Condo Downtown vs Townhouse in the Burbs?

[NissanskylineN1]

Lads,
I'm stuck in a huge dilemma. I live in the Toronto area and am looking to buy a place to call home. I'm in my mid-20s.

I've been looking at both Condos downtown and townhouses out west of the city (Oakville/Burlington). I know I can actually get somewhere nice to live if I choose the townhouse and can keep my car as well (2 bedroom 2 bath). If I live downtown, I'll be living in a literal shoebox burning money on maintenance fees for $300-500 a month (1 bedroom, 1 den, 1 bath).

The dilemma comes here. Most of my friends are moving downtown to rent a condo, and I understand that most people my age are probably renting downtown as well. But for me, it wouldn't make financial sense to buy downtown if I want to own a proper house when I'm older (land appreciates more than condos). Its basically a lifestyle vs financial decision for me.

Misc, your thoughts? Anyone else faced a similar situation?

[jackamo2887]

Id buy cheaper out in the burbs. Eventually the city sprawl fill force housing prices to go up out in the burbs.

Plus living in a city sucks. Brb government demands a lockdown suddenly you're living in an expensive tin can with no "city life" benefits

[NissanskylineN1]

Id buy cheaper out in the burbs. Eventually the city sprawl fill force housing prices to go up out in the burbs.

Plus living in a city sucks. Brb government demands a lockdown suddenly you're living in an expensive tin can with no "city life" benefits

Thanks - You make a good point about the urban sprawl.

In terms of lifestyle, I'm not missing out on much then? How bad do you think it would be to drive 30 min to downtown Toronto for a night out?

[GainzMcgee]

Really depends on the city. There are only a handful I can think of that would be worth it. Most suburbs would be better for multiple reasons.

[Issobolic28]

You get more space for your dollar.

Downtown Toronto is expensive as fck.

[Kev1972]

Townhouse in the burbs won't collapse on you and there's less chance of being taken out by the George Floyd types.

[basedcap]

Mid 20s? I would say downtown assuming you enjoy the city life. Personally I would hate living in the burbs. Also a decent townhouse in Oakville is like close to 800k whereas a condo downtown is like 600.

But you’re better off renting a place downtown since prices are still low. Although I don’t think the market will crash I really don’t see housing prices going up that much in the next few years. Keep your money in stocks and in a few years buy a place you’d wanna live in long term like an actual house.

[digital022]

Living life in the burbs is chit unless you're ready to settle down ded srs

[eXistenceLies]

If the drive isn't more than 30 mins out then I would take the Burbs. My wife on the other hand wants to move into the ****ing city with 2 year old triplets .

[VSVP99]

Depends on lifestyle. Burbs if you're a homebody who actually lifts and eats from his fridge. If you like to go out to eat and drink 5 days a week, then downtown is the spot. An active social life can definitely help certains careers, if lleveraged properly. So there's that.

Less bums and burnouts in the burbs though. No parking issues. Full sized units, more variety for gyms..

Weekends you can just drive in for events/outings, and afford to do so with all the cash you'll be saving with COL spread.

[OliverHeldens]

In mid 20s, there's no chance I'd ever want to live in the suburbs. I'm mid 30s and I still don't think I could pull the trigger now.

[shmobin]

Move to where your work is. Nothing will kill you faster than a long commute.

[OntheClockNE]

It is all about your age. Mid 20's to early 30's, downtown would be dope. Over 35, stick to mowing and the burbs and raise your 2.5 kids.

[microsuede]

speaking from personal experience, no sluts in the suburbs so if you plan to phuk live in city. if you plan to fap live in suburbs. i currently live in the suburbs.

[FingerFood]

If you are buying you should probably get something that you will be happy with in the future also. Unless you plan on being single for a long time, go for the bigger place a little ways out. This will also open up the potential to have a live in girlfriend/wife at some point.

Maybe I am being too old in my thinking, but get a three bedroom if you can. Most guys I know that got a two bedroom regretted it after they had their first child. Their wives started nagging them as soon as they got pregnant. One poor bastard sleeps on a mattress in the living room right now.

[MikeLowrrrey]

Neither. Why would you want people over you and around you? Why would you want to park your car in a garage by plebs?

Buy a detached home. If you can't buy either wait and keep saving.

[mesobuild]

I cannot imagine preferring downtown. You can go into the city when rested and ready whenever you want.

I would want some place where I can recharge.

How bad is the commute?

[MetroBrah]

Brad!? Welcome back bud

[Brazzah]

Thanks - You make a good point about the urban sprawl.

In terms of lifestyle, I'm not missing out on much then? How bad do you think it would be to drive 30 min to downtown Toronto for a night out?

Unless you like going out, bars/restaurants/etc then city life isn't worth the money and hype tbh

You'll get a lot more for your money by buying a house and living in the suburbs, more nature, less BS, less traffic, less ******* neighbors, less risks of your neighborhood turning into a ghetto years later, etc and you can still drive into town if you want to socialize/meet up with friends.

If you can get a house with a plot of land then all the better, you can build on it, do what ever hobbies you want and no one will cockblock you.

