Toronto's less desirable areas
 

Can anyone say where they are in TO. Having grown up in S London im quite used to rough manors, guv. Just interested while looking at property on MLS where to give a wide berth. :)

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

I'm not in Toronto (just at this moment). I know the east end well, the middle quite well and the west end not very well.

I generally agree with the opinions expressed here:

http://www.boldts.net/Toronto.shtml

I would say that some unattractive areas are:

- Rexdale (violence)
- anywhere along the Humber River (smell)
- parts (but not by any means all) of Scarborough (violence)
- Dundas/Sherbourne (drugs, poverty, violence bedbugs)
- Jarvis/Queen (drugs, homelessness, violent people driven south by those rich people in Cabbagetown)
- St Jamestown (population density)
- east of SkyDome (the new St Jamestown)
- Eastern Avenue west of Leslieville (toxic waste, The Jack Layton Parkway)
- Broadview/Gerrard, "Chinatown East" (rats)
- High Park/Roncesvalles (dullness)

Note that, while there are some areas north of the 401 that are technically still "Toronto" I've not had cause to go to them and so cannot comment.

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

I'm surprised - that list didn't include the infamous Jane/Finch area (high density social housing, drugs & violence)...but did see fit to take the p1ss out of High Park/Roncesvalles.

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

Rexdale, innit? I was amused that I had to got here to take the test for my gun license. I wouldn't have thought there was local demand, for licenses.

I don't think I took the piss, it's very pleasant, just a bit barren. There's Hugh's Room and access to transit if you want to go somewhere else for a beer.

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

Well, you've proven that you don't know the west end very well.

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

Nor North York. One just doesn't have need to go.

I just saw something that I thought summed the area up quite well:

"It's a nice enough area, but in my opinion a bit too sterile"

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

I notice you omitted NY from your list of undesirable areas. Perhaps next time you should extend the same courtesy to other areas of which by your own admission you have little experience.

The OP is clearly asking which areas are undesirable from a crime perspective; we both know that High Park/Roncesvalles does not fall under this category. It may lack stimulation for you, but that peacefulness could be just what the OP is looking for!

For the record, I think your other non-recommendations are spot on, I'd also add Dundas/River St to that list. I once looked at buying a loft there, the prostitute who offered (via the medium of screaming from across the street) me a pleasurable act for $20 somewhat quashed my desire to purchase in that area.

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

Roncesvalles is a nice stretch, I looked at apartments around there. Nice bakeries and some reasonable rents to be found. Close enough to Queen W if that is your thing. I discounted it because I could get a similar place with a similar price tag in the east end, closer to the downtown core and with better transit options. I wouldn't say there's anything necessarily wrong with it, nor with the outer reaches of Parkdale for that matter (omitting the obvious high rise streets etc).

High Park though? I don't see the appeal of High Park. The actual Park is lovely of course, but I can avail of that without living there. It seems to me to have little by way of neighbourhood character, less immediate ammenities in a 'pop down the street for a swift pint and pick up some souvlaki and a freshly baked baguette" kind of way and it's further from the downtown core than other areas. The property, in general, seemed nice with a price tag to match. I don't see the draw.

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

I didn't think the question only concerned crime but, yes, you're quite right that High Park/Roncesvalles is safe.

I too had a curious offer on River Street. "This is my corner" the offerer said, proudly, like anyone else would want it.

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

I agree with dbd's opinions. I never liked the High Park or Roncesvalles areas either, though I know they have a lot of fans.

Yes, avoid Jane/Finch (violence). I would avoid all of Scarborough, but to be fair much of it is just plain bland, (eg. Lawrence/Pharmacy) rather than bland and dangerous (Malvern area).

Re: Toronto's less desirable areas
 

[QUOTE=dbd33;8780496]
- High Park/Roncesvalles (dullness)

I lived off of Roncessvalles about a dozen or so years ago. I liked it. The park was a short walk away and there were lots of bakeries, cafes and a library on Roncesvalles. There was a hospital very nearby as well. The streetcar could take you downtown if you went one way or to Dundas station if you went the other. I wouldn't recommend the part near Queen St. though.