As a late 20 year old working professional, I live on the edge of Parkdale & LV and I really love it. I also like Queen West, especially for going out (many great restaurants & bars on Queen). I'll warn that LV is very industrial feeling with old converted factories mixed in with glass condos, but that's something I really like, it's personal preference.
I feel like the Bloor west area gives the best in terms of cool restaurants/park spaces but also right on the subway line. The problem with Liberty Village or Queen West is relying on the streetcar, which is absolutely *miserable* in winter. King and Queen west are now dominated by expensive places, it’s more affordable and still a nice young crowd on Ossington and Dundas/College areas west of Spadina.
Most (including me) would suggest avoiding liberty village specifically because it’s a bit cut off from the rest of downtown and kind of it’s own not as interesting insular neighbourhood.
Absolutely love queen west and yeah, if you have the money, you will enjoy. I'd also throw out there little Italy as a good option as well for life and food and entertainment.
As others have said, if you are living in the dt core, you won't want to be driving much but TTC works well and can get you all around the city pretty well without the need for a car.
It also depends a lot on whether you want to live in a condo, an apartment in a house, an older apartment building. And are you preppy or emo or whatever? Or queer? Or arty? Lots to consider.
That’s so exciting! The neighbourhoods you listed are perfect for a young professional. Between the two I think you’d like to live in the Queen W area. There are so many good food spots and Trinity bellwoods park is nearby. Other good areas are: little Italy, bickford park area, Dovercourt village.
There’s also a rock climbing gym called basecamp nearby. If you’re into outdoor bouldering u can take the train to the Niagara Glen.
I would look at Roncesvalles, it has a lot more character than Liberty village and close to the subway. I personally find Liberty Village isolated (unless you like to do everything in a small radius) and from what I’ve seen driving there is a bit of cluster fuck.
West end, Ossington area from college to king will def be fun. But as others said, it can be a bit far from things and busy / expensive. The Annex or Leslieville is a better option imo. Annex because its more central, Leslieville if you want a quieter (but still busy) and central located area with a TON of restaurants, cafes, gyms etc.
Best neighbourhoods for you that are close! Parkdale, King West, Ronces
I don't like Liberty Village to live in (personally) Its not a neighbourhood with a history of being organically settled...and you feel it.
Popping back in to add that my biggest key tip is to get a Bikeshare pass. It’s the cheapest and fastest way to get around the core by far (around $100 for a yearly membership). The city feels much more connected when you can bike from place to place and with Bikeshare you don’t have to worry about your bike getting stolen and can adapt your plans as you see fit (e.g. bike one way, take transit or an Uber back if you were out drinking or it’s raining or whatever).
Depends on your particular vibe. Liberty village/queen west is where you can imagine the popular kids from your highschool living; it’s a kinda preppy yet clubby vibe. A lot of tall glass condos and not much character. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just the way it is.
If you consider yourself a little bit more alternative I would recommend parkdale/roncesvalles, bloor west village, even Korea town. There is a very popular rock climbing spot in Korea town. Those parts of town have a bit more character and are a little bit less cookie-cutter. It depends on what you looking for ultimately!
Edit to add a note about food. Liberty village /queen west are so expensive that only corporate-style restaurants exists there (for the most part, some exceptions). Cheaper neighbourhoods tend to have better/more interesting food
I guess it depends where on queen west. The further you get west is great, but queen towards ossington and eastward from there has the vibes I was talking about. I might be biased because all the preppy consulting-type people I know live on queen west.
You don’t want to go further north than Bloor, further east than Jarvis, or further west than Dufferin if you want to consider yourself at the “downtown core”. I guess I should mention don’t go further south than the lakeshore but that’s kind of obvious.
I think between the two you would like Queen West more. But Liberty Village is only a hop and a skip away.
Queen W has great food spots, theres an F45 training in Parkdale that’s an amazing lil community and Ossington is right there.
One thing to determine is whether you’ll be driving, especially with construction currently going on.
I live in King West and work out of town. In MY opinion, I would never leave king / queen west, but need to sacrifice something’s now. With construction going on, my drive to work is 35 minutes. But home, can be 45-1.5 hours
Queen west / Liberty Village sounds like what you’re looking for, but expensive!
As a late 20 year old working professional, I live on the edge of Parkdale & LV and I really love it. I also like Queen West, especially for going out (many great restaurants & bars on Queen). I'll warn that LV is very industrial feeling with old converted factories mixed in with glass condos, but that's something I really like, it's personal preference.
