Best place to live in Toronto/GTA for a couple (wife pregnant)

[marketstudent1]

GTA consists of multiple municipalities, I can only speak from my personal experience about Toronto and the following should be considered subjective based on my opinions:

- I feel that the work from home situation which many people are betting their life decisions on is going to slowly phase away atleast for most major professions like banking professionals.
- A downtown condo right now if you are planning to live in a condo/apartment for a few years is going to get you in at a very low rent controlled price that would be really good.
-A lot of downtown toronto has issues with homelessness, drug abuse, and 'non-friendly' elements on the streets here and there, there's also some neighbourhoods in downtown that I'd like you to specifically avoid - Moss park, West end, most places on and around Dundas street between river street to the east and Spadina street to the west
-The area that I feel might be best for you would be roughly in an imaginary rectangle between Yonge St, Spadina St, King West, Queens Quay W
I agree with someone that you should atleast get a 1 bedroom + den or even a 2 bedroom, you would definitely get a 1 bedroom + den in your budget and may also get a 2 in your budget if you're lucky in the area. Your budget allows you to live right across from the waters and believe me from experience it's a blessing to take your children out for a stroll on the water front.
-There are public tennis courts scattered across downtown, you just need to know where they are and depending on the time of the day there's usually splace to play, there is a couple in Moss park which will be roughly 15-20 minutes walk from the area I'm suggesting. There are quite a few near Rosedale metro station which is 15 minutes away from union station(union station being inside the rectangle I mentioned)

-If you don't want to stay in the city, (believe me, cities are a lot dirtier than the suburbs) there's a lot of options there too in your budget, but then again there are so many places that will be in your budget in the suburbs that you'd need to think of more requirements maybe.

I am so much thankful for you taking out time to reply to me. I will be saving this for my reference.

If suburbs - which ones have all these facilities?

I'm ok to live in Brampton as I have a distant family support there. Else I believe Etobicoke and Mississauga.

 

[Mr_Chang]

I am so much thankful for you taking out time to reply to me. I will be saving this for my reference.

If suburbs - which ones have all these facilities?

I'm ok to live in Brampton as I have a distant family support there. Else I believe Etobicoke and Mississauga.

IMHO Brampton isn't for everyone. A lot of south east asians love the place because it reminds them of home. For me it reminds of all the reasons I left home. So that's again a very subjective and personal call. The lifestyle in Brampton though, is definitely, Different.

Then again, Brampton/Mississauga/Etobicoke are not suburbs, they are massive places, cities in themselves, they have their own downtowns and their own suburbs. And you'd find a lot of open parks and tennis courts and other facilities scattered around suburbs, There isn't exactly one suburb that has those facilities and one that doesn't. The biggest challenge in suburbs is that most of them have bad transit so unless you already have a G2 license (drive tests have been closed for so long now) you'd find it hard to manage, you'd end up spending a lot on cab rides. If transit is a main concern then your choice of suburbs (and areas within them closer to stations) will be hugely limited.

 

[Kaisa_18]

There are condominiums in Toronto Downtown with tennis courts and other facilities. I would personally contact a real-estate agentbecause a lot of those condos are privately owned. Here is a realtor specializes in Downtown area http://www.elizabethgoulart.com/ (haven't used her service personally). Remember you don't pay any fees to the realtor, only the condo owner is paying.

 

[Kaisa_18]

I wouldn't recommend leaving Toronto unless you have a car. GTA is poorly accessible by public transit. So unless you want to move to a specific area to be within your community , I don't see a reason to live outside Toronto

 

[canuck78]

There are condominiums in Toronto Downtown with tennis courts and other facilities. I would personally contact a real-estate agentbecause a lot of those condos are privately owned. Here is a realtor specializes in Downtown area http://www.elizabethgoulart.com/ (haven't used her service personally). Remember you don't pay any fees to the realtor, only the condo owner is paying.

Many condo owners aren't willing to work with real estate agents especially at lower price points. Many are already paying a management company to advertise an show their unit.

 

[steaky]

Many condo owners aren't willing to work with real estate agents especially at lower price points. Many are already paying a management company to advertise an show their unit.

At lower price points, how many condominium have tennis courts and amenities in the building?

 

[canuck78]

GTA consists of multiple municipalities, I can only speak from my personal experience about Toronto and the following should be considered subjective based on my opinions:

- I feel that the work from home situation which many people are betting their life decisions on is going to slowly phase away atleast for most major professions like banking professionals.
- A downtown condo right now if you are planning to live in a condo/apartment for a few years is going to get you in at a very low rent controlled price that would be really good.
-A lot of downtown toronto has issues with homelessness, drug abuse, and 'non-friendly' elements on the streets here and there, there's also some neighbourhoods in downtown that I'd like you to specifically avoid - Moss park, West end, most places on and around Dundas street between river street to the east and Spadina street to the west
-The area that I feel might be best for you would be roughly in an imaginary rectangle between Yonge St, Spadina St, King West, Queens Quay W
I agree with someone that you should atleast get a 1 bedroom + den or even a 2 bedroom, you would definitely get a 1 bedroom + den in your budget and may also get a 2 in your budget if you're lucky in the area. Your budget allows you to live right across from the waters and believe me from experience it's a blessing to take your children out for a stroll on the water front.
-There are public tennis courts scattered across downtown, you just need to know where they are and depending on the time of the day there's usually splace to play, there is a couple in Moss park which will be roughly 15-20 minutes walk from the area I'm suggesting. There are quite a few near Rosedale metro station which is 15 minutes away from union station(union station being inside the rectangle I mentioned)

-If you don't want to stay in the city, (believe me, cities are a lot dirtier than the suburbs) there's a lot of options there too in your budget, but then again there are so many places that will be in your budget in the suburbs that you'd need to think of more requirements maybe.

Condos built after 1991 aren't subject to rent control so OP may get at a reduced rate this year but may see a big jump in rent the next year. You always have the choice to move. There are clubs downtown that have courts but they are expensive. They have bubbles allowing you to play all year. Public courts don't allow you to book a time, may be in bad condition, etc. Really not meant for a serious game just for fun. Any place downtown will have issues with homelessness. Next to homeless missions or safe injection sites there are certainly more issue especially at