Top 6 Toronto Neighbourhoods for First-Time Condo Buyers (And Our Favourite Condos)

About this video

In this September 2026 video, Tom and his team partner Connor each pick three Toronto neighbourhoods they recommend for first time condo buyers: Liberty Village, King West, Humber Bay Shores, St. Lawrence Market, Yonge and Eglinton, and King Street East. For each one they cover the pros, the drawbacks and specific buildings they like.

Key points

• Liberty Village is walkable with everything nearby, but it gets busy during big events and has limited road access. Connor likes 125 Western Battery Road, 5 Hanna and 55 East Liberty.
• Tom bought his first condo in King West in 2014 and praises its walkability and lifestyle, though it can be noisy. His picks include 650 King, 95 Bathurst, 75 Portland, 400 Wellington and Waterworks at 505 Richmond Street West.
• Humber Bay Shores offers waterfront trails and nature but a long transit commute downtown, while St. Lawrence Market has a real neighbourhood feel, a mix of ages and a short walk to Union Station.
• Yonge and Eglinton now sits where Line 1 and Line 5 meet, and King Street East is a quieter area of low rise soft lofts, with picks such as the Quantum towers, 138 Princess Street and 510 King Street East.
• Across all areas, they favour end user buildings, mostly built around 2011 to 2015, with functional floor plans and parking, and they suggest choosing an area based on your personal anchors such as work, family and friends.

Questions answered in this video

What are good Toronto neighbourhoods for a first time condo buyer?

Tom and Connor recommend Liberty Village, King West, Humber Bay Shores, St. Lawrence Market, Yonge and Eglinton, and the King Street East design district. Each suits a different lifestyle, from busy and central to quieter and closer to nature.

How should a first time buyer choose a neighbourhood?

Tom suggests thinking about your anchors, such as your office, family, friends or favourite gym, and where you are in life. He notes a first condo is often a stepping stone rather than a home you keep for the full mortgage.

Is Humber Bay Shores a good choice if I commute downtown?

Connor says it may not be the best fit for a daily downtown commute, since the streetcar to the nearest subway station can take about an hour. It works well for people who work from home or outside downtown and want waterfront access.

Related: First time home buyer guide | Toronto condo specialist | Toronto neighbourhood guides