Homes for Sale in High Park | Swansea, Toronto, ON

Whereas the residents themselves often shape the temperament of a neighbourhood, it's the backdrop of High Park - Swansea that offers a sanctuary for gentler Torontonians. In the downtown core, towers of glass, concrete, and steel encircle numerous residential areas. Remarkably, the High Park - Swansea neighbourhood is blanketed in nature from within the confines of Canada’s busiest megalopolis.

Locals living in High Park - Swansea might have a favourite spot in High Park, whether that be the zoo, the swimming pool, or the tennis courts. Others might stop by for seasonal events, such as Canadian Stage Company’s summertime productions of Shakespeare plays or skating on Grenadier Pond.

What’s more, the south end of the neighbourhood reaches all the way to Lake Ontario, allowing residents to really take advantage of Toronto’s natural resources — especially during beach season. Sunnyside Beach and the Gus Ryder Pool are essential summer spots for west-end Torontonians, and by living so close, residents of High Park - Swansea have the advantage of securing the best seats in the house.

Technically, High Park - Swansea covers the ground to the immediate east and west of the park, and this means the massive green space is part and parcel of the neighbourhood as well. The residential area known as High Park is found just west of Roncesvalles and east of the park, while Swansea is located just west of High Park.

The vast majority of condo buildings are located in the Swansea portion of the neighbourhood, of course, that hasn’t stopped prospective buyers from dropping the Swansea name altogether as they search for High Park condos — a name that is likely more of a reference to the park itself than the neighbourhood.

High Park - Swansea is primarily residential, with businesses clustered along Bloor West and Roncesvalles. Even these commercial strips boast a welcoming, neighbourly atmosphere, unlike the hectic shopping districts found in the downtown core.

Since High Park - Swansea comprises a sizeable footprint — even without considering the 400 acres allotted to the park — it’s unsurprising to hear just how many condos can be found here. Swansea is home to a combination of contemporary glass towers and more traditional red brick condos that are slightly lower in stature. High Park condos tend to be more boutique in nature and there are even some of the hard loft variety: The Abbey Lofts, for example, is situated in an old church just east of the park.

Another standout building is The Waterfall at 2545 Bloor West, which is a 1982-built ode to Frank Lloyd Wright. The landscaping surrounding this low-rise building also blends in perfectly with the park around the corner: it features plenty of greenery and its very own waterfall feature. And beyond all the condos and lofts, there’s also a profusion of early 20th-century single-family houses in High Park - Swansea.

High Park condos and their counterparts in Swansea come at varying price points; South Kingsway Village I Condos is one of the most affordable properties in all of west end Toronto — Home Condominium is one of the most expensive.

Amenities also fluctuate depending on the building; properties in Swansea offer more extras while High Park condos include only the essentials.

In general, High Park - Swansea is a pedestrian friendly neighbourhood, but there are some pockets that aren’t particularly walkable; residents who are located in the middle of Swansea might find it especially difficult to get things done on foot — those near Bloor will have no such issues.

Heading to the north or south end of the neighbourhood proves the easiest way to travel in an out of High Park - Swansea without a car. The Bloor-Danforth subway line is situated along Bloor Street West, which runs along the north side of the park. Residents can access the subway at Jane, Runnymede, High Park, Keele, and Dundas West Stations, depending on where exactly they happen to live.

Swansea locals can also use the north-south running Runnymede bus to get around, while there’s also one that heads north and south along Roncesvalles, for those living on the other side of the park. Most impressive for drivers interested in the area is High Park - Swansea’s close proximity to the Gardiner Expressway, which can be accessed via Lake Shore Boulevard West.

The Locals: Can’t fathom living any farther from Toronto’s largest park.

Code of Conduct: It’s perfectly acceptable to brag about how fresh the air is.

What You’ll Find: A community with one, giant, communal backyard.

What You Won’t Find: Stressed out, briefcase-wielding types who talk into Bluetooth headsets while checking out at the grocery store.

The Homes: An assortment of early 20th-century houses, authentic lofts, and contemporary glass condos.

Sealing the Deal: Having 400 acres of ‘backyard’ without being responsible for mowing the lawn.