Forest Hill

Forest Hill is an affluent neighbourhood in central Toronto. Along with Rosedale and the Bridle Path, it is considered to be one of Toronto’s wealthiest neighbourhoods. The mansions in Lower Forest Hill are rivalled only by those found in Rosedale. Forest Hill's schools are among the best in the country. They include two of Canada's most revered private schools: Upper Canada College for boys, and Bishop Strachan School for girls.                                                        

Forest Hill is one of Toronto's prettier districts. Its topography is very diverse with gently sloping hills, winding roads, and numerous little parkettes all adding charm to the neighbourhood.

It was originally incorporated as a village in 1923, and later annexed by the City of Toronto in 1967, along with the Village of Swansea. The village was named after the summer home of John Wickson; previously it had been known as Spadina Heights (a name that continued to be applied to the neighbourhood into the twentieth century).

Its original boundaries were Bathurst Street to the west, Upper Canada College to the east, Eglinton Avenue to the north, and Lonsdale Road and a portion of Montclair Avenue to the south. Neighbourhoods north of Eglinton are sometimes though not unanimously regarded as Forest Hill.

Forest Hill North extends from Briar Hill Avenue in the north to Eglinton Avenue West in the south, and from Latimer Avenue in the west to Allen Road and Fairleigh Crescent in the north-east and south-east, respectively.

As the name would imply, Forest Hill South is directly south of Forest Hill North. It extends from Eglinton Ave West in the north to Tinchester Road in the south, and from Bathurst Street in the west to Elmsthorpe Road in the northeast and Avenue Road and the Oriole Parkway in the east. There is an additional stretch of Forest Hill South between Bathurst Street and Spadina Road, north of Lonsdale Road.

Forest Hill Village is a part of Forest Hill occupying most of the original area of the village. The Village extends roughly from Briar Hill Avenue in the north (the Upper Village), officially part of  Forest Hill North)  to Heath Street in the south (the Lower Village, officially the major part of Forest Hill South along Spadina Road between Bathurst Street/Cedarvale Ravine (whichever is further east) and Avenue Road. The designations Upper and Lower are based on height of land and not on positions on a map or along a watercourse.

The Lower Village is known for its upscale shopping and dining, although the actual mix of stores includes several modest enterprises. The Lower Village has attracted extensive residential development (especially of apartments), both within the original boundaries of Forest Hill and in adjacent neighbourhoods to which developers have now extended the Village and Forest Hill names.

Prior to World War II, Forest Hill's population was predominantly made up of wealthy Anglo-Protestants. During the 1940s and 1950s, many upwardly mobile Jewish families moved from the Spadina area of Toronto into Forest Hill. Forest Hill has many businesses catering to the Jewish community along Eglinton Avenue. Today, Jewish families make up about half of the population of Forest Hill, according to the 2001 census.

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.

Forest Hill is conveniently located within walking distance of numerous bus routes that connect passengers to Toronto's rapid transit subway lines.

For motorists commuting in and out of the city, the Allen Expressway is easily accessed from Eglinton Avenue West.

Area Schools

To find out which schools are associated with your prospective new home, please click here to access the Toronto District School Board Street Guide and enter the street name only.

Please feel free to contact me regarding this area and or any surrounding areas that you may be interested in. Call me at  416-804-0991 (client line) or 416-441-2888 ext 266 (office) or send me an email ctalpalar@trebnet.com