Tip to find the right neighbourhood

It’s not easy to choose the perfect neighbourhood for you or your family. Let’s face it, your neighbourhood is just as important as your house. If you are not happy with your neighbourhood it will eventually lead to you not being satisfied with your home. Do your research to determine what a neighbourhood has to offer you. The greatest areas for families with children is not always the best place for a single person or empty nesters. This article will explain the things that you should be looking at in a neighbourhood during the buying process.

Location

Location is everything. Imagine living in an amazing area, but working over 80 kilometers away. This may not leave you with much time to enjoy everything that your neighbourhood has to offer, considering you will be spending so much of your time commuting to and from work. Even though there may be a great neighbourhood available 80 kilometers away from work, that does not make it wise for you to consider that home unless you are able to work from home. Commuting can be overwhelming and could create a dissatisfaction over time.

Location plays a huge factor when it comes to the community and its amenities. If you live in a rural area, you will most likely not find any gyms, retail stores, or indoor activities that are more common in urban centres . However, if you enjoy the secluded feel of a rural area, this may work for you. Drive around the surrounding area to get a feel for the lifestyle.

Pro Tip: Drive or Walk around the area’s you are researching. Make sure to take note of distances and time that it takes to get to some of the places you may be going on a regular basis.

Interview The Locals

Chatting with the locals in an area is a great way to see if you would enjoy it there. Residents will know the area best and can make you aware of the perks and issues. Most people love talking about their neighbourhood and where they live.

How can you get involved without physically going to every business or community center?

Facebook.

Join The local Facebook Community group to get a vibe of the neighbourhood. You can even ask questions to get real feedback. Asking questions like:

I am moving to the area and was curious to hear what some of you love about living here?
I am curious to hear what some of the changes you are hoping for in the near future?
What is something that you would only know if you lived here?

Pro Tip: You can also google: How is Living in (Neighborhood). This will reveal many other forums or blogs that give local insight.

Schools

If you have kids in your home then schools may be the most important factor to your neighbourhood. Some people are looking for a school nearby for their kids to walk to school and some are seeking schools for children with special needs. The best advice we could give is to decide on the schools you enjoy first, then begin looking for the neighbourhoods around the school.

PRO TIP: There are many online resources such as www.compareschoolrankings.org where you can look up the schools in your area and their rating. Once you have decided on a school that you believe will be best for your family, visit the school.

Property Values

The value of a property plays a huge role when choosing a neighbourhood. If your desired area has high value homes, this generally means higher taxes. If some of the homes have declining property values, it can directly impact the value of the entire neighbourhood. An area that once was a great-looking place to live can slowly turn into a rundown location in obvious need of some tender loving care.

In terms of choosing a home in any neighbourhood we subscribe to the old rule of thumb not to select the most expensive home in the neighbourhood.

Pro Tip: Don’t go for the most expensive home in the neighbourhood. If the home value is above the average, it may appreciate more slowly or take longer to sell than those closer in value to the average.

Property Taxes

Taxes will vary by neighbourhood, so you should definitely consider them when buying a home. As stated above, areas that are appreciating in value are also going to have larger taxes. Many cities have specific times of the year where they reassess home values to ensure the local government is getting the proper amount of tax revenue to provide the city with services. Purchasing at the top of your budget can turn the excitement of purchasing a home into a nightmare when other expenses begin to roll in.

It is important to make sure you consider all the expenses that come with owning a home. We can always help you with any questions you have, so do not be scared to give us a call.

Pro Tip: Don’t purchase a home at the top of your price range if you are buying in a neighbourhood with increasing values because the taxes you pay will go up as well.

Safety

Many consider safety to be a top priority in the search for a new neighbourhood, but not everyone can afford to live in a gated community. Not everyone wants to live in a that type of community, either. You can, however, look at local police reports to see what, if any, mischief goes on in a specific area. You can even use online resources like crime maps to get an idea of the crime rate in certain areas.

*Realtors cannot discuss criminal activity with clients

Pro Tip: Ring Has a Downloadable App called neighbors that shows you the local incidents in an given area.

Bottom Line

The neighbourhood that you live in can have a greater impact on your satisfaction than the home itself. The right house in the wrong area can leave you unhappy in the long-run. Research online, speak with locals, and drive around the surrounding area to determine the if the neighbourhood is right for you and your family.

Why move to the country?

Imagine driving your compact car into the underground parking garage of your condo building, pulling into the space you own between the yellow lines. You carefully open the doors so as not to damage your neighbour’s vehicle, and slug the groceries you just bought over to the elevator and wish instead to move to the country

On the way up to your unit on the 14th floor, passengers get on to share the elevator silently with you and disembark with a slight nod in your direction. As you come through the front door of your 600 square foot apartment, you see yet another notice of a meeting of the condo board.

