Q: My girlfriend works at downtown Toronto, King St W. She will be living alone in the town and we are looking for safest place in the town yet easily accessible to downtown Toronto to the job place. Keeping that in mind, what are the best (ie. Safe) areas of Toronto to live in, that will allow her the shortest commute to work. Is west of High Park (Windermere Ave to be precise) safe? Are there any other safe areas, with groceries nearby?
A: This perception that Toronto is dangerous is getting ridiculous and exhausting. Toronto is generally a safe city, and continues to rank as one of the most safest cities in the world. King St. W. is generally safe. I can't say it will be so 24/7, because there might be a shooting going on there right now, but the section immediately west of Yonge Street is a business/classy entertainment strip so the chances are slim (it's known that areas of higher income are less susceptible to street crime). However, it's expensive to live along that part of King St. W. High Park is fine, some of it is old money, and therefore may be just as expensive. But Windermere Avenue no where close to King St. W. Depending along where King St. W. your girlfriend will be working, it may take her up to half an hour to commute by public transit. You'll have to provide a specific intersection for a more concise answer. There is a store selling groceries every few blocks on main roads, so don't worry about it. I know you want your girlfriend to be safe, but don't get to the point of paranoia. I'm a young woman who goes around all over Toronto unescorted--I just practice common sense and I'm fine.