Neighbourhood guide · Toronto & the GTA
Living in Riverdale & the Danforth: Neighbourhood & Real Estate Guide
Moving to Riverdale or the Danforth? Victorian homes, Greektown, Line 2 subway, 2026 prices, schools and parks, plus honest pros and cons.
By Irina Marchenkova, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Realtron Realty · Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) · Last updated September 2026
Riverdale sits just east of the Don Valley, with the Danforth, Toronto’s famous Greektown, running along its northern edge. It’s known for grand Victorian homes, leafy streets, Riverdale Park’s skyline views and easy subway access to downtown along Line 2.
This guide covers Riverdale and the Danforth’s neighbourhoods, homes and prices, transit, schools, lifestyle and the honest pros and cons.
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Neighbourhoods Prices Market Costs Transit Schools Checklist FAQ
Riverdale at a glance
- Where: East of the Don Valley, from the Danforth south toward Queen Street East
- Homes: Victorian and Edwardian semis and detached homes, row houses and some condos
- Transit: Line 2 subway (Broadview, Chester, Pape, Donlands), streetcars on Gerrard, Queen and Broadview
- Best for: Families and professionals who want character homes with subway access
- Big draws: The Danforth, Riverdale Park, Withrow Park and skyline views
Why people choose Riverdale
Subway on the doorstep. Line 2 stations along the Danforth put downtown and midtown within easy reach.
Beautiful older homes. Many streets are lined with renovated Victorian and Edwardian homes.
Greektown and more. The Danforth’s restaurants, shops and the annual Taste of the Danforth festival.
Green space. Riverdale Park East, Withrow Park and the Don Valley trails are close by.
Riverdale is where many of my clients end up when they want a character home, great schools and the subway, all without leaving the city. Location relative to the subway and the park can change prices noticeably, so we compare street by street.
— Irina Marchenkova
Riverdale and Danforth areas
Popular pockets include:
North Riverdale & Playter Estates
Leafy streets between the Danforth and Riverdale Park with larger Victorian and Edwardian homes.
The Danforth (Greektown)
Restaurants, shops and the subway, with homes and condos on the side streets.
South Riverdale
Toward Gerrard and Queen, including Chinatown East, with more affordable row houses.
Withrow Park area
Family streets around one of the east end’s best-loved parks.
Homes and prices in Riverdale
Riverdale’s housing includes:
- Victorian and Edwardian semis and detached homes
- Row houses, especially in South Riverdale
- Condos and townhouses along the Danforth and Broadview
- Renovated and custom-built homes on sought-after streets
Riverdale benchmark prices (September 2026)
Riverdale and the Danforth are part of TRREB district E01, along with Leslieville:
| Area | All homes | Detached | Semi/attached | Townhouse | Condo apt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E01 (Leslieville, Riverside, Riverdale, Danforth) | $1,032,000 | $1,382,900 | $1,185,200 | $769,700 | $595,300 |
| City of Toronto | $908,200 | $1,417,600 | $1,111,200 | $714,700 | $543,800 |
Benchmark prices describe a “typical” home and can differ from any individual sale, and homes near Riverdale Park or the subway often sell well above the district benchmark. E01’s composite benchmark was down only 4.26% year over year in September 2026, one of the most stable results in Toronto.
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 East (incl. East York & Riverdale) | 481 | $956,004 | $880,000 |
| 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 Riverdale
Land transfer tax
Riverdale 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 $1,435,000 | $25,175 | $25,175 | $50,350 | $41,875 |
| Condo apartment at $590,000 | $8,275 | $8,275 | $16,550 | $8,075 |
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 2 Bloor-Danforth: Broadview, Chester, Pape and Donlands stations.
- Streetcars: Routes on Broadview, Gerrard, Queen and King.
- Ontario Line (under construction): A new interchange with Line 2 at Pape station.
- Driving: The Don Valley Parkway is minutes away.
Schools and family life
Riverdale is served by the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board, including Riverdale Collegiate Institute, with French-language options through Viamonde and MonAvenir. Check the TDSB school locator for any address.
Bridgepoint Active Healthcare 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
- The Danforth: Greek restaurants, bakeries and shops, plus the Taste of the Danforth festival
- Riverdale Park East: skyline views, sports fields and a pool
- Withrow Park: a farmers’ market, skating rink and off-leash area
- Don Valley trails and Evergreen Brick Works
- Chinatown East at Gerrard and Broadview
Pros and cons of living in Riverdale
Pros
- Subway access on Line 2
- Beautiful older homes
- Parks and the Don Valley
- Great restaurants on the Danforth
- Stable prices
Cons
- Higher prices near the subway and parks
- Older homes often need updating
- Street parking can be tight
- Ontario Line construction near Pape
- Two land transfer taxes
Before you buy in Riverdale: local checklist
Here’s what I check with buyers in Riverdale:
- Ontario Line construction: check how nearby work may affect homes near Pape station.
- Ravine lots: homes backing onto the Don Valley may be regulated by the TRCA.
- 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 Riverdale 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 great school, a condo by the subway or selling a Victorian home, I’ll give you honest, local advice about Riverdale and the Danforth, 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 Riverdale
Where is Riverdale?
Gold pin: Riverdale. Click any white pin to open that neighbourhood’s guide.
What would I pay each month?
Start from a typical Riverdale 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 E01: $1,032,000 in September 2026, -3.3% since October 2025 ($1,067,000).
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 Riverdale. Tip: check at the time of day you’d actually travel.
Riverdale real estate FAQ
How much does a house cost in Riverdale?
Riverdale is part of TRREB district E01. In September 2026, the benchmark price for a typical detached home was $1,382,900 and for a semi-detached or row house $1,185,200.
What subway stations serve Riverdale?
Line 2 stations along the Danforth: Broadview, Chester, Pape and Donlands.
Is Riverdale good for families?
Yes. Parks, well-regarded schools, subway access and a strong community make it popular with families.
What is the Danforth known for?
The Danforth is Toronto’s Greektown, known for its restaurants, shops and the annual Taste of the Danforth festival.
Do you pay two land transfer taxes in Riverdale?
Yes. Riverdale 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
- Metrolinx: Ontario Line: project updates for new east-end stations
- East York, Danforth and Leslieville condo guide
- The Beaches and east end neighbourhood guide
Explore nearby areas
- Leslieville: just south
- East York: just north
- Leaside: across the Don Valley
- Downtown Toronto: a few subway stops west
- All area guides: every neighbourhood guide in one place
- Interactive map: see every area on one clickable map
- The Danforth
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 East York, Danforth & Leslieville condo guide on IrinaSellsCondos.ca.