Is the East Side the New West Side?

Nice post. Does this mean I should've stayed in St Jamestown? Damn.

Wait, who thought Moss Park was competition? I'd pit the Beaches park against Trinity Bellwoods as a more worthy match.

Besides, is Moss Park really "east end"? Seems more central to me.

I think Yonge St is the clear delineation. East of Yonge is east side, and west of Yonge is west side.

Is there a "central Toronto". I'm not so sure.

It's true, all the cool kids are moving East: http://brokenengine.blogspot.com/2007/02/east-siiiiide.html

Jerrold: I'd take that as a technical definition (it is on the street signs, after all), but I think the boundary "feels" more like the DVP, at least personally.

I guess it could possibly depend on how far into each end you live.

When I lived at Sherbourne and Richmond I certainly considered it pretty east relative to where I spent most of my time. Very rarely did I ever head west from there.

I like the east end just the way it is. Condos ruin things.

I like the east end just the way it is. Condos ruin things.

Imagine living in a loft built on the old Oh Canada tavern. Hipsters will be despised by the homeless even more.

I can't wait for the uber-hipsters that move into Queen/Sherbourne to embrace Crack as the "new dirty hip thing". Of course, that will only serve to kill the meth epidemic...

When I lived at Richmond/Ontario, that hood was about as unhip as you could get. I was embarrased to invite any friends over to visit me. Did I say embarrased? I meant, I was a good friend that didn't want any of them to get stabbed.

The new loft-condos additions to Carlaw Ave. at Queen St. East represent, in my personal opinion, a reasonable alternative to King West prices and affordability.

I wrote about The Printing Factory as such alternative in my blog:
http://urbanrealtytoronto.com/wordpress/2007/03/08/the-printing-factory-lofts-on-carlaw-ave/

Toronto is changing and as long as demand outgrows supply - like we've seen in the past decade - prices will increase. Add to this the increasing cost of land, labour, materials, transportation, taxes and other factors, and you'll understand that Toronto prices are likely to increase even further.

"The East End", i.e. East of DVP, is approximately the same distance to Eaton Centre as the new West Side Lofts are, yet it offers the freshness of up-and-coming neighboorhood which is still unknown to many, available TTC and bicycle access, or driving access to Gardiner, DVP and Eastern Ave. and you can still find street parking.
Within a couple of years the entire Carlaw Ave. "compound" will be re-built as more old factories turn into residential loft living, and additions of new construction to join. Prices are now at the $333 to $350 PSF range for your typical 1-bedroom condo loft, or approx $200,000 for 600 sqft. Compare that with $270,000 at M5V...

I don't think the "east end" really starts until you cross the river. Woodbine, represent!

Woot Woot!

I would just like to thank all the new east siders for driving the value of my house at Pape and Gerard up by $150,000 more than I paid for it.

Suckas!

Jeremy, I translated that as "Hey Tim, welcome to the neighbourhood, feel free to drop by for a BBQ!" _________Yes ____________No ______________Maybe

Yay, escalating property taxes!

No kidding--the East will rise. Jarvis had some of the biggest, grandest and (if it's possible most undervalued) real estate in the downtown core. Two Starbucks have crept into the neighborhood of Queen & Sherbourne (King/George & Church/Shuter).

The real problem is keeping these bloody real estate agents quiet, so the prices stay low and I can buy. Someday. Soon. If you're trying to keep a 'hood affordable, there's nothing really like drugs and hookers to help your pocketbook.

The other question is, how far east is east? Queen & Sherb? Queen & King? Broadview? Leslieville?

Shhh, be quiet, Brad. They can hear you.

[1/2] Hey Brad,

You're making a great point here: how far is East is East? Location encapsulates personal and subjective elements such as prestige, lifestyle, place of work, school, community, fashion, living trends, to name a few - all represented at the final market value of a property one is bidding on or selling.

"The East End" is still under-developed therefore indexed at a discount in relation to King St. & Spadina through and West all the way to Roncesvalles/Humber.

