Woburn: Central Scarborough Civic and Residential Heart

Woburn features diverse housing tiers, top-tier schools, and excellent transit networks centered around Centennial College and Scarborough Town Centre.

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In This Guide

Key TakeAways

  • Birthplace of "The Maple Leaf Forever": Alexander Muir taught at the one-room schoolhouse that once stood where Woburn Collegiate Institute is today, and composed Canada's long-time unofficial national anthem there in the 1850s.
  • Home to a major post-secondary campus: Centennial College's Progress Campus, one of Ontario's founding community college locations, sits right in the neighbourhood.
  • Genuinely abundant parkland: green space lines the eastern and southern edges of Woburn, an unusual amount for a centrally located Scarborough neighbourhood.
  • Originally named Elderslie: the community was renamed Woburn in 1856 after a post office opened at the Woburn Inn, once the meeting place for Scarborough's township council.
  • A quiet, tree-lined, family-oriented community: winding residential streets offer a genuine range of moderately priced housing throughout.

Woburn: At A Glance

Location
Central-east Scarborough, Toronto E09
Home Types
Detached, split-level, bungalow & apartment mix
Transit
TTC bus routes, no subway in-boundary
Lifestyle
Quiet, tree-lined, family-oriented
Walkability
Walkable near Painted Post & Cedarbrae Mall, car-friendly elsewhere
Schools
TDSB elementary & secondary within boundary
Parks
Abundant parkland along the east & south edges
Highways
Highway 401 forms the northern border

Why You’ll Love Woburn

Lifestyle

Woburn is a genuinely quiet, family-oriented community, with winding, tree-lined streets that give it a settled, suburban feel despite sitting centrally within Scarborough. Centennial College's Progress Campus adds a youthful, educational energy alongside the neighbourhood's residential character.

Location

Woburn sits roughly bounded by Highway 401 to the north, Orton Park Road to the east, the Scarborough Golf and Country Club and rail corridor to the south, and Bellamy Road to the west. Light industry lines the northern edge, while abundant parkland runs along the eastern and southern perimeter.

Housing

Homes here were built primarily through the 1950s and 60s, spanning detached two-storey houses, split-levels, and bungalows, alongside a genuine number of rental apartment buildings along Lawrence Avenue East. Masaryktown, a non-profit housing complex at the neighbourhood's south end, adds further diversity to the housing landscape.

Woburn: Highs & Lows

❤️ What Residents Love

  • Genuine historical depth, including the Alexander Muir/”Maple Leaf Forever” connection
  • Centennial College’s Progress Campus right in the neighbourhood
  • Abundant parkland along the eastern and southern edges
  • The Scarborough Centennial Recreation Centre’s two ice arenas
  • Cedarbrae Mall’s convenient shopping
  • Quiet, tree-lined residential streets throughout

🕵️ Things to Consider

  • No subway line runs through the neighbourhood — bus connections are required
  • Light industry along the northern edge near Highway 401
  • Housing stock is fully post-1950s, with little older architecture
  • Shopping is centred on Cedarbrae Mall and Painted Post Plaza rather than a broader strip
  • Some streets closer to Highway 401 experience traffic noise
  • New residents should confirm exact school catchments given the neighbourhood’s size

Who Is Woburn Best For?

Buyer ProfileWhy It's a Good Fit
First-Time BuyersCondo apartments offer a genuinely accessible entry point into a quiet, centrally located Scarborough neighbourhood.
FamiliesLocal schools, abundant parkland, and quiet tree-lined streets make this a natural family pick.
ProfessionalsProximity to Centennial College and TTC bus routes support a range of commutes, particularly for those working in education or nearby institutions.
InvestorsRental apartment stock along Lawrence Avenue East and steady demand from Centennial College students support rental appeal.
DownsizersWoburn's apartment stock offers genuine lower-maintenance living within a well-established community.
RetireesQuiet streets, abundant parkland, and the Scarborough Centennial Recreation Centre suit a peaceful, active lifestyle.
Luxury BuyersNot a natural fit — Woburn is a solidly mid-market, family-oriented neighbourhood rather than a premium destination.

