Bloor West Village is one of the best places to live in Toronto and raise a family in Toronto. Located along Bloor Street, between South Kingsway and Ellis Park Road, it’s a destination for not only living but shopping, dining and many services. Bloor West Village really has that distinct community feel – it’s home to many fantastic schools making the area very popular among urban families looking to stay close enough to the city, but in an area that has a true community vibe. And the fact that it’s located within walking distance to Toronto’s best park, we have a hard time finding a reason not to love living in Bloor West Village.
Living in Bloor West Village
Bloor West Village is an area of the city that really takes pride in its appearance. Streets are picturesque, tree-lined and likely filled with neighbourhood kids playing in one of the front yards. Everyone is smiling, saying hello and the vibe is a really happy one – perhaps this happiness can be attributed to the strong family-oriented, community feel of the area these residents call home for many, many years. Real Estate in Bloor West Village is nearly exclusive to semis and detached home, typically build between 1915 and 1925. You’ll find homes in Bloor West Village with beautiful front porches, plenty of trees and unique character among the homes – no cookie-cutter developments in this neighbourhood.
Homes in the area are mainly brick stone, detached, classic dwellings, with lots of modern improvements and upgrades. This type of architecture and layout naturally attracts a slew of first-time home buyers, and young families. But, just like homes in the area, the makeup of Bloor West Village residents is a consistent mix between ‘the old’ and ‘the new’. If you’re not afraid of a little elbow grease and some hard work, updating one of these finds that needs some work can prove to be a very good investment of your time and money.
Best Restaurants in Bloor West Village
The perks of living in Bloor West Village are endless, but we have to say the selection of cafes, restaurants, pubs and grocers rival most areas of the city. One of our absolute favourite spots is likely unknown to many, but it should be on everyone’s list. Amber European Restaurant – it’s been a fixture on Bloor West for over 40 years and is the definition of Comfort Food. Traditional dishes will warm you from the inside out – Goulash Soup, Cabbage Rolls, Beef Stroganoff are all must-haves, but if we had to pick one dish, it would be the Amber Veal Schnitzel. It’s literally bigger than the plate its served on, with a side of mashed potatoes, and a delicious salad to start. Order a glass of house red and you’ll be smiling from ear to ear after the last bite.
If you’re looking to do a little pub crawl, look no further than your own backyard if you’re living in Bloor West Village. An entire night can be spent investigating some of the best bars in Bloor West Village – some of our favourite stops include Bryden’s – the area’s longest-serving pub, The Swan, A Dark Horse and The Mug Shot Tavern.
Shopping in Bloor West Village
You don’t have to feel guilty about spending time or money in Bloor West Village. In fact, many of the shops are locally owned so shopping in your own community not only makes you feel good, it provides business for those who live there too. There are plenty of boutique women’s clothing shops to find unique pieces for the work-week or even a casual weekend. MerryGoRound is one of our picks – find great pieces fit for any work environment or jeans and sweater for the cozy winter months.
Bloor West Village is filled with little shops that offer fresh produce and an abundance of floral selections for any season. Find your pumpkin at one of these shops, and all of the fall floral you need for entertaining neighbourhood ghouls and goblins this month. Check out Bloor Village Flowers during December for wonderful winter arrangements for both indoors and out, making it easy for residents to dress up their homes for the festive season.
There are many reasons Bloor West Village took the number one spot in Toronto Life’s 2018 Best Neighbourhood Survey – it scores well in virtually every metric: it’s safe and accessible (Jane and Runnymede stations are nearby), and its charming old homes and quaint tree-lined streets truly offer that exclusive neighbourhood feel. With the proximity to fantastic schools, shops, restaurants and cafes within walking distance, we can’t find any reason not to fall for Bloor West Village.