When it comes to finding a perfect family home, choosing the right neighbourhood is everything.

With its abundance of cultures, arts, education, and a wide selection of over 140 diverse and thriving neighbourhoods, the top real estate agents in Toronto agree that the GTA is the best place to raise a family in Ontario.

But with such a vast selection of neighbourhoods to choose from, which of these many thriving areas are the best for raising a family?

To help narrow down your search, we’ve compiled a list of six Toronto neighbourhoods we think are great family-friendly communities, whether it’s for their green spaces, education and daycare options, or proximity and selection for commuting options.

Here are some of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto for families.

Forest Hill

Forest Hill is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in the city, and for a good reason!

The Forest Hill neighbourhood contains many elegant homes built back in the 1900s, with many newer builds with modern influences that have only further refined the area.

The neighbourhood also has primary to high school schools in Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School Forest Hill Collegiate Institute.

Forest Hill is one of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto for families because it is so widely connected to the city while still managing to feel like its own community. There are many local shops in the area and green spaces and parkettes – including the Kay Gardener Beltline Trail and renowned Forest Hill Village.

The area also boasts its accessibility for commuting, having easy access to the Allen expressway to the 401, as well as being short steps from a multitude of TTC subway stations. This includes St. Clair West, Eglinton West, or Yonge and Eglinton station, allowing you easy access to downtown and the best food neighbourhoods in Toronto.

The Bridle Path

This small family-friendly community offers a great sense of open green space, being surrounded by the beautiful parklands of the Don River Valley.

There is no shortage of architectural styles when it comes to this area, which boasts an eclectic mix of Georgian, Colonial, and modern homes.

Both public and private schools exist within the Bridle Path, including catholic and French-language schools.

In terms of the large amounts of green space, the Bridle Path features many municipal parks, including Edwards Gardens, Sunnybrook Park, and Windfields Park.

Wychwood

The Wychwood area is actually a more extensive collection of smaller neighbourhoods, including Wychwood Park, Hillcrest, and Bracondale.

The Wychwood neighbourhood is home to the Hillcrest Community Centre, which offers programs and activities for residents of all ages, such as preschool swimming, early child ballet, gymnastics, and visual art programs for all ages.

The area is also great for families who rely on public transit, as the nearby St. Clair Avenue streetcars have their own dedicated lane, allowing for a smoother commute for families on the go.

Thornhill

Up at the northern end of Toronto, the charming suburb of Thornhill thrives with its bustling, family-friendly community.

As a refined suburban area, you will find many great size lots, maintained gardens, and large detached homes, perfect for allowing your family to grow in.

The Thornhill community centre is home to a Library, and it also offers many educational, creative, and active programs for children and families of all ages. Such programs include learning to skate, badminton, basketball, tennis, Children Park Rangers and more! Additionally, the neighbourhood public swimming pool, Thornlea Pool, is located just north of the centre.

When it comes to accessibility and commute, Thornhill boasts easy access to Toronto’s only tolled highway (407), providing family commuters with a fast way through the northern parts of the city. Additionally, the recently constructed Vaughan Metropolitan subway station exists, allowing for convenient downtown commutes!

Lawrence Park

Located in the heart of Toronto’s midtown area, what makes Lawrence Park a great family neighbourhood is the sense of calm and tranquillity feel of the area. The family friendly area is surrounded by scenic green space, as well as rolling hills and winding roads let you feel like you and your family can slow down and take a breath in the sometimes-rushed feeling of city life.

The affluent area features many large, detached homes with private driveways and large lots. These homes often come with hardwood floors and stained glass windows – details not often found in other neighbourhoods in the city.

For education, Lawrence Park is home to multiple public schools such as Bedford Park Public School, Sunny View Junior and Senior Public School, as well as close proximity to four private schools which offer both primary and secondary levels of education. Daycare options are in the area as well, such as the Lawrence Park School, which serves children aged 18 months to 6 years.

As for transportation, much of the Lawrence Park area is within walking distance of TTC bus routes that run along Yonge Street, Mount Pleasant Road, Bayview Ave, and Lawrence Ave. Additionally, The Lawrence subway station exists at the intersection of Yonge and Lawrence.

As previously mentioned, the green spaces are paramount to this neighbourhood’s charm, and Lawrence Park is home to the Blythwood Ravine Park, as well as the gorgeously maintained Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens.

Bonus Mention: Richmond Hill

This city within the GTA has many great neighbourhoods of its own for families, providing ample opportunities for potential residents to choose from when seeking things like schools, daycares, recreational activities, and green spaces.

Located west of the 404 and north of the 407, the Richmond Hill area is an easy place for any commutes to the downtown core and its access to the Richmond Hill GO station, providing public transit to Union station.

There is a wide range of green areas, such as Mill Pond Park and a public library and sports complexes.

As far as education, there are a plethora of options from public to private schools, such as Richmond Hill Montessori Private School. Several daycares exist in the area as well, including Richmond Hill Child Care Daycare and Lullaboo Nursery and Childcare Center Inc.