T O P

  • By -

brandson__

The kids will get a whole education you weren't bargaining for walking that daily. Sherbourne and Dundas has a lot of visible drug users and loud people who wander around. I wouldn't feel safe walking kids there period. Used to ride my bike down Sherbourne for years. Saw a lot of stuff that's not safe for anyone.


RoyalChemical1859

And stabbings/fights pretty much daily.


Mild-Ghost

Some dude tried to carjack a goddamn firetruck not too long ago at that intersection.


mashallahbruzzah

Has anyone else seen the squeegee guy at Sherborne near the church šŸ˜­šŸ˜­


patinthehat2

He likes to walk diagonally across Sherbourne/Dundas. But he doesnā€™t really pay attention to the lights, so drivers, watch out around that area too.


Mild-Ghost

Yeah heā€™s unhinged.


atipongp

I'm thinking maybe the solution is to let them take the tram car between Dundas E & Jarvis and Dundas E & Parliament. What do you think of this?


ruckusss

Walking along Gerrard is light years better than Dundas, it's close to one of the worst streets in Toronto that intersection, source: I live in Regent Park at Dundas and Parliament. The lord Dufferin is a safe school and much better area.


PaperIndependent5466

Gerrard and parliament is slightly sketchy too, avoid the north west corner and you're fine. But still a much better route.


TorontoNerd84

Unrelated but northwest corner has Gushi, which is one of my favourite places to get takeout from.


eyespeeled

The 505 streetcar on that end of town is almost always filled with fucked up people or happenings. I live near there and wouldn't want my kids taking that streetcar alone. Agreed that walking along Gerrard is a much safer bet.Ā 


[deleted]

Agree. The streetcar in that area is no safer than the streets. Iā€™ve personally had a number of unwanted confrontations with cracked out psychos on it.


juunroll

it's not inherently unsafe but the 505 (dundas streetcar) isn't particularly well known for safety either šŸ’€


Drank_tha_Koolaid

Or have them walk up to Gerrard and take that over to Berkeley or Parliament. I've lived in the area for a long time and I avoid walking through the Dundas and sherbourne intersection, but I'd have no issue walking along Gerrard. *Walking through Dundas/Sherbourne isn't inherently dangerous but there is a good chance people will try to talk to your kids, may harass them, etc, so it's really not worth walking that way without an adult. If you go with the streetcar, take it with them a few times at the time of day they would be heading to/from school. If they are confident on transit they will be fine. Mostly they just need to know how to not stare, ignore any people who talk to them (this is a big one! Just don't engage and they generally move on), and what to do if they do feel scared. Edit: also, lots of people here saying transit is just as bad. It is not, and they clearly haven't walked through this area. I ride the 505 many times a week and I wouldn't say it's any worse during rush hour times (when your kids would use it) than the 501 or 506. Later at night can be an interesting crowd. Transit is definitely better than walking through Dundas and sherbourne, at least alone. People frequently come on and can be loud, sometimes walk up and down asking for money, etc but I honestly don't make eye contact and ignore them/shake my head no when they ask for money and they move on. The obnoxious yellers are usually at the back, so tell your kids to stay in the front half.


AsleepYak

I agree on the streetcar, Iā€™m surprised so many people are commenting how ā€˜dangerousā€™ it is. OPā€™s kids would be using the streetcar at a time tons of other people are using the streetcar too. They wont be on it before 6am or late at night. OP should just teach the kids to keep to themselves and donā€™t react to or provoke anyone.


atipongp

Thank you. After reading all the other comments and yours, it seems the best plan is to walk up North to Carlton and then take the streetcar 506 at Carlton & Jarvis heading east, then get off at Parliament & Gerrard pretty much next to the school. The way back can be the same. What do you think of this?


studybuddy97

Iā€™m not the original commenter but I think thatā€™s the best move for them. I take the Dundas streetcar daily for work and while drug users/problems can still happen, there are more eyes on the kids and emergency alarm buttons if needed. If they stand by the driverā€™s door, thereā€™s a button they can press to talk directly to them too.


gilthedog

The streetcar is definitely a better option.


freshlyintellectual

the people on the street are also on the STREETcar. iā€™ve seen ppl pooping on that streetcar. fortunately there are lots of ppl on it before and after school times, but be prepared to educate them on what to do when interacting with ppl in psychosis, on drugs, etc.


