Living in Scarborough, Toronto

On Toronto's east side, Scarborough is the city's most affordable large borough and one of the most culturally diverse places in Canada. It pairs the dramatic Scarborough Bluffs and Lake Ontario shoreline with sprawling residential neighbourhoods and some of the best global food in the GTA. Here's an honest look at living in Scarborough.

Key takeaways

• Scarborough is a Toronto borough known for affordability and exceptional cultural diversity.
• The Scarborough Bluffs and lakeshore parks are standout natural features.
• Detached homes and townhouses are generally more attainable than in central Toronto.
• It suits families, first-time buyers and food lovers wanting space and value within the city.
• Browse current listings on the HOMEH Scarborough real estate page.

The Scarborough vibe

Scarborough is big, varied and unmistakably multicultural. Its neighbourhoods range from lakeside communities atop the Bluffs to busy commercial corridors and quiet suburban subdivisions. The borough is renowned for its food — some of the best Chinese, South Asian, Caribbean, Sri Lankan and Filipino cooking in the country lines streets like Kennedy, Lawrence East and the Golden Mile. The pace is more residential and suburban than downtown, with generous green space and a strong sense of community.

Quick snapshot

Scarborough was its own municipality before amalgamating into the City of Toronto in 1998. On HOMEH it is a city-level hub, so its listings live at /on/scarborough rather than under central Toronto.

Neighbourhoods to know

A quick orientation for newcomers to Scarborough:

• The Bluffs (Cliffside / Cliffcrest) — lakefront living below the dramatic Scarborough Bluffs.
• Guildwood — leafy, established, near the Guild Park and GO station.
• Agincourt — diverse and central, with major malls and transit.
• Birch Cliff / Upper Beaches edge — character homes near the lake and the Beaches.
• Rouge and Highland Creek — eastern neighbourhoods near Rouge National Urban Park and UTSC.

Getting around

Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) reaches Kennedy station, which is also a hub for GO Transit and the bus network, and the Eglinton Crosstown and future transit projects continue to expand options across the borough. GO train lines (Lakeshore East and Stouffville) give fast trips to Union Station, and Highway 401 plus the 404/DVP connect drivers across the GTA. Commute times to the core are longer than from central neighbourhoods, so transit access is worth weighing when choosing a street.

Lifestyle and homes

Outdoor life is a real Scarborough strength: the Bluffs, Bluffer's Park beach and marina, the Guild, Rouge National Urban Park and the Waterfront Trail are all within the borough. Add abundant shopping (Scarborough Town Centre and countless ethnic plazas) and the food scene, and daily life is convenient and affordable. Housing leans toward detached and semi-detached homes, townhouses and a growing number of condos near transit hubs — generally more attainable than central Toronto, which is why Scarborough is popular with families and first-time buyers. Compare live listings and recent sales on the HOMEH Scarborough real estate page, and check what you can afford with the affordability calculator.

Weighing your options across the city? Compare with our guides to North York and Etobicoke, read our Toronto neighbourhood guide, and see the best places to live in the GTA.

Buy in Scarborough with HOMEH and get cashback

Eligible HOMEH buyers receive the industry's highest Cashback Rebate — money back in your pocket on a Scarborough home. Estimate yours with the cashback calculator.

What it costs to buy here

As part of the City of Toronto, Scarborough purchases attract both the provincial Ontario land transfer tax and the Toronto municipal land transfer tax. Even with the borough's more attainable prices, budget for that double LTT and other closing costs — our guide to how to buy a house in Ontario walks through the full process.