

In other words, this guide should serve as a jumping-off point for you as you are considering and researching the most family-friendly communities in the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. This is especially true if you are considering moving to the City of Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), from somewhere else or live in the area but considering a change, you should use this guide as a tool in your research. If you are really interested in living in a certain community or area, and/or are considering a move there, if you are able to, you should visit said place(s) and spend some time there and decide whether or not you like it and if it is a good fit for you and your family before you decide to do anything major. 

Finally, this guide includes a list of some things you should be considering when choosing the best neighbourhood for you and your family, followed by a brief consideration of some of the best places to raise kids in the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Related article: The Most Affordable Neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area

Things to consider when choosing the best neighbourhood for you and your family

 Considerations related to location

• What is the distance between your potential new neighbourhood and your work, if you are or will be commuting to work?
• How long are you willing to spend commuting to and from work each day?
• How would you ideally want to commute to work? In other words: drive, taking public transportation, walking, biking when possible, etc.?
• Are you ok with being further out with more space but having to drive more (spending more time in the car going places, driving long distances), etc. to go anywhere?
• How close or far away do you want to be from schools and recreation centres or areas in a neighbourhood?
• Do you mind having to get in the car each time you need to run an errand or go somewhere?
•  Or do you prefer to be somewhere more centrally located and more walkable?
• Do you care about living within close proximity to public transportation and having easy access to various types of public transportation?
• Do you own a car or have access to a car, like driving, and are comfortable with driving and dealing with traffic?
• Or do you prefer to walk, bike, and use public transportation when possible and maybe not need to have a car, using taxis, ridesharing, and car-sharing apps when you need to go somewhere?
•  What type of home do you want or are you looking for i.e. a detached-single family home, duplex, triplex, apartment, condo, row house, condo, townhouse, etc.?
• Do you like urban, rural, suburban, or something in between?
• Do you want to be in the city or further away?

Considerations related to living in the neighbourhood

• If you already have children are there are other families nearby with kids your age, who your child or children could play with and befriend? 
• If you already have children, do you or would you feel comfortable interacting with and spending time with the parents of the other kids whose kids’ age is similar to yours? 
• Are there activities for families and/or parents this could be Meetup groups, Facebook groups, activities at rec centres, programs for kids and parents, etc.?
• What is the cost of living? How is it in relation to surrounding areas?
• How is your financial situation and will you be able to realistically afford to live here?
• If you, a family member, relative, and/or children have a chronic illness, special needs, and/or disabilities, will you be able to access the support and help you need? Are there programs available for people in similar situations here?
• What is the traffic like?
• How good are the city and/or municipal services?
• How do you feel about local and neighbourhood politics?
• Are there socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, cultural, and social diversity here? 
• If you belong to one or more minority groups and/or have a non-traditional family, will you have trouble fitting in or will you feel welcomed here?
• Do you feel safe here? (The answer to this question and how safety looks and feels is different for everyone)
• What does crime look like here? What are the crime statistics?
• Do you feel like you will fit in here and find people if you are new, that you have things in common with and become friends with??
• Do you like it? Is it a good fit for you and your family? 
• Will you enjoy living here in a few years and beyond?

 Considerations related to amenities 

• Will your kids be able to ride bikes or play outside here?
• Are there well-maintained and safe parks and playgrounds where kids can go play?
• Are there parks, green spaces, bike paths, walking trails, recreation centres, etc. where people of all ages (and hopefully all abilities) can be active and enjoy themselves?
• Do you like the amenities in the area, such as restaurants, bars (if you go to them), stores, shopping centres, grocery stores, libraries, markets, etc.?
• Are there good hospitals, clinics, and/or health services here?
• Are there community organizations or centres where you get involved or that host regular event, festivals, programming, etc.? If you into this stuff?
• If being physically active is important for you and your family, are there places where you can do this and practise certain activities for free no matter your financial situation?

These are some questions and things to consider when deciding whether or not a place is the best place for you to raise your kids, this is not an exhaustive questionnaire covering everything you should consider, but it is a jumping-off point you can use when determining whether or not you have found a great place for you and your family.

Related article: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid for a First Time Home Buyer in Toronto

The best neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto for raising kids

Allenby

Allenby is a residential neighbourhood located in Central Toronto that is known as being one of Toronto’s most family-friendly neighbourhoods, especially for families with young children and for its distinguished real estate, but it also has excellent public schools. The Allenby Junior Public School, for students in Junior Kindergarten through sixth grade, is known for being well-regarded and offering an early French Immersion programme for students in Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten, as well as a French Immersion programme for students in first through sixth grades. This school is also known for successfully accommodating foreign students. 