Also tax wise the property tax won't be so different, sure a house is more maintenance and property taxes can suck but buying a condo is the same issue + you have to pay the condo maintenance fees which ends up being similar in terms of costs and overhead. Just compare your options and check the costs of owning both properties in the long term before buying.

Right now condo prices are driven solely by speculators/money laundering so you're not getting value at all, you're just buying something overpriced.

[Brazzah]

speaking from personal experience, no sluts in the suburbs so if you plan to phuk live in city. if you plan to fap live in suburbs. i currently live in the suburbs.

Once you get a car, banging sloots isn't the issue, suburbs or not lol. You can just drive into the city, go to your date, then go back to her place/your place or to the hotel.

[CaliSuperSport]

mid-20's=downtown for sure

I like the burbs but seriously, stay where the action is in your younger years.

[r32gojirra]

I have nothing to add to thread just came in to rep OP for the username

[sam212]

Downtown 100 percent. I know it’ll cost more, but you’re only gonna be young once brother. Have fun because you’ll spend plenty of time in the burbs rest of your life.

[Nicklol]

currently stayin with someone downtown by bay and bloor and kind of hate how it is. Dont see how anyone can live and enjoy it long term.
Never any peace and quiet. No real nature around. Its fun for short periods of time and a endless supply of girls to look at but I couldnt do it personally

[JayJ350]

What kind of madman would want to live in the city right now?

[NissanskylineN1]

Thanks for the insight guys. I guess it basically comes down to thinking with my dick vs thinking with my brain?

You get more space for your dollar.

Downtown Toronto is expensive as fck.

That's true. I was looking at decent 1+1 condos that aren't built like cardboards and it was selling for like $700k + $500 a month for 700 sqft. I can't even fit my bed in the "master" bedroom. Also, food here is really freaking expensive - pack of 3 romaine lettuces for $5 like wtf?

Mid 20s? I would say downtown assuming you enjoy the city life. Personally I would hate living in the burbs. Also a decent townhouse in Oakville is like close to 800k whereas a condo downtown is like 600.

But you’re better off renting a place downtown since prices are still low. Although I don’t think the market will crash I really don’t see housing prices going up that much in the next few years. Keep your money in stocks and in a few years buy a place you’d wanna live in long term like an actual house.

The rental market has already picked up downtown - you can't find a 1+1 with parking for anything less than $2600 which is basically the same as a mortgage payment on a $800k house. Correct me if I'm wrong but if I keep my money in stocks, I'd still want to move out and would have to pay rent which wouldn't add to my equity like a mortgage partially would.

Depends on lifestyle. Burbs if you're a homebody who actually lifts and eats from his fridge. If you like to go out to eat and drink 5 days a week, then downtown is the spot. An active social life can definitely help certains careers, if lleveraged properly. So there's that.

Less bums and burnouts in the burbs though. No parking issues. Full sized units, more variety for gyms..

Weekends you can just drive in for events/outings, and afford to do so with all the cash you'll be saving with COL spread.

Thanks for this insight. I do enjoy going out with my friends but not every night as its exhausting and kinda expensive ($12 for a beer? No thanks). I also make sure I gym every day and cook my own meals (quality of Toronto food is garbage). I have a car too which makes driving in not too bad if there's no traffic.

In mid 20s, there's no chance I'd ever want to live in the suburbs. I'm mid 30s and I still don't think I could pull the trigger now.

How come?

Move to where your work is. Nothing will kill you faster than a long commute.

I work from home mostly and only need to go into the office in Downtown Toronto once or twice a week.

speaking from personal experience, no sluts in the suburbs so if you plan to phuk live in city. if you plan to fap live in suburbs. i currently live in the suburbs.

So basically if I plan to phuk I gotta drive into the city, pull a broad and take her 30 min home?

If you are buying you should probably get something that you will be happy with in the future also. Unless you plan on being single for a long time, go for the bigger place a little ways out. This will also open up the potential to have a live in girlfriend/wife at some point.

Maybe I am being too old in my thinking, but get a three bedroom if you can. Most guys I know that got a two bedroom regretted it after they had their first child. Their wives started nagging them as soon as they got pregnant. One poor bastard sleeps on a mattress in the living room right now.

I plan on getting married when I'm 29-32ish. I wish I could get a three bedroom but those are going for over $1M at this point and I don't think I'd be able to ever afford it on my own. Hopefully whoever I end up with also has a decent income/savings and maybe I'll sell my place and together buy a 3/4bdrm.

Neither. Why would you want people over you and around you? Why would you want to park your car in a garage by plebs?

Buy a detached home. If you can't buy either wait and keep saving.

Detatched homes go for over $1M. The best I can do is a freehold townhouse/semi-detatched.

I cannot imagine preferring downtown. You can go into the city when rested and ready whenever you want.

I would want some place where I can recharge.

How bad is the commute?

The commute to Downtown Toronto would be 40 minutes via train or 25-30min driving if there's no traffic and I'm doing 120kmh/75mph. I can also drive west to downtown Hamilton (sketchier and not as nice) in about 15 minutes.

