Neighbourhood guide · Toronto & the GTA
Living at Bathurst & Steeles: Neighbourhood & Real Estate Guide
Thinking of Bathurst & Steeles, Newtonbrook West or Westminster-Branson? Homes, condos, 2026 prices, transit and pros and cons from Irina Marchenkova.
By Irina Marchenkova, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Realtron Realty · Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) · Last updated September 2026
The area around Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue, at the northern edge of North York, is one of the GTA’s best-known communities for Russian-speaking and Jewish families. It includes the neighbourhoods of Newtonbrook West and Westminster-Branson, with a mix of family homes, townhouses and condo towers, and it borders Thornhill and Vaughan across Steeles. Here’s what to know before you buy or sell.
Streets & pockets Prices Market Costs Transit Schools Checklist FAQ
Bathurst & Steeles at a glance
- Where: northern North York, around Bathurst Street between Finch Avenue and Steeles Avenue, bordering Thornhill
- Typical home price: $1,002,300 MLS® HPI benchmark for all home types in TRREB district C07 (August 2026)
- Getting around: the 7 Bathurst bus and routes along Finch and Steeles, with Finch station on Line 1 a short bus ride away
- Best for: families and downsizers who want a strong community, condos or family homes, and services in Russian
Why people choose Bathurst & Steeles
- Community: synagogues, community centres, and Russian and Eastern European shops, restaurants, medical and professional services
- Choice of homes: detached family homes, townhouses and large condo buildings with amenities
- Shopping: the Promenade Shopping Centre across Steeles in Thornhill, plus plazas along Bathurst
- Green space: G. Ross Lord Park and the West Don trails nearby
Bathurst & Steeles is one of the few places in the GTA where many of my clients can do all their daily errands in Russian. Condos here also offer excellent value for downsizers. — Irina
Streets and pockets of Bathurst & Steeles
TRREB groups this area into district C07, which covers Newtonbrook West, Westminster-Branson, Willowdale West and Lansing-Westgate. Here’s how the main pockets differ:
Westminster-Branson
West of Bathurst, between Finch and Steeles, with condo towers, townhouses and detached homes, close to G. Ross Lord Park.
Newtonbrook West
East of Bathurst toward Yonge, with detached family homes, townhouses and condos, and easier access to Finch station.
Along Bathurst and Steeles
Condo buildings from the 1980s onward, many with pools and concierge, popular with downsizers and first-time buyers.
Across Steeles
Thornhill (in Vaughan and Markham) is directly north, with similar communities, higher-priced homes and the Promenade mall.
Homes and prices in Bathurst & Steeles
A mix of 1960s to 1980s detached homes and back-splits, townhouses and many condo apartments, including large buildings with generous suites.
Bathurst & Steeles benchmark prices (August 2026)
Here’s how district C07 compares with the City of Toronto and the whole TRREB area:
| Area | All homes | Detached | Semi-detached | Townhouse | Condo apt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C07 (Newtonbrook West, Westminster-Branson) | $1,002,300 | $1,645,200 | $989,400 | $721,600 | $623,800 |
| City of Toronto | $918,400 | $1,437,900 | $1,127,200 | $717,200 | $547,400 |
| All TRREB (GTA) | $925,900 | $1,209,600 | $919,000 | $666,500 | $531,200 |
A typical detached home in district C07 was benchmarked about $207,300 above the City of Toronto figure in August 2026, while the composite benchmark was down 3.67% year over year. District C07 also includes higher-priced Willowdale West streets, so prices vary a lot by pocket. Ask me for recent sold prices on any street.
Thinking of selling? Get a free home evaluation and I’ll show you what comparable homes near you have actually sold for.
Market snapshot
Here’s how many homes sold and at what prices in August 2026, for all home types combined:
| Area | Homes sold | Average price | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|
| C07 (Newtonbrook West, Westminster-Branson) | 59 | $1,107,287 | $860,000 |
| City of Toronto | 1,767 | $979,684 | $770,000 |
| All TRREB (GTA) | 5,057 | $993,410 | $850,000 |
Across the whole GTA in August 2026, homes sold for about 97% of their final list price on average and spent an average of 35 days on the market. GTA sales were down 2.1% from a year earlier and the average price was down 2.7%, so buyers have more choice and negotiating room than in recent years. Monthly numbers for a single district can swing a lot, so ask me for a free market report on a specific street.
What it costs to buy in Bathurst & Steeles
Land transfer tax
Bathurst & Steeles is in the City of Toronto, so buyers pay two land transfer taxes on closing: Ontario’s and Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax. Up to $3 million the two use the same rates, so the total is roughly double the provincial amount.
| Example purchase | Ontario + Toronto LTT | First-time buyer pays |
|---|---|---|
| Detached home at $1,645,000 | $58,750 | $50,275 |
| Condo apartment at $625,000 | $17,950 | $9,475 |
First-time buyers can get refunds of up to $4,000 on the Ontario tax and up to $4,475 on the Toronto tax, as long as they (and their spouse) have never owned a home anywhere in the world. Land transfer tax is paid on closing, on top of your down payment. Try the land transfer tax calculator.