This neighbourhood is ideal for families with young kids since it is a quiet neighbourhood with ample green space where kids and people of all ages can play when the weather is nice, as well as easy access to recreational facilities and areas such as Beltline Trail, North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, and Eglinton Park. Eglinton and Eglinton’s shopping district, as well as the TTC, are within close proximity to Allenby. 

Deer Park

Deer Park is another affluent, family-friendly neighbourhood located in Midtown of the City of Toronto. Yonge-St. Clair, which is known for having excellent restaurants serving a variety of different cuisines, as well as offering close proximity to downtown and transportation such as the St. Clair streetcar. There are some excellent parks such as the Rosedale Ravine, the Rosedale Reservoir which has a picturesque waterfall and staircase system, as well as a great trail network for people who enjoy walking and biking and the Vale of Avoca.

It is known for its proximity to Yonge-St. Clair and other upscale neighbourhoods such as Rosedale-Moore Park, excellent restaurants. Deer Park is an ideal place to live for families looking to be active, and close to downtown Toronto, who want to send their kids to some of the neighbourhood’s excellent schools, who are happy to take advantage of Deer Park’s services and the health centres here.

Davisville Village

Davisville Village is located near Downtown Toronto with close proximity to Toronto’s city centre. It is known for having a variety of amenities, excellent public schools, and its close proximity to Downtown Toronto allows kids to be involved in a variety of different extracurricular activities and makes for easier for people who work in Downtown Toronto.

Humber Summit

Humber Summit is another neighbourhood in Toronto, it is known for being more affordable and having more ethnic diversity than some of the other neighbourhoods on this list such as Rosedale-Moore Park and Deer Park. While it is further from Downtown, it is known for having excellent schools and a variety of parks such as Rowntree Park adjacent to the Humber River, as well as Gracedale Park, Islington, and the Humber Arboretum.

Humber Valley Village

Humber Valley Village is another neighbourhood in Toronto, with a large network of parks. Many of these parks are situated next to or within close proximity to the Humber River which runs through here. Humber Valley Village is located approximately 20 minutes from Downtown Toronto, approximately 10 minutes from Toronto Pearson airport, and a short TTC ride can help you reach the subway. While nearby golf courses and shopping centres provide entertainment for people of all ages. 

The Beaches

The Beaches is an affluent neighbourhood a few miles east of Toronto’s downtown commercial centre situated on the shore of Lake Ontario, while it is a bit further from downtown, living here means that you are within close proximity to Lake Ontario. The boardwalk and style of some of the houses here might make you feel like you are in Cottage country. The Beaches are known for having a laidback vibe, excellent schools, being pretty safe as well as having a variety of restaurants, cafés, bars, galleries, and parks. You can easily take a streetcar from The Beaches and arrive in Downtown Toronto in approximately 30 minutes, or if you are driving, you have easy access to other areas in the Greater Toronto Area using the Gardiner Expressway or the Lakeshore Expressway. 

The Beaches are known for having a real community feel given that they have a variety of festivals such as their annual Jazz festival in the summer, and their annual Menorah and Christmas Tree Lighting in the winter, as well as other activities throughout the year. During the summer many Torontonians flock to the beaches here to take a dip, have picnics, and escape the heat.

Bayview Village

Bayview Village, located in North York, in Uptown Toronto is another affluent neighbourhood in the City of Toronto with parks, great schools, a subway stop, and other amenities. Life here in Bayview Village revolves around the Bayview Village Mall, which houses Loblaws supercentre and LBCO, Canadian Tire and Ikea’s North York location. Bayview Village is served by three subway stops east of the Yonge-University-Spadina line, along Sheppard Avenue East. While Bayview Village does not have as many amenities as other neighbourhoods on this list, it is known for being more affordable than other neighbourhoods on this list.

Runnymede-Bloor West Village

Runnymede-Bloor West Village is located northwest and within walking distance of Toronto’s High Park which is Toronto’s version of Manhattan’s Central Park. Living here, in what has been termed a “small village within a big city,” that feels like a small town, means that you can experience the best of both worlds of living in the city and the suburbs, you can feel like you are in a neighbourhood with amenities such as a variety of cafés, shops, and restaurants, and close proximity to downtown Toronto. There are also great schools in this family-friendly neighbourhood. Another selling point for this neighbourhood is its proximity to High Park, a large public park that occupies 160 hectares with recreational facilities, places to walk, run, bike and more.