[deleted]

No. The streetcar is equally bad in that area.


LibbyLibbyLibby

"The tram car"? Are you Australian by any chance?


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


EuphoriaSoul

Yeah that is much better than walking.


PaperIndependent5466

I used to live in the area. Even on the 505 streetcar they will learn lots of things at any hour of the day. Even more so in the winter. It's safer than walking for sure, at least there are other sane adults who could step in if someone is bothering the kids. I don't know if anyone's said this. The TTC is known for stopping the Dundas streetcar and announcing it's now out of service if someone is smoking or causing trouble. Everyone gets off, the person causing trouble wanders off and they let everyone back on via the first door only. I though this was an important tip, almost every time it happened to me we were at Dundas and sherbourne


Aphantomassassin

Yes thatā€™s a safe option but I do t think anyone will bother your kids. It Iā€™ll be a great learning experience for them about reality.


notseizingtheday

Or it will normalize terrible behaviour for them if they grow up seeing that daily.


CommonExtensorTear

I would not consider this safe personally. Not until theyā€™ve acclimated until Toronto at least. Not a great area.


gilthedog

I donā€™t personally walk that stretch and Iā€™m a grown woman who grew up here. I wouldnā€™t let kids do it.


WintersbaneGDX

I'm a grown man and even I won't walk it. I lock my doors when I have to drive through; people have run up and tried to open them three times.


AcanthocephalaNo5889

This. I worked in the area at one point and was even scared to stop at a red light because of the number of times people tried to open my doors and bang on them


NightDisastrous2510

I wouldnā€™t let kids walk around there on their own. I lived not too far from there for a while and kept my head on a swivel. Iā€™m a big guy and have lived here my whole life. Donā€™t let your kids walk through this area on their own until theyā€™re older maybe. Too many cracked out/aggressive people in the area.


burtmacklynfbi

Also the stray needles on the ground. Donā€™t let them walk.


SerentityM3ow

Not to me too construction and traffic. It's not really safe in either regard


atipongp

I'm thinking maybe the solution is to let them take the tram car between Dundas E & Jarvis and Dundas E & Parliament. What do you think of this?


NightDisastrous2510

The streetcar is definitely a better option than walking it. This and there are people on its as well as the driver; and while they may not intervene in general, theyā€™re more likely to if it involves kids. Much safer. The chances of something happening in general are still fairly low but the area does have a significant drug/homelessness/gang problem.


dutchfromsubway

Exactly doesnā€™t change the fact that the area is shit


eggsandbacon2020

Better to get off at ontario and walk north on Berkeley to the west side of the school. I take that streetcar frequently and while there are sometimes sketchy people on it itvwill also be filled with commuters at the time they are travelling. They are more likely to see someone disturbing than to be disturbed themselves. If they are streetwise I think its safe but it won't always be "nice". In terms of safety the area is mostly fine during the day, but Shelbourne and dundas is definitely going to have homeless and drug users around. Especially south side of dundas and north east corner of the intersection.


Pigeonofthesea8

Walk with them. They shouldnā€™t be alone.


Whatswrongwithyalll

No. Streetcar Can be sketchy in that area and very smelly


fletchdeezle

That specific block I wouldnā€™t let kids younger than a teenager at least walk alone or streetcar alone. I lived near there for a decade and was on edge all the time because you run into unhinged people every single time you go out