Woburn Homes for Sale

Woburn serves as a high-inventory central Scarborough real estate hub, offering an accessible mix of urban and suburban property options. The freehold market features mature 1950s bungalows on generous lots tucked away on quiet interior streets, maintaining strong long-term value. Along major corridors and near the Scarborough Town Centre boundary, a dense selection of high-rise condominiums provides budget-conscious entry points for first-time buyers and investors alike. 

Whether you’re searching for your first home, upgrading to more space, or looking for an investment property, Woburn is a well-established neighbourhood in western Scarborough known for its beautiful combination of residential peace and commercial convenience. The property market features an attractive mix of mid-century single-family bungalows, larger split-levels, and modern luxury high-rise condominium developments close to the highway. Providing direct access to Highway 401 and the Agincourt GO line, it appeals heavily to busy professionals. offers a wide range of housing options. Browse the latest MLS® listings below to explore available detached homes, semi-detached homes, townhouses, and condominiums currently for sale in the neighbourhood.

Woburn Housing Snapshot

Woburn’s housing stock reflects its 1950s and 60s development — detached two-storey homes, split-levels, and bungalows fill the neighbourhood’s winding residential streets, alongside a genuine number of rental apartment buildings along Lawrence Avenue East and the Masaryktown non-profit housing complex at the south end.

That combination gives Woburn real flexibility for different buyer types. Detached and split-level homes suit families wanting space near the neighbourhood’s abundant parkland, while its apartment stock offers lower-maintenance living within reach of Centennial College and the Scarborough Centennial Recreation Centre.

Development activity here is closely tied to Centennial College’s continued presence and the neighbourhood’s genuine green-space assets. Woburn’s most significant long-term draw remains its combination of institutional anchors, abundant parkland, and quiet, established residential streets — infrastructure that continues to support the community’s appeal.

 

Woburn Market Trends

Across the Greater Toronto Area, TRREB reported 5,995 sales in July 2026, down 0.9% year-over-year, alongside 14,484 new listings (down 17.8% YoY) and an average price of $1,003,956 (down 4.5% YoY). The City of Toronto outperformed the wider region, with sales up 2.4% YoY to 2,242.

Woburn saw modest activity relative to its listing volume in July: 19 sales across all property types combined, averaging $734,857 (median $785,000), against a substantial 77 new listings, closing right at 100% of asking price after roughly two to four weeks on market. With 125 active listings against those 19 sales, the market ran distinctly soft this period, favouring buyers.

 

Schools Near Woburn

Use TDSB's Find My School tool to confirm the exact catchment for any specific address in Woburn.

In Woburn

Woburn Collegiate InstituteTDSB · Grades 9-12 · 2222 Ellesmere Rd, Toronto, ON M1G 3M3 (founded 1963, on the site of the community's original 1850s schoolhouse)
Cedarbrook Public SchoolTDSB (exact street address not independently confirmed — verify via TDSB)

Woburn Collegiate Institute is confirmed physically located within the neighbourhood via its own official record. The Conseil scolaire Viamonde (public French) and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (Catholic French) boards also serve eligible families in Woburn without operating a school inside the neighbourhood itself. Check TDSB's tool above, or contact TCDSB directly, for the applicable elementary and Catholic-board options for a specific address.

Loading nearby schools…

    Map results are pulled live from Google Places within roughly 1.8km of central Woburn and may include schools outside the neighbourhood's exact boundary or catchment — use this as a visual companion to the verified list above, not a replacement for it.

    Parks & Recreation In Woburn

    Abundant parkland lines Woburn's eastern and southern edges, anchored by a genuinely full-service recreation centre right in the neighbourhood.