High Park

As previously mentioned, High Park, is Toronto’s largest public park, is it an answer to New York’s Central Park, a large urban park with a variety of activities and a zoo which you can visit for free. The neighbourhood of High Park is a family-friendly neighbourhood and is known for having a variety of restaurants, shopping, excellent schools and being close to Downtown Toronto.

The neighbourhood of High Park features excellent schools, gently sloping hills, winding streets, and large Oak trees that charm and delight all those who live here.

York Mills

While York Mills, located in the North York area of Toronto, is one of Toronto’s most prestigious and expensive neighbourhoods, it is also family-friendly with excellent public schools such as York Mills Collegiate and Owen Elementary and private schools. York Mills is scenic, known for the ravines in the neighbourhood with walking trails. Living here means that you can have your kids when they are old enough to walk to and from school and the park alone without having to worry. Also, York Mills has good accessibility for the TTC.

Milliken

Milliken located in North Scarborough near Markham Avenue and Steeles Avenue is known for having many academically strong schools and an active Asian community. Milliken has an excellent, modern public library and neighbourhood centre, the Milliken Park, and the Milliken Park Recreational Trail which pass through the neighbourhood.

Riverdale

The funky neighbourhood Riverdale is an extremely desirable, another family-friendly neighbourhood, with close proximity to Toronto’s downtown core, expressways, a variety of green spaces, and pretty Victorian homes. It is also home to independent stores and a variety of neighbourhoods within the neighbourhood such as Greektown, East Chinatown, The Studio District, Blake-Jones, The Pocket, and Riverside. There are also a variety of parks and some great schools here.

Riverdale has three main parks, Riverdale Park, Jimmie Simpson, and Withrow Park. Riverdale Park is the largest which is situated with Don River to the west end of Riverdale, while Jimmie Simpson Park and Withrow Park are two of the other main parks here. All three of these parks have large lawns which are great for picnics, as well as tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and wading pools for kids.

Roncesvalles

Roncesvalles, known as Toronto’s “Little Poland,” is a great place for people looking to raise their kids and people who love being outside. Roncesvalles has a small-town European atmosphere, as well as great schools, and many bakeries, cafés, and restaurants. If you live here you can enjoy biking on the waterfront, walking along the trails here and the tight-knit community here.

Leaside

Leaside north of Rosedale is another popular neighbourhood for families. Leaside is known for having excellent parks, schools, and ample destination recreation places, including sporting venues and a trampoline park. Leaside is located within close proximity to Sunnybrook Park which means your kids can take horseback riding lessons at Sunnybrook Park’s public horseback riding school. Leaside is located in close proximity to the Ontario Science Centre, which is a great place to take your kids on for a fun, educational outing on rainy days.

Etobicoke West Mall

Etobicoke West Mall located in Ward 3, is another family-friendly neighbourhood in Toronto, has some excellent schools, as well as parks and attractions for kids and adults of all ages. Etobicoke West Mall’s largest public park provides a green space where kids and adults can play. While The James Shaver Woodsworth Homestead is in the area on The West Mall has been recognized as an Ontario Heritage site and it now operates for weddings, parties, and meetings. People living here will have access to the bus which takes them to the Kipling subway station.

Rosedale-Moore Park

Rosedale-Moore Park, located in Central Toronto, is one of Toronto’s poshest and most prestigious neighbourhoods filled with beautiful large homes built in a variety of architectural styles. Rosedale-Moore Park is known for having excellent schools, a variety of parks and green spaces, as well as it’s close proximity to downtown Toronto and excellent restaurants. People who enjoy spending time outside will really enjoy all of the trails and paths for walking, running, and biking.

Banbury-Don Mills

While Banbury-Don Mills is located further away from Toronto’s downtown urban and commercial centre, it is still a great place to raise a family and Don Mills is one of Toronto’s most popular and well-known neighbourhood. Banbury-Don Mills is known for having excellent schools, including Montessori and French-speaking schools. Living here you might feel as if you are in the suburbs with peace and quiet with close proximity to all that Toronto has to offer.

Residents can enjoy the picturesque Edwards Gardens and the Shops at Don Mills which provides an outdoor retail experience that is anchored by the Town Square development. While there are a variety of retail offerings at the Shops at Don Mills there are community events and festivals held here throughout the year.  The commercial and industrial sector of Don Mills include the offices of IBM Canada, Global Television station, and Toronto Real Estate Board among other companies.

