Leslieville vs Riverdale: Which East End Neighbourhood Fits You?
Leslieville or Riverdale? Housing, transit, parks, the Ontario Line and September 2026 TRREB numbers, compared side by side by Candice Schott, Broker.
Updated October 2026 · Written by Candice Schott, Broker, Schott & Co., Royal LePage Signature Realty, Brokerage
Choose Riverdale if you want a bigger Victorian or Edwardian house, Riverdale Park and the Line 2 subway on the Danforth. Choose Leslieville if you want Queen Street East at your door, character semis and cottages, and a streetcar ride downtown.
Both sit in TRREB district E01, east of the Don Valley, and both are competitive. In September 2026, E01 homes sold for 109% of asking in 18 days on average, compared with 99% and 33 days across the City of Toronto (TRREB). This guide from Candice Schott, Broker and co-founder of Schott & Co., compares the two side by side.
The short version
- Riverdale: more residential, somewhat bigger houses, subway on the Danforth, Riverdale Park and Withrow Park.
- Leslieville: Queen Street East shops and restaurants, smaller lots, more cottages and row houses, streetcar to downtown.
- Both: older homes that need a full inspection, tight parking, and Ontario Line construction for the next few years.
What's the difference between Leslieville and Riverdale?
Riverdale is the quieter, leafier side of E01, with larger houses near the park and the subway. Leslieville is built around Queen Street East, with smaller lots and more of a main-street feel. They share a border at Gerrard Street East, so a few blocks can change the feel of the street.
| Leslieville | Riverdale | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Eastern Ave to the rail corridor near Gerrard, McGee St to Coxwell | Danforth Ave to Gerrard St E, the Don Valley to about Jones Ave |
| Main street | Queen Street East | Danforth Ave, Broadview Ave, Gerrard St E |
| Typical homes | Late-1800s workers' cottages, row houses and Victorian semis, plus lofts and newer condos | Two- and three-storey Victorian and Edwardian semis, some detached homes, larger houses near the park |
| Transit | 501 Queen streetcar, 72 Pape bus to Line 2 | Line 2 at Broadview, Chester and Pape; 504, 505 and 506 streetcars |
| Parks | Jimmie Simpson Park, Greenwood Park, Maple Leaf Forever Park | Riverdale Park East, Withrow Park, the Lower Don Trail |
| Ontario Line | Station planned on Queen East between Broadview and Carlaw | Interchange at Pape and a station near Gerrard and Carlaw |
Is Riverdale more expensive than Leslieville?
Usually, house for house, because Riverdale's homes tend to be bigger. TRREB reports both neighbourhoods together as district E01, so there's no official price for each one on its own. Here's what E01 looked like in September 2026:
| E01, September 2026 | Avg price | Sold vs asking | Avg days |
|---|---|---|---|
| All homes (64 sales) | $1,223,544 | 109% | 18 |
| Detached (13 sales) | $1,506,231 | 114% | 8 |
| Semi-detached (28 sales) | $1,286,913 | 113% | 12 |
| Condo apartment (14 sales) | $927,946 | 97% | 34 |
E01 had 2.4 months of inventory, compared with 4.6 for the City of Toronto. Semis and detached homes are selling over asking. Condos are not. For a price on a specific street, you need the actual sales on that street, not the district average.
Which is better for getting downtown?
Riverdale, if you work near the subway. Broadview, Chester and Pape stations put you on Line 2. Leslieville relies on the 501 Queen streetcar, about 15 to 25 minutes to downtown, or the 72 Pape bus up to Line 2. Both are close to the Don Valley Parkway, and Leslieville is closer to the Gardiner and Lake Shore.
The Ontario Line will change this for both. When it opens, expected in the 2030s, Leslieville gets a station on Queen East and Riverdale gets the Pape interchange and a stop near Gerrard and Carlaw.
What are the downsides of each?
Leslieville
- Small lots and tight parking, often street permit only
- Older homes that may need wiring, plumbing or basement work
- Ontario Line construction near Queen
Riverdale
- Parking varies by street; many homes have no lane
- Older systems: wiring, plumbing, roofs and basements
- Construction near Pape and Gerrard/Carlaw
"If you want large fabulous detached homes, Danforth energy, and skyline views over the Don Valley, Riverdale is your neighbourhood. If you want a creative, laid-back vibe with Queen East cafés, boutiques, and charming houses, Leslieville fits the bill. Both sit minutes from downtown, with very different personalities. The right fit comes down to which street feels like home when you walk it." — Candice Schott
Which one fits you?
Riverdale fits if you want more square footage, a quieter residential street, the subway, and Riverdale Park or Withrow Park nearby.
Leslieville fits if you want to walk to cafés, shops and restaurants on Queen, you're happy with a smaller lot, and a streetcar commute works for you.
Read the full guides: Leslieville and Riverdale. Moving up from a condo? Start with Upsizing in Toronto.
Common questions
Is Leslieville part of Riverdale?
Leslieville is part of South Riverdale, south of Gerrard Street East. Riverdale usually means North Riverdale, between the Danforth and Gerrard. TRREB counts both in district E01.
Are homes in Leslieville and Riverdale selling over asking?
Semis and detached homes are. In September 2026, E01 semis sold for 113% of asking in 12 days on average and detached homes for 114% in 8 days. Condo apartments sold for 97% of asking in 34 days (TRREB).
Which has better transit, Leslieville or Riverdale?
Riverdale, because Line 2 runs along the Danforth with stations at Broadview, Chester and Pape. Leslieville uses the 501 Queen streetcar. The Ontario Line will add stations to both.
What schools serve Leslieville and Riverdale?
Leslieville is served by schools including Leslieville Junior PS, Morse Street Junior PS and Riverdale Collegiate. Riverdale is served by schools including Withrow Avenue Junior PS, Frankland Community School, Earl Grey Senior PS and Riverdale Collegiate. Boundaries change, so confirm any address with the TDSB or TCDSB school locator.
How is the Ontario Line affecting these neighbourhoods?
Construction is underway at Pape, near Gerrard and Carlaw, and on Queen East, so expect noise, detours and lane closures near those sites for several years. Ask about a home's distance to the work zones before you buy.
Deciding between the two?
We'll pull what actually sold on the streets you're looking at in both neighbourhoods. Get in touch with Candice and Jason →
Sources: TRREB Market Watch, September 2026
General information, not legal, tax, mortgage or financial advice. Market figures are TRREB district averages and vary by street and property. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.