Strangely enough the core of the city has become "Whiter" due to the redevelopment of Regent Park, Don Mount, Alexandra Park and other public housing rat holes. A lot of that flotsam has been pushed out to Ajax and Brampton. In that sense...parts of the downtown have become slightly better, others worse (Sherbourne, Dundas corridors due to Tory's refusal to bulldoze homeless encampments).
Overall, a mixed bag. Some areas of Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke have declined, but as someone who grew up in the Jane-Finch corridor during the late 70's and early 80's, that area has been strangely consistent over the past 40 years. The recent subway extension and Finch West LRT might finally gentrify parts of Downsview. I'm hearing New Toronto and Mimico are better than they used to be, and the old Italian/Portuguese bungalow belts of North York are still pretty solid. But I do agree...a lot of personality in the downtown has vanished in the past 15 years.
Strangely enough the core of the city has become "Whiter" due to the redevelopment of Regent Park, Don Mount, Alexandra Park and other public housing rat holes. A lot of that flotsam has been pushed out to Ajax and Brampton. In that sense...parts of the downtown have become slightly better, others worse (Sherbourne, Dundas corridors due to Tory's refusal to bulldoze homeless encampments).
Overall, a mixed bag. Some areas of Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke have declined, but as someone who grew up in the Jane-Finch corridor during the late 70's and early 80's, that area has been strangely consistent over the past 40 years. The recent subway extension and Finch West LRT might finally gentrify parts of Downsview. I'm hearing New Toronto and Mimico are better than they used to be, and the old Italian/Portuguese bungalow belts of North York are still pretty solid. But I do agree...a lot of personality in the downtown has vanished in the past 15 years.