The Beach neighbourhood in Toronto is a traditional and well-established residential neighbourhood where single-family houses have dominated along mature tree-lined streets running north/south from the boardwalk, past the shops of Queen St.E. and as far North as Danforth Rd., with many true Beachers preferring the Northern boundary to be considered only as far as Gerrard St. The Boundary to the East is Fallingbrook Ave, and the boundary to the West is represented by the commencement of the constantly evolving Leslieville district at Leslie Street.

(See Map): http://www.mapquest.ca/maps/Queen+Street+E+Toronto+ON+M4L/

In The Beach (or Beaches, whatever you prefer, as there is no regulation on the title ;) you are a 15 minute Queen or Gerrard Streetcar Ride from Downtown. With such convenience, you may say "but there's no way I could afford a beach house!" Which is why I'm here to tell you how YOU can have all The Beach neighbourhood in Toronto has to offer you - shops, restaurants, schools, biking, beach volleyball, etc, etc - and still being able to afford the occasional sailboat rental. A concept in The Beach that many have already discovered over the past 10 years or so and are loving is: Beach Condo and Loft living. This is a way for you to be part of all the buzz and relaxation of a very friendly and residential style neighbourhood but with all the conveniences and low maintenance of your Beach Condo or Loft.

Some of the great Condo and Loft buildings to be found in The Toronto Beach neighbourhood are right along the attractive Queen St. strip. As you come in to The Beach by (car, bike or streetcar) along Queen St. from downtown, you pass through Leslieville and once you get to the intersection of Kingston Rd and Queen you see the green-domed buildings housing the Beach Residence Condominiums - a five building complex, very well maintained and just a 3 min walk from the beach. South from here you will see the massive Beach houses that are, at this point, out of reach of most buyers' budget, but at the south end of this area another two buildings facing the water called "The Boardwalk" - you pay about 20-30% more for the Boardwalk condos compare Beach Residence condos on Queen, but that's the price of water nowadays. Personally I prefer being close to the activity and shops of Queen myself.

At points along the North side of Queen are a number of great retrofitted Loft buildings ("hard" lofts) as well as new construction lofts (soft loft - see also Linda's Article from a few weeks back for more info on this phenomena). Some of these loft spaces may not seem immediately present as many are built atop many shops and blend nicely into the landscape.

Prices for lofts and condos are on par with the average prices of Toronto condominiums downtown, but if you've ever been to The Beach, you know that you get better than average living there.

Many people have the assumption that Condo or Loft living in the Beach may not be an option - don't let yourself be one of them!

I have personally lived in a condo building in The Beach and I will be moving back there this year - so hope to see you on the sand!

MyCondoNetwork.com