Neighbourhood guide · Toronto & the GTA
Living in Don Mills: Neighbourhood & Real Estate Guide
Moving to Don Mills? Mid-century homes, 2026 prices, Line 5 transit, schools and ravines, plus honest pros and cons from Realtor Irina Marchenkova.
By Irina Marchenkova, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Realtron Realty · Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) · Last updated September 2026
Don Mills is Canada’s first large planned community, built in the 1950s around a central shopping area and surrounded by the Don Valley ravines. Today it’s prized for its mid-century modern homes, quiet crescents, the open-air Shops at Don Mills and new transit on Line 5 Eglinton.
This guide covers Don Mills’ pockets, homes and prices, transit, schools, parks and the honest pros and cons.
Neighbourhoods Prices Market Costs Transit Schools Checklist FAQ
Don Mills at a glance
- Where: North York, around Don Mills Road between Eglinton Avenue and Highway 401
- Homes: Mid-century bungalows and split-levels, townhouses, and condos near the Shops at Don Mills and Eglinton
- Transit: Line 5 Eglinton (opened 2026), buses to Line 2 and Line 4, the DVP and Highway 401
- Best for: Families, mid-century design lovers and downsizers who want green space
- Big draws: The Shops at Don Mills, Edwards Gardens, the Aga Khan Museum and ravine trails
Why people choose Don Mills
A thoughtfully planned community. Don Mills was designed with crescents, green space and a central shopping area, and that planning still shows in its quiet, walkable streets.
Mid-century character. Many original modernist homes remain, from low-slung bungalows to split-levels on generous lots.
Green all around. Ravines, Wilket Creek, Edwards Gardens and the Don Valley trail system surround the neighbourhood.
New transit. Line 5 Eglinton opened in February 2026 along the southern edge, with the future Ontario Line set to connect nearby at Science Centre station.
Don Mills buyers often fall in love with mid-century homes. My advice is to budget for updates, especially windows, insulation and electrical, and to look at the lot as much as the house.
— Irina Marchenkova
Don Mills neighbourhoods
Don Mills and its neighbouring pockets include:
Central Don Mills
The original planned community around the Shops at Don Mills, with mid-century bungalows, townhouses and crescents.
Banbury-Don Mills
The northwestern pocket near Lawrence and Leslie, with larger lots, newer homes and Edwards Gardens nearby.
Parkwoods-Donalda
Northeast of Don Mills, with family homes, townhouses and the Donalda Club.
Victoria Village
South and east toward Eglinton, with more affordable homes and condos near Line 5.
Homes and prices in Don Mills
Don Mills’ housing includes:
- Mid-century bungalows and split-levels from the 1950s and 1960s
- Newer custom homes built on original lots, especially in Banbury
- Townhouses, including some original planned rows
- Condominiums around the Shops at Don Mills and along Eglinton
Don Mills benchmark prices (September 2026)
Don Mills is part of TRREB’s Toronto C13 district:
| District | Main neighbourhoods | All homes | Detached | Townhouse | Condo apt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C13 | Banbury-Don Mills, Parkwoods-Donalda, Victoria Village | $987,400 | $1,586,800 | $725,500 | $598,000 |
| City of Toronto | All districts | $908,200 | $1,417,600 | $714,700 | $543,800 |
Benchmark prices describe a “typical” home and can differ from any individual sale. C13’s composite benchmark was down 6.83% year over year in September 2026 and detached homes were down 7.48%, so buyers have more negotiating room than in recent years. 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 September 2026, for all home types combined:
| Area | Homes sold | Average price | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Central (incl. North York & downtown) | 924 | $1,102,955 | $721,000 |
| City of Toronto | 1,937 | $1,034,320 | $810,000 |
| All TRREB (GTA) | 5,040 | $1,006,409 | $860,000 |
Across the whole GTA in September 2026, homes sold for about 98% of their final list price on average and spent an average of 34 days on the market. GTA sales were down 9.0% from a year earlier and the average price was down 5.1%, so buyers have more choice and negotiating room than in recent years. For the latest numbers on a specific street or building, ask me for a free market report.
