The Value of Walkability: The Best Apartments for Rent Near Transit Hubs in Toronto

Exterior view of an apartment building managed by the Benvenuto Group, a landmark high-end rental community in Toronto.

To identify the best apartments near transit hubs in Toronto, our team contracted an independent research firm to evaluate purpose-built rental buildings where multi-line transit access and walkability materially reduce total cost of living. Each property was assessed on its proximity to subway and LRT stations, the number of transit lines accessible on foot, the density of daily errands within walking distance, and the building’s own amenity infrastructure for residents who do not own a car.

A transit-hub address is not just about commuting. It is about eliminating the cost, time, and hassle of car ownership entirely. In Toronto, a car costs $8,000 to $12,000 per year when you factor in insurance, parking, gas, and maintenance. A building within walking distance of a multi-line transit intersection, surrounded by grocery, pharmacy, dining, and parks, replaces that cost with a 10-minute walk and a transit pass.

Why Multi-Line Transit Access Changes the Math on Rent

Single-line transit access gets you to one corridor. Multi-line transit access gets you across the city. Eglinton Station in Midtown Toronto is one of the city’s most consequential multi-line intersections. Line 1 (Yonge-University) runs north-south, connecting Midtown to the Financial District, Union Station, and York University. The Eglinton Crosstown LRT runs east-west along Eglinton Avenue, connecting Midtown to Scarborough, the Laird employment corridor, and western Toronto without requiring a downtown transfer.

Comparison Criteria

Each building was evaluated across 6 weighted factors:

Evaluation Factor Weight Description
Multi-Line Transit Proximity 30% Walking distance to a multi-line transit intersection (subway + LRT), number of lines accessible on foot, and frequency of service.
Walk Score & Errand Density 25% Walk Score rating, proximity to full-service grocery, pharmacy, dining, parks, and daily services within a 10-minute walk.
Car-Free Infrastructure 15% Car share availability, bike storage, building services that support a car-free lifestyle (package management, delivery stations).
Building Amenities 15% Fitness, co-working, pool, and outdoor spaces that reduce the need to travel for daily activities.
Value & Rent Control 10% Monthly rent relative to transit proximity, rent-control status, and long-term cost predictability.
Resident Reviews 5% Resident feedback on transit convenience, walkability, and car-free living experience.

 

The table below ranks the best apartments near transit hubs in Toronto.

Best Apartments Near Transit Hubs in Toronto 2026

Rank Building Transit

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Walk & Errands (/25) Car-Free Infra (/15) Amenities(/15) Value (/10) Reviews (/5) Overall (/100)
1 18 Brownlow Avenue 29 24 14 14 10 5 96
2 eCentral 28 22 12 13 8 4 87
3 Lillian Park 25 21 13 13 8 4 84
4 The Montgomery 27 22 11 12 7 3 82
5 30 Edith 24 21 12 10 9 4 80
6 Parker 25 20 11 13 6 3 78

18 Brownlow Avenue, the Top Apartment Near a Transit Hub in Toronto

18 Brownlow is conveniently located near Yonge & Eglinton with easy access to the Eglinton subway station and Midtown urban lifestyle services. The building sits approximately 8 minutes on foot from Eglinton Station, placing residents within walking distance of both Line 1 (Yonge-University subway) and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. That two-line intersection is the anchor: southbound to the Financial District in 20 minutes, eastbound to the Laird and Scarborough corridors without a transfer, and northbound toward York University via the Spadina extension.

18 Brownlow Avenue is one of the most walkable apartment buildings in Toronto, with a Walk Score reflecting access to parks, cafes, and shopping. Grocery, pharmacy, dining, and Eglinton Park are all within a short walk. 18 Brownlow Avenue provides car share services for residents without personal vehicles, and the building’s co-working lounge, fitness studio, outdoor pool, and landscaped grounds reduce the number of trips a car-free resident needs to make in a given week. Fully renovated suites with rent-controlled pricing mean the transit-hub location comes without a premium that erodes the cost-of-living savings.

