Located just north of Toronto, Forest Hill is a thriving community with a population of nearly 30,000 people. It’s grown rapidly in the past several years, as many people decide that Forest Hill is the place they want to call “home.” Perhaps you know a little about Forest Hill, and maybe you’ve even entertained the thought of moving to Forest Hill yourself. If you’re on the fence or if you want to learn more about what the area is like before you begin shopping for Forest Hill real estate, this article will give you a brief introduction to the area.
1. The schools are excellent
In Forest Hill, you’ll find two of the top private schools in the entire country of Canada. The first is Upper Canada College. A boys-only school with nearly 1,200 students, Upper Canada College is known for providing transformational learning experiences in state-of-the-art facilities to raise up the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators. The other premier school in the area is Bishop Strachan School. Bishop Strachan is a boarding school for young girls. At Bishop Strachan, students sharpen their academic skills through exploration, discovery, and an appropriate level of challenge.
2. The area is beautiful
Toronto is known for being a beautiful city, and the Forest Hill neighborhood is one of the most aesthetically pleasing communities in the entire area. You’ll find gently winding roads, sloping hills, and small parks throughout the entire neighborhood. Forest Hill is an older neighborhood, and when you live in the area, you’ll experience the charm and the history on a daily basis.
3. You can walk or run the Belt Line Path whenever you want
The Belt Line Path is well-known in the Toronto area, both by nature and fitness enthusiasts. It follows the Belt Line Railway, or the original path of Toronto’s first commuter train. It runs 14 ½ kilometers long, or roughly nine miles, from Forest Hill to Rosedale. It’s a great place to jog or take a walk with friends.
4. Top-tier shopping options
At the intersection of Spadina Road and Lonsdale Road, you’ll find Forest Hill Village. This vast selection of stores has more of a small-town feel, with many high-end options that cater to the needs of Forest Hill’s affluent residents. You can also head over to the Eglinton West Village district to make your way through their stores or to grab a meal at one of their fine restaurants.
5. It’s easy to get around town
The Allen Expressway takes drivers quickly into downtown Toronto. Most bus stops are within walking distance of the town’s most trafficked areas, and the bus can take you around the city or to a nearby subway stop. The TTC makes it easy to get around the city of Toronto.
6. Many of the homes tell a story
In the 1920s and 1930s, there was a local ordinance that dictated all homes must be designed by an architect. These homes were required to have a tree at the front of the property. While this law is not in effect anymore, you can still see its effects when you notice the beautiful brick and stone mansions that are common in the Forest Hill area. The trees have had nearly 100 years to grow, and most of them are massive and provide great shade in addition to bringing a more natural feel to the area. These homes are more common in the Lower Village, and if you travel to the Upper Village, you’ll see large estates with neo-classical architecture.
7. The Forest Hill Library caters to all ages
The Forest Hill Library first opened in 1954 and has had a major impact on the community. They regularly offer programs for readers and learners of all ages, including after-school clubs for children and storytimes and sing-alongs for infants and toddlers. They often have times set aside when anyone can come to ask for help with accessing online books and magazines. There is a book discussion group that meets on a regular basis and a 24-hour book drop box. They are open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. They are closed Sundays.
8. The restaurants are delicious
Forest Hill has some of the best dining choices that you’ll find in the entire Toronto area. Bistro Grande serves excellent Mediterranean-Israeli cuisine in a beautiful dining room. They also have a patio if you prefer to dine outside. They cook their pizzas inside a wood-fired oven, and their pasta is always dressed with excellent sauce choices. Bi Bim Bap is another place worth your visit. They don’t take reservations, and they get busy fast, so you’ll want to arrive early to ensure you can get a seat and enjoy your food in a timely manner. Regardless of when you arrive, the delicious Korean meals–which are always served in traditional Korean stone bowls–are well worth the wait. Don’t forget to save room for their cinnamon dessert tea.
Once you decide that Forest Place is the place for you, it’s essential to reach out to an expert to assist with the homebuying journey. Sophia Keshavarz, Founder at Homes with Sophia Realty has over twenty years of experience buying and selling homes in the Toronto area. She treats each of her clients with respect and works hard to offer them first-class service throughout their entire real estate transaction. This is one of the main reasons why she frequently receives business from referrals and repeat clients. If you’re moving to Forest Hill in the near future and you want someone to help you shop for a home in the area, give Sophia a call.