It looks like the building rules need to be discussed, as many of the owners have not been complying with some by-laws, and there may be consequences.

If you are breaking out in hives and feeling claustrophobic as you read through that day-in-the-life, you might just be a country mouse!

Although there are some people who genuinely love the city and all its quirks, many urban dwellers are there out of necessity, and are just biding their time till they can move out to where they can breathe!

Here are 5 clues that you are meant to live in the country:

1. You love to spend as much time in nature as you can.

The number one reason people will give for loving rural life is fresh air. To be able to sit out on a deck, a verandah, or a large yard and see nothing but greenery and wildlife around them is therapeutic for them. Their idea of relaxation might be a bonfire in the backyard, a barbeque with as many friends as they want to invite, or just to sit, eyes closed, enjoying the chirping of birds and the sound of silence.

Statistics show that gardening is an increasingly popular hobby in Canada, and indulging in the pleasure of getting your hands dirty while growing food or flowers is almost a given if you choose to live in the country.

2. You love animals.

Lots of city slickers love animals. But for some people, the limitations of the urban life style are way too restrictive. They need to be free to adopt multiple dogs, cats, ferrets, gerbils, chickens, or horses, if presented with the opportunity. If you are the kind of person whose heart is only full when surrounded by beloved pets, the country is probably the place for you!

3. Strong bonds with country neighbours are important to you.

That neighbour in the elevator, whose name you may never know, lives much closer to you, physically, in a condo than the closest house would be to you on a country lot. One of the ironies of highly concentrated populations in urban areas is that people remain strangers for many years, despite living in boxes in the sky, stacked tightly together.

Country communities are well known to be social and supportive of one another. Neighbours depend on and look out for each other in ways that don’t extend to their city-dwelling counterparts most of the time.

If you appreciate tightly knit circles of friends who live, work, and play in harmony, you might love being part of a small rural neighbourhood.

4. You crave a country-style, slower pace of life.

The stereotype of the frenzied city dweller stuck in traffic and running high blood pressure is sometimes not far from the truth. City life has accelerated the pace at which things are done, or expected to be done. Road rage and other manifestations of restless impatience are regular, daily occurrences in large metropolitan centres, and even in the suburbs.

By contrast, if you enjoy taking your time to enjoy things at a less frenetic speed, you will likely find more like-minded folk in the rurals. Evening walks in the open air, bike rides on country trails, and small talk with the neighbours at the mailbox provide a chance to unwind and recharge instead of rushing around under pressure.

It is a special bonus if you work close to your country home, or from your own home office, thus eliminating a stressful daily commute to the nearest office tower.

5. You want your children to grow up with space to play.

Even some people who thrive on the fast-paced excitement of the big city find themselves rethinking lifestyle choices when they start thinking of having a family. There is a timeless appeal to raising children in a place where they have lots of space to run and play and explore.

If your heartstrings are tugged toward a more traditional lifestyle for your family, you are not alone! And kids who grow up in the country often look back fondly, knowing there would have been no better way to live.

Where did you grow up? Would you raise your family in the country? Are there reasons we haven’t mentioned? We would love your input! Let us know your thoughts about the best place to live.

Are you a city slicker?

Does a big city excite you? Energize you? Make you want to move into the penthouse of a skyscraper?

Whether you own your home or rent a space to live, you very likely have some opinions about where you choose to hang your hat. There are advantages to an urban lifestyle that city-dwellers cannot imagine doing without, while die-hard country folk may not comprehend compromising on having space to breathe for such perceived ‘conveniences.’

You may be surprised to know that, according to The Canadian Encyclopedia, 80% of Canadians live in urban areas. Of course, a large number of that population lives outside the downtown core of their city, preferring suburban sub-division style accommodation, or even small town living (which, statistically, qualifies them as “urban-ites.”)

Where do you prefer to live, given the choice? Here are 5 indicators that you are a city-slicker at heart:

1. You would rather take the bus or walk than drive.

The closer one lives to a true urban centre, a downtown, the more likely they are not to need or own a car. Everything is designed to be at their fingertips, possibly including their workplace. The one and only draw for some city-dwellers is the short commute to work on foot, by bike, or via public transportation. The thought of extending the work day by sitting in traffic morning and night seems absurd to them.

2. Your love of ALL of the different type of cuisines.

Foodies of all stripes are drawn to cities that offer them endless dining options. The bigger the city, and the more diverse its population, the more varied the menu options will be. Immigrants tend to settle in urban areas and eventually ethnic restaurants grow into the communities to offer authentic comfort foods that become beloved to everyone who lives there.

Take the time to eavesdrop on a conversation sometime between people comparing cities in different provinces (or states), and you will eventually hear them rate the restaurant scene. “You’ve never been to Montreal? You have to go – the FOOD is amazing!”