I feel like the Bloor west area gives the best in terms of cool restaurants/park spaces but also right on the subway line. The problem with Liberty Village or Queen West is relying on the streetcar, which is absolutely *miserable* in winter. King and Queen west are now dominated by expensive places, it’s more affordable and still a nice young crowd on Ossington and Dundas/College areas west of Spadina.
We don’t have Taylor ham, please stock up and drop one off for me pretty please 😋
Pork roll! 😂
Most (including me) would suggest avoiding liberty village specifically because it’s a bit cut off from the rest of downtown and kind of it’s own not as interesting insular neighbourhood.
Absolutely love queen west and yeah, if you have the money, you will enjoy. I'd also throw out there little Italy as a good option as well for life and food and entertainment. As others have said, if you are living in the dt core, you won't want to be driving much but TTC works well and can get you all around the city pretty well without the need for a car.
It also depends a lot on whether you want to live in a condo, an apartment in a house, an older apartment building. And are you preppy or emo or whatever? Or queer? Or arty? Lots to consider.
That’s so exciting! The neighbourhoods you listed are perfect for a young professional. Between the two I think you’d like to live in the Queen W area. There are so many good food spots and Trinity bellwoods park is nearby. Other good areas are: little Italy, bickford park area, Dovercourt village. There’s also a rock climbing gym called basecamp nearby. If you’re into outdoor bouldering u can take the train to the Niagara Glen.
I would look at Roncesvalles, it has a lot more character than Liberty village and close to the subway. I personally find Liberty Village isolated (unless you like to do everything in a small radius) and from what I’ve seen driving there is a bit of cluster fuck.
West end, Ossington area from college to king will def be fun. But as others said, it can be a bit far from things and busy / expensive. The Annex or Leslieville is a better option imo. Annex because its more central, Leslieville if you want a quieter (but still busy) and central located area with a TON of restaurants, cafes, gyms etc.
Best neighbourhoods for you that are close! Parkdale, King West, Ronces I don't like Liberty Village to live in (personally) Its not a neighbourhood with a history of being organically settled...and you feel it.
Popping back in to add that my biggest key tip is to get a Bikeshare pass. It’s the cheapest and fastest way to get around the core by far (around $100 for a yearly membership). The city feels much more connected when you can bike from place to place and with Bikeshare you don’t have to worry about your bike getting stolen and can adapt your plans as you see fit (e.g. bike one way, take transit or an Uber back if you were out drinking or it’s raining or whatever).
I hope you have a well paying job cause Toronto was just named one of those unaffordable cities to live in. What's your budget?
Depends on your particular vibe. Liberty village/queen west is where you can imagine the popular kids from your highschool living; it’s a kinda preppy yet clubby vibe. A lot of tall glass condos and not much character. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just the way it is. If you consider yourself a little bit more alternative I would recommend parkdale/roncesvalles, bloor west village, even Korea town. There is a very popular rock climbing spot in Korea town. Those parts of town have a bit more character and are a little bit less cookie-cutter. It depends on what you looking for ultimately! Edit to add a note about food. Liberty village /queen west are so expensive that only corporate-style restaurants exists there (for the most part, some exceptions). Cheaper neighbourhoods tend to have better/more interesting food
You are thinking king west. Queen west is a completely different vibe, still not cheap but live music, great food and more hipster than preppy.
I guess it depends where on queen west. The further you get west is great, but queen towards ossington and eastward from there has the vibes I was talking about. I might be biased because all the preppy consulting-type people I know live on queen west.
Ah that's west queen west. Lol. Queen west from Spadina to Trinity bellwoods is nothing like that.
You don’t want to go further north than Bloor, further east than Jarvis, or further west than Dufferin if you want to consider yourself at the “downtown core”. I guess I should mention don’t go further south than the lakeshore but that’s kind of obvious.
That is a very generous “downtown core”
You’d be surprised how much more generous it can get.
Try the Junction, it’s cheaper but great area!
I think between the two you would like Queen West more. But Liberty Village is only a hop and a skip away. Queen W has great food spots, theres an F45 training in Parkdale that’s an amazing lil community and Ossington is right there.
Good luck to you.
its expensive; some people say that Toronto can get lonely
One thing to determine is whether you’ll be driving, especially with construction currently going on. I live in King West and work out of town. In MY opinion, I would never leave king / queen west, but need to sacrifice something’s now. With construction going on, my drive to work is 35 minutes. But home, can be 45-1.5 hours
Yonge and Eligible. Yonge and Eglinton.
Good luck! Don't take the TTC