City of Toronto
North York
Rank: 11
Universe: 67,303
Vacancies: 1.3% ↓
Rents: $1214 ↑
Toronto’s Northern Neighbour Offers Big Buildings Ready for Repositioning
Compared to the old City of Toronto, North York has a slightly lower concentration of apartments. Even so, North York has a slightly higher vacancy rate and a lower average rent, though vacancies are dropping, and rents remain comfortably above the provincial average.
North York shares in Toronto’s economic experience, but hasn’t had the benefit of rapid growth within Toronto’s downtown core. Four of the city’s priority neighbourhoods are found here, including Jane-Finch, Flemingdon Park O’Connor, Lawrence Heights and Westminster-Branson. Jane-Finch, in particular, has struggled to rise above the stigma of years of bad news.
North York’s lower average rents are also a draw for new residents looking for more affordable accommodations while they commute to work elsewhere. Transportation connections with the rest of the city are strong, and getting stronger.
In the past couple of decades, North York has worked to bolster its commercial development and intensify its residential neighbourhoods. The opening of the Sheppard subway and intensification along Yonge Street have helped increase heights and density in North York’s new downtown core and along Sheppard Avenue and the 401. Construction has begun on an extension of the Spadina subway to York University which should increase densities and rental demand.
While North York does not have the supply or the prices of the old City of Toronto and East York, this helps buyers and investors, offering good value for long term holds and repositioning plays.
Market Outlook
- Northwest quadrant offers challenging market.
- Northeast quadrant offers stable expansion.
- Southeast quadrant offers good value for repositioning.
- North-Bathurst corridor especially good as a long-term income play, especially for seniors.
- Large reserve of stock in the mid-market presents many good opportunities.