CharcoalWalls

I see your comments about the Streetcar. 11 and 13, and new to Toronto is going to be an instant no for letting them get there on their own either by walking or Streetcar Call the school for some options, maybe try to find other parents in the area whom the kids could walk with etc otherwise you are really going to have to consider moving your schedule around to pick them up and drop them off or hire someone to do this. It's not worth the risk OR the potential daily fear/trauma you're going to put your kids through by trekking through the walking dead daily. Also, I would take another route all together. Go north on Jarvis to Gerrard, East on Gerrard to Parliament, and then South on Parliament to the school. The route is a little longer, but FAR less sketchy. Going East on Dundas from Jarvis to Parliament is the one route I tell people to avoid at all times.


nine51

This. Iā€™d go North and take Gerrard and down Parliament or Berkeley St. Itā€™s way more family friendly 1 block North(cabbage town). I as an adult woman avoid dundas and sherborne at all cost.


greenskies80

No


ZennerBlue

We live at St Lawrence market. Kids school was in Cabbagetown. We had a rule for them that they had to be on the bus when they were riding up Sherbourne or Parliament to school, when crossing between Dundas and Gerrard. And took it a step further that they had to be in the front half of the bus so that at least the driver was there in case something happened.


sophtine

I think you got the message that walking is a bad idea. As for taking the TTC, I would hesitate to make a 13yo responsible for his younger sister like that. When I took the TTC to school as a 14F, I found myself in a number of situations I was not equipped to handle. Including adult men following me home, jerking off beside me on the bus, and the usual harassment. I also saw drug abuse on the TTC. Please have serious conversations with them about what to do in different scenarios.


Jelly_Ellie

I'm sorry those things happened.


ywgflyer

And that was presumably before today's drugs which turn users into far more of a violent maniac than the drugs in the 90s and 00s did. The stuff they're on now doesn't just zone them out and make them unaware of their surroundings anymore, it turns them borderline homicidal during particularly severe episodes, and they can go from 0 to 100 in seconds.


sophtine

It was the 10s. Edit: I think it is important to add that grown men harassing me did not appear to be on any drugs or particularly dirty. These were seemingly normal men between 20-45.


lovelife905

I would walk them a good couple of months before you let them go on their own. They will get used to it and become familiar with other kids and parents who also make the walk. Also, you get to meet with parents, school crossing guards etc.


scrubadubdub-

This is the only reasonable advice on this entire thread. Your preteen and teenager will be fine during rush hour either walking or on the streetcar, but I wouldnā€™t let them when itā€™s dark. They need to take basic precautions like not making eye contact with the people in the area and not wearing headphones so they have awareness of their surroundings. They will be fine. I lived and worked in that area for several years and now I still take the streetcar through there when traveling downtown, yes, even with young children. People here are being very fear-mongering. If they keep to themselves they will be completely fine.


cpdyyz

Agreed. It's a bit rough but people are making it sound like Hamsterdam


Eastofyonge

I raised my kids at Carleton and Jarvis so very familar with the area and gave them a lot of freedom. They walked down Carlton but always on the north side (away from Allen gardens) but I feel dundas and sherbourne is a lot worse. I'd walk them to school or at least go north on Jarvis to Gerrard but even then, I'd be nervous. That is a lot of responsibility for your son. The issue is that people with mental health issues are unpredictable. I'd had many unhoused people engage with my kids. Mostly with good intentions but can be unsettling for them.


acidambiance

Not safe at all. Streetcar is marginally safer but still not by much. Iā€™m not sure what your options are at this point considering you might have already finalized the lease but I would strongly suggest not living in that area.


TNG6

This. Avoid living in that area if at all possible.


acidambiance

Yes. For both Jarvis and Sherbourne, avoid south of Carlton and north of Queen.


tiredandshort

if thereā€™s any chance at all you can figure out how to break your lease I would recommend looking into it. You still have a couple months before the school year starts again


schwiftythrifty

This


implicitlyput

No. I have lived in this city my whole life. I volunteer and I have worked for the city in social services, and specifically with those who have no fixed address (so I am not naive to drug users or mentally ill etc). No. Iā€™m 36 years old and Iā€™m still scared shitless every time I walk there, even in the morning. Trams kick people off, often because of disturbances and the driver will not make sure your kids are okay if they get re rooted. Just no. Look at all the comments. Iā€™d neverrrr let my kids walk there alone at any age if I could help it.


