The Annex has long been one of Toronto’s finest neighbourhoods. Many of the grand houses in the Annex were built well over 100 years ago. These houses were designed by some of the finest architects of the time, most originally hailing from Britain.
The grand old homes are often three storeys tall and on larger lots. Since the houses are valued at some of the higher prices in the city, it attracts many of the whos-who and leaders of academia, tech, business, law, and the creative arts. We often see these older homes purchased and then extensively updated to modern design and architectural standards, usually retaining the historical significance of the facades.
Families In The Annex
The Annex is well-positioned for family life. Ever since the Annex became a neighbourhood, it has housed many families you and older. The excellent schools include the University of Toronto Schools, Royal St George’s College, and an excellent Taddle Creek Montessori School on Spadina. The convenience of amenities, community centres, public transportation and even weekend fun at the Royal Ontario Museum means that families of all ages have a lot of fun options to stay engaged and stimulated.
Searching for more family-oriented real estate content? Read these blogs next!
- Best Family-Friendly Toronto Parks
- Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate With Kids
- Dufferin Grove and Dovercourt Park Schools
Why Is The Annex Considered Safe?
As detailed above, the Annex is a wealthy neighbourhood in central Toronto. Yes, there are a lot of purpose-built rental apartment buildings, but those are filled with long-term tenants who pay higher than average Toronto rents, as well as students studying at the University of Toronto.
A factor in wealthy neighbourhoods is the pride of ownership and a generally upper-class, educated, hard-working demographic means that they watch out for their own home and property as well as their neighbourhood’s homes. An informal neighbourhood watch of sorts.
Another reality of the Annex neighbourhood is that there are many one-way streets, which means that the roads are mainly used by the neighbourhood population, as few people who don’t live in the area can navigate a clear path through the streets. It’s simply too complicated to figure out how to drive from one end to the other while arriving at the intended major street like Bloor, Spadina, Bathurst or Dupont.
Home Security & Surveillance
There are myriad options for homeowners who wish to take additional steps to secure their homes, whether to protect valuables or family or to give a further sense of security beyond what the Annex offers the community.
Clients have found that Bell’s acquisition of Alarm Force has made their service the best of the telecommunications companies. In contrast, Rogers’s offering is a reminiscence of the early 2000s in terms of screen and overall functionality and app usability. Telus is making inroads. For those who wish to take the initiative further, there are excellent companies like Avante. This is a premium offering that allows for scaling up and add-ons. Homeowners can have basic security coverage or opt to have around-the-clock surveillance. Avante also offers travellers and snowbirds an option for a daily door lock, window check and gate checks to ensure that there is a constant secure check-in.
Thinking about buying a home in The Annex (or elsewhere in Toronto)? Have a read through these related blogs next!
- Getting The Best Price On A Home: 5 Tips For Buyers
- Is It Safe To Buy a Home Without An Inspection in Toronto?
- How to Submit a Winning Offer on a Home for Sale
Life in The Annex
All the above being said, it is very much worth noting that the Annex is considered incredibly safe and secure, with websites offering an A+ and ranking amongst the safest downtown neighbourhoods in Toronto.
Regarding real estate experience, our clients have never once complained about their sense of security or that of their family’s safety. You can rest assured that the active, supportive community in the Annex takes good care of their neighbourhood, as do the many shops and restaurants on Bloor Street West; the BIA there is very active and supportive.
Searching for the perfect Toronto neighbourhood to call home? I’m here to help. Reach me by email at ryan@ryanroberts.ca or call 416-925-9191.
