Real Estate Guide › Central

Dufferin Grove

Average 2007 sale price:: $587,500
Property crime:: very high
Crime against people:: very high
Neighbourhood map:: See map

Many neighbourhoods in the city are collections of streets in search of a centre. Dufferin Grove, with its eponymous 14-acre park, is an exception. The focal point of this very local-minded neighbourhood, the park raises the bar of community activism with a wide range of services and neighbourly camaraderie—including potluck suppers, year-round farmers’ markets and a communal outdoor oven; there’s even parkwide Wi-Fi for bench surfing. Dufferin Mall has gotten spiffier of late, adding bigger-name stores (H&M and Aeropostale are recent arrivals) and renovating its exterior. In contrast to Dufferin’s bustle, streets such as Rusholme manage an impressive degree of serenity. The neighbourhood is fairly family-heavy with Portuguese still the dominant language on some streets. Brockton Village, which occupies the western half of this district, draws artists with its affordable prices.

HOUSING STOCK: Like the Annex 15 years ago, there are some rather grand single-family dwellings, some rather grand houses split into apartments, some houses in questionable states of repair, and some that are falling over. Rusholme is the best bet for finding structural integrity.

BARGAIN ZONES: Prices get lower as you get further west, especially after Lansdowne, at the top of the Junction. Of course the houses are smaller, too. Lately, two-bedroom Victorian and Edwardian row houses have lured ambitious buyers who have been priced well beyond Roncesvalles’s grander borders. Be wary of bidding wars.

THE VERDICT: Among the many similarities to the Annex of the ’80s and ’90s is one major difference—it borders on not one, but two active commercial strips: Bloor and College. This is a neighbourhood that’s been on the rise for some time but has not come close to its price ceiling.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Arabesque A real find—tiny, with two outdoor tables in good weather and room for only a handful of customers indoors—this Arabic and Middle Eastern nook has freshly baked buns with all manner of fillings, and one of the best falafels in the city. 1068 College St., 416-504-8146.
Brazil Bakery Open surprisingly late (last call for pastry is midnight), this bakery-cum-café hums with Portuguese banter as regulars chit chat while selecting the perfect pastel de nata. 1566 Dundas St. W., 416-531-2888.
The Common Fair-trade organic coffee made to order and delectable pastries baked by the owner’s father have established this as a neighbourhood hub for laptop toters and moms with kids. 1071 College St., 416-546-7789.
Zoinks! Music and Books One of the last of a dying breed of used book and music stores, this stalwart sells DVDs, CDs, vinyl and a small but wisely chosen (or serendipitous) collection of books. 1019 Bloor St. W., 416-913-8827.

Nearby Restaurants

Churrasqueira Aveirense

The floral tiles and blue tablecloths in this authentic Portuguese taverna lend a banquet-hall flavour. ... (0.60 km away)

Pho My Duyen

The geometrically designed and mirror-accented interior of this bright, spacious restaurant give it a refreshing, ... (0.60 km away)

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Commuting

King and Bay:: 4.5 km
401 and 400:: 9.6 km
Gardiner and 427:: 10.1 km
Subways:: Dufferin Station 0.7 km; Ossington Station 1.2 km; Dundas West Station 1.3 km