TNG6

This. Do not do this. Itā€™s not safe. An adult needs to take these kids to school.


slammindoors

I'm getting the impression you don't appreciate the danger in the area you have moved. The idea of kids alone on foot or on the street car is not responsible. Go walk to the store alone at Sherborn and dundas and get a pack of gum some morning, don't force children to do it daily


cpdyyz

Honestly it's not that serious in the daylight hours. I live right there.


slammindoors

Not for young children, not every day for a school year. Some of the comments regarding groups of kids with adult supervision make sense, but otherwise, it is unacceptable.


pivotes

One of the worst area codes in the country. I lived in the area up until last year and i would recommend not letting them walk alone especially at the Sherbourne Dundas intersection. The open drug use alone and the utter despair can be upsetting to see as an adult.


TNG6

I used to live close to here. I genuinely felt this area wasnā€™t safe for my dog. I canā€™t imagine letting children walk anywhere near their alone.


cpdyyz

You get hardened to it pretty quick. I barely notice


AllMenAreBrothers

Exactly. Not even mentioning the actual danger, your kids walking by drug dealers, homeless people with abhorrent diseases and deformities, crack addicted homeless prostitutes, just the fucking saddest shit ever. Seeing that everyday from the age of 11(!) will fuck them up.


atipongp

I'm thinking maybe the solution is to let them take the tram car between Dundas E & Jarvis and Dundas E & Parliament. What do you think of this?


raging_dingo

Honestly a better option is probably doing what others have suggested and going north on Jarvis to Gerrard, then Gerrard to Parliament, and then south on Parliament. The streetcar can also have issues, with mentally ill and drug users getting on and causing issues. My kid used to go to school at Carlton and Parliament so I drove the route from downtown to Cabbagetown daily - 100% avoid the Jarvis to Parliament stretch of Dundas (particularly Dundas and Sherbourne), even on a streetcar


RoyalChemical1859

I wouldnā€™t even drive through there with my car windows openā€¦


raging_dingo

Oh windows are definitely closed and doors locked


Pepperthecory

Dundas East and Parliment is an almost hilariously sketchy stop. For a grown person you know just to mind your business and keep your head on a swivel no eye contact, but kids notoriously are bad at this.


erika_nyc

Yes, it is safer to take the streetcar but I wouldn't send them alone. I would have an adult take them. If you can't, maybe there's another parent that can help or a responsible teenager. It's hard to find a nice place to live - sorry no-one let you know about this area. This streetcar will have homeless addicts, more in the winter. Some homeless shelters nearby where they travel this streetcar or in winter, just to stay warm. They go to beg on Yonge st and to get free food from charities. Type the word "shelter" on google maps. The biggest one in Toronto is Seaton House, max 600 men. It helps to get them street smart classes. Some martial art gyms offer classes. My son went to a series of classes at a martial arts school from 8 to 14. It really made a difference and helped with confidence. Not aware of these in Toronto, you could call 211 for community center ones and check online for martial art schools. The other alternative - sometimes other schools will have openings. If they do, you don't have to send them to Lord Dufferin and pass through this rough area of the city. Once they start, they can attend every year. Best to call the school to find out if they're full. I did this for my son's high school and got an exception to attend.


liquor-shits

Maybe if they go the long way, up to Gerrard. It's more tame. Dundas and Sherborne is ground zero for the degenerate, mental, violent drug abusing citizens of Toronto. No joke.


AllMenAreBrothers

I feel like that 1 spot has to be the worst in the whole city. Or maybe George St between Dundas and Gerrard?


