Editor's note, October 6, 2026: this article was reviewed and rewritten in our accuracy check. An earlier version contained neighbourhood price levels, rent tables and market statistics we could not trace to a published source; they have been removed or replaced with figures from the sources listed at the end of the article.
Forest Hill is a midtown Toronto neighbourhood north of St. Clair Avenue West, around Spadina Road. It was a separate village until 1967, when it became part of the City of Toronto, and it's known for large detached homes on wide, tree-lined streets. Forest Hill Village, around Spadina Road and Lonsdale Road, is its small shopping strip.
Homes
Most homes are large detached houses from the early and mid-20th century, many substantially renovated or rebuilt. There are also low-rise apartments and condos along the main roads. With older and heavily renovated homes, ask for permits for past work and check heritage designations before planning changes.
Getting around
- Line 1 (Yonge–University) stations at St. Clair West and Eglinton West serve the neighbourhood's edges.
- Line 5 Eglinton, the Crosstown LRT, opened on February 8, 2026, running across Eglinton Avenue from Mount Dennis to Kennedy.
- The Beltline Trail and Cedarvale Ravine offer walking and cycling routes.
Schools
Several well-known independent schools are in or near the area, alongside public schools of the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Use each board's school locator for a specific address.
Costs at higher prices
Toronto's 2026 total residential property tax rate (municipal, regional where applicable, and education) is 0.767311% of assessed value: about $7,673 a year on a home assessed at $1,000,000. Toronto's municipal land transfer tax has higher rates on the portion of a price above $3,000,000 (4.4% rising to 8.6% for portions over $20,000,000, since April 1, 2026), on top of Ontario's tax. For example, on a $4,000,000 purchase the two taxes total $191,950. Homes priced at $1,500,000 or more need at least 20% down.
Prices: TRREB publishes monthly sales and prices by municipality and by TRREB district, not by neighbourhood, and averages for small areas move a lot from month to month. For a current picture, look at recent sold prices on the streets you're considering, and ask an agent for a comparative market analysis. Across the GTA in August 2026, TRREB reported an average price of $993,410 (detached $1,288,669; condo apartment $617,593).
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a laneway suite, garden suite or more units?
Toronto permits laneway suites (since 2018), garden suites (since 2022) and multiplexes of up to four units on lots in its Neighbourhoods designation (since 2023), subject to zoning standards and permits. Whether a particular Forest Hill lot qualifies depends on its size, access and servicing, so check with the City or a designer before you buy for that purpose.
How is my property tax worked out?
Your bill is your property's assessed value, set by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), multiplied by the total tax rate. Ontario has postponed province-wide reassessment, so 2026 property taxes are still based on assessed values as of January 1, 2016. A recent buyer's bill therefore reflects that 2016 value, not the price paid.
Do I need to declare for the Vacant Home Tax if I live in the home?
Yes. Every Toronto residential owner must declare the property's occupancy status each year, even if they live in it; a home with no declaration is deemed vacant and taxed at 3% of its assessed value. The deadline for the 2025 occupancy year was April 30, 2026.
What should I check before buying an older house here?
The electrical system (knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring), the roof, basement water and drainage, and the material of the water service line. See our inspection guide.
How much land transfer tax would I pay on a large home here?
On a $2,500,000 purchase in Toronto, the provincial and municipal taxes together come to $97,950; on $5,000,000, $271,450, because Toronto's rates rise above $3,000,000.
Thinking about buying here? Search current listings and recent sales on Summitly, talk to a licensed Summitly agent who works the area, or ask Zara, Summitly's AI virtual agent, for a neighbourhood briefing.