Leslieville

Leslieville is a popular neighbourhood in the City of Toronto for people looking to stay close to downtown Toronto but who also want some more space than one can find downtown. Leslieville is located slightly east of downtown Toronto, is known for having good schools such as the Riverdale Collegiate Institute. Leslieville is known for having plenty of parks, community centres, and kid-friendly activities. While there are a variety of shops, cafés, and restaurants which adults will enjoy.

Danforth Village

Danforth Village is another vibrant, Toronto neighbourhood popular with families since families have decided to make their homes here for years, now generations of families are living in Danforth Village and enjoying all that it has to offer. Danforth Village is unique because it offers residents a special opportunity to live within close proximity to downtown Toronto with a cost of living that is relatively affordable compared to other Toronto neighbourhoods.

Danforth Village is also known for its annual “Taste of Danforth” culinary festival, which brings locals and visitors from all over to enjoy the culinary offerings during the “Taste of Danforth” festival. Danforth Village still maintains its vibrant culture and has a variety of dining and shopping options for residents and visitors alike.

East Danforth / Greenwood-Coxwell

East Danforth/Greenwood-Coxwell located within close proximity to The Beach is another Toronto neighbourhood, which is relatively affordable when compared with the other neighbourhoods bordering it, Leslieville and The Beach to the south and Riverdale to the west. Increasingly people who own independent stores, galleries, and cafés are moving to the area to set up shop in this fun, family-friendly neighbourhood. Many of the stores here cater to young children, some of these stores even offer Mommy-and-Me classes in their shops. Fun activities for kids and adults alike include swimming at the pool at Monarch Park, skating at the ice rink at Greenwood Park, playing at the playground at Greenwood Park and visiting the Farmer’s Market at East Lynn Park.

The best neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for raising kids

Oakville, Ontario

Oakville is a picturesque, affluent family-friendly suburb, located approximately 50 kilometres from Toronto on the shores of Lake Ontario. Oakville’s urban centre offers scenic views of the harbour and a vibrant downtown waterfront. Oakville is home to upscale boutiques, galleries, wellness, centres, gourmet food stores, excellent restaurants, and some expensive, high-end restaurants. While Oakville’s vibrant downtown has excellent art and cultural district, which makes it a great place to live for those who want a smaller town feel without giving up some of the amenities, artistic, and cultural offerings one can find in a larger city such as Toronto. While Oakville’s residents enjoy all of these amenities, Oakville welcomes over one (1) million visitors each year. 

Oakville is an excellent place for those who enjoy the outdoors since the town has several beaches and parks, which offer ample opportunities for biking, bird-watching, boating, and fishing on the lake, which means residents and visitors alike are never bored. Oakville is also known for having excellent public and private schools.

Thornhill, York, Ontario

Thornhill is a family-friendly Toronto suburb situated between the city of Vaughan, west of Yonge Street and the city of Markham east of Yonge Street, which shares a border with the City of Toronto to the South. Thornhill has a variety of schools, and a low crime rate, away from the noise and traffic you would find in the City of Toronto, at a price that might be more favourable than some of the other neighbourhoods in this guide.

The old village of Thornhill is grouped around Yonge Street between Centre Street and John Street in a picturesque rural setting. Thornhill’s pretty setting is emphasized by the east branch of the Don River which moves downstream through the old village of Thornhill and the ravine parkland which lies adjacent.

While the new section of Thornhill has grown out from the old village to include new home divisions surrounded by shopping centres, community centres, and well-regarded schools. Thornhill is known for having a largely Jewish, Eastern European, and Italian population.

Vaughan, York, Ontario

Vaughan is a suburb located north of the City of Toronto, which is affectionately called “The City Above Toronto,” it is located in the York Region on Ontario and it is the municipality in the York Region that has city status. The southern border for Vaughan, Steeles Avenue forms the northern boundary for the City of Toronto. Vaughan has become competitive because of their competitive industrial and commercial tax rates and great transportation corridor have helped to bring business, new jobs, and residents to the city. 

The four main centres where people live in Vaughan are Kleinburg, Maple, Thornhill, and Woodbridge. Kleinburg is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area. Visitors and tourists come to Kleinburg because it is home to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. While others visit Vaughan to go shopping at Vaughan Mills or to spend the day at Canada’s Wonderland. Vaughan is also home to excellent public and private schools.

Markham, York, Ontario

Markham is another suburb in the Greater Toronto Area, which also happens to be one of the most expensive areas in the Greater Toronto Area. It is known as the “High-Tech Capital of Canada” since Apple, IBM, Toshiba, AT&T, American Express Canada, and Honda Canada all have their Canadian corporate offices in Markham.