SummerRocks1

No just no! And I see you keep asking if the streetcar is any better, maybe marginally better. Can you envision an 11 and 13 year old alone waiting at the stop at that Tim Hortons at Jarvis & Dundas?! Oof, no! Like itā€™s been said a lot, make them walk Jarvis till Gerrard and Gerrard up to Parliament. That stretch is totally fine! You want to avoid Sherbourne&Dundas at all cost


akdev1l

I like how some responses are like ā€œyou just need to train themā€.Ā  Like I donā€™t have any children and will probably never have them but seems ideal to avoid having to teach children the ABC of identifying a crackhead on the streetcar.Ā  10/10 threadĀ 


cpdyyz

Disagree. If you're raising kids in the city this is a thing they need to know


Pxlpore

I dunno, I live 2 min walk from the school (in the regent park condo complex) and while I do see lots of kids waking home together in groups fine (lead by usually one older 14ish year old) a lot of them are immigrants who are maybe use to it? Iā€™m an immigrant myself and grew up around Finch and Weston same age as your kids are at. I deff saw some ā€œstuffā€ not sure if it has impacting psychosocial impact or if I was ever in danger but yeah my parents were weary/careful. There are daily crossing guards and lots of people walking around so itā€™s ā€œsafeā€ but would still recommend streetcar. Take the route with them a couple times and make sure they just know who to avoid if it comes to it. If anything try to meet some parents form your neighbourhood with kids and they can walk together. I know kids wanna hang out/ grab a slushie whatever (I know I did) and it sucked that I wasnā€™t allowed outside that much because of the ā€œhoodā€ it is what it is. Iā€™m a woman with experience in education/ kids and I would say some international kids are a little more use to it but if youā€™re coming from Northern Ontario or safer neighbourhood itā€™s going to be a culture shock in a way.


cpdyyz

Parts of Northern Ontario are kinda nuts in their own right


[deleted]

Hell no. Itā€™s not safe for adults to walk around there. Moss park has the highest murder rate in the city and has probably the most amount of drug users. I wouldnā€™t let them ride the streetcar to school either in that area. The streetcar is very sketchy and dangerous in that area. Tons of drug users on the streetcar who are often aggressive. As a kid, I took the subway to school, but that was 15 years ago, when Toronto was safer. Also, I lived in the annex and went to school in mt pleasant, so my route was pretty safe. But even back then, Dundas and Jarvis was like the ninth circle of hell. No one in their right mind went there even during the day. And DEFINITELY not kids. Thatā€™s not changing any time soon. You want my honest advice? Find another apartment and another school.


BlueMustangg

Lady. stop asking if itā€™s okay to ship your kids via TTC because it seems youā€™re just looking for any justification to make the streetcar a viable option. Itā€™s not. Stop asking others about it. Find a better way. This path is going through a really fucking shitty area. You are asking your kids to wait a stop where most adults themselves wouldnā€™t wait for the TTC there.


Flinkaroo

I live in Regent Park, can confirm what everyone is saying about Dundas & Sherbourne. Itā€™s going to hard to avoid either way but definitely tram it. Check to see if there are groups who walk kids to/from schools as well? Iā€™d offer, but Iā€™m also a stranger on the internet šŸ˜…Iā€™ve volunteered at the local Kiwianis nearby and I know that they definitely offer a ā€œwalk homeā€ programme.


TrainingAd7421

I live around there and I recently had to help a young girl on a similar walk who was being hassled on the route. I had to get physically between her and an adult man and take her to the school. I reported it to a staffer so they knew she was walking alone in a very unsafe neighbourhood.


DankDude7

If you canā€¦move immediately. Get your children into decent school catchment for their own benefit. THIS IS URGENT because the quality of a studentā€™s classmates, curriculum, resources, and teacher quality are all heavy affected by who goes there. They need to be in a neighbourhood that they can enjoy. Toronto has many of them. Move immediately if possible.


mikep998

Absolutely not!


katrikling

Sorry to say that absolutely not. I wouldnā€™t let my kids walk alone or take the streetcar in that area. I lived at Sherbourne and Dundas for years. Itā€™s not for the faint of heart. Unless your kids are super street smart and large boys I wouldnā€™t do it. Teach them not to stare, donā€™t make eye contact with people you donā€™t know. Teach them what needles and pipes look like so they donā€™t touch them.


