The Danforth, ON
Guide de location
Downtown’s friendly neighbour at a fraction of the price
About
This stretch of Danforth Avenue, bordered by the Don Valley Parkway and Victoria Park Avenue to the east, is the well-known and beloved heart of East York. Greektown’s origins are reflected in its architecture, which is resplendent with Aegean flair. Greektown is a major culinary destination, and not just for its Greek food, although the generous souvlaki dinners you’ll find here remain the best in the city. Significantly cheaper than the downtown-adjacent neighbourhoods on the west side of the DVP, word is getting out about the Danforth’s impressive bang for its buck, and accordingly, the neighbourhood’s demographics are diversifying from its Greek roots as more families and young urban professionals looking for a deal close to downtown move in to the neighbourhood.

Rental Options
The market, at a glance:
Avg. rent by housing type & size
Bach/studio: $900
1-bedroom: $1,200
2-bedroom: $1,820
Avg. rent compared to other Toronto neighbourhoods:
Greektown/Danforth is 2% higher than TO average
The Danforth Rental Market: On the commercial hotspot of Danforth Avenue, you are most likely to find The Danforth apartments for rent above retail shops. All the side streets off this white-hot artery are home to primarily single-family houses for rent on small lots, many of which have been subdivided into apartments. This is a great neighbourhood to find a spacious and homey basement for rent if your budget is tight. There are several low-rise rental apartments in the area, and just south of the Danforth by Broadview station is a cluster of high-rise rental towers amidst a quiet residential area in the heart of bustling Greektown.

Life & Style
The Danforth is a community full of life and activity; there's always something to do in this neighbourhood, the most popular activities being tasting the authentic fare at one of hundreds of Greek restaurants along Danforth Avenue. During the day, cafes fill up, as do markets of the 100-mile diet variety, with organic food grown locally. After dark, there's no shortage of lounges and wine bars, plus a good few nightclubs that are open late – or early. In addition, the community puts on some excellent festivals and performances, especially during the summer, the best of which is arguably the Taste of the Danforth spanning two and a half days every August. Vendors take over the street and offer up tasty bites of their best fare, paired with music, wine and a vibrant atmosphere. Traditional Greek performances go on display at the annual Greek Festival.

Neighbourhood
Besides the collection of eateries, markets, shops and services that dominate Greektown, there's tons to do in the neighbourhood. There's the famous Danforth Music Hall, the Danforth Bowl bowling alley, and the Danforth-Coxwell branch of the Toronto Public Library, for starters. The Ted Reeve Community Arena and East Toronto Athletic Field boasts a roller derby arena, ice hockey rinks, a kiddie pool, and ball diamond. For health nuts, Main Square Community Centre offers swimming and fitness programs, and the Big Carrot on the Danforth offers organic and local produce and meats at competitive prices. This dog-friendly and family-friendly neighbourhood offers plenty of parks, playgrounds, and green space. Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute and Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute are excellent high schools in the area, and younger children are served by Secord and D.A. Morrison elementary schools.
Land Mark
Scarborough War Memorial
Birchmount Stadium
The Danforth Music Hall
Fun Fact
Who lives here: The population in the Greektown/Danforth area is a pretty average mix of young couples, families, seniors and singles. The easy access to an excellent commercial district and the metro line that runs straight downtown makes life in the neighbourhood fun and convenient.
Perfect for: Commuters who work downtown, but don't want to live in a high-rise apartment or condo. For families, there are plenty of schools and parks nearby, and for older residents, getting around and staying active is easy here since this neighbourhood is close to everything.
Not-so-perfect for: Folks who like their streets void of cars and noise – the Danforth is a busy area with about 16,000 residents, plus visitors who come out in the evenings to eat at the restaurants here. That said, there are quiet pockets in the community where you can find tranquility just steps from all the action.
