Condos for Rent in Old East York, Toronto, ON

Prospective renters looking for Toronto condos for rent in a neighbourhood that feels nothing like downtown Toronto have come to the right place: Old East York is enormous, green, and predominantly residential. In fact, those who visit Old East York for whatever reason might be shocked to hear they can reach the Eaton Centre in less than 20 minutes via public transit.

While Old East York is mainly made up of parklands and residential streets, the neighbourhood also contains a couple of commercial pockets. Greektown is situated along Danforth Avenue, which happens to make up the southernmost border of East York. Residents can often be found here chowing down on some authentic Greek moussaka and gyros. Alternatively, a great local trick is to stock one’s freezer with uncooked baked goods from Athens Pastries, so that freshly baked Spanikopita can be enjoyed on a whim without leaving the house.

The Danforth is, of course, home to non-Greek establishments as well. The Danforth Music Hall is one of the city’s most renowned concert venues, and it just so happens to be situated within Old East York. Residents looking to be entertained can also spend an evening at Danforth Bowl, or they can sip on cocktails at any one of the street’s charming bars.

Upscale stores can also be found on Bayview Avenue, between Eglinton and Davisville. Residents who find themselves in this area can stop in at various specialty shops like Cumbraes and Rowe Farms before stocking up on staples at Valu-Mart. Bayview also happens to be home to a number of longstanding institutions, such as Duff’s Famous Wings and the Bagel House. Last but not least, SmartCentres Leaside is packed with big-box stores like Best Buy and Canadian Tire.

Not only is Old East York varied in terms of commercial offerings, but the landscape is extremely diverse as well. Residents can easily spend entire days exploring the neighbourhood’s rivers, creeks, and the parks that surround them. Crowther’s Woods is a local favourite amongst hikers, as is the Don River Trail. The trails surrounding Evergreen Brickworks are also worth exploring, while other visitors come here to skate, shop at the farmer’s market, or wander around the historic kiln building where bricks were made back in the day.

Thanks to its massive size, the condos for rent in Old East York are quite diverse — in terms of size, price, age, and style. Generally speaking, rent prices are quite reasonable, which makes it possible for renters to either upsize, or to save some of their hard-earned dough.

One great way to make one’s money go a long way is to rent a condo in an older building. This is possible in Old East York, since many buildings in the neighbourhood were built half a century ago — or more. Helliwell Place, for example, has been around since 1973, while the 1145 Logan Avenue Condos was built just three years later.

Old East York condos for rent also attract prospective residents who want to be surrounded by nature. Park Vista is perfect for this group of renters, thanks to its location next to Massey Creek. Jockey Club, at 21 Overlea Boulevard, is also just steps to Leaside Park.

Old East York residents benefit from the neighbourhood’s near-perfect locale: it’s just close enough to the downtown core, yet far enough to provide access to quieter roads and major highways. Drivers living in the area are likely quite familiar with the Don Valley Parkway, which provides access to the Gardiner Expressway to the south as well as the 401 to the north. Bloor also comes in handy for drivers living in Old East York condos for rent. Using this arterial road, neighbourhoods like Yorkville and the Annex are just a quick drive away.

As for those who prefer not to drive, there are plenty of options for getting around within Old East York — and for exiting the neighbourhood altogether. Those living closer to Danforth Avenue can simply hop onto a subway train at any of the stations between Victoria Park and Broadview. From here, one can ride west in order to connect onto the Yonge-University-Spadina line in no time. Residents living farther north, on the other hand, can use buses running along major, roads like Eglinton and Laird, to get around.

The Locals: A mixed bag that includes both shopping fanatics and outdoorsy types.

Code of Conduct: Walking all the way down the Don River Trail to Cherry Beach is a great way to spend a Sunday.

What You’ll Find: The best Greek food in the city.

What You Won’t Find: Tons and tons of skyscrapers.

The Homes: Surrounded by nature.

Sealing the Deal: Being able to reach the downtown core with ease, without having to live in a hectic environment.