Roncesvalles Village Toronto's West End Neighbourhood

General Price range for residential property ($620's++)

This bustling hood is said to have the largest concentration of young families in all of Canada. Besides being kid and pet-friendly, this happy hood is a mini-paradise for locavores looking to nosh on some super fresh foods. The area continues to have a strong Polish flavour as well as being balanced by a slow but steadily emerging unique retail mix that includes many quaint coffee spots, eateries, weekend farmers market, bookstores and of course the restored Revue movie theatre. Pedestrian-friendly Roncesvalles Village has definitely morphed into a destination location. So if you’re looking to live in a place that allows you to walk to anything and everything worthwhile such as High Park and the lake, this hood is it.

As far as housing stock goes you generally have a mixture of well-maintained Victorians and Edwardians. You have your general mixture of semi-detached, detached, and row homes that dot each unique street. In the last 6-10 years or so some decent condo/ loft stock (Robert Watson Lofts, Feather Factory Lofts, High Park Lofts) has emerged. This includes church conversions (The Abbey Lofts on Sunnyside Avenue). As far as new condos in the area, Howard Park Avenue east of Roncesvalles Avenue will be accomodating 2 new condos along that chunk of Howard up to Dundas. Some folks in the neighbourhood have expressed concerns that this project might be too large for the site however personally I would rather be looking at attractive low- rise condos rather then ugly propane stations. This vibrant project will allow folks to get into this fabulous area at a lower price point. The first proposed condo has an occupancy of January 2014 and will be an 8 eight storey building with 104 residential units. At a later date,  a 10 storey 96 unit building will be built. A total of 163 parking spots will be created and 208 bicycle parking spaces are proposed.  Where parking is concerned, lane-access parking as well as permit parking are the norm here. Like many older areas in the city, this one boasts many well-renovated homes as well as homes in need of some eventual TLC.

Neighbourhood hotspots abound all along the Ronces strip. I don’t want to inject any bias here but I will, ha ha!! As far as coffee spots go you have the first fair trade coffee shop in the area better known as Alternative Grounds. You've got Lit that does a decent americano as well as The Cherry Bomb south of Pearson Avenue along Ronces. We can't forget Timothy's on the corner of Ronces and Grenadier. Wait! Can't forget Coffee and all that Jazz on Howard Avenue. Great coffee, nice staff. Where restos are concerned you've got your choice of Thai places as well as finer dining towards the north end of Ronces (Blue Plate, Lardon, Shalamar, Fat Cat, Domani, The Westerly, the new Barque Smokehouse and The Ace further south) Delis are a no brainer here, if you're into meat you're in luck, you've got Springcreek Farms, Rowe Meats and all the Polish delis in between. If you feel like some hooch, you'll find it at Intersteer, The Local, Gate 403, The Dizzy (tasty food here too!), Gabby's, Chopin. Plus, Pollock's Hardware is great, the staff is very helpful and they know what they're talking about. Whew! I hope I didn't miss anyone! Sorry if I did...Whatever you’re looking for to accommodate daily life, you’ll find it here. Pretty much the whole strip is one giant hotspot.

The annual Polish Festival that runs in mid September is one event where area residents and visitors can sample some edible earthly delights as well as experience vibrant live entertainment. In 2011, CONSTRUCTION ALONG RONCES ENDED!!! We're still celebrating, at least I am!! Have I mentioned the year-round live music venues? Gate 403 on the northern edge of the Ronc as well as Hugh's Room on Dundas Street West certainly don't dissapoint.

The closest subway station is Dundas West. Depending on where you are and your walking pace it could take you 15-20 minutes or just take the north bound 504 King car to the subway. In addition, there’s a GO station located on the north/east corner of Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West behind the Crossway’s complex. With the beautification project that’s nearing an end; you’ll have even more reason to take a leisurely stroll along the Ronc.

TTC link: www3.ttc.ca

For those that drive, the Ronc is not a place teaming with Green P parking lots like the hood on the other side of High Park, Bloor West Village. There's one mini P on Sorauren opposite the Robert Watson lofts (thereabouts) as well as another mini P beside the Starbucks at the intersection of Ronces and Dundas West. Street parking along Roncesvalles is still an option however I've been told that roughly 50 existing parking spots have been taken away as a result of the city's beautification initiative. In addition, at 220 Roncesvalles behind the Polish Credit Union (big white building on the west side between Fern and Wright Avenue) there is parking!

Support the Sorauren Park Town Square Fundraising Campaign! 

Help build a new Town Square in Sorauren Park by "Purchasing a Paver". Your donations receive a tax deductible receipt and your name will be recognized on the Sorauren Park website as well as the donor wall in the Fieldhouse. The new community "Purchase a Paver" campaign stems from the successful Fieldhouse "Buy a Brick" campaign. Fill out a donation form from local retailers for or visit www.SoraurenPark.com to donate today!!

Good news for those with a penchant for alcohol, for the past year or so residents have stopped making the long trek to the Brockton LCBO or (gasp) the Bloor West LCBO. Now residents can pop into the new LCBO north of the Roncesvalles/ Dundas Street West intersection at the Loblaws mini-plaza. Lots of free parking here.As far as the area's history is concerned, by now I figure you've read most "paraphrased" versions about John Howard and Colonel O'Hara. For you history buffs, I say enough of the borrowed, remasticated info and check it out on wikipedia instead.

Click here for wikipedia link

Here's a list of neighbourhood schools:

Recreation Facilities:

Holy Family Community Centre (Close Avenue)

Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre (Cowan Avenue)

McCormick Recreation Centre (Sheridan Avenue)

Parkdale Community Centre (West Lodge Avenue) 

In addition, the Parkdale Public Library on Queen Street  (East of Lansdowne) and the High Park Public Library on Roncesvalles both provide programming for Parkdalians.

Call us first for anything and all to do with Roncesvalles Village or beyond. Better yet, come visit us at our office at 163A Roncesvalles Avenue! (between Fern and Garden Avenue) 416-251-2999

To view listings in Roncesvalles Village please click here

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