Summerhill Toronto Apartments, Condos and Houses for Rent

Summerhill, which named after Canadian transportation leader Charles Thompson’s estate, is a timeless Toronto neighbourhood in the Yonge-St. Clair area. While considered upscale and in demand, the neighbourhood isn’t trendy. It’s not a hotspot that will die down in a few years, but a classic gem, long treasured by upper middle-class Torontonians. With Victorian and Edwardian homes still up for grabs for buyers. However, Summerhill’s housing prices have been steadily creeping up, and will likely skyrocket with the instalment of the GO Transit Crosstown line. Do you get what you pay for? In Summerhill, it’s clearly a yes.

The market, at a glance

Avg. rent by housing type & size

Studio/Bachelor: $1,533

1-bedroom: $2,175

2-bedroom: $3,638

3-bedroom: $4,100

Avg. rent compared to other Toronto neighbourhoods

Summerhill is 74% higher than TO average

Summerhill Rental Market: Family-friendly Summerhill house rentals are known for their beautiful and classically Toronto Victorian and Edwardian single-family and duplex homes. Posh Summerhill Avenue is lined with desirable fourplex and sixplex Summerhill apartments for rent near luxury grocers and plenty of convenient amenities, along with easy access to the DVP. This historic residential neighbourhood doesn’t offer much in terms of condo development or towering high-rises, but if you’re looking for a quiet neighbourhood with plenty of green space for your stroller and your dog, Summerhill could be just what you’re looking for. Despite being a minority in the neighbourhood, renters will have no trouble finding available housing options. Just don’t go looking for deals… You won’t find them.

Typical housing type:

Single-family, detached homes from the early 1900s.

Life here is a blend of tranquility and sophistication, with a hint of bygone eras. Nothing feels rushed – and there’s always time to sip a nice cup of tea or an old-fashioned cocktail. When residents are looking for a livelier, more up-to-date scene, though, they’ll pop up to St. Clair or subway straight into downtown to spend an afternoon at the ROM, or dine at the latest restaurant hotspot. But, at the end of the day – or night – locals are always relieved to return to their peaceful, little haven.

There are two subway stations in the neighbourhood: Summerhill and Rosedale. Large green spaces are available in the south and east, while smaller parks are sprinkled throughout the area. Yonge offers a range of boutiques, bakeries and restaurants, as well as services like hairdressing. The southernmost part of Summerhill contains an international language school, a Shell gas station and a Staples, and there’s a Cineplex Odeon in the north. Head up to St. Clair E to find a Loblaws with an LCBO and another jam-packed shopping district. In addition, the Yonge-St. Clair area offers a branch of the Toronto Public Library, a yoga studio and a GoodLife Fitness Centre.

Who lives here: Summerhill is an upper middle-class neighbourhood filled with people who value quality when they see it. Families are common, as are seniors. Residents share a tendency to be settled down – both in their careers and personal lives.

Perfect for: Higher income families.

Not-so-perfect for: Renters on a budget.