Unless you like going out, bars/restaurants/etc then city life isn't worth the money and hype tbh

You'll get a lot more for your money by buying a house and living in the suburbs, more nature, less BS, less traffic, less ******* neighbors, less risks of your neighborhood turning into a ghetto years later, etc and you can still drive into town if you want to socialize/meet up with friends.

If you can get a house with a plot of land then all the better, you can build on it, do what ever hobbies you want and no one will cockblock you.

Also tax wise the property tax won't be so different, sure a house is more maintenance and property taxes can suck but buying a condo is the same issue + you have to pay the condo maintenance fees which ends up being similar in terms of costs and overhead. Just compare your options and check the costs of owning both properties in the long term before buying.

Right now condo prices are driven solely by speculators/money laundering so you're not getting value at all, you're just buying something overpriced.

Thanks for this. I like going out from time to time but not 5x a week. Also, I can't do any golfing or work on my car in the city which blows. As shallow (and honest) as it sounds, I think as long as I don't end up with FOMO on how lots of people my age are living downtown and getting drunk/laid every night, it should be fine. But I'm not sure if I'll end up regretting it. I get that it's probably a sacrifice I have to make, and that I'm in a privileged enough spot in my career where I can actually buy a house at my age unlike many others, so I feel like its the most responsible adult thing to do or else I'd be doing myself injustice. I look at my peers who are currently renting downtown and see that they probably will never be able to buy a place at the rate that housing prices are going up. Thinking with my head and broads aside, I think I'd rather be ahead of the game in life down the road. But at the same time as a guy, its hard not to think with your d*ck from time to time...

I'm gonna do my best to see if I can get a freehold townhouse or a semi-detatched. chitters on nice land plots are out of my price range at this point (40ft by 120ft lots with 100 year old house on them are going for $1M). I also never knew that money laundering was causing housing prices to skyrocket - how does that work?

Once you get a car, banging sloots isn't the issue, suburbs or not lol. You can just drive into the city, go to your date, then go back to her place/your place or to the hotel.

I guess if the broad is worth it she'd be down to go to the burbs to get some pipe? I've never done the hotel route, never been sure if broads would be down for that.

I have nothing to add to thread just came in to rep OP for the username

Thanks my guy!

currently stayin with someone downtown by bay and bloor and kind of hate how it is. Dont see how anyone can live and enjoy it long term.
Never any peace and quiet. No real nature around. Its fun for short periods of time and a endless supply of girls to look at but I couldnt do it personally

I also don't get it how someone could live downtown for a long time (>5 years). Being able to go out at night and the broads are the only things that attract me to living downtown, and I'm not sure if I do it for that, I'd just be thinking with my dick and not with my head.

I see people with border collies in small condos and feel bad for the dogs all the time. Also, these condos are built so ****. I'm short term renting in Cityplace rn and I can hear the guy above me do freaking step ups every morning at 7am and also his phone vibrating when he gets a message. The elevators break down, and the units themselves are literal shoeboxes. So many sketch people around too. I'm lucky that my current place is right by the lake so I go for walks every morning, but living on the other side of the Gardiner would give you zero peace/quietness.

[mesobuild]

The commute to Downtown Toronto would be 40 minutes via train or 25-30min driving if there's no traffic and I'm doing 120kmh/75mph. I can also drive west to downtown Hamilton (sketchier and not as nice) in about 15 minutes.

40 on a train door to door? Absolutely nothing.

[NissanskylineN1]

OP i'm also mid-20's. i rented an apartment in Downtown Toronto and i paid about $1500 a month.

once the novelty of living Downtown fades away, it's pretty overrated. smells like chit, too many people cramped around you, lots of homeless people, etc.

currently living at home in the burbs with my parents and it's great. don't have to pay rent, get to use my parents car whenever i want, etc. now that work is gonna be hybrid and i will only have to commute 2 or 3 times a week max, it should be decent.

i lived it up partying and drinking while i was in college in my early 20's. not sure i would want to continue that life into my 30's. i pretty much drink alone these days. maybe go out once a month.

How do you manage to bring broads home to your parents'?

[exxtracool]

no need to live downtown these days. id recommend etobicoke if you can afford it (south etobicoke).

[FrankCostanza]

Lads,
I'm stuck in a huge dilemma. I live in the Toronto area and am looking to buy a place to call home. I'm in my mid-20s.

I've been looking at both Condos downtown and townhouses out west of the city (Oakville/Burlington). I know I can actually get somewhere nice to live if I choose the townhouse and can keep my car as well (2 bedroom 2 bath). If I live downtown, I'll be living in a literal shoebox burning money on maintenance fees for $300-500 a month (1 bedroom, 1 den, 1 bath).

The dilemma comes here. Most of my friends are moving downtown to rent a condo, and I understand that most people my age are probably renting downtown as well. But for me, it wouldn't make financial sense to buy downtown if I want to own a proper house when I'm older (land appreciates more than condos). Its basically a lifestyle vs financial decision for me.

Misc, your thoughts? Anyone else faced a similar situation?

just chill with your friends downtown and drive home to the burbs ffs