It\u2019s tough to know which neighbourhood you should settle down in. In large cities, you might have dozens of options, each with their own pros and cons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before considering a number of factors, which we list below, ask yourself this question: What do you want to do in your downtime?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip:<\/strong> You might be the type of person who doesn\u2019t care about their neighbourhood. If you\u2019re single and spend a lot of time at home, the physical house or condo will be what\u2019s important. Use your day-to-day and week-to-week activities as a launching point and go from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As obvious as it seems, your neighbourhood\u2019s features exist for the time you\u2019re not at work. When you wake up Saturday morning, what do you want to do? If you have small kids or a dog, you might want to live near a park. If you want to meet with friends, maybe you want nearby cafes and restaurants. If you spend a lot of time with your family, you night consider a neighbourhood close to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As much as you may like a certain street or the reputation a neighbourhood has, you need to think about what you actually do on your downtime and situate yourself in the midst of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you decide on an area, here are some things to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you might like a large home on the outskirts of the city, and you could save money by living further away from downtown, if you walk or take public transit to get everywhere, that wouldn\u2019t be the best decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about how often you walk, bike, and drive, and use that information when you\u2019re shopping around for a home. Be honest with yourself when deciding if you\u2019re willing to change your transportation habits for a neighbourhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider a cost-benefit analysis when discussing neighbourhoods. For example, would you rather live in a two-bedroom, semi-detached home in Summerhill, or a four-bedroom, detached house in The Beach? You\u2019ll get more space if you\u2019re removed from the core, but the neighbourhood may be more desirable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you work in central Toronto, you know that commuting can take a good chunk of time out of your day. But living in Scarborough or Ajax will save you a ton of money, if you\u2019re willing to spend extra time on the train or in your car each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weigh time versus cost to determine which is more important to you, then work with your agent to choose the right area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out the latest homes for sale in your area:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nHow you get around<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cost trade-offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n