Little Italy Toronto is a classic example of old meets new: while the Italian character and ambiance of this community has endured throughout the years, this neighbourhood has grown into a celebration of multiculturalism, attracting new residents and visitors of all ages and ethnicities. Lively and community-oriented, College Street and Little Italy continue to offer the classic espresso, gelato and pizzerias one would expect of such an area, while successfully introducing exciting additions such as a second-run cinema and a nightlife scene that entices Toronto’s movers and shakers. Festivals including June’s “Taste of Little Italy” and late summer’s “Fiera” festival draw crowds from across Toronto; “Taste of Little Italy” creates an opportunity to sample cuisine from across the globe, reflecting the multicultural nature of this neighbourhood, while “Fiera” is a classic Italian celebration with all the Italian traditional music you can handle ! With easy access to street cars going in every direction and a pedestrian-friendly feel, you’ll quickly find Little Italy’s “community-feel” drawing you in to stay awhile.
Value
Little Italy is a well-maintained neighbourhood that has retained its character over the years. Durable solid brick comprises many of the houses in Little Italy, houses that were built between 1900 and 1920. Today, 60% of homes in this neighbourhood are semi-detached, 25% are detached houses, and 15% or the residences are attached, row or townhouses. About 35% of the housing stock are 2-storey houses, 2-1/2 storey houses and 3 storey houses make up approximately 30% of the homes, and bungalows comprise about 1 to 2 percent of the housing stock, while mixed-use structures make up the remainder. The properties in this neighbourhood offer fantastic investment potential, as a substantial number of the houses in Little Italy have been divided into apartments. Living in one of these apartments while leasing the remaining units in your property mean that you can live in this desirable neighbourhood while keeping your monthly costs at a minimum, or even having your tenants essentially pay for your property.
Accessible
Street cars run east and west along College Street and north and south along Bathurst Street, making Little Italy accessible from all over Toronto! This pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood is perfect for those interested in reducing their ecological carbon footprint, or for simply finding your next favourite outdoor patio.
Established and Friendly
While Little Italy continues to feature a strong Italian presence, people of all ages and cultures are quickly becoming a part of this community. You will easily find family-run pizzerias that have been in business for decades, gelato emporia, and newly opened sushi restaurants on the same block. This growing multiculturalism has resulted in a blend of restaurants, shops and various other amenities that make Little Italy Toronto truly unique.
Urban Convenience
Little Italy is located on the cusp of several of Toronto’s other most popular neighbourhoods, including The Annex, Dundas West, and Kensington Market, providing access to a variety of attractions, restaurants, art galleries and night life. You can even walk to the heart of downtown on a nice day! With transit so easily accessible, a car is not a necessity in pedestrian-friendly Little Italy.
Green Space
Trinity Bellwoods Park and Christie Pits Park are both a short stroll away, and several other smaller green spaces fall within the city blocks that make up Little Italy Toronto, including George Ben Park, Fred Hamilton Playground, and Harbord Park. These green spaces offer opportunities to purchase local produce at community farmers’ markets, take your dog for a walk, or simply relax on a park bench while enjoying the life of Little Italy bustle by.