Today, let’s talk all about The Junction, one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Toronto’s West End. The first question is easy. Where is The Junction in Toronto? It’s nestled a little north of High Park and is bordered by Annette Street, St. Clair Avenue, and Runnymede Road close to the Canadian National Railway corridor.
Now that’s out of the way, we can dive deeper into the real questions burning on everyone’s mind. We know where it is, but what’s it like to live here, are there any fun things to do, and what exactly is The Junction all about? Without further ado, here’s everything you ever wanted to know about one of Toronto’s hippest neighbourhoods.
Is there a home in The Junction with your name written all over it? Find out by searching our featured listings right here.
Is The Junction the New Roncy?
Move over, Roncesvalles; there’s a new trendy neighbourhood in the West End! “Roncy,” as the locals call it, has always held the title as the most fashionable enclave in Toronto. All of the unique coffee shops, lively boutiques, and delectable restaurants all helped Roncesvalles build its reputation as the most nonchalantly coolest ‘hood around.
Now, The Junction is nipping at Roncy’s heels as a hip and trendy hotspot. (Do the kids still describe things as “hip?” Or have we just aged ourselves into oblivion? No matter, we are sure all demographics will agree that The Junction is hip without a doubt.)
West End Toronto is the place to be for home buyers from all walks of life. You’ll get some value tips for house hunting in the posts below:
- Buying Your First Home: A Guide to Toronto’s West End
- What Is a Loft in Toronto?
- Interview with a First Time Home Buyer
Things to Do in the Junction
The number of fun things to do and experience is a big part of what makes a neighbourhood desirable. And no matter what your age or lifestyle preferences, you will find no shortage of ways to spend quality time in The Junction.
For young children, this West End neighbourhood is essentially a giant playground. This is literally true, thanks to the great abundance of playgrounds, splash pads and wading pools all around. There are also indoor play centres, as well as numerous programmed activities at the local library. If the kids are happy, the parents are happy, which makes The Junction one of Toronto’s top family-friendly neighbourhoods.
Tweens and teens can be a tough crowd to please, but even they can’t fail to find fun and productive ways to spend their time in The Junction. Fun activities to keep them active and out of trouble include cycling, skateboarding, inline skating, and hiking.
The West End is full of breathtaking green spaces everyone of all ages will instantly fall in love with. For the more artistically inclined, there are arts programs and interactive workshops at the library and local community centres. If in doubt, there’s always good old-fashioned live music and entertainment – these activities never go out of style. There are even karaoke bars where visitor’s can push their vocal limits while sharing a laugh with (or at) their friends.
Shopping and Dining
Technically, one could argue that a vibrant shopping and dining scene falls under the heading of “things to do.” But The Junction has so many options that we could fill an entire book series, never mind a single paragraph.
Suffice to say, you’ll find a ton of restaurants with various cuisines all over the neighbourhood. Eat in, dine out, or take a walking food tour; try as you may, you will never taste it all! When you see all of the lively pubs, bars, and live music venues, you may be surprised to know that prohibition in The Junction lasted right through to the year 2000! That’s just one fascinating fact from The Junction’s rich history.
If you’re more focused on modern times, the community recently featured its new Taste of the Junction Festival, giving residents a chance to sample the flavours from twenty different restaurants.
If dining out doesn’t interest you, check out The Junction Farmer’s Market or one of the little gourmet food shops around. You’ll pick up tons of ideas for your next recipe, along with a host of fresh ingredients for a chef-worthy meal. If you’re looking for something specific, just check out The Junction Business Improvement Area.
An Overview of The Junction Real Estate
The past, present, and future all come to life when you start looking at the types of houses in The Junction. You’ll find gorgeous Century homes, predominantly in Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craft architectural styles. Development here has not been slow, however, as evidenced by the number of significantly renovated and completely custom-designed houses!
The Junction is fantastic for those seeking a larger detached property in Toronto. Whatever your aesthetic preferences, the neighbourhood has it, along with a mix of newer condos and townhouses that make the area more accessible than you may realize. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, looking to downsize to a trendy condo, or an established professional moving up in the world, you can’t help but love all that The Junction has to offer!
Are you searching for the perfect home in the perfect neighbourhood? Our West Toronto Realtors® can point you in the right direction. Contact us today at 416-788-1823 or email kim@kimkehoe.com to learn more.