Liberty Village, ON
Guide de location
An artsy and hip community near the lake
About
Red brick, steel and glass are the primary materials that make up the facades of the buildings in Liberty Village, which is starting to be recognized as a mecca for artists, marketing professionals, film producers and other professionals of the creative persuasions. Former industrial warehouses and factories have been converted into open-concept lofts for live-work spaces, with gyms, art galleries, yoga studios and cafes on street level. Reaction to Liberty Village’s indisputable gentrification has been mixed, with some calling it a neighbourhood full of parking lots, while others laud it for its style. Either way, the neighbourhood is very close to downtown, being located just west of the high-rise areas of downtown, with a 20-minute commute via streetcar to the Financial District and a few minutes walk from the Fashion District or the lakeshore.
Rental Options
The Market:
Avg. rent by housing type and size
Studio/Bachelor: $1,380
1-bedroom: $1,695
2-bedroom: $2,040
3-bedroom: $2,650
Avg. rent compared to other Toronto neighbourhoods
Liberty Village is 9% higher than TO average
Liberty Village Rental Market: Despite its great location, living in Liberty Village still doesn’t cost what you’d pay to rent a much smaller space right in the downtown core. That may be because the neighbourhood is on its way up, but hasn’t yet reached its peak. So, like the majority of Toronto neighbourhoods, renters can expect rates to rise for Liberty Village apartments for rent. The east end Liberty Village rentals, which is closer to downtown, command rents that are usually $150 to $200 per month higher than the neighbourhood’s western portion. There are some Liberty Village houses for rent sprinkled through out the neighbourhood as well.
Life & Style
When work’s done for the day, the lakefront area fills up with Liberty Village residents who head out for a stroll or get suited up in spandex for a ride on sleek road bikes. Creative professionals demand creative work hours, so businesses in and around Liberty Village are graced with a stream of customers at all hours of the day, especially at cafes and bars.
Neighbourhood
Most of Liberty Village’s restaurants, bars and cafes are clustered at the intersection of King and Atlantic, with a few others along Liberty Street East. Among the best are Fat Bastard Burritos, Maizal Quesadilla Cafe and Mildred's Temple just a block away. There's just one park, and it's a bit sad, but at least the waterfront trail is close by and provides a great stretch for running and cycling. And there aren't any schools within the community, though there are five or six nearby.