Property taxes
Toronto’s 2026 residential property tax rate is 0.767311% (City of Toronto, including the education portion and City Building Fund levy), or about $767 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value, one of the lowest rates in the GTA. Property tax is based on your home’s MPAC assessed value, which is still based on January 1, 2016 values and is usually well below today’s market price.
| MPAC assessed value | Approximate yearly property tax |
|---|---|
| $400,000 | $3,069 |
| $600,000 | $4,604 |
| $800,000 | $6,138 |
| $1,000,000 | $7,673 |
Getting around
- Buses: the 7 Bathurst bus runs south to Bathurst station on Line 2; routes along Finch and Steeles connect to Finch station on Line 1.
- Across the border: York Region Transit serves Thornhill and connects to Vaughan and Richmond Hill.
- Driving: Highway 407 and Highway 401 are both a short drive away.
Schools and family life
Bathurst & Steeles is served by the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board, with French-language schools through Viamonde and MonAvenir. Several private Jewish day schools are in the area as well. Always check each board’s school locator for a specific address, as boundaries and programs vary street by street.
North York General Hospital is the nearest major hospital.
Child care
At licensed centres enrolled in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program, fees for children under 6 are capped at $22 a day in 2026, and families with lower incomes can apply for a fee subsidy. The City of Toronto’s child care finder lists licensed centres, including those in the reduced-fee program, and EarlyON drop-in centres. My tip: get on waitlists early and ask each centre whether it’s in the reduced-fee program.
Parks, shopping and things to do
- G. Ross Lord Park: trails, a reservoir and an off-leash dog area
- Shopping: the Promenade Shopping Centre in Thornhill and Russian and Eastern European grocery stores and restaurants along Bathurst
- Community: community centres, synagogues and cultural organizations
- Recreation: local arenas, pools and sports fields
Pros and cons of living in Bathurst & Steeles
Pros
- Strong community and services in Russian
- Choice of condos, townhouses and houses
- Good value condos for downsizers
- Parks and trails nearby
Cons
- No subway station right at Bathurst & Steeles
- Busy traffic on Bathurst and Steeles
- Some older condo buildings need updates
- Detached homes on the Willowdale side are costly
Before you buy in Bathurst & Steeles: local checklist
Every area has its own rules and quirks. Here’s what I check with buyers in Bathurst & Steeles:
- Older condo buildings: review the status certificate, reserve fund study and any upcoming special assessments carefully, as some 1980s buildings are planning major repairs.
- Across Steeles: homes north of Steeles are in Vaughan or Markham, with different property taxes, services and school boards.
- Older homes: many houses here date from the 1950s and 1960s, so budget for a thorough inspection covering wiring, plumbing, the roof, windows and the foundation.
- Basement flooding: ask about backwater valves and sump pumps; the City offers a Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program.
- Garden and laneway suites: if you want extra space or rental income, check whether the lot qualifies for a garden suite.
- Vacant Home Tax: every Toronto owner must file an occupancy declaration each year, even if they live in the home.
- Condos: always review the status certificate, reserve fund study and any upcoming special assessments before you firm up an offer.
- Non-Canadian buyers: check the current federal foreign-buyer rules and Ontario’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax before making an offer.
Buying or selling in Bathurst & Steeles with Irina
I’m a RE/MAX Realtron Realty Sales Representative and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), based in Scarborough and working across North York, Toronto and the GTA. I have worked with many Russian-speaking families along the Bathurst corridor. Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up or downsizing from a family home, I’ll help you compare neighbourhoods, price your home correctly and negotiate the best terms. I work in English and Russian.
Bathurst & Steeles real estate FAQ
Is Bathurst & Steeles a good place to live?
For families and downsizers who want a close-knit community, a choice of condos and houses, and services in Russian, it’s a popular choice. The main trade-off is that it’s not on a subway line.
How much does a condo cost at Bathurst & Steeles?
In August 2026, the MLS® HPI benchmark for condo apartments in TRREB district C07 was $623,800, and for all home types $1,002,300.
Is Bathurst & Steeles in Toronto or Vaughan?
The south side of Steeles is in the City of Toronto (North York). North of Steeles is Thornhill, which is part of Vaughan on the west side of Yonge Street.
How do you get downtown from Bathurst & Steeles?
Take the 7 Bathurst bus to Bathurst station on Line 2, or a bus to Finch station on Line 1.
Is there a Russian-speaking community at Bathurst & Steeles?
Yes. It’s one of the GTA’s best-known Russian-speaking communities, with many shops, restaurants and services in Russian. Irina Marchenkova serves clients in Russian and English.
Useful links
- City of Toronto
- TTC (routes and service)
- Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board
- TRREB Market Watch (monthly prices)
Nearby neighbourhood guides
- Bathurst Manor & Clanton Park
- Thornhill
- Willowdale
- North York
- Vaughan
- See all areas on the interactive map
Compare neighbourhoods: Most affordable areas · Best for families · Best for downsizing · First-time buyer guide · Downsizing guide · All neighbourhood guides
🏙 Looking for a condo here? See Irina’s building-by-building Yonge & Finch and Bayview Village condo guide on IrinaSellsCondos.ca.