Hook, I would not live in your area on a bet,and I know that area, probably better than you.
Cedarbrae Grad, lived off Markham, S of Lawrence, Blakemanor, sister on Brimorton, dangerous area.

It used to be a good area.

Pockets around park are O.K, but I wouldn't buy there on a bet.

All of it....nuff said

I've only been here 15months so I'm very sure you know the area much better than I do. We're only renting for now but looks like mortgage has been approved so will be deciding where to buy soon. 16yr old still in school and wants to do another year after this one, so not really wanting to move too far. Considering Starspray as an option though as TTC-able and there's a Go Station nearby.

My former sister in common law (!) lives in that area. I don't remember the name of the street but it's behind the Cedarbrae Mall one block south and west. It's metro housing and the rent is geared to income. It suits her because she doesn't have much declared income, she mostly lives by renting the floor to fellow Newfies who come up and work the weeks for their stamp each summer, and so she doesn't pay much rent. That building, at least, seems pretty rough to me, there were always crack dealers in the stairwells and I often heard gunshots while over there. I'd think twice about making a long term commitment to the neighbourhood.

So you're agreeing with Howard?
<falls of chair in amazement>

I couldn't help myself.

Hear hear! in spades!

Seriously, to visit Toronto's OK. I guess it really depends on what your individual requirements are re work etc. Areas I liked teneded to be pretty expensive (go figure) but even then, I dislike ALL cities so my light hearted response above is from a position of not HAVING to live in the city anymore, and extremely grateful for that I am.

Best of luck with your search

The City of Toronto in all its' wisdom poiceeded to build high rise complexes for Government housing and located many along the Markham -401 strip and along Lawrence east.

The area used to be great, Cedarbrae was a good School, lots of nice affordable bungalows, the Mall was a good place to shop.

I looked after Cedarbrook Park while going to Uni, it was a good area, Punch Imlach, one of the Leafs most famous coaches lived in the area, his son was my friend.

Now, it is dangerous, My Sister refuses to leave, but she has two Dogs , each of whom weigh well over 70 pounds, ShepardxMastiffs, She sleeps easier that way.

Parts of Parkdale aren't that bad though... I have friends who live there, and it's gently gentrifying...

Specifically the bits North and South of Queen and West of Landsdown...

Oh sure, there are passable streets everywhere, I was just trying to give a general idea. The really dodgy bits, Queen/Sherbourne, Dundas/Sherbourne, Regent Park aren't advertised as that anyway.

Actually, I agree with this too. There's no way I'd want to live near Cedarbrae Mall these days.

I am in no position to offer any advice on safe places in Toronto but as a general comment I would say that some areas in major cities will, over a couple of generations, inevitably fall into decline.

Most often what keeps an area safe is high home prices/rentals. Pure economics (translation: lack of affordability for most) tends to keep the riif raff and criminal element from moving in.