What it costs to buy in Don Mills
Land transfer tax
Because Don Mills is in the City of Toronto, buyers pay two land transfer taxes: Ontario’s and Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax. Here’s what that looks like at typical prices:
| Example purchase | Ontario LTT | Toronto LTT | Total | First-time buyer pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached home at $1,600,000 | $28,475 | $28,475 | $56,950 | $48,475 |
| Condo apartment at $600,000 | $8,475 | $8,475 | $16,950 | $8,475 |
First-time buyers can get a refund of up to $4,000 on the Ontario land transfer tax and a rebate of up to $4,475 on the Toronto tax (together up to $8,475). You (and your spouse) must never have owned a home anywhere in the world. Land transfer tax is paid on closing, on top of your down payment, so budget for it along with legal fees, title insurance and moving costs.
Property taxes
Toronto’s residential property tax rate is 0.767311% (2026 final rate, City of Toronto), or about $767 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value. In Ontario, 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. You can find a home’s assessment on its latest tax bill or through MPAC.
| 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
- Line 5 Eglinton: Opened February 2026, with stations along Eglinton including Science Centre and Aga Khan Park & Museum.
- Ontario Line (future): Will connect to Line 5 at Science Centre station.
- Buses: Frequent routes along Don Mills Road connect to Line 2 and Line 4.
- Driving: Quick access to the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401.
Schools and family life
Don Mills is served by the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board, including Don Mills Collegiate Institute and Don Mills Middle School. French-language options are available through Viamonde and MonAvenir. Check the TDSB school locator for a specific address.
Families enjoy the parks, community centres and the central shopping area within walking distance of many homes.
Child care
Licensed child care in Ontario is far more affordable than it was a few years ago. At 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 that reduces the cost further. (The long-promised $10-a-day average has not yet been reached in Ontario.)
In Toronto, the City’s online child care system lets you search licensed centres, see their quality ratings and join waitlists, and you can apply for a fee subsidy through Toronto Children’s Services.
My tip: get on waitlists as early as possible, ideally several months before you move or before parental leave ends, and ask each centre whether it’s enrolled in the reduced-fee program.
- Ontario: Find and pay for child care: search licensed centres province-wide and learn about fee subsidies
- City of Toronto: Licensed Child Care: search centres, see quality ratings, join waitlists and apply for a fee subsidy
Parks, shopping and things to do
- The Shops at Don Mills: open-air shopping, restaurants and events
- Edwards Gardens and the Toronto Botanical Garden
- Aga Khan Museum and Park: world-class art and gardens
- Wilket Creek Park and Don Valley trails
- Fairview Mall: a short drive or bus ride north
- Sunnybrook Park: trails, sports fields and riding stables in the Don Valley
- Charles Sauriol Conservation Reserve: a quiet ravine trail along the East Don River
- Don Mills Civitan Arena: a community arena for skating and hockey
- CF Fairview Mall: one of the area’s largest malls, near Don Mills station
Pros and cons of living in Don Mills
Pros
- Quiet, well-planned streets and crescents
- Mid-century character and generous lots
- Surrounded by ravines and parks
- New Line 5 transit with the Ontario Line to come
- Central location with quick DVP access
Cons
- Many original homes need updates
- Detached prices above the Toronto average
- Limited subway access until recently
- Some areas are car-oriented
- Construction near transit corridors
Before you buy in Don Mills: local checklist
Every area has its own rules and quirks. Here’s what I check with buyers in Don Mills:
- Toronto Vacant Home Tax: every Toronto homeowner must file a yearly occupancy declaration; homes left vacant more than six months can be taxed at 3% of assessed value.
- Trees and ravines: removing or injuring trees of 30 cm diameter or more needs a City permit, and properties near ravines fall under Toronto’s Ravine and Natural Feature Protection by-law and may be regulated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).
- Heritage: check whether the home is on Toronto’s Heritage Register or in a Heritage Conservation District, which can limit exterior changes.
- Older homes: homes built before the mid-1950s may still have a lead water service pipe, knob-and-tube wiring or galvanized plumbing, so a thorough home inspection is essential.