While Markham is known for being incredibly expensive it is also known as being culturally and ethnically diverse, welcoming to ethnic minorities, near three-quarters of Markham’s populations are ethnic minorities. Markham also has excellent schools, plenty of shopping, ranging from popular retailers and malls to antique stores and weekend farmer’s markets. Markham is also known for The Pacific Mall. The Pacific Mall is a large Chinese shopping mall with fine dining and a variety of other amenities and retail offerings such as shops selling herbal teas and herbal remedies.

Richmond Hill, York, Ontario

Richmond Hill is a wealthy suburb in the Greater Toronto Area located in the York Region north of the City of Toronto. It is known for having excellent public and private schools, as well as shopping, excellent restaurants, parks, recreation centres, and a variety of cultural offerings.

Mississauga, Ontario

Mississauga is a city in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which is actually Canada’s 6thlargest city, in part because of its proximity to the City of Toronto and its close proximity to Toronto Pearson International Airport which is located in Northeast Mississauga. Recently, many companies and corporations have decided to establish their headquarters here which has led to an increase in jobs and helped support Mississauga’s population growth, so much so that there are more people commuting into Mississauga each day than people commuting out of Mississauga each day, this is quite a change for a city which was one of Toronto’s bedroom communities.

Mississauga is an extremely diverse and multicultural city not unlike the City of Toronto which consists of smaller neighbourhoods which each have their own unique identity. The majority of people in Mississauga tend to live in Mississauga’s downtown core City Centre, around Burnhamthorpe Road and Hurontario Street. Mississauga also has a beautiful waterfront on the shores of Lake Ontario and conservation lands situated next to the Credit River.

Despite its size and growth, Mississauga is regularly recognized as one of Canada’s safest cities. Mississauga also features 11 community centres, excellent public, and private schools, over 480 parks, as well as 23 major trail systems including a gorgeous waterfront trail. While the MiWay transit system provides residents with a network of bus routes which makes it easy to navigate the city using public transportation.

Conclusion

Finding the best place to raise kids in the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), is not an easy task in a culturally, ethnically, economically, and socially diverse major city and sprawling metropolitan area. Hopefully, after you have read this guide whether you are a born and bred Toronto native, a new person to the area, or are someone who is considering moving to Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with their family, you will have some greater insight into some of the best neighbourhoods for raising kids. This insight and knowledge should hopefully help you to feel more empowered to make an informed decision about where you might like to live and what places might be a great fit for you and your family. 

This guide is in no shape or form, the be-all and the end-all guide about the best places to live in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) if you have kids, it is meant to be a starting point for you as you figure out where you might like to live. What might be an ideal neighbourhood for you and your family might not be a great fit or neighbourhood for another person, the decision about where we choose to live is a highly personal and subjective one. While one person might think one neighbourhood or community is the best place for kids, another person might disagree with their opinion and logic, believing that another locale is better. Every person and every family is unique, so what one family wants and needs in a neighbourhood might be different from what another’s wants and needs are. 

While certain neighbourhoods and communities might offer more and higher-quality amenities than others, be recognized for having higher quality schools than others, or have a larger available inventory than others for affordable homes you can rent or buy, there is a neighbourhood or community out there for everyone. When deciding on what neighbourhood or community is the best one for you and your family, you need to be considering your needs, your family’s needs, and what is important to you. Before making any important decisions related to where you want to live and/or moving, it is recommended that you carefully research and visit anywhere you are seriously considering living and/or moving to. 

On paper, a neighbourhood or community might sound like a great place for you, a place where you want to make your family’s home, but you might eventually find out that while a given community sounds great on paper, in reality, it’s not a match for you and your family. While you should use this guide as a jumping-off point, you should also remember to consider the questions in this guide which are meant to help you as you are in the process of figuring out if a given neighbourhood or community is the best place for you and your family to live.

While a neighbourhood or community might look great on paper or in photos, you might be thinking, wow this is a great place for me and my family. You may go to visit and get there and realize while on paper it seemed like it would be an excellent fit, in reality, it is not an excellent fit and you hate it. Or on the other hand, you might go to that community, visit, and fall in love, decide you are ready to make your home there. You might end up hating the neighbourhood you thought were going to love and end up finding another neighbourhood you love, that you might have never considered and choose to make your home there. Do your best to remember to keep an open mind if you are looking to find a more family-friendly place to live, considering moving, and/or are in the process of buying a new home, you might be surprised by what you find and where you end up. Anything is possible.

Related article: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide for Buying a House in Toronto