Riverside District

With the gentrification of Queen East almost complete, South Riverdale, which encompasses Riverside, has become a trendy neighbourhood where young professionals and creative types wander past hip cafés, hot restaurants, chic boutiques and oodles of funky furniture stores. Beyond the main strip, the area has a lot going for it: the generous amount of green space includes Greenwood Park (for outdoor swimming, baseball and an ice rink), the Leslie Street Spit (the city's best birdie venue) and Cherry Beach. This idyllic combination of fashion, nature and convenience comes at a price, however. Semis that once went for under $300,000 now start at $400,000 and up. Public transit users mostly rely on streetcars to ferry them over the Don to downtown.

HOUSING STOCK: The area is a mix of charming Victorian and Edwardian brick semis and row houses, post-war stock and newer townhouses. Most abodes come with character, or reno opportunities. Lots tend to be smaller, with narrow fronts and driveways. The finest houses are between Queen and Dundas.

BARGAIN ZONES: Real bargains are hard to come by, but prices tend to be lower between Eastern and the industrial lands to the south. Properties next to the railway, which cuts diagonally through the neighbourhood, go cheaper.

THE VERDICT: With its "It" neighbourhood status and relative affordability, buyers come looking for more space than a condo provides. Large families may find the houses slightly cramped.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Brick Street Breads This satellite location of the much-loved Distillery District bakery provides fresh and organic baguettes and loaves of bread. 255 Logan Ave., 416-465-6808.
Ed's Real Scoop Customers brave long lines for the deliciously creamy house-made ice cream at this friendly parlour, once a Beach exclusive. 920 Queen St. E., 416-406-2525.
T&T Supermarket This sprawling Asian market has Chinatown's selection, plus the ease of one-stop shopping. 222 Cherry St., 416-463-8113.