- More units allowed: Toronto now permits up to four units (multiplexes) plus garden and laneway suites on most residential lots, which can add rental or family-living options.
- Mid-century homes: budget for updates to windows, insulation, electrical and roofing on original 1950s and 1960s homes.
- 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 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax and Toronto’s 10% Municipal Non-Resident Speculation Tax before making an offer.
Buying or selling in Don Mills with Irina
I’m a RE/MAX Realtron Realty Sales Representative and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) who works across North York and midtown Toronto. Whether you’re buying your first condo, moving your family to Don Mills or selling a long-time family home, I’ll give you honest, local advice, in English or Russian.
- Buying with Irina: how I help buyers find the right home and negotiate well
- Selling with Irina: pricing, preparation and marketing that gets results
- Pre-construction: new condos and homes across the GTA
- Free home evaluation: find out what your home is worth today
- First-time buyer guide, mortgage pre-approval and closing costs: plan your budget before you shop
- New to Canada? My guide to buying a home as a newcomer
Call or text 416-846-8064 or email irina@loveurlife.ca, or send me a message below.
Plan your move to Don Mills
Where is Don Mills?
Gold pin: Don Mills. Click any white pin to open that neighbourhood’s guide.
What would I pay each month?
Start from a typical Don Mills price (MLS® HPI benchmark, September 2026) or type your own:
The 4.5% interest rate is only an example; use the rate your lender or mortgage broker quotes. 30-year amortizations on insured mortgages are for first-time buyers and new builds. Toronto buyers pay both Ontario and Toronto land transfer tax. This is an estimate, not financial advice.
How have prices changed this year?
Typical price for all home types in TRREB district C13: $987,400 in September 2026, -6.9% since October 2025 ($1,060,600).
MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark, October 2025 to September 2026. Source: TRREB Market Watch. Hover over a point to see that month’s figure.
Check your commute
Live travel times from Google Maps, starting in Don Mills. Tip: check at the time of day you’d actually travel.
Don Mills real estate FAQ
Is Don Mills a good place to buy in 2026?
For buyers who want green space, character and a central location, yes. C13 benchmark prices were down year over year in September 2026, and Line 5 Eglinton has improved transit access.
How much does a house cost in Don Mills?
In September 2026, TRREB’s benchmark price for a typical detached home in the C13 district was $1,586,800, with townhouses around $725,500 and condo apartments around $598,000.
Is there a subway in Don Mills?
Line 5 Eglinton opened in February 2026 along Don Mills’ southern edge, and the future Ontario Line will connect at Science Centre station. Line 4 Sheppard’s Don Mills station is further north near Fairview Mall.
Why is Don Mills famous?
It was Canada’s first large-scale planned community, built in the 1950s with crescents, green space and a central shopping area, a model copied across the country.
Is Don Mills good for families?
Yes. It offers parks, ravines, community centres, schools and quiet residential streets.
Useful links
Official sources and local resources I recommend to buyers and sellers (links open in a new tab):
- City of Toronto
- Toronto property tax rates: 2026 rates
- Toronto municipal land transfer tax: rates and fees
- Toronto first-time buyer land transfer tax rebate
- Ontario first-time buyer land transfer tax refund
- Toronto Vacant Home Tax: yearly occupancy declaration
- MPAC: look up a property’s assessed value
- TDSB school locator: find your public schools
- Toronto Catholic District School Board
- Fraser Institute school rankings: compare Ontario school results
- TTC: subway, streetcar and bus routes
- GO Transit: regional trains and buses
- Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): check if a property is in a regulated area
- TRREB Market Watch: monthly GTA sales and price data
Explore nearby areas
- Flemingdon Park: affordable condos just south
- North York: the full district guide
- Willowdale: Yonge Street living to the northwest
- Scarborough: more space for the money to the east
- All area guides: every neighbourhood guide in one place
- Interactive map: see every area on one clickable map
- Bayview Village & Don Valley Village
Compare neighbourhoods: Most affordable areas · Best for families · Best for downsizing · First-time buyer guide · Downsizing guide · All neighbourhood guides