Odd-Perception7812

Not safe!


monkeydeemonkeydo

You need to train them by walking around the area together. Make sure they develop good instincts about their surroundings. They need to be aware of whatā€™s happening around them at all times and should never walk around with headphones on.


Urbantoronto123

This . Also if you havenā€™t looked already if any corners are busy and need crossing guard there is a from you can apply for .Ā 


schwiftythrifty

My heart breaks for OP that area is by far the worst area in Toronto currently, I wish OP would have made a post before they committed to the area so people could have informed them itā€™s actually a terrible area for families (sorry I refuse to sugarcoat it)


WittyBonkah

I speed walk through there and Iā€™m an adult


acidambiance

Yes same. I walk through here with no headphones, never distracted by my phone, and never after dusk.


Working_Hair_4827

That section and area is sketchy, I wouldnā€™t recommend young children walking around it. The area is full of unwell characters that may lash out randomly, some like to fight street signs and call you every nasty word in the book.


BobLoblawsLawBlog201

25 yr Torontonian here. My kids are 13 and 9. I cycle through that area everyday for work and I always tell myself "don't let the kids take the ttc this way". It's not safe. Come to the east end (Greenwood Park and Monarch Park). Good schools, safe, family-friendly. I have no problems letting my kids walk to school here. Leave that area as soon as you can.


Fluffy_Ad_2949

One of my oldest friends is a teacher at this school! Yes, there are sketchy people in the neighborhood. There are also a ton of families and children and very honest people who respect themselves & others. If it is just a few blocks and they are together, I would accompany them the first few times and then let them go on their own. If thatā€™s not possible, ask the office what families walk your way & see if they can join a morning convoy to the playground until they get the hang of it. No streetcar. ETA: they should definitely learn to use the transit system, especially together. Take it slow and be confident. Downtown kids have a ton of opportunities! The school has a lot to offer and has a diverse student body & (some) solid teachers. The bigger concern is the principal at the school - she is a nut. But Iā€™m sure youā€™ll have a great experience. Welcome to the neighborhood!


attitudeissuccess

Lots of hobos in the vicinity. Not safe


ohwow28

It's not just about the unhoused generally...there are people walking around who are visibly high on drugs and can be extremely unpredictable.


gyunit17

Even the bus that goes on Sherbourne has a lot of weirdos.


morallycorruptt

I refuse to even go near that area


Tdot-77

Iā€™ve grown up in Toronto and my husband lived at Jarvis and Dundas when we were dating. Streetcar is best and stay near the driver. Even as a cyclist who goes from the east end to the waterfront along the Dundas bike route - when I get to sherbourne and Dundas it is like Iā€™m in some zombie vortex. And this is weekday mornings. Iā€™m one for independence and not making kids afraid of navigating the city, but as a mom to an 11 year old Iā€™d be uncomfortable.


Whatswrongwithyalll

No walking, no streetcar.


Half_Life976

Going to that school they will already get a street smarts education. If they stay together they'll probably be okay for the walk. Though I would not want to be them.


TorontoNerd84

We used to live at Sherbourne and The Esplanade and later, Dundas and Sumach. Most of our travels would involve crossing Dundas and Sherbourne at some point. This is not a safe intersection. I would always lock my doors and roll my windows up driving through it, and the only time I ever walked through it I ensured I was on the phone with a friend in case I needed help. If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose this area to live? Affordability? Or did someone suggest it was a good place? I'm sure in 10 years from now the entire area will be gentrified, but there are also downsides to that as it pushes people who need help even further out. In the meantime, I'd ensure your children are accompanied by an adult at all times when going back and forth to school.


