Homes for Sale in Scarborough, ON

Scarborough isn’t just any old area: it’s a massive region that covers the easternmost portion of Toronto. Even farther east than the east end, Scarborough begins at Victoria Park and reaches all the way to the Rouge River. The area begins down by the lake, and anyone living as far north as Steeles is considered a resident of Scarborough as well.

Scarborough condos have been on the rise over the past decade or so, to accommodate the growing population. Toronto may be known for its multicultural population, but nowhere feels quite as diverse as Scarborough.

For whatever reason, newcomers to Toronto often end up settling down in the area, and as a result more than half of residents were born outside of Canada. Nearly 70 percent of the community is made up of visible minorities, with the largest groups being South Asian and Chinese. Scarborough’s Chinese community is particularly concentrated in the Agincourt neighbourhood, which also makes it a destination for anyone in search of authentic dim sum or congee.

Scarborough is largely urban, however there are still a couple of farms in the northeast corner. The area can either be thought of as a little behind the curve, or simply more green than the rest of the city.

While farms may be exciting to some, the real tour de force is undeniably the Scarborough Bluffs. The bluffs — or cliffs — can reach to over 60 metres tall in some areas, and they cover 14 kilometers of land along the lakeshore. Formed from Glacial Lake Iroquois, a prehistoric lake that once occupied the area, sandy beaches can also be found down below at Bluffer’s Park Beach.

Rainy days obviously mean the bluffs are out of the question, but thankfully Scarborough residents have the option of spending the day at any one of the area’s many malls. The Scarborough Town Centre is the 10th biggest mall in the country, and the area is also home to Cedarbrae Mall and the Eglinton Town Centre, to name a few.

Thanks to the unique terrain of Scarborough, golf courses are aplenty, both public and private. Those who don’t want to join a club can visit Dentonia Park or the Tim O’Shanter Golf Course. Alternatively, a membership is required in order to visit the Toronto Hunt Club, which was established in 1843. Members can also do more than golf here, too: after a round they can attend ‘Wine Society’ events.

Scarborough also has a sizeable population of post-secondary students, thanks to two major schools in the area: Centennial College’s Progress Campus and the University of Toronto Scarborough. The latter offered the first-ever neuroscience undergraduate program in Canada and is known for its co-op programs, plus there are a few joint programs available, where students attend both schools concurrently.

Scarborough is fairly spread out, feeling much less dense than downtown Toronto. Although it covers such a large area, there are just over 200 Scarborough condos. Many of these are high-density buildings, though, such as the 660-suite 2150 Condos and the 360 at the City Centre Condos, which is home to nearly 500 units.

In recent years, some ultramodern boutique condo buildings have appeared in Scarborough, including the Treehouse Townhomes at 2535 Gerrard. Other buildings have more of a beachy California vibe, for example the Upper Beach Club at 1527 Kingston Road.

Prospective buyers looking for something older and a little lower key can start their search at the The Carlisle Condos, which was built in 1974 and contains only 46 units. Another great option for those who aren’t a fan of enormous towers are townhouse condos: some notable complexes in the area include the more traditional Rouge Hill Walk Townhomes and contemporary like The Skylofts Townhomes.

For an area so far east of the city centre, Scarborough condo residents are certainly well serviced by public transit. The TTC’s Line 2 stops at Victoria Park, Warden, and Kennedy Stations, while Line 3 extends even farther east to Lawrence East, Ellesmere, Midland, Scarborough Centre, and McCowan.

GO Transit is also a great option for commuters living in Scarborough, as not one but two lines run through the area. Between the Lakeshore East and Stouffville lines, seven stations are located throughout Scarborough.

Last but not least, drivers living in Scarborough can certainly get around with ease. The traffic tends to be much lighter here than in the downtown core, and fast-paced routes like the 401 and Kingston Road are perfect for those heading out on lengthier journeys.

The Locals: Although they’re considered Torontonians, the majority of Scarborough residents tend to be born outside of Canada.

Code of Conduct: Spending weekends tasting new, exotic cuisines is highly encouraged.

What You’ll Find: Plenty of green space and beaches galore.

What You Won’t Find: Trendy new boutiques opening every weekend.

The Homes: Everything from massive condo complexes to cozy townhomes.

Sealing the Deal: Living so close to one of the natural wonders of Toronto: the Scarborough Bluffs.