I am due to spend 10 days in the Novotel on the Esplanade in July with my wife and two children (10 & 8).Having done some research on the web I have become rather alarmed at some of the descriptions of downtown Toronto re. aggressive beggars and homeless people. We live in a rural Scottish community where two dogs fighting is a major incident and I know that any hostile encounter would freak the kids out.In terms of the geography of the area is it possible to avoid hassle and still move about easily ?

I am really surprised by those descriptions - yes, there are homeless people and yes, there are beggars, but many of us live and work in downtown Toronto without incident! I don't think you need to worry.

Don't trust web sources, except, of course, most of us here.

Toronto is a big city; it's not like a small Scottish village, or even like a city of 100,000 people.

Keep the kids with you; don't send them out by themselves. But other than that, you'll be fine.

And there's a playground near a school 100 yards away, because hundreds of children live near your hotel.

BAK

You will be in a very nice part of town and will get by just fine. I work a minute away from your hotel and certainly don't think that you have cause for worry of 'hostile' encounters !
Toronto is one of the most cosmopolitan cities you are likely to visit and enjoy safely. Your kids will have fun and so will you.

Hi, Suddybb!You have chosen a great location! Your children will love "The Spaghetti Factory" across the street fm Novotel. You are also a short walk to the ferry terminal where you can hop on the ferry to the Islands. Also Shopsy's Deli is nearby! And, the St Lawrence Market.
I don't know if they still serve it, but The Novotel used to serve the best Eggs Benedict @ Sunday Brunch!
Enjoy Toronto! It's a great city!

Suddy, I can assure you, if you will see any homeless people in Toronto they will not be aggressive. When I visited with my then 16-year-old I let him wander on his own, walked around alone at night, and did not feel threatened at all! At most they may ask for spare change, and the children will want to drop a few coins. Use this as an opportunity to teach your children compassion and charity.

Suddybb,

Not to raise undue alarm- Toronto is generally a safe and wonderful city - but there are a FEW begger / con artists in the downtown core who are aggressive and could be disturbing to a child. They are NOT the norm by any means- you will VERY likely not encounter one - but something to keep in mind. I can think of only 4 particularly 'aggressive' beggers that I have encountered recently. In only one case would I consider the person to be a real physical threat and the only place you might encounter her is in a neighbourhood [Sherbourne and Dundas] that you are very unlikely to visit!

I definitely agree with BAK's suggestion to keep an eye on your kids, of course, whether there are beggers around or not.

You will enjoy Toronto, I'm certain. Try to visit some of our many ethnic neighbourhoods, check out the concerts and special events at Harbourfront Centre, take in a baseball game, visit our zoo, Toronto Island......there is enough here to keep you and your kids happily occupied for weeks.

cheers
Jerry
Toronto