The Best Neighbourhoods for New Immigrants in Toronto

For the past two decades, newcomers in Toronto have been on the rise. According to Statistics Canada, the city is the top destination for new immigrants in Canada, alongside Montreal and Vancouver. But the Six is a prominent place with 158 unique neighbourhoods to choose from, so it can be overwhelming to settle on one.

It’s a big decision, after all, with many issues to factor in. In addition to considering things like transit and community, it’s essential to evaluate available housing, employment opportunities and diversity in your chosen neighbourhood.

Recently, Toronto Life teamed with Environics Analytics to determine the city’s best neighbourhoods to live in. The team also designed a handy interactive version that users can tailor to their unique requirements.

The 10 Best Places for New Immigrants to Live in Toronto

By adjusting the metrics to place more importance on things that matter to new immigrants, like housing, employment, diversity and health, the top 10 neighbourhoods to live in shifts to the following:

Danforth
Wellington Place
West Queen West
Runnymede-Bloor West Village
Cabbagetown-South St. James
Avondale
Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills
Palmerston-Little Italy
Trinity-Bellwoods
Bay-Cloverhill

Danforth Remains at the Top

The original study placed Danforth as the best neighbourhood to live in Toronto thanks to its local amenities, schools and green space. All those things keep it at the top of the list for new immigrants, but other considerations also make it an ideal place to live.

Danforth is close to necessities like grocery stores and pharmacies, plus it’s near Michael Garron Hospital. It’s also easy to access via transit, and the area still features (relatively) affordable housing. Meanwhile, it scores high in employment opportunities, which makes it a solid choice for newcomers.

Wellington Place Is the New Runner-Up

West Queen West came second in the article’s initial top 10 neighbourhoods. Once the criteria changed, however, Wellington jumped from fifth place to No. 2. The area is known for its proximity to necessities like hospitals and groceries while boasting good nightlife.

Many young professionals live in the area, and it has recently expanded significantly with the new residential and retail complex, The Well. There, more condos, shops, restaurants and gyms mean more housing and employment opportunities for new immigrants to consider when choosing their neighbourhood.

The Addition of Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills

The restructured criteria also means a new addition to the top 10: Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills. The neighbourhood enters in the seventh spot, partially because of the makeup of local families already residing there. According to HoodQ, there are more than 95 different ethnic origins living in the neighbourhood, 38 per cent of which are first-generation immigrants and 27 per cent of which are second-gen.

According to the Toronto Life survey, the area features the third-highest percentage of owners (87 per cent) in Toronto. It is also the wealthiest Toronto neighbourhood when it comes to economic health (employment stats, household income and poverty rates).

Considering Other Places to Live in Canada

While Toronto may seem like a natural choice for newcomers to Canada, the Government of Canada advises there are several questions to ask before deciding on a new city:

Do you want to live in a large city?
Would you be happier in a small town?
What kind of schooling do you and your family want?

Newcomers with specific work skills should also look for a place where they can use their expertise. Then, there are other considerations, such as the cost of living, cultural activities, languages spoken, available community centres and even the climate to factor in.

According to Next Stop Canada, deciding the top 10 must-haves for the lifestyle you want in Canada is a good idea. Being brutally honest about the life you want can help to narrow down the destination of your dreams.