One Spring afternoon, I was caught off guard running through Wellesley Park. I had just made it over the Gerrard Bridge at Riverdale Park, but was transported into a parade of Yellow. To my surprise, the annual Forsythia Festival was well underway to celebrate the turning of the season, and specifically the yellow forsythia plant. Every year since 1971, the neighbourhood has gotten together for relationship building in a neighbourhood known for its tight-knit community. The festival features local vendors, crafts, games and crafts for kids and a huge decorating of bikes, scooters and exterior home entrances.
Looking for a local expert for your next real estate sale or home purchase? Book an appointment with me today, I’m always happy to talk strategy!
Where and What is Cabbagetown?
So, where is the magical Cabbagetown, Toronto neighbourhood? Cabbagetown is located in the central-east area of downtown Toronto. It’s bordered by the Don Valley river to the east and Sherbourne street to the west, Wellesley to the North and Gerrard to the south.
Its original neighbourhood name was the Don Vale Village, but later took on the name in the late 1840s as “Cabbagetown” when the immigrant families moved in and began growing Cabbage and other veggies in their front gardens to help feed the poor Irish residents. The name stuck.
Real Estate buffs LOVE Cabbagetown as it’s home to North America’s largest number of Victorian homes. The most common type of Victorian here would be the Bay and Gable, 2.5 stories high on a narrow lot with a sizable front garden. Walking tours are regularly held to show off the pride and preservation of these beloved tall ladies.
Do you love the style of Victorian homes? Thinking about buying one in the future? Read our blog for everything you need to know about buying a Victorian home in Toronto.
Who lives in Cabbagetown?
“What’s in a name” may apply to Romeo and Juliet’s tragedy, but for Cabbagetown, It IS in the name. There’s something about the name ‘Cabbagetown’ that has led its citizens to remain “homegrown” and “grass-roots”. Most of the citizens of Cabbagetown are Anglo-Saxon and the English language is more commonly spoken here than in almost all other neighbourhoods and cities across the GTA. If you value a neighbourhood that takes pride in its home’s appearance, values order and responsibility and neighbourly gestures, Cabbagetown, Toronto, is a good place to live for you.
The dominant profession (outside of newly retired gardeners) is in business finance administration, so naturally, the household income is higher than most neighbourhoods at $202,000/household. Residents tend to be university-educated and family-oriented. Sophistication, novelty and change are core values the residents of this once immigrant community hold closely.
The residents of Cabbagetown, Toronto, have a weekly “review” newspaper to which they can all contribute and speak about all of the hyper-local events and well-wishes. This sort of quaint community outreach is reminiscent of small towns in the post-century. In addition to the paper, a weekly get-together is held (rain or shine) at 6 pm in the laneway of the Wellesley Cottages. The cottages themselves are a unique and architectural collection.
Cabbagetown is great, but Toronto is filled with many amazing neighbourhoods. Keep reading these posts next to learn more about them:
- Why Leslieville is a Great Place to Raise a Family
- Neighbourhood Spotlight: The Beaches
- Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Families
What to do in Cabbagetown?
Up until the 1970s, the Riverdale Farm was actually the Riverdale Zoo. The animals were shipped to the Toronto Zoo and replaced with content animals slowed for pasture. The farm remains free and open to the public 365 days a year, which is exactly how many times I went in 2021 with my kids during COVID (while everything else seemed to be closed).
Beside the farm is the Toronto Necropolis ( a fancy word for cemetery). It’s a peaceful and historic site that houses famous Torontoians like William Lyon Mackenzie, Jack Layton and George Brown. Walk through to see gorgeous gardens on a spring day – you won’t regret it.
Parliament Street to the west is the commercial backbone of the neighbourhoods with newly appointed coffee shops, pizzerias, bars, vintage shops and markets. My favourite places to go are Rayah, a newish Moroccan resto, and Kingyo Fisherman’s Market.
Also, along Parliament Street on one hot summer day every year, you’ll see the EPIC Cabbagetown Festival happening. For a small neighbourhood, they put on a huge display of art, dancing, costumes, endless food tents, kids’ games, bouncy castles, bubble fairies, bands and DJS. It’s one of my favourite festivals to bring my two small kids to.
Attention parents: Here are a few more posts you might like to read next:
- Where to Find the Best Private Schools in Toronto
- Why City Living Builds Resilient and Adaptable Kids
- Family-Friendly Toronto Attractions!
Is Cabbagetown, Toronto, safe?
The short answer is YES, Cabbagetown, Toronto, is a very safe place to live.
However, once revered as the most dangerous part of town to live in, Regent Park sits directly south of Cabbagetown. But in the early 2010s, the city set out its plan for the revitalization and clean-up of the neighbourhood. CMHC and The Danel’s corporation came in and built a mix of rent geared to income and condo units to a total of 7500 units. With the recent addition of the Daniel’s Aquatic Center, the Athletic grounds, and new parks, crime has come down. With new art installations and things to do, people tend to treat their neighbourhoods and neighbours better.
Cabbagetown has reaped the benefits of the declining crime rates, although the rates in Cabbagetown proper have always been low relative to the city. Cabbagetown in the last 20 years, at least, has been a very, very safe place to raise a family and enjoy a quiet life.
Cabbagetown, Toronto, your new home.
If history and convenience are your thing, don’t shy away from considering Cabbagetown your next neighbourhood. The exquisite detail on the exteriors of the Victorian homes will bring you in, and the community will be the reason you stay.
Would you like to learn more about Cabbagetown real estate? Get in touch today by filling out the form on this page, calling me at 416-728-5401, or emailing me at ddemerino@royallepage.ca.
