When choosing the perfect place for retirement, location is crucial. For many older adults—especially with their adult children assisting with the move—East End Toronto provides a unique mix of charm, convenience, and community.
In this blog, I’ve highlighted three East End neighbourhoods that my clients have been drawn to: The Beaches, Victoria Village, and Guildwood. I will discuss access to healthcare and support services, neighbourhood safety, affordable and accessible housing, transportation options, and lifestyle.
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The Beaches
This is a place close to my heart because it’s the community where I live. It’s a vibrant outdoor community located right on the lake.
Healthcare in The Beaches
Many retirees live in The Beaches, and it seems like there’s a healthcare provider on every block. Michael Garron Hospital is just a 15-minute drive away. Its proximity to downtown allows easy access to medical specialists when needed. Several retirement residences in the neighbourhood offer more supportive living options.
Is The Beaches Safe?
The Beaches is a safe neighbourhood with 2024 crime rates more than 30% lower than the Toronto average.
Housing in The Beaches
If you’re looking to buy a home, The Beaches provides a range of housing options at various price levels. The area includes a mix of traditional detached and semi-detached homes, condominiums, and some affordable co-op apartments. Bungalows are rare in The Beaches but are common in nearby areas like the Hunt Club.
Public Transportation in The Beaches
The Beaches can be reached by streetcar, GO-Train (Danforth), buses, and is just a short bus ride from Coxwell, Main, or Victoria Park subway stations. Only a 20-minute drive to downtown, making it easy to access everything Toronto offers. Please note: If you prefer driving, be sure to look for properties with parking, as street parking might be limited in this neighbourhood.
Lifestyle
This is where the Beaches really shine! There is so much to do, from exploring the beaches and ravines. Additionally, there are gyms, fitness studios, and the new YMCA on Kingston Road. If you are a golfer, the Hunt Club is just down the street, and the Balmy Beach Club is a beachfront social club with many events and activities.
There are local seniors’ organizations, such as Centre 55, and many local churches also host networking activities. It is worth noting that this is a very walkable neighbourhood. Many residents walk to either Kingston Road or Queen Street for groceries, restaurants, cafes, shopping, or medical services.
On the hunt for senior-focused real estate resources? Explore these blog posts!
Victoria Village
This is a hidden gem in Toronto’s east end and a great choice for senior housing. Located just east of the Don Valley between Lawrence and Eglinton, this neighbourhood features quality bungalows on quiet streets at affordable prices. My grandparents lived here before moving into a retirement home, and I can confirm it was a friendly, senior-oriented community; neighbours often helped with lawn care and meals. The level of care residents showed each other was truly remarkable.
Healthcare in Victoria Village
Access to healthcare is convenient, with a 20-minute drive to Scarborough General Hospital. Doctors and medical services are mostly situated along the main roads in the areas around Lawrence, Eglinton, and Victoria Park. Like the Beaches, there are plenty of retirement residences to choose from when taking care of a property becomes too much.
Is Victoria Village Safe?
Victoria Village is a safe neighbourhood with 2024 crime rates approximately 20% lower than the Toronto average.
Housing in Victoria Village
This quiet neighbourhood features many bungalows on spacious lots, making it perfect for older adults who prefer single-story living while enjoying the privacy of a house. There are also condo and apartment options along the main streets.
Public Transportation in Victoria Village
Houses in Victoria Village usually include driveways. If you are a driver, you have straightforward access to the Don Valley Parkway and the 401, making it simple to reach anywhere in the GTA. There are also bus routes serving this neighbourhood. In the future, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line is expected to start operating, offering convenient access to the Toronto Subway lines.
Lifestyle
You will find many excellent restaurants and shopping centers along Eglinton Avenue East between Victoria Park and Birchmount. Here, you’ll find big box stores like Walmart, Canadian Tire, Winners, and Homesense (where you’re likely to run into my wife on a weekend afternoon, hunting for the perfect accessory to add to our staging inventory).
Just ten minutes west of the neighbourhood is the Shops of Don Mills. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the Don Valley trail system, one of the city’s top trail networks, which I often use to exercise my dog, Molly. Victoria Village Arena and Community Centre offer a variety of programs suitable for people of all ages.
Looking for more advice on senior-friendly neighbourhoods in Ontario? Explore these related blogs!
- Best Places to Retire in Ontario
- What Are Scarborough’s Best Senior Neighbourhoods?
- Best Small Towns in Ontario to Retire to
Guildwood
Sitting on the shore of Lake Ontario in Scarborough is the little-known neighbourhood of Guildwood. This is one of my favourite communities to recommend as an east-end option in Toronto, especially one of the best neighbourhoods in Scarborough. Guildwood, or “The Guild,” as it’s called, is genuinely a place where seniors can age in place.
Healthcare in Guildwood
The Guild is a great community with local medical offices and support services connected to the Scarborough Health Network, making it easy to access hospitals like Scarborough General Hospital and Scarborough Centenary Hospital. Doctors’ offices and paramedical services are usually found in and around Kingston Road, north of this peaceful neighbourhood. There are also many retirement residence options available, so you can stay in the area when you need more supportive housing.
Is Guildwood Safe?
Guildwood ranks among the top 10 safest neighbourhoods in Toronto, based on 2024 crime statistics, with a crime rate nearly 50% below the city average.
Housing in Guildwood
When it comes to East Toronto seniors’ real estate, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better options in terms of price and value. Like Victoria Village, this quiet neighbourhood offers many quality detached bungalows on spacious lots. If you’re interested in a condo, the Tridel condos on Guildwood Parkway are unbeatable. I recently helped a retired couple secure a house-sized penthouse with a clear view of Lake Ontario for less than half the price you’d pay downtown for the same amenities.
Public Transportation in Guildwood
If you need to visit the local grocery store in Guildwood or nearby communities, you’re more likely to drive there by car since most amenities are on Kingston Road. There are TTC bus routes for non-drivers, and the Guildwood GO Station is just four stops from Union, making it easy to commute into the city. Guildwood is about a 10-minute drive from the 401, providing quick access to the rest of the GTA.
Lifestyle
If you enjoy being outdoors and walking along the waterfront trails, Guildwood offers options like Sylvan Park, South Marine Park, Grey Abbey Park, and The Guild Inn Estate. Community organizations and recreational activities are available at the Scarborough Village Community Centre. There’s a wide variety of activities to stay active and social, including sports, arts & crafts, and theatre groups.
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