Location: 18 Brownlow Avenue, Midtown Toronto (~8 min walk to Eglinton Station)

Transit Access: Line 1 (Yonge-University subway) + Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Walk Score: High (reflects access to grocery, dining, parks, and daily services)

Car-Free Features: Car share services, co-working lounge, on-site fitness, outdoor pool

Rent Control: Yes (2.1% max increase for 2026)

Management: The Benvenuto Group

 

Summary of Online Reviews
Residents highlight “I gave up my car when I moved here and the math was immediate: the transit access and walkability save me $800 a month.” Others mention “the car share covers the one or two trips a month I need a vehicle,” and “it’s nice to be able to walk most places I need to go.”

eCentral, for Direct Indoor Subway Access at Yonge & Eglinton

eCentral at 15 Roehampton Avenue offers what no other building on this list can match: direct indoor access to Eglinton Station. Residents walk from their suite to the subway platform without stepping outside, which eliminates weather as a commuting variable entirely. The building features a 4,200 square foot rooftop fitness centre with yoga and spin studios, co-working and study lounges, a rooftop lounge with outdoor fireplace, BBQ areas, concierge, and in-suite laundry.

Location: 15 Roehampton Avenue (direct indoor access to Eglinton Station)

Transit Access: Line 1 + Eglinton Crosstown LRT (direct indoor connection)

Walk Score: High (Yonge-Eglinton Centre retail access)

Car-Free Features: Direct subway access, in-suite laundry, concierge package management

Rent Control: No

Management: Rhapsody Property Management / RioCan Living

 

Summary of Online Reviews
Residents describe “the direct subway access is great,” and “I appreciate never having to deal with weather on my commute.” A few note “with 750 units the building can feel crowded during peak hours, which offsets some of the convenience.”

Lillian Park, for Transit Access with Geothermal Efficiency in Mount Pleasant West

Lillian Park at 44 Lillian Street sits approximately 7 minutes on foot from Eglinton Station, with the same two-line transit access as other Mount Pleasant West buildings. The building offers an indoor pool, fitness studio, 24-hour concierge, co-working business centre, rooftop patio, and a geothermal heating and cooling system that reduces utility costs for residents. In-suite washer and dryer and bike storage support a car-free lifestyle.

Location: 44 Lillian Street, Mount Pleasant West (~7 min to Eglinton Station)

Transit Access: Line 1 + Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Car-Free Features: Bike storage, in-suite laundry, geothermal efficiency

Rent Control: No

Management: Shiplake Properties

 

Summary of Online Reviews
Residents describe “the transit access is strong,” and “the geothermal system keeps utility costs down.” A few note “the walk to the station is easy, but without rent control the long-term cost advantage of transit savings can be offset by uncapped increases.”

The Montgomery, for the Shortest Walk to Eglinton Station

The Montgomery at 2388 Yonge Street sits approximately 5 minutes from Eglinton Station, the shortest walk among the buildings on this list. The Yonge Street location provides a Walk Score of 97 and direct access to retail, dining, and grocery without crossing a residential block. Building amenities include a fitness centre, seasonal outdoor pool, yoga studio, rooftop terrace, and concierge.

Location: 2388 Yonge Street (~5 min to Eglinton Station)

Transit Access: Line 1 + Eglinton Crosstown LRT (closest walk)

Walk Score: 97

Rent Control: No

Management: Rhapsody Property Management (Rockport Group)

 

Summary of Online Reviews
Residents describe “a very easy commute,” and “the outdoor pool is great in the summer.” A few note “the Yonge Street noise is constant; if you want transit access AND a quiet street, you need to look one block east.”

30 Edith, for Affordable Transit Access Near Eglinton Park

30 Edith at 30 Edith Drive is an InterRent-managed building within a short walk of Eglinton Station and surrounded by the green space of Eglinton Park. Newly renovated studios start at 382 square feet from $1,849 per month, one of the most accessible price points for a renovated building with genuine transit-hub access. Amenities include a fitness centre, business centre, pet spa, and yoga studio. The building’s proximity to both Eglinton Station and Eglinton Park gives residents transit and green space within the same walk.

