I never imagined I’d be a big city girl. I loved my hometown too much for that. I grew up in a big pink house on a corner lot at the top of a hill, a place I always thought of as my own Barbie Dream House.
When I was five, I lost my first tooth on the driveway the very day we moved in. Ten years later, that same spot became the place where I had my first kiss, with the boy who lived just down the street. Who knew driveways could be so sentimental?
I always thought my family would stay in that house forever, the way so many of my closest friends’ parents still live in theirs, even now, over a decade later.
But life doesn’t unfold the way we picture it. When my dad died, the house that once felt perfectly sized got a whole lot bigger. The yard, with its fruit trees, vegetable patch, and flowers from hibiscus to roses, became a bittersweet reminder of the seasons we’d lost. I even dreamed of one day inheriting it, doing a gut reno, and raising a family there.
A new chapter in Toronto
My family was ready for a fresh start. For me, that meant moving to Toronto for journalism school at 18. Admittedly, I never had a license, and I think that’s what made me fall in love with the freedom of the city: streetcars and subways, walkable neighborhoods, endless career possibilities, and yes, coffee shop meet-cutes.
I thought I would grieve the house more, but emotions don’t always show up the way you expect. Leaving felt like the hardest thing in the world, until I actually left. Then, surprisingly, it felt easy. I like to think it was the universe that was nudging me toward where I was meant to be.
Shifting from a sprawling house to condo living wasn’t seamless, especially without the comfort of leaving things tucked away in a childhood bedroom. But over time, it got easier. And after 13 years of Toronto condo life, here’s what I’ve learned.
1) Be friends with your concierge
Trust me on this one. They’ll save you when you forget your keys (and you will), they’ll know which friends and family to buzz up, and they’ll make your life easier when it comes to packages, takeout, you name it. Plus, as a single woman, the extra peace of mind of additional security is worth it.
2) I’m a low-rise girl, through and through
I love a good view as much as anyone, but waiting for elevators? Hard pass. The pandemic sealed it for me; I’ll never do high-rise living again. When I lived with my sister for a few years, we lived in a ground-level unit with our own street entrance. It was the dream: house-level independence without the snow shoveling. If I can’t take the stairs, I don’t want it.
3) New builds = fresh energy
Condo life is all about compromise, but I’ll take a new build any day. There’s something about being the first person in a space. Sure, you’ll deal with fire alarm tests and probably less square footage, but fewer things break, and if they do, builder maintenance usually has your back. Plus, it’s fun watching a brand-new neighborhood come to life around you.
4) Don’t get a unit near the elevator
Noise carries, and elevators are basically chaos magnets. Even if you don’t have kids or pets, you’ll hear everyone else’s. If possible, choose a unit near a stairwell or electrical room; they often receive less foot traffic and make things feel a bit more cozy.
5) Stalk the reviews
Facebook groups, TikTok comments, and random Reddit threads make a big difference. Visit the building at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Of course, not every review will be gospel, but longtime residents always drop little truths you’ll be glad you knew ahead of time. And of course, work with a trusted real estate agent.
6) Find the trifecta
Park, grocery store, pharmacy. If all three are walkable, your life just got infinitely easier. And if you can swing a place near water? Even better. A quick lakefront walk does more for my mental health than any meditation app ever could.
7) Make your space feel like yours
Paint is great, but I found that swapping light fixtures is one of the easiest ways to make a new place feel like your own. It’s the quickest way to transform a room from “builder basic” to a space that has a bit more personality.
8) Live near your people
This one’s a game-changer. In Toronto, traffic and packed schedules can make seeing people feel impossible. But when your friends or family live close by, that’s when the magic happens. Last-minute coffee runs, surprise takeout nights, or reality TV marathons that actually fit into your week. Community is what makes condo living feel less like a glass box in the sky and more like a real home. And while I’ll always treasure the big-city highs, like restaurant openings and the TIFF premieres I soaked up in my early twenties, nothing beats the simple joy of showing up at a friend’s place with Swiss Chalet takeout on a random Tuesday, just because.
9) Home is what you make of it
When I talk to friends and family about downsizing, the first thing they worry about is their stuff. Spoiler: the stuff doesn’t matter. After moving almost every other year for the past decade, I’ve learned the power of letting go of anything that no longer serves me. I tossed out old yearbooks and am strict about the clothes I let into my limited closet. Would I love a big bookcase overflowing with novels? Of course. But I’ve also made peace with going to the library or passing along new books to someone else; it’s a small trade-off for less clutter.
From bachelor condos to big dreams
If I could go back and talk to the version of myself who was afraid to let go of my childhood home, I’d tell her this: home isn’t an address or a pile of physical things, it’s the people (and pets) you share it with. I view property as a tool, intended for purchase and resale. In my opinion, it shouldn’t weigh you down, and it definitely shouldn’t keep you from moving forward.
Having received an inheritance at a young age and having a mom who could’ve written her own personal finance book, I was able to jump into real estate early. But honestly? It was all about timing. In 2013, a downtown bachelor was $220,000. A few years (and a lot of Toronto market luck) later, I had enough equity to upgrade to a one-bedroom plus den with a mortgage payment I don’t take for granted.
Buying and selling condos over the years gave me something you can’t put a price on: options. Money can’t buy happiness, but it gives you the luxury of choice, and that’s something I’ll never put a price on. Freedom to quit jobs I didn’t like, walk away from relationships that weren’t working, buy tickets to The Era’s Tour, and even raise my dog, Stella, all on my own.
Will I be a condo girl forever? Who knows. Part of me wants to build a house from the ground up one day. Although if we’re being honest, I wouldn’t be afraid to put a “For Sale” sign on the lawn if the offer was right.
Thinking of moving to Toronto? The right real estate agent will help you navigate your move with confidence. Start your search today.
