Neighbourhood guide · Toronto & the GTA
Living in Leaside: Neighbourhood & Real Estate Guide
Moving to Leaside? Family homes, top-rated schools, Bayview Avenue shops and Line 5 Eglinton, with 2026 prices, taxes and pros and cons.
By Irina Marchenkova, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Realtron Realty · Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) · Last updated September 2026
Leaside is one of Toronto’s most sought-after family neighbourhoods, a planned community from the early 20th century between the Don Valley and Bayview Avenue. It’s known for tree-lined streets of brick homes, well-regarded schools, the shops on Bayview and Laird, and a strong village feel, now with Line 5 Eglinton running along its northern edge.
This guide covers Leaside’s streets, homes and prices, transit, schools, lifestyle and the honest pros and cons.
.jpg){kind=link}
Neighbourhoods Prices Market Costs Transit Schools Checklist FAQ
Leaside at a glance
- Where: Central Toronto, east of Bayview Avenue and north of the Don Valley’s Crothers Woods
- Homes: Detached and semi-detached brick homes, many renovated or rebuilt
- Transit: Line 5 Eglinton (Laird, Leslie and Bayview-area stops), buses to Line 1 and Line 2
- Best for: Families focused on schools and community
- Big draws: Schools, Bayview Avenue shops, parks and a village atmosphere
Why people choose Leaside
Schools families seek out. Leaside’s public schools are among the most sought-after in Toronto.
A village in the city. Bayview Avenue and Laird Drive offer shops, cafés, grocers and services within walking distance.
Transit on the doorstep. Line 5 Eglinton opened in February 2026, with stops along Leaside’s northern edge.
Parks and ravines. Trace Manes Park, Serena Gundy Park, Sunnybrook Park and the Don Valley trails are close by.
Leaside buyers are usually thinking long-term about schools and community. I help them weigh a renovated home against a lot with rebuild potential, because both are common here.
— Irina Marchenkova
Leaside areas
Leaside is often described in two parts:
North Leaside
North of Millwood Road toward Eglinton, with larger lots, newer rebuilds and quick access to Line 5.
South Leaside
South of Millwood, with charming brick homes, semis and walkable access to Bayview Avenue.
Bennington Heights (nearby)
A small, leafy enclave west of Bayview, surrounded by ravines.
Homes and prices in Leaside
Leaside’s housing includes:
- Detached brick homes from the 1920s to 1950s
- Semi-detached homes, popular with young families
- Rebuilt and custom homes on many streets
- A few condos and townhouses along Bayview and Eglinton
Leaside benchmark prices (September 2026)
Leaside is part of TRREB district C11, which also includes the more affordable condo communities of Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park:
| Area | All homes | Detached | Semi/attached | Townhouse | Condo apt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C11 (Leaside, Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park) | $1,142,800 | $2,174,100 | $1,304,000 | $556,600 | $409,600 |
| City of Toronto | $908,200 | $1,417,600 | $1,111,200 | $714,700 | $543,800 |
Because C11 blends Leaside’s houses with nearby condo communities, the detached and semi figures are the best guide for Leaside itself: a typical detached home was benchmarked at $2,174,100 and a semi at $1,304,000 in September 2026. Ask me for recent Leaside 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 | 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%. For the latest numbers on a specific street, ask me for a free market report, or read my September 2026 market update.
What it costs to buy in Leaside
Land transfer tax
Leaside is in the City of Toronto, so 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 $2,230,000 | $42,225 | $42,225 | $84,450 | $75,975 |
| Semi-detached home at $1,350,000 | $23,475 | $23,475 | $46,950 | $38,475 |
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.
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.
| 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 stops along Eglinton Avenue at Leaside’s northern edge, connecting to Line 1 at Eglinton station.
- Buses: TTC routes on Bayview and Laird connect to Line 1 and Line 2.
- Ontario Line (under construction): stations in nearby Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park.
- Driving: The Don Valley Parkway is minutes away.
Schools and family life
Leaside is served by the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board, including well-known schools such as Leaside High School, with French-language options through Viamonde and MonAvenir. School boundaries can matter a lot here, so check the TDSB school locator for any address.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Michael Garron Hospital are nearby.
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 $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.
- Ontario: Find and pay for child care: search licensed centres province-wide
- 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
- Bayview Avenue: boutiques, cafés, grocers and restaurants
- Leaside Memorial Community Gardens: arenas and a pool
- Trace Manes Park and neighbourhood parks
- Sunnybrook Park and Serena Gundy Park: trails and sports fields
- Laird Drive: big-box shopping and services
Pros and cons of living in Leaside
Pros
- Sought-after schools
- Village feel with walkable shops
- Line 5 Eglinton access
- Parks and ravines
- Strong long-term demand
Cons
- Among Toronto’s higher prices
- Many homes need updating or rebuilding
- Limited condo options
- Laird and Bayview traffic
- Two land transfer taxes
Before you buy in Leaside: local checklist
Here’s what I check with buyers in Leaside:
- Rebuilds: check zoning and committee of adjustment history before planning an addition or new build.
- School boundaries: confirm catchments with the TDSB for the exact address.
- 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 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.
- 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 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 Leaside with Irina
I’m a RE/MAX Realtron Realty Sales Representative and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®). Whether you’re buying a family home near a top school, planning a rebuild or selling a renovated home, I’ll give you honest, local advice about Leaside, 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
- 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 Leaside
Where is Leaside?
Gold pin: Leaside. Click any white pin to open that neighbourhood’s guide.
What would I pay each month?
Start from a typical Leaside 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 C11: $1,142,800 in September 2026, -0.1% since October 2025 ($1,144,400).
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 Leaside. Tip: check at the time of day you’d actually travel.
Leaside real estate FAQ
How much does a house cost in Leaside?
Leaside is in TRREB district C11. In September 2026, the benchmark price for a typical detached home in C11 was $2,174,100 and for a semi-detached home $1,304,000.
Is Leaside good for families?
Yes. Sought-after schools, parks, walkable shops and a strong community make Leaside one of Toronto’s most popular family neighbourhoods.
Does Leaside have a subway?
Line 5 Eglinton opened in February 2026 along Leaside’s northern edge, connecting to Line 1 at Eglinton station.
What is Bennington Heights?
A small, leafy enclave west of Bayview Avenue, surrounded by ravines, often considered part of the greater Leaside area.
Do you pay two land transfer taxes in Leaside?
Yes. Leaside is in the City of Toronto, so buyers pay both the Ontario and Toronto land transfer taxes.
Useful links
Official sources and local resources I recommend (links open in a new tab):
- City of Toronto
- Toronto property tax rates: 2026 rates
- Toronto municipal land transfer tax
- Toronto first-time buyer land transfer tax rebate
- Ontario first-time buyer land transfer tax refund
- Toronto Vacant Home Tax
- MPAC: look up a property’s assessed value
- TDSB school locator
- Toronto Catholic District School Board
- Fraser Institute school rankings
- TTC: subway, streetcar and bus routes
- Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
- TRREB Market Watch
- TTC: Line 5 Eglinton: routes and service updates
Explore nearby areas
- Midtown: just west
- Don Mills: to the north-east
- Flemingdon Park: just east
- East York: to the south-east
- All area guides: every neighbourhood guide in one place
- Interactive map: see every area on one clickable map
- Rosedale & Moore Park
Compare neighbourhoods: Most affordable areas · Best for families · Best for downsizing · First-time buyer guide · Downsizing guide · All neighbourhood guides