North London condos: Masonville, Richmond North and the northwest
Key takeaways
- The north end is popular with downsizers, professionals and families for its shopping, schools and access to Western and University Hospital.
- You'll find apartment-style buildings along main corridors and plenty of condo townhouse complexes, plus newer developments in the northwest.
- Ask about the student-rental mix in buildings close to campus.
North London, roughly everything north of Oxford Street around and beyond Western University, has some of the city's most in-demand condo options. It's a more suburban kind of condo living than downtown: quieter, more car-oriented, and close to major shopping and healthcare.
Areas to know
Masonville
The area around Masonville Place, the north end's major shopping mall, and the intersection of Fanshawe Park Road and Richmond Street has a mix of apartment condos and townhouse complexes. It's close to grocery stores, restaurants, medical offices and the university. It's popular with downsizers who want convenience, and with professionals working at Western or University Hospital.
Richmond Street North
The Richmond Street corridor between the university and Masonville includes several apartment-style condo buildings. It has good transit connections to downtown and campus, and it's within reach of the northern stretch of the Thames Valley Parkway.
Near-campus areas
Condos closest to Western's campus, around Western Road, Sarnia Road and nearby streets, are often bought by parents for students or by investors renting to students. If you're buying to live in one, ask about the proportion of rented units and visit during term.
Hyde Park and the northwest
The Hyde Park Road and Fanshawe Park Road West area has grown rapidly, with newer townhouse condos and some mid-rise buildings close to big-box shopping. Newer construction means modern layouts and, often, POTL or vacant land condo structures. See condo vs townhouse vs freehold for what those terms mean.
Sunningdale and the north edge
North of Masonville, newer communities include townhouse and low-rise condo projects alongside detached homes. They're attractive to buyers who want something newer near the north-end amenities.
Who buys in the north end
- Downsizers from north-end family homes who want to stay near friends, doctors and familiar shopping.
- Healthcare and university staff who want a short commute to University Hospital or Western.
- Young families in condo townhouses, for the space and access to well-regarded schools (always confirm boundaries with the school board).
- Parents and investors near campus.
What to check in north-end condos
- Townhouse complex age: many north-end townhouse complexes date from the 1970s to 1990s. Ask when roofs, windows and siding were last replaced, and what the reserve fund study shows next. See our reserve fund guide.
- Rental ratio near campus: it affects noise, wear and tear, and the community feel.
- Parking and visitor parking: often tight in older townhouse complexes.
- Accessibility: for downsizers, check elevators, stairs at entrances, and whether there's a bedroom and bathroom on the main floor in townhouses.
- Traffic: Fanshawe Park Road and Richmond Street are busy at rush hour, and units facing them can be noisy.
Getting around
The north end is well served by LTC routes toward downtown and campus, but most residents drive. Highway access is the main drawback: the 401 is a fair drive south. Hyde Park and the northwest have relatively quick access to Highway 402 toward Sarnia, via the city's west side.
North end vs downtown: a quick comparison
| North London | Downtown | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Suburban, quieter | Urban, lively |
| Typical stock | Townhouse complexes, low- and mid-rise | Mid- and high-rise towers |
| Car needed? | Usually | Often not |
| Nearby | Masonville Place, Western, University Hospital | Richmond Row, market, arena, festivals |
| Good for | Downsizers, families, hospital/university staff | Young professionals, Toronto movers, culture lovers |
Questions to ask about any building in this area
- How many units are owner-occupied versus rented, and has that changed recently?
- What major work has been completed in the last ten years, and what's next on the list?
- How quickly do units in this building usually sell, and do they tend to sell close to list price?
- Are there any planned developments nearby that could affect views, traffic or noise?
Your agent can often answer the sales questions from MLS data. The rest come from the status certificate, board minutes and the property manager.