Homes Sold in 2008 (Detached, 3 or 4 bdrm): 60
Median Sale Price: $1,807,000
Average Sale Price: $2,216,067
The Forest Hill Village shopping district is centred around the intersection of Spadina Road and Lonsdale Road. The ambience of this private enclave of stores is that of a small town rather than a big city. The Village's boutiques and shops cater to the specific needs of Forest Hill's affluent residents.The Eglinton West Village shopping district has a large variety of stores to suit every taste and budget. This street also contains many fine restaurants and food stores.
The Belt Line fitness and nature trail follows the route of the former Belt Line railway, which was Toronto's first commuter train. This fourteen and one-half kilometre track passes through Forest Hill on its way down to Rosedale. The Belt Line Path is enjoyed by both nature and fitness enthusiasts.Forest Hill's Public Library has a myriad of programs for adults, children, and preschoolers.
Real Estate
Grounded at its southern end by those two bastions of affluence, Upper Canada College and Forest Hill Village, the area bounded by Avenue, Bathurst, St. Clair and Eglinton has some swagger. Completely developed by the 1930s, the area exudes both traditional respectability and a rabid desire to keep up. Front-lawn dumpsters are common, due to the prevalence of massive renovations. Homes are big, as in Brian Gluckstein's six-bedroom, six-bath 1913 design showcase, and the seven-bedroom "Forest Hill Landmark" that sold for $3.85 million last year. They also come in every style, from French Colonial with terra cotta tiles to English country manors with Tudor boarding and sweeping lawns. Utilitarian brick is usually well hidden behind stucco or stone, and the houses come loaded with such luxurious details as sculpture gardens, porte cochères and imposing gated entrances.
HOUSING STOCK: Forest Hill was traditionally dominated by Tudors and Georgians-which is still the trend today-but French Provincials and the occasional ultra-modern design now dot the neighbourhood as well.
BARGAIN ZONES: Roughly $1.5 million will buy a 40-foot lot in lower Forest Hill Village, on the western side of Spadina, though homes in Chaplin Estates can be had for under $1 million. Of course, you'll want to save money to tear down that house and replace it with a bigger, better stone Tudor.
THE VERDICT: Forest Hill's proximity to downtown makes it a relatively safe investment area and, as evidenced by the number of extensive renovation projects on the go, demand for property remains strong. Forest Hill Village, with its mixed demographic, is embracing a more casual feel, rather than the pretentiousness it has been well-known for in years past.
For more listings in Forest Hill and Surrounding areas click here
For more information on the Forest Hill Real Estate market click here
SCHOOLS
Public:
Forest Hill Jr. & Sr. 78 Dunloe (416) 393-9335
Alternative Primary Jr. 1100 Spadina (416) 393-9199
North Preparatory Jr. 1100 Spadina (416) 393-9230
West Preparatory Jr. 70 Ridge Hill (416) 393-1633
Forest Hill Collegiate 730 Eglinton W. (416) 393-1860
Private
Bishop Strachan School 298 Lonsdale Rd (416) 483-4325
Upper Canada College 200 Lonsdale Rd. (416) 488-1125