    Scarborough Centennial Recreation Centre

    Located at 1967 Ellesmere Road, this centre features two indoor ice arenas — one for hockey leagues, the other, "Ice Galaxy," for figure and pleasure skating — plus a 200-seat auditorium.
    Highlights
    • Two indoor ice arenas
    • A 200-person auditorium
    • A dedicated children's "Tots Room"
    • Adjacent park with tennis courts, a baseball diamond, and basketball courts

    Cedarbrook Community Centre & Park

    Set in a lush ravine off Daphne Road, this modern community centre includes a second-floor ballroom and sundeck offering scenic views of the surrounding parkland.
    Highlights
    • A genuine ravine setting
    • Second-floor ballroom and sundeck
    • Scenic parkland views
    • Community event space

    Eastern & Southern Parkland Corridor

    Abundant parkland lines the eastern and southern edges of Woburn, an unusual amount of green space for a centrally located Scarborough neighbourhood.
    Highlights
    • A continuous green corridor along the boundary
    • Walking and outdoor recreation space
    • Adjacent to the Scarborough Golf and Country Club
    • A genuine natural buffer for the neighbourhood

    Woburn Inn Historical Marker

    A large stone marker with a historical plaque, adjacent to Painted Post Plaza, commemorates the site of the original Woburn Inn, once Scarborough's township meeting place.
    Highlights
    • A genuine historical landmark
    • Commemorates the original township council meeting site
    • Located near Painted Post Plaza
    • A tangible link to Woburn's early history

    Transit & Commuting in Woburn

    Woburn has no subway line of its own, but Highway 401 along the northern border and a network of TTC bus routes keep the neighbourhood connected.

    🚇 Public Transit

    TTC bus routes serve Woburn along Markham Road, Ellesmere Road, and other main streets, connecting residents toward Scarborough Centre Station and its Eglinton Crosstown LRT and subway access, as well as toward Kennedy Station on Line 2. No subway or LRT line runs directly through the neighbourhood itself.

    🚗 Driving

     

    Highway 401 forms the neighbourhood’s northern border, giving residents genuinely direct access to the broader GTA highway network. Markham Road, Ellesmere Road, and Bellamy Road serve as the main arterial routes through Woburn.

    🚶 Walking & Cycling

    Painted Post Plaza and Cedarbrae Mall offer the most walkable pockets of the neighbourhood. The abundant parkland along Woburn’s eastern and southern edges provides genuine walking and outdoor recreation space, though much of the residential area remains more car-oriented.

    Commuting Insight: Woburn

    DestinationDrive*Transit*
    Downtown Toronto (Union Station)~30 min~45-55 min (bus + subway/LRT)
    Scarborough Centre Station~10 minBus connection available
    Kennedy Station (Line 2)~15 minBus connection available
    Highway 401Borders the neighbourhood

    *Times are approximate and vary with traffic and time of day.

    Shopping & Dining in Woburn

    Cedarbrae Mall and Painted Post Plaza anchor everyday shopping in Woburn, with a genuine mix of practical retail and dining options at each.

    🛍️ Local Shopping

    Cedarbrae Mall, renovated in recent years, is one of the neighbourhood's key shopping destinations, offering a range of retail and services within Woburn's boundary.

    🍴 Dining and Cafés

    Painted Post Plaza, at the intersection of Painted Post Drive and Markham Road, houses a genuine mix of community-focused businesses, including a fish and chips restaurant and an East Indian eatery, alongside everyday services like a bank, hair stylist, and dry cleaners.

    🛒 Nearby Shopping Destinations

    For a broader selection, residents typically head toward Scarborough Town Centre, a short drive away, or explore Cedarbrae Mall's full range of stores within the neighbourhood itself.

    DestinationWhat You'll Find
    Cedarbrae MallRenovated shopping centre with a range of retail and services
    Painted Post PlazaCommunity-focused shops, dining, and everyday services
    Centennial College Progress CampusCampus-adjacent dining and student services
    Scarborough Golf and Country ClubPrivate golf and dining amenities along the southern edge
    Scarborough Town Centre (nearby)Major shopping mall and big-box retail a short drive away

    Woburn: Future Growth & Development

    🛈 Growth Corridor

    Woburn’s growth is closely tied to Centennial College’s continued presence at the Progress Campus, one of the anchors that has shaped development in this part of Scarborough since the college’s founding as Ontario’s first community college. The neighbourhood itself remains a largely built-out, stable residential community.

    🏠 New Housing & Development Proposals

    There’s no large-scale residential redevelopment specifically proposed within Woburn’s boundary at this time. The neighbourhood’s housing stock, built primarily in the 1950s and 60s, continues to serve a broad range of buyers alongside its apartment stock and the Masaryktown non-profit housing complex.

