Humewood - Cedarvale Toronto Real Estate

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What's My Home Worth?

Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
City	Toronto
Community	Etobicoke-York
Changed Municipality	1998 Toronto from York
Government
MP	Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul's)
MPP	Eric Hoskins (St. Paul's)
Councillor	Joe Mihevc (Ward 21 St. Paul's)

Humewood-Cedarvale is a neighbourhood in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, historically part of the York borough. The neighbourhood is bordered by Bathurst Street to the east, Eglinton Avenue to the north, Winnett Avenue to the west and St. Clair Avenue to the south. The neighbourhood is often referred to by each distinct name with the north half of the neighbourhood represented by Cedarvale and the south as Humewood. The latter is sometimes nicknamed as "The Woods" because of its many streets that have names ending with "-wood".

Profile

Humewood is a middle-class, very family-oriented neighbourhood. Humewood Park was once part of the estate of William Hume Blake, after whom the neighbourhood is named, and is now used as social housing. Cedarvale is a wealthy community, and includes multi-million-dollar luxury homes facing the Cedarvale Ravine that is within the namesake park.

Cedarvale and Humewood are separated by Vaughan Road, however just slightly further east is the huge Cedarvale Ravine, which was once proposed for the route of an expressway, which would have been the extension to Allen Road. At the intersection of Claxton Boulevard and Bathurst St., there is an imposing gate, built in the 1910s, which symbolized its wealth; it was originally intended to be a gated community. However, due to decreased demand for real estate during World War I, and the decreasing fortune of Sir Henry Pellatt, in charge of the community's construction, who could not pay the bills for the nearby Casa Loma, the gates were never completed, causing this to be an open community, but the columns are still there. Additionally, Claxton Boulevard was to be named Connaught Ave., but only a small street connecting Vaughan Road is so named (Connaught Circle).

Facilities

here are two elementary schools in this area: Humewood and Cedarvale Community Schools, which represent the namesake portions of this neighbourhood. Arlington Middle School is also located in this community. However, there are no publicly-funded secondary schools in this neighbourhood, but one can attend the nearby Vaughan Road Academy, Oakwood Collegiate Institute, or Forest Hill Collegiate Institute. These schools are all run by the Toronto District School Board. Near St. Michael's College School, there is an apartment building that Ernest Hemingway lived in during his stay in Canada, which is now called "The Hemingway." Additionally, there are no public libraries in this neighbourhood, but one may use the Oakwood Village, the Maria Shchuka, the Wychwood, the St. Clair-Dufferin, or the Forest Hill public libraries.

There is a large Jewish community in Humewood-Cedarvale (although more so in Cedarvale) at over 23% of residents with several key religious sites within walking distance (Holy Blossom Temple and Beth Tzedec Synagogue). In Cedarvale itself, Jews make up about two-thirds of the population, the highest proportion in Toronto, according to the 2001 Census, hence the lack of any Catholic schools in the area except for the nearby St. Alphonsus Catholic elementary school in Oakwood-Vaughan.

Where Eglinton Avenue and St. Clair Avenue enter this neighbourhood, there are many trendy restaurants, cafés, and bars along these thoroughfares.

The community has some access to public transportation since it touches two subway stations: Eglinton West and St. Clair West, and the 90 Vaughan bus route passes through this neighbourhood.

Demographics

Top 10 Ethnic Origins

Ethnic origin refers to the ethnic or cultural group(s) to which the respondent's ancestors self-identified. Ethnic Origins are from the Total Responses category and may not add up to the same amount in the Regions category. Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census

Real Estate in Humewood - Cedarvale Neighbourhood

By far the biggest draw here is 35-acre Cedarvale Park, which cuts this midtown neighbourhood horizontally in half, with posh Cedarvale to the north and slightly cheaper, but still sought-after Humewood to the south. Nestled within the Cedarvale ravine, along a tributary of the Lower Don, the park offers enough space for multiple teams to practise soccer while grannies head out for power walks and teens smooch on the steep hills. The nearby community centre has tennis courts and a skating rink that are well-used by the area’s families. Plenty of commercial and retail space surrounds the ’hood—both Eglinton’s upscale Jewish strip and the West Indian turned Latin stretch of St. Clair offer restaurants, groceries and shops. Years of development have yet to bring a high school to the area, so teens ride the TTC to Forest Hill Collegiate Institute or Oakwood Collegiate Institute, both of which have good reputations.

HOUSING STOCK: Architecturally stunning contemporary luxury homes ring the park, their three- and four-storey glass expanses peering down into the picturesque ravine. Only a few apartment buildings can be found on the major streets. The main offerings are detached and semi-detached single-family abodes. Cedarvale features more impressive early-20th-century piles, but even the more humble residences in Humewood are still incredibly well maintained.

BARGAIN ZONES: Humewood is far more affordable and still contains a smattering of post-war semis and bungalows on substantial lots. Streets closer to Vaughan, like Arlington Avenue and Atlas Road, have yet to be razed for renovations so there’s good potential to snag reasonably priced a fixer-upper.

THE VERDICT: One of Humewood–Cedarvale’s great triumphs was the cancellation of the Spadina Expressway, which would have ruined Cedarvale Park and destroyed the area’s walkable winding inner streets. Today, it’s one of midtown’s great nabes, with excellent amenities, including a plenitude of public transit options, plus quick access to downtown and Highway 401, via the Allen Expressway.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:

Mark Lash Fine Jewellery Bright baubles and sparkling creations for weddings and special occasions will tempt you to drain your bank account. 938 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-256-5229.
Marron Enjoy a haute kosher meal that might include sweetbread escalope and herb-crusted tilapia. 948 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-784-0128.
Nortown Butchers Locals pick up such hormone-free meat as Nortown’s famous burger patties. 892 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-789-2921.

Schools - Humewood-Cedarvale Neighbourhood

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