Homes For Sale in Scarborough

Transportation

Shopping, Food and Nightlife

Greenery & Character

Why live in Scarborough?

There are many reasons that people choose to call Scarborough home. First, it’s affordable - and this is saying something for Toronto, a city known for its soaring cost of living. While still located in the City of Toronto, the cost of living in Scarborough is typically less than what you will find in other parts of the city, and this includes housing. Second, Scarborough is as multicultural as it gets, which makes for a diverse and welcoming population, along with plenty of vibrant restaurants, shops, and more. Specifically, the area is known for its top-notch Southeast Asian, Indian, and Chinese eateries. Next, Scarborough is well-served by public transportation, which is a major plus for anyone who plans to commute. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway and bus networks extend to Scarborough, along with several GO Transit routes. Another perk of living in Scarborough is the amenities. While it has plenty of quiet, residential neighbourhoods that are ideal for families, there are also plenty of lively streets. After all, Scarborough is known for its dining and shopping scene. Speaking of shopping, Scarborough Town Centre is one of the biggest malls in the Greater Toronto Area. Another major attraction that brings people from all over to Scarborough is the Toronto Zoo, which has animals from all over the world, as well as close encounters and a wildlife health centre. Finally, what many people fall in love with in Scarborough is the outdoor space. From beaches and bluffs to forests and rivers, you have it all in Scarborough. The Toronto district encompasses Rouge National Urban Park and the iconic Scarborough Bluffs, as well as Thomson Memorial Park, Morningside Park, Port Union Waterfront Park, and Scarboro Crescent Park.

Quality and diversity of education in Scarborough

Public schools in Scarborough are run by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). Some of the biggest public schools in Scarborough are Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute, Maplewood High School, and Neil McNeil High School. There are also several private schools that operate in the area, such as Talenta Academy, Madina Academy, Royal Crown School, and Bond Academy. As for post-secondary schools, you have no shortage of options in Scarborough. Perhaps the most notable university in Scarborough is the University of Toronto - Scarborough Campus. Centennial College and the Canadian Institute of Business are also located in Scarborough. Meanwhile, further into Toronto, you will find several other top-ranked universities and colleges, such as the University of Toronto - St. George Campus, the University of Toronto - Mississauga Campus, Sheridan College, George Brown College, York University, Seneca College, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Humber College, Toronto Film School, and the Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCAD).

Most populous cities in Scarborough

Some of the main neighbourhoods in Scarborough are Milliken, Agincourt, L’Amoreaux, Hillside, Malvern, Woburn, Guildwood, Rouge Hill, Port Union, Highland Creek, West Rouge, Bendale, Maryvale, Wexford, Clairlea, Oakridge, Birchcliff, Cliffside, Cliffcrest, and Scarborough Village.

Quality of infrastructure for Scarborough

Scarborough’s infrastructure is second to none, which is what makes it such a popular spot to live in Toronto. While offering all the advantages of living in a quieter, more residential part of the city, Scarborough still has excellent schools, hospitals, and public transportation. Let’s start with public transportation. The city is served by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), which means easy and inexpensive access to the rest of Toronto via subways and buses. Metrolinx’s GO Transit system also operates throughout Scarborough, seamlessly connecting residents with Toronto Union Station and the rest of the Greater Toronto Area. The main GO Transit stations in Scarborough are Scarborough GO, Kennedy GO, and Eglinton GO. Even better, Metrolinx is in the midst of developing the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which will be operated by the TTC and will bring even more public transit access to Scarborough residents. Scarborough also has its own stop on Via Rail, Guildwood, which makes it easy to travel within Ontario and to other Canadian provinces by train. For example, getting on a Via Rail train at the Guildwood GO could take you anywhere from Kingston to Ottawa to Montreal. The nearest airport to Scarborough is Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which is located on Toronto’s downtown harbourfront. However, you can also get to Toronto Pearson International Airport in under half an hour by car. This is the largest airport in the country with flights going all over the world. If you prefer to get around by car, Scarborough is well-positioned, offering convenient access to Highway 401, Highway 407, and the Don Valley Parkway. Finally, Scarborough has excellent health services. The Scarborough Health Network operates three hospitals in the district: Centenary Hospital, Birchmount Hospital, and General Hospital. Meanwhile, less than half an hour away in Toronto you will find Toronto General Hospital, North York General Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Humber River Hospital, and the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Safety and security for Scarborough

The Toronto Police Service is tasked with keeping Scarborough secure. That said, crime rates are below the national average and this part of the country is not prone to natural disasters. Residents should always call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

Scarborough property market

Scarborough has expanded over the years and now boasts a strong housing market with lots of diverse properties. Bungalows are a popular option in the area, but you can also find an increasing number of condos, apartments, detached homes, townhomes, and semi-detached homes.

Standard of living in Scarborough

The standard of living in Scarborough is high. After all, it offers the best of both worlds. It’s affordable and has lots of quiet, residential areas but it also has plenty of big city amenities, like world-class dining and shopping, not to mention beautiful parks and beaches. It also has incredible schools, hospitals, and public transit infrastructure that is only set to expand from here. If you still aren’t convinced that Scarborough offers a high standard of living to residents, consider the fact that Toronto was recently ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Global Liveability Index. Their 2023 Liveability Report listed Toronto as the ninth most liveable city in the whole world based on factors like education, stability, healthcare, and culture & the environment.

Something wonderful about Scarborough

Scarborough was named after a town of the same name in England that is also known for its bluffs. In fact, Scarborough, Pickering, and Whitby are all towns in North Yorkshire, England that have characteristic bluffs similar to those on the north shore of Lake Ontario, such as those in Scarborough, Ontario. Speaking of the Scarborough Bluffs, did you know that they were responsible for creating the Toronto Islands? Over millions of years, the slow erosion of the bluffs resulted in a long sandbar that ran from Woodbine Avenue to Bathurst Street. In the late eighteenth century, people could walk from the mouth of the Don River to the end of this spit near Bathurst Street. The land was used for everything from fishing and hunting to relaxation and leisure. However, a storm in 1854 destroyed the sandbar’s connection to the mainland and they became islands.