Sandwiched between Runnymede to the north and Swansea to the south, Bloor West Village is one of Toronto’s most coveted neighbourhoods. With so much to see and do here, it’s easy to understand why many people want to live in this west end neighbourhood.
Small businesses, celebrated restaurants, mom and pop shops, and cozy residential side streets give Bloor West Village it’s distinctive community feel — just one of the reasons the area attracts so many visitors.
Whether you’re already a resident of Bloor West Village or you plan on paying the area a visit, check out our guide to this charming west end neighbourhood…
The Beautiful Homes
Taking a stroll down the quaint, tree-lined streets of the residential side streets of Bloor West Village is practically a Toronto history lesson unto itself. As the majority of these impressive heritage homes date back to the 1920s, there are lots of telltale architectural characteristics to look out for.
Constructed of signature Toronto red brick, the homes in this neighbourhood are almost exclusively semi-detached or detached properties with grand, inviting porches and entranceways.
Inside, these classically-built homes also feature traditional 1920s design features such as hardwood floors, show-stopping fireplaces, stained glass windows, and decorative wood accents.
Lots to Do
Bloor West Village’s linear east-west layout makes it an extremely walkable neighbourhood. Whether you want to do some shopping along Bloor Street or get in touch with nature in the surrounding parks, the area is perfectly situated for any type of adventure.
With close proximity to the vast open green spaces of High Park to the east and the winding trails along the Humber River to the west, there are plenty of opportunities to head off the beaten path and enjoy the outdoors.
The Food Scene
Fewer neighbourhoods in Toronto are as well-stocked in terms of variety, accessibility, and quality of local food options as Bloor West Village.
It’s easy to feel spoiled for choice in this food lover’s paradise considering the eclectic collection of local bakeries, delis, restaurants, cafes, and specialty food stores on offer. Bloor West Village has also become somewhat known for its vibrant, eye-catching fruit and vegetable stands scattered abundantly along its streets.
Some of our favourite spots include Queen’s Pasta Cafe, Max’s Market, Snappers Fish Market, Bloor Meat Market, Zaza Espresso Bar, and Baka Gallery Cafe.
Terrific Shopping
With more than 400 individual shops along this stretch of Bloor Street between South Kingsway and Ellis Park Road, you can find almost anything right here in the village.
Whether you’re looking for a florist, mechanic, greengrocer, or hairstylist, you won’t have to travel far to find what you need. With an admirable mix of independently-owned stores alongside larger franchised businesses, Bloor West Village is the perfect place to get your shopping done.
Some of our favourite local businesses include Marlborough’s office supply store, Blo Blow Dry Bar, The Ten Spot beauty salon, Jolanta Interiors, and The Village Cobbler.
A Community Feel
One of the aspects we love most about Bloor West Village is its palpable feeling of community. Locals are friendly, and they rarely hesitate to say “hi” when they see each other out-and-about in the neighbourhood.
Bloor West Village is also a very family-friendly area, with numerous well-regarded schools within walking distance. For this reason, many families with school-aged children consider it a desirable place to settle down. The area’s access to transit and low crime rate also makes it an optimal choice for commuters with kids.
A Note About Local
Every year in the lead-up to the festive holiday season, we believe it’s important to support small businesses and shop local as much as possible. This year especially, that’s even more important to us. That’s why on behalf of The Sidorova Inwood Team, we ask you to look to as many of the small businesses in Bloor West Village and across Toronto to do your shopping — for the holidays and beyond.
Does Bloor West Village sound like the perfect fit for you? As local real estate experts, we can help you find your ideal home here. Start off by getting in touch with us here, then have a look through our collection of featured listings to see what’s currently on the market.
