The Pocket – One of Toronto’s Hidden Treasures

First of all…why is this east-end neighbourhood called the “Pocket”?  The people who live there made the name up about seven or eight years ago.  It’s a hard to get to this little piece of Riverdale tucked in between the Greenwood TTC yard and the CN train tracks.  The area actually resembles a pocket - closed on three sides, open on one. You can only get to it from the west off of Jones Ave. It’s a small, quiet and unique “pocket” sitting smack dab in the middle of one of Toronto’s most popular and busiest neighbourhoods.

The area’s residents love living there. The community’s relatively new personality started to take shape about twenty years ago when younger families and single professionals started buying up the affordable older homes, many of which were built before WWI.  But there are still plenty of older, long term residents living in the “Pocket” because it appears that once you move IN…you’re in no hurry to move OUT.

Ravina Cres., a winding street south of Danforth Ave. off of Jones is the main entry point.  Baird and Condor Avenues plus Earl Gray Road are the main streets but there are also several interesting smaller streets and lanes.  Ben Kerr Lane was named after longtime Pocket resident, busker and perennial mayoral candidate Ben Kerr.

The “Pocket’ is just a few minutes south of the Danforth and residents can walk to their favourite restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and cafes that line one of the city’s most popular Avenues.   Two TTC subway stops are just a short walk away – Pape Station to the east and Donlands to the west.   Area schools include Earl Gray Senior Public and Eastern Commerce Collegiate.  The “Pocket” is literally surrounded by parks all within a short walk from the heart of the neighbourhood.

The homes in the “Pocket’ are older and well maintained.  Small yards with well tended gardens and minimal traffic have engendered a real sense of camaraderie among the residents.  Block parties, street clean up days, community BBQ’s and pot luck get togethers are the order of the day.

As an experienced realtor I know the city’s east end.  I would love to help you to find your perfect home in one of the most popular neighbourhoods in the city – Riverdale, East York, Leaside, The Danforth and Toronto’s true hidden gem, “The Pocket”.