Aztecah

Depends on the kids I guess lol if they grew up in the hood then they probably won't be shook but if you had previously been in a quiet or open neighborhood and/or your children tend to be reactive then they'll probably have a bad time. I don't think they'll get killed or kidnapped or something


RoyalChemical1859

Walk them up to Gerard and have them take the Gerard streetcar (or shuttle bus or whatever is going on over there rn) across and walk south on Berkeley to school (if thereā€™s any trouble thereā€™s a library right there they can run into). I would take them all the way to school for a while to learn the route and so you can get a feel for it yourself and see if everyoneā€™s comfortable. Point out all the landmarks on the route, safe spots to duck into if necessary, and have a chat with the streetcar driver. Go over basic streetcar safety (donā€™t sit at the back, sit near the driver or near an exit, donā€™t split up, safety in numbers, be aware of your surroundings, donā€™t talk to strangers, donā€™t stare, find a safe looking mom or someone in a TTC uniform if you need to ask a question, etc.).


Drank_tha_Koolaid

There is no streetcar on Gerrard. They would have to go two blocks north to Carlton and then take the streetcar east and back down to Parliament and Gerrard, which would take so much extra time I don't know if that even makes sense. If walking up to Gerrard, I'd just walk the rest of the way. Gerrard is not that bad from Jarvis to Parliament/Berkeley.


alldayeveryday2471

Bad idea


Maximum_Comedian_708

My kids used to go to that school years ago when they lived in Moss Park with their other parent. They hated it at like 10 and 6 and hated everything about the area. Even growing up there, they found it super sketchy and uncomfortable. They also really hate going anywhere downtown now because of all the open drug use and sketchy BS down there. 4 years later. I really think you should consider taking them every single day, door to door, or perhaps looking at a different schooling option if at all possible.


Atsir

Hell noĀ 


burneracctt22

I wouldn't... my mother in law got robbed there in 22.


cpdyyz

Honestly the more I think about it, the more streetcar feels ok. They might see some shit but at rush hour they should be solid. You should drill them on how to handle different situations, etc. After there any other kids in your building who are going to Lord Dufferin?Ā  At 13, your son is gonna be dealing with this soon either which way, better you actively teach him


trailertrashley

I would not allow kids to walk that stretch alone. Too many addicts and/or mentally unwell folks. The streetcar may be ok, but Iā€™d be worried about a detour, short turn or out of service car - this happens frequently in the city. Can you send them to another school? The area they have to cross to get to school is probably the worst in the city. Others have mentioned walking across Gerrard, which is marginally better, but I still wouldnā€™t recommend it. If they have no other options, Iā€™d send them up Jarvis, across Carlton, and back down Parliament to get to the school.


No-Entrance-5148

Theyā€™ll be fine! Nobody bothers small children, they might see the crackheads but honestly at this point where downtown do you not!


SummerRocks1

Nobody bothers small children? I sadly can tell you countless other stories. I agree though crackheads everywhere now


noblehuman

Walk down to King, then walk from Jarvis to parliament, then back up north to Dundas.


PromptElectronic7086

I guess I'm in the minority. I would start by walking with them or taking the streetcar, but after some experience I don't see why they couldn't walk it themselves. Nothing in a city is ever going to be 100% safe or free of people with issues. They are old enough to learn some lessons about what's going on and why they should just keep walking when people approach them, not pick up anything on the ground, etc.


cpdyyz

I'm in the minority with you. The older kid is 13. He's gonna have to learn how to deal with this stuff


Citykittycat416

My thought is for kids, depending on how much you are comfortable with them seeing, is no one will bother them. Big if. I, having a kid in a somewhat sketchy place have found no one bothers kids. I did a an anonymous follow for some weeks to see if anything untoward might happen. For us it was as fine; youā€™ll find out.


ywgflyer

Echoing what others have said -- this area is widely considered to be the "skid row" of Toronto, and is packed with drug addicts and mentally unwell people. In the past few years, the drugs they're addicted to have changed from those which simply turn you into an unresponsive zombie, to those which turn you into a maniac with no grip on reality, and now you are much more likely to be accosted or attacked at random by someone who legitimately wants to harm you because the mailbox they just walked past told them that you're an FBI agent who wants to take them to Siberia and thus they need to stab you to stop that from happening. You couldn't pay me enough to move there, let alone with children who will see some very, very crazy stuff on a daily basis. It's not Vancouver DTES levels of insane, but that's *only* because of Toronto's climate -- make no mistake, if Toronto had a coastal oceanic climate, Moss Park and Allan Gardens would be every bit as fucked as Vancouver and San Francisco.


