The Toronto real estate landscape is rich and diverse. From high-rise condos to residential homes, there is something for everyone in Ontario’s most populous city. However, if you’re looking for a beachfront home or condo, then the search stops here! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best neighbourhoods with great waterfront properties on sale right now – from Downtown to Scarborough. Read on if your dream home has always been by the water.
Harbourfront
The Harbourfront neighbourhood is one of the most desirable spots to buy beachfront real estate in Toronto. Located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, several high-end condominium developments have shaped the neighbourhood’s skyline in recent years. The buildings offer modern condo dwellers units overlooking the calm Lake Ontario waters, entertainment opportunities, and upscale amenities, just a few steps away from Old Toronto, Downtown, and Fashion District.
High-rise apartment buildings are the main course in the Harbourfront real estate menu. Some have been around for decades, but new developments are somewhat constant in the area, offering home buyers a wide range of condo styles and prices, most of them with endless water views. The community is primarily made up of young professionals and is family-friendly, with access to several schools, community centres, urban parks, and childcare facilities.
This stylish Toronto neighbourhood is highly tourist-centric, and it’s considered an urban beachfront artistic and cultural hub. It comprises tons of street art, entertainment venues, art galleries, picturesque seaside restaurants and cafes, and water-centred sports and activities for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Most of the businesses in the area are located on the shopping floor of the buildings. While public transportation options are abundant, residents love how walkable and bike-friendly the neighbourhood is. If we just highlighted the penthouses in Harbourfront, it’d make one of the top 5 most luxurious neighbourhoods in Toronto.
Cliffcrest
Nestled along the banks of Lake Ontario, Cliffcrest is a prime location for waterfront real estate in Toronto. Home to the spectacular Scarborough Bluffs, this neighbourhood is a beautiful seaside residential suburb part of the Scarborough area. Here, glass and metal high-rise condo buildings are nowhere to be found. Instead, homebuyers can find relatively-affordable housing, predominantly detached and semi-detached houses and bungalows from the 40s and 50s and newer custom homes.
Cliffcrest also has a waterfront cottage community located south of Kingston Road for those looking to purchase property with breathtaking lake views. There is also a small area with boathouses for sale on the water. The neighbourhood is family-oriented, with good schools and amenities such as several small shopping plazas scattered around, offering an array of services, dining options, and professional and medical offices.
Recreational alternatives include Bluffers Park, a lakeside park and marina that features a large beach, picnic areas, yacht clubs and a waterfront eatery. Tots Park is another local favourite, with a kid’s playground and a baseball diamond, along with Halbert Park, located on the northern side of Cliffcrest offering families a wading pool, a playground, a sports field, and an outdoor pool.
Mimico
Mimico is a lakefront Toronto neighbourhood well-known for its beauty and affordable property prices. The up-and-coming area is part of Etobicoke, a district located in the city’s west-end, within a short commute of Toronto’s core.
Here, waterfront real estate is not as costly as in other parts of town, and homebuyers can choose between charming bungalows dating from the 20s to 40s and an ample supply of vintage Tudor-style and Arts and Craft-style homes. There are also exquisite mansions with stunning lake views along Lake Shore Boulevard and new construction alternatives, including custom waterfront condo developments and townhomes for sale.
The vibrant, diverse community is well-connected by public transit, has excellent schools and close-by amenities, including shopping areas with a nice variety of eclectic, locally-owned shops and restaurants.
Mimico prides itself on being home to several events and local contests year-round. It also offers residents excellent recreational facilities such as lovely waterfront parks and parkettes, boardwalks, and many lush landscapes to explore. The Mimico Arena hosts lacrosse and hockey matches, and there are various sports clubs, swimming pools, community centres, and libraries for locals to entertain. The neighbourhood’s waterfront connects to Mark Goodman Trail, a direct and challenging commute to Downtown for cyclists.
The Beaches
The Beaches is a coastal jewel and a hot spot for beachfront real estate purchasers in the city. Also known as The Beach, this charming, tourist-centred Toronto neighbourhood is situated east of Downtown. With quaint tree-lined streets and lovely lakefront houses, this area is perfect for those looking for a relaxed lifestyle away (but not too far) from the buzzing city.
As expected, The Beaches real estate market encompasses many remodelled beach cottages from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Still, most of the homes for sale in the area are detached and semi-detached single-family homes from the 20s and 30s that have been modernized to meet today’s needs and tastes. The local dwelling stock includes new home developments, low to mid-rise condo buildings with available units for sale and rent, and a few vacant townhouses. The architectural design and home types are widely diverse in The Beach.
The Beach doesn’t lack entertainment, especially during the summer months, when the waterfront is crowded with residents, Torontonians, and vacationists from all over the globe. Everybody wants to be in The Boardwalk, the neighbourhood’s notable landmark, but there’s Ashbridge’s Bay Park, a local’s favourite for picnicking, beach volleyball, and windsurfing. Additional fun awaits at Glen Stewart Park’s nature-filled trails, the Donald Summerville Pool, and Kew Gardens’ tennis courts, ice rink, and children’s playground.
Amenities in The Beaches are on Queen Street and Kingston Road, the two preferred shopping districts. Both streets offer a large variety of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. The first one is more commercial and caters to tourists, while the second appeals more to locals looking to run everyday errands.
Birchcliffe-Cliffside
Birchcliffe-Cliffside is a scenic neighbourhood located east of The Beaches in the Scarborough division of Toronto. Set amidst the picturesque backdrop of Lake Ontario and the Scarborough Bluffs, the area is about a 30-minute drive away from Downtown Toronto. The serene, small neighbourhood is highly sought after, especially among homebuyers dreaming of a suburban, beachfront lifestyle.
Most of the homes for sale in Birchcliffe-Cliffside are single-family detached two-storey homes. The dwelling stock is a mixture of original homes built between 1910 and 1950 and modern houses from the 80s and 90s. Tudor, Cape Cod, and Edwardian styles are easily found here, and most of the homes have well-manicured side yards.
A top favourite area to buy property in Birchcliffe-Cliffside is the Fallingbrook District, a prime real estate pocket filled with magnificent, stately homes overlooking Lake Ontario. The neighbourhood also has a few condos for sale along Kingston Road and sprinkled throughout its northern side.
Also located along Kingston Road, the backbone of Birchcliffe-Cliffside, are the majority of the area’s stores, groceries, supermarkets, art galleries, pubs, and dining options. Here residents also find several professional and medical services.
Birchcliffe-Cliffside is filled with recreational spaces. The neighbourhood is home to the Toronto Hunt Club, a public lakefront golf course, and the Bluffer’s Park Yacht Club for those interested in boating or yachting. The Birchmount Community Centre offers programs and activities for all ages and features an indoor pool.