3. You appreciate the beauty of city architecture

Many cities, not just in Canada, but around the world, take deep pride in their own distinctive skylines, and in the character of their buildings.

Here in Southern Ontario, the CN Tower cuts a figure that is admired from all along the shores of Lake Ontario, and the skyscrapers that are staggered around it create a unique silhouette that is widely recognized by travellers to the area

The choice to live in a small apartment downtown is often influenced by the view of the city out strategically placed floor-to-ceiling windows. The price to purchase a condo in a tall building often has a premium added for the upper floors for this reason, and the penthouse is typically considered the “best” unit, like the cherry on top.

Every city in the region has its own history, and there is undeniable beauty in restored century homes and heritage buildings with their exquisite detail and stately elegance.

4. You feel safe having people close by

In purely practical terms, living in the city provides access to other people for many reasons.

Hospitals, clinics, and other medical services are easily accessible: For anyone with a chronic health issue, it can be very stressful not to have easy access to specialists and services they require. Some seniors, who managed large country homes and raised families far from urban centres, make a decision later in life to move closer to the medical offices and centres where they find themselves spending time.

Airports, train stations, bus terminals close to home: Regular travellers appreciate being a short distance to these centres. Young people who live far from home for school or work love knowing that, when loved ones come to visit, they will be close from the moment they arrive!

Neighbours can easily check on each other: Quirky neighbours have been the stuff of sitcoms ever since who-knows-when, and bad ones are definitely a challenge! But most city-folk appreciate having a neighbour close by who looks out for them, notices if they aren’t around, and can quickly come over if a need arises.

Interestingly, despite the physical closeness of neighbours in city communities, a lack of privacy is very seldom a concern, and it seems that most people respect their city neigbours’ boundaries.

5. You thrive on energy and diversity

Without a doubt, the bigger the city, the more intense the buzz. Entertainment and recreation options are limitless. Sports fans often have home teams to cheer on, art lovers may spend time in museums, party-goers club hop and dance the weekends away.

The people in most cities in Canada are also diverse, speaking languages from all over the world, bringing a variety of cultures and customs together in one place. Those who are in awe at the beauty of such diversity miss it when they are away from their home city.

There are lots of other reasons why people choose to live in cities, and we would love to hear your thoughts. What is your favourite city? Would you live there, or is it a place you just love to visit?

Stay tuned for the argument on the flip side: Next time, our country-mouse cousins are going to chime in on this conversation and tell us why they prefer to live closer to nature

Ready to Buy in the City?

Tell us about your Buying needs

Author: Chantelle Dmytryshyn

How To Find The Right Neighbourhood For You

Tip to find the right neighbourhood

Location

Interview The Locals

Schools

Property Values

Property Taxes

Safety

Bottom Line

Weekend Open House List

First Time Buyers: Make Sure You Are the Client

Market Predictions for 2022 – Who Can you Trust?

5 Clues That It’s Time To Move To The Country!

Why move to the country?

1. You love to spend as much time in nature as you can.

2. You love animals.

3. Strong bonds with country neighbours are important to you.

4. You crave a country-style, slower pace of life.

5. You want your children to grow up with space to play.

Weekend Open House List

Try These Things to Reduce Your Utility Bills

First Time Buyers: Make Sure You Are the Client

5 Clues That You Are A City Slicker At Heart

Are you a city slicker?

1. You would rather take the bus or walk than drive.

2. Your love of ALL of the different type of cuisines.

3. You appreciate the beauty of city architecture

4. You feel safe having people close by

5. You thrive on energy and diversity

Ready to Buy in the City?

Try These Things to Reduce Your Utility Bills

Weekend Open House List

First Time Buyers: Make Sure You Are the Client

Tip to find the right neighbourhood

Location

Interview The Locals

Schools

Property Values

Property Taxes

Safety

Bottom Line

Related Posts

Weekend Open House List

First Time Buyers: Make Sure You Are the Client

Market Predictions for 2022 – Who Can you Trust?

Why move to the country?

1. You love to spend as much time in nature as you can.

2. You love animals.

3. Strong bonds with country neighbours are important to you.

4. You crave a country-style, slower pace of life.

5. You want your children to grow up with space to play.

Related Posts

Weekend Open House List

Try These Things to Reduce Your Utility Bills

First Time Buyers: Make Sure You Are the Client

Are you a city slicker?

1. You would rather take the bus or walk than drive.

2. Your love of ALL of the different type of cuisines.

3. You appreciate the beauty of city architecture

4. You feel safe having people close by

5. You thrive on energy and diversity

Ready to Buy in the City?

Related Posts

Try These Things to Reduce Your Utility Bills

Weekend Open House List

First Time Buyers: Make Sure You Are the Client