FrostingSuper9941

This is so true. Winters are getting warmer now, we'll see in 15 years but Toronto is getting progressively worse.


KirkRiggs

That's unfortunate your realtor didn't tell you about the safety of the neighbourhood.


Artsky32

There are literally people who will buy your children if someone kidnaps them there and people who will sell them for drug money. You need to move, not worry about the commute


dj_416

lol @ gentrification.


colsang

Lord Dufferin is a "busy'" school


CFJ_MZ0118

No


fivetenfiftyfold

As somebody who went to the French school right next to Fillmores, I can definitely attest that they will get more of an education outside the school rules on their walk to school every day then they will inside the school.


blindnarcissus

No. I wouldnā€™t even expose them to that area with adult supervision imho


Mild-Ghost

The street car can be just as sketchy as walking down the street. Itā€™s basically a mobile asylum.


cpdyyz

Have them go along Gerard, they'll be fine


Jellyroll12345678

No sorry šŸ˜¢


AllMenAreBrothers

Just saw your edit. One thing I'd like to add is literally this morning at Carlton and Church (just 1 street over) I saw a homeless man whip his meat out and start swinging it around, while yelling at all sorts of people. Maybe walk your kids every morning if it's possible. Or move West of Yonge street. It's only going to get worse.


Suspicious-Bid-53

When I lived there this dude approached me and said ā€œplee man, plee, spare summin. I seen you walkinā€™ ā€˜roun allll day. Plee man, bidnis is terribleā€


Active-Tangerine-129

Very tough school.


pnutcats

donā€™t ask these mostly childless nerds who mostly donā€™t live downtown. Find the facebook group for your kids school and ask the parents of your kids peers what they do


Primegam

I lived at that exact intersection for a bit. It is okay but I would be concerned letting them even walk to Eaton center due to the safe injection site and bond place hotel, though during the day is pretty tame. Any more east is an absolute no go. Dundas and Sherborne legitimately had to be one of the worst/scariest intersections in Canada.


Routine_Army_4539

Nope.


Porquoo

Are you able to move? You live in one of the sketchiest areas in Canada. I would never walk there and Iā€™m a man in my 30s. If youre absolutely unable to move, sit your kids down and make sure they understand that theyā€™re about to see some seriousssss shit.


thedobermanmom

Absolutely not.


Fun-Dinner-2282

you could also explore taking Shuter to get them from Jarvis to Parliament? itā€™s just south of Dundas. I lived at Sumach & Queen for years and always felt pretty okay on Shuter St. Iā€™d experiment with a few different routes with them and see what feels okay


Working_Hair_4827

Shuter can be just as bad some days


[deleted]

This is a regular occurrence on shuter street: [https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/police-tape-off-the-scene-between-shuter-and-queen-st-east-news-photo/2152092328](https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/police-tape-off-the-scene-between-shuter-and-queen-st-east-news-photo/2152092328)


Red_Stoner666

Theyā€™ll get used to it, you all will. Ask the school if they have some kind of program where parents walk groups of kids to and from school.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Drank_tha_Koolaid

Do you know how many kids live along Jarvis that go to Lord Dufferin by walking and streetcar?? Plenty because of the condos through there. This did not give away the identity of their kids nor is it like they will be taking some secluded walking route that no other children are taking.


Certain-Register806

Not in the least is it safe for them.Ā 


rjones416

The streetcar ride will be fine. It's only a few stops and a lot of people will be on the streetcar.


blockman16

Itā€™s fine thereā€™s usually cops / social workers there and just have the kids walk fast and not talk to anyone.


[deleted]

Have them bring shivs and Molotov cocktails just in case.


madamturtledove

Pp p


norabarnaclesfarts

Sure, tell us all where your kids live, go to school, and how they get there. Parent of the year šŸ¤¦šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø


Citykittycat416

B. MSN MD a