    🏆 Infrastructure & Community Initiatives

    The Scarborough Centennial Recreation Centre and Cedarbrook Community Centre continue to anchor community programming, while Cedarbrae Mall’s renovation reflects ongoing investment in the neighbourhood’s commercial core. Woburn’s abundant parkland along its eastern and southern edges remains a stable, protected green-space asset.

    Area of ChangeWhat to Expect
    Centennial College Progress CampusContinues as a major educational and institutional anchor
    Residential streetsStable and largely built-out, with no major redevelopment currently proposed
    Cedarbrae MallRecently renovated, remains a key shopping destination
    Scarborough Centennial Recreation CentreContinues as the neighbourhood’s main recreation hub
    Eastern & southern parklandRemains a stable, protected green-space corridor

    Overall, Woburn’s outlook is one of stability — a mature, well-established community whose genuine appeal lies in its parks, recreation facilities, and Centennial College’s continued presence rather than any incoming redevelopment.

    Woburn: My Local Perspective

    Woburn has one of the more surprising historical footnotes I’ve come across in Scarborough. Alexander Muir, who wrote “The Maple Leaf Forever,” taught at the one-room schoolhouse that once stood where Woburn Collegiate Institute stands today — a genuine piece of Canadian cultural history rooted right in this neighbourhood.

    What I find most compelling here is the combination of that historical depth with genuinely practical, everyday livability. Centennial College’s presence, abundant parkland, and a full-service recreation centre give Woburn real substance beyond its quiet, tree-lined streets — this isn’t a neighbourhood defined by any single feature, but by a genuine range of them working together.

    The value proposition is straightforward: a stable, well-established community with real institutional anchors, abundant green space, and moderately priced housing across a genuine range of styles. This is a neighbourhood people settle into for the long term rather than pass through.

    Woburn may appeal to:

    • Families drawn to abundant parkland and quiet, tree-lined streets
    • Buyers connected to Centennial College, whether as staff, faculty, or students
    • First-time buyers targeting the neighbourhood’s condo apartment stock
    • Anyone who values a well-established community with genuine historical roots

    Woburn FAQs

    Is Woburn a good place to live?
    Yes, especially for families — Woburn offers quiet, tree-lined streets, abundant parkland, a full-service recreation centre, and Centennial College's Progress Campus, all within a genuinely stable, well-established community.
    What types of homes are available in Woburn?
    A genuine mix — detached two-storey homes, split-levels, and bungalows built mainly in the 1950s and 60s, alongside rental apartment buildings along Lawrence Avenue East and the Masaryktown non-profit housing complex.
    Is Woburn an affordable place to buy?
    It's a solidly moderate-priced neighbourhood — July 2026 sales averaged $734,857 across all property types, closing right at 100% of asking price, reflecting the community's genuine housing variety.
    What are the best sub-areas within Woburn?
    Streets closest to the eastern and southern parkland corridor offer the most green space, while areas near Cedarbrae Mall and Painted Post Plaza provide the most convenient everyday shopping.
    How's the transit in Woburn?
    There's no subway or LRT directly in the neighbourhood, but TTC bus routes connect toward Scarborough Centre Station's LRT and subway access, as well as Kennedy Station on Line 2.
    What's the commute to downtown Toronto like?
    Roughly 45-55 minutes by bus and subway/LRT, or about 30 minutes by car outside peak traffic, with Highway 401 forming the neighbourhood's northern border.
    What schools serve Woburn?
    Woburn Collegiate Institute (TDSB, grades 9-12) is confirmed within the neighbourhood, standing on the site of the community's original 1850s schoolhouse. Cedarbrook Public School also serves the area.
    Are there parks nearby?
    Yes — abundant parkland lines Woburn's eastern and southern edges, alongside the Scarborough Centennial Recreation Centre's two ice arenas and the ravine-set Cedarbrook Community Centre and Park.
    Is Woburn walkable?
    It's most walkable around Cedarbrae Mall and Painted Post Plaza; the surrounding residential streets are generally more car-oriented.
    What does the future look like for Woburn?
    Stable — Woburn is a mature, largely built-out community with no major redevelopment currently proposed, and its parks, recreation facilities, and Centennial College's presence continue to anchor its long-term appeal.