Italians have been making their way to Canada since Giovanni Caboto (a.k.a. John Cabot) explored and claimed Newfoundland for England in 1497. But it was between 1885 and 1924 that the first big wave of emigrants left their villages in southern Italy to seek work as seasonal labourers in Canada. After the Second World War, another group arrived and settled in the College Street area. Soon many moved north to St. Clair Avenue West and, as their families grew, worked their way out to Woodbridge, Maple and Mississauga. Today, many of their children are returning to their roots with families of their own, to be close to downtown yet in a place that feels like famiglia. As the locals explain, it's "exquisite, fashionable, with just enough attitude to be seductive." The commercial heart is along St. Clair; the residential boundaries aren't carved in stone. Average house price An original 1920s or '30s semi- detached, 1,200-sq.-ft., three-bedroom home on a 16x120-ft. lot, sells for about $275,000, or $375,000 with new kitchen and bathrooms. Mutual drive or laneway parking are common. A detached 2,000- sq.-ft., three-bedroom on a 25x120-ft. lot goes for about $375,000, with some including a third storey with a fourth bedroom. The sought-after Regal Heights quarter at the southeast edge boasts larger old homes with stone fronts, oak trim and stained-glass windows. They run $600,000 to $1-million. New townhouses fetch $425,000, while nearby lofts in a converted warehouse net about $200/sq. ft. Demographics Italian and Portuguese professional couples in their 30s with double stroller and school-aged child. Many choose Regal Heights because they can't afford Forest Hill or High Park but want to be close to downtown, or are retired oldtimers who want to stay close to their doctor, bank and comfort food purveyors. Local schools Regal Road elementary and Oakwood Collegiate (which turns 100 next year) are busy, but Catholic school is where it's at. After elementary at Pope Paul, Stella Maris or St. Clare, teenaged girls head to the new Loretto College or carpool to Loretto Abbey; teenaged boys may opt for nearby De La Salle College and St. Michael's College. Local parks Earlscourt Park and the Joseph J. Piccininni Community Centre for soccer, swimming and skating; dogs can play leash-free in nearby Hillcrest Park Transit Construction of the controversial St. Clair right-of-way streetcar route will get underway in the area later this year. Retail Includes such European clothiers as Christian Boutique and Gente Boutique for ladies and La Scala, Genesis and Ferro Uomo for men; Diva Boutique, Sposabella and Tiffany's for brides; Valleverde and Fabiani for shoes; Ontario Fashion Textiles and Tessuti Venezia for fabrics; foodstuffs at Gino's Meat Market, Diana Grocery and Tre Mari Bakery Dining Lots to choose from, including Cafe Novocento Eden Trattoria, La Bruschetta, Marcello's, Tricolore and The Big Ragu. Prepare for summer lineups at La Paloma Gelateria. Other attractions Portuguese Father's Day Festival in June; Toronto Corso Italia Fiesta closes the streets for a July weekend; December Cavalcade of Lights Local Trivia In the 1987 film Moonstruck, the uncle's cheese shop was Corso Italia's delicioso Centro Trattoria Fromaggio. Cher, the movie's star, was often seen strolling the streets. Sources: Joseph Amendola, Re/Max Estates Ltd.; Sheldon Kohn, Wind Star Realty; Connie Lamanna, Corso Italia BIA; Joe Volpentesta, Sutton Group-Security Real Estate Inc.; torontocorsoitalia.com; ttc.ca