It may be "too far" for some, but for others, there's a perfect lifestyle fit. Jarvis may be your East End, DVP is mine and Woodbine for Tyrone.

Toronto East of DVP is by average less expensive, and it is no secret:

Toronto Real Estate Board recently posted February 2007 Market Watch which provides detailed sales information by District:

http://www.torontorealestateboard.com/consumer_info/market_news/mw2007/pdf/mw0702.pdf

[2/2]
For those who are looking at ownership in the 180,000 - 250,000 consider these options:

1. Think Act Investor. Buy a condo from plans, long before the sales centre opens to the public. You'll get the lowest prices and the best payment structure available.

2. Research and Find Undervalued Buildings. Yes they exist, and the main reason they are cheaper is b/c they are older structures with older architecture. This is the Prestige Factor at work. Older residential condos are mostly properly managed and maintained. They may not be designed by Will Alsop or Peter Clewes, but they are spacious and are discounted over next door.

3. Find a condo that requires some TLC in an older building, negotiate down then fix it up.

Recently I visited a 500 sq footer at The Summit (701/705/725 King St West at Bathurst) on the 18th floor facing King St. with wood burning F/P and good closet space, asking $164,000. Taxes were approx $99/mo., condo fees at $233/mo. and parking is available to rent at $60/mo.

Conventionally financed, this unit will carry for approx. $1100/mo. parking included.

Comparable condo at the new 66 Portland recently sold for $202,900, that's almost $40,000 difference, and it won't cost you that much to upgrade an older condo with laminate floors and new energy efficient appliances.

The east end is on the move! The area on Queen Street from the DVP to Pape Avenue is in major transition. New restuarants and bistro's are popping up everywhere. Queen Street East will soon be the new and improved Queen Street West.

My life in Canada started in the extreme west end of Toronto (Etobicoke... Martin Grove Rd.) and I've been slowly moving east over the years. I'm still very comfortably into the west end (Spadina) but over the last year or so business took me on a lot of bike trips as far as the DVP and beyond - and I must say I quite like it. It certainly's got character.

Great article. Let's drop the comparisons, OK? I have been an east sider for over a year now. We migrated to Leslieville from the Annex. What drew me here was the DIY spirit which continues to grow. People genuinely care about fostering a communal vibe with the amazing new stores and restos opening up. It's an exciting time to watch this place transform.

Great article. Let's drop the comparisons, OK? I have been an east sider for over a year now. We migrated to Leslieville from the Annex. What drew me here was the DIY spirit which continues to grow. People genuinely care about fostering a communal vibe with the amazing new stores and restos opening up. It's an exciting time to watch this place transform.

Winston Churchill and Eglington Ave intersection is towards the west og the GTA

Winston Churchill and Eglinton Ave intersection is towards the west side of GTA

I live at one of those yuppie condos at Richmond and Sherbs, which despite being equidistant from Yonge as University, is considered "east" to hip blog-readers who live in the Annex, Little Italy, Chinatown, Queen West, Mississauga, etc.

I cringe a little every time I see the "Eastside/Westside" debate because frankly...I know we can't win. It may be "up-and-coming," but Dundas, Queen, Richmond east of Yonge is pretty much hopeless. It will take far more work and time than I can imagine to ever make Queen and Sherbourne anything less than a festering piece of shit, and it's kinda sad.

Yes, I know the homeless shelters/halfway houses/drop-in centres/subsidized housing complexes/injection sites/glorified crackhouses have to go SOMEWHERE, but about 90% of them seem to be clustered around this almost-viable area, which will forever taint its livability and value. You might think I'm snobby, but you sure as hell wouldn't want to have to walk past them every night on the way home...

So many of these responses make me want to vomit.

I live on Carlaw south of eastern...doesnt look so up and coming from my angle Le Sigh and fingers crossed.
That being said I wont give up on my hood. We have the beach,great stores and a really good vibe. Just needs a bit of paint :)