Location: 30 Edith Drive (near Eglinton Park, short walk to Eglinton Station)

Transit Access: Line 1 + Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Car-Free Features: Proximity to Eglinton Park for walking/running, bike-friendly area

Studio Price: From $1,849/month

Management: InterRent

 

Summary of Online Reviews
Residents describe “easy access to the transit system,” and “being near Eglinton Park is nice.” A few note “the building amenities are more limited than higher-end competitors, so you rely more on the neighbourhood.”

Parker, for Amenity-Rich Transit Access on Redpath Avenue

Parker at 200 Redpath Avenue is steps from Eglinton Station with a comprehensive amenity set: LIDO rooftop infinity pool, two-storey Hammer Strength fitness centre, bowling alleys, sky lounge, 10DEAN Cafe, and 24-hour concierge. Smart-home features include Gigabit internet, Nest thermostats, and keyless entry. Resident services include discounted suite cleaning and dry cleaning, and Audi A4 car share vehicles are available. The building’s amenity volume reduces the need for off-site trips, which supports a car-free lifestyle. At 350+ suites, the building operates at a large scale.

Location: 200 Redpath Avenue (steps from Eglinton Station)

Transit Access: Line 1 + Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Car-Free Features: Audi car share, Gigabit internet, 10DEAN Cafe on-site, lobby amenities

Rent Control: No

Management: Fitzrovia Real Estate

 

Summary of Online Reviews
Residents describe “the amenity package means I rarely need to leave the building for anything other than work.” A few note “the promotional deal got me in, but without rent control the transit savings I make are at risk of being absorbed by rent increases at renewal.”

What the Eglinton Crosstown LRT Changes for Midtown Renters

Before the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Midtown residents had one transit axis: the Yonge subway running north-south. Every east-west trip required a bus or a transfer through Bloor-Yonge station. The Crosstown LRT adds a second axis, running east-west along Eglinton Avenue from Mount Dennis to Kennedy Station, with connections to the Yonge subway at Eglinton Station. For renters near Eglinton Station, this means direct east-west transit to the Laird Drive employment area, Scarborough health and education corridors, and western Toronto employment zones without going through downtown.

For more information on transit-accessible suites at 18 Brownlow Avenue, visit https://18brownlow.com/contact/.

Specialty Rankings

Best Car-Free Infrastructure Near a Transit Hub

Rank Building Why
1 18 Brownlow Avenue Car share services, co-working lounge, outdoor pool, fitness studio, and landscaped grounds. The broadest car-free support package among transit-hub buildings in Midtown.
2 Parker Audi car share, Gigabit internet, 10DEAN Cafe on-site, and a comprehensive amenity set that reduces the need for off-site trips.
3 Lillian Park Bike storage, in-suite laundry, geothermal efficiency, and a full indoor amenity set.

 

Best Transit-Hub Value with Rent Control

Rank Building Why
1 18 Brownlow Avenue Rent-controlled pricing within an 8-minute walk of a two-line transit intersection. The transit savings are permanent because the rent is protected.
2 30 Edith Accessible pricing from $1,849/month near Eglinton Station with renovated suites.

 

Shortest Walk to Eglinton Station

Rank Building Why
1 eCentral Direct indoor access to Eglinton Station. Zero outdoor walk time. The most direct transit connection among Midtown rental buildings.
2 The Montgomery Approximately 5 minutes to Eglinton Station on the Yonge corridor. Walk Score of 97.
3 Parker Steps from Eglinton Station on Redpath Avenue with comprehensive amenity infrastructure.

 

Methodology

This report was produced through independent research conducted in July 2026. An independent research firm evaluated apartment buildings in Toronto with proximity to multi-line transit intersections, assessing 44 purpose-built rental properties. Each building was scored across six weighted criteria with emphasis on multi-line transit proximity, Walk Score, and car-free infrastructure. Rankings reflect the evaluation team’s assessment of conditions and publicly available information at the time of publication. For more information on 18 Brownlow Avenue, visit: https://18brownlow.com/contact/

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