TL;DR
- Old East Village, just east of downtown London, is mostly older homes, and it's one of the neighbourhoods first-time buyers choose most often.
- In the East London area, the median home sold for $400,000 over the last 90 days, and 13 of 51 homes for sale on October 8, 2026 were listed under $400,000.
- Duplexes and triplexes are common, so some buyers use rent from a second unit to help carry the mortgage.
- Much of the neighbourhood is a Heritage Conservation District, so changes to the front of a home, like windows, porches and siding, can need a heritage permit.
Old East Village is a neighbourhood of older homes just east of downtown London, and it's one of the places first-time buyers look first, because a detached house there still costs far less than in most of the city. In the East London area this site tracks, the median home sold for $400,000 over the last 90 days. Here's what the homes are like, what they cost, and what owning one in a heritage district means.
Where is Old East Village?
Old East Village sits just east of downtown, centred on Dundas Street between Adelaide Street and Charlotte Street, next to the Western Fair District. It was its own town, London East, from 1874 until it joined London in 1885, and much of it became the Old East Heritage Conservation District in 2006. You can walk or bike downtown in a few minutes.
What kind of homes are in Old East Village?
Most of the homes are old: brick and frame houses from the late 1800s and early 1900s, many on narrow lots with front porches. Mixed in are duplexes and triplexes, some built that way and some converted from large houses, plus a few newer apartment towers near Dundas Street.
That age is both the appeal and the homework. These houses have character you can't get in a new subdivision, and they come with older wiring, plumbing, foundations and roofs. A good home inspection matters more here than almost anywhere else in London.
How much do homes cost in Old East Village?
Prices in Old East Village sit well below the city as a whole. The figures below are for the East London area as this site maps it, which takes in Old East Village and the streets around it.
| East London, October 2026 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Median sold price, last 90 days | $400,000 |
| Homes sold, last 90 days | 32 |
| Average sold price as a share of asking | 96.4% |
| Average days to sell, homes that sold | About 30 |
| Average days listed, homes still for sale | 55 |
| Median asking price, homes for sale | $469,900 |
| Typical home | 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms |
Of the 51 homes listed for sale on October 8, 2026, here is how they broke down by price:
| Asking price | Homes listed | What's typical |
|---|---|---|
| Under $400,000 | 13 | Smaller detached homes, mostly 2 to 3 bedrooms |
| $400,000 to $499,999 | 22 | Detached homes, 2 to 4 bedrooms |
| $500,000 to $599,999 | 9 | Larger detached homes, duplexes and the odd triplex |
| $600,000 and up | 7 | Triplexes, multiplexes and a few large detached homes |
Sales numbers come from MLS® firm sales, counted on the day the deal went firm. Listing counts change daily, so see the East London area page for what's available today.
Why do so many first-time buyers choose Old East Village?
Price is the main reason. It's one of the few places in London where a first home can be a detached house with a yard rather than a condo. Well-priced homes still move: the ones that sold went firm in about 30 days on average. Listings that have been sitting longer, 55 days on average among homes still for sale, are often where buyers find room to negotiate.
The other reason is income help. With 7 duplexes listed at a median asking price of $484,999, some buyers live in one unit and rent the other, letting the rent cover part of the mortgage. If you're weighing that, talk to your lender early about how they'll count the rental income. For the wider first-time buyer process in London, see the first-time home buyer guide on liveinoakridge.ca.
What does it mean to own a home in a Heritage Conservation District?
Owning a home in the Old East Heritage Conservation District means some exterior changes need a heritage permit from the City of London before you start. Under section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the district's plan lists which kinds of work need one. In districts like this, that usually means changes to the parts of a house you see from the street: windows, doors, porches, siding, roofing and trim.
Repairs that keep the same design and materials often don't need a heritage permit. The rules are in the district plan, so before you buy a home you plan to change, ask the City's heritage planners at heritage@london.ca what your project would need. A heritage permit is separate from a building permit, and you may need both.
What is it like to live in Old East Village?
Daily life centres on Dundas Street and its independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Aeolian Hall hosts concerts in a heritage building, the Western Fair District Market brings farmers and artisans together, and The Factory, an indoor adventure park in the old Kellogg's plant, is a short walk east.
Food is a big part of the draw. Renee's Sandwich Shop at 1018 Dundas Street is one of my own favourites in the city. My usual orders are Momma's Messy Meatballs and, when it's on the menu, the Jesse's Girl. For the rest of the neighbourhood's food, see the Old East Village Dumpling Trail.
Is Old East Village a good place to live?
For a lot of buyers, yes. Old East Village has a real community, a walkable main street with independent businesses, and older homes at prices that are hard to find anywhere else in London. Neighbours know each other, and events like the SOUPer Bowl at The Grove bring the street together.
It's a great fit for first-time buyers, people who want character over new construction, and buyers looking at a duplex to help with the mortgage. If you'd rather have a brand-new home with little upkeep, or a big lot on a cul-de-sac, the newer subdivisions in the north and south ends will suit you better.
Thinking about Old East Village? See what's for sale now, or reach out to Justin to walk through a specific street or home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a house cost in Old East Village, London, Ontario?
In the East London area, which includes Old East Village, the median home sold for $400,000 over the 90 days to early October 2026. The median asking price of homes for sale was $469,900, and 13 of 51 listings on October 8, 2026 were under $400,000.
Is Old East Village good for first-time home buyers?
It's one of London's most popular areas with first-time buyers, because older detached homes there cost less than in most of the city. Homes that sold in the last 90 days went firm in about 30 days on average, and duplexes are common, so some buyers rent out a second unit to help with the mortgage.
Do I need a permit to change my house in Old East Village?
Possibly. Much of Old East Village is a Heritage Conservation District, so changes to street-facing features like windows, doors, porches and siding can need a heritage permit from the City of London. Like-for-like repairs often don't. Ask the City's heritage planners at heritage@london.ca before you start.
Where is Old East Village in London, Ontario?
Just east of downtown London, centred on Dundas Street between Adelaide Street and Charlotte Street, next to the Western Fair District. It was the separate town of London East from 1874 until it joined London in 1885.
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Justin Skrypnyk
Real Estate Broker | Sutton Group Chapman Realty Inc., Brokerage
Justin Skrypnyk is a Real Estate Broker serving every corner of London, Ontario. He writes to help buyers and sellers make well-informed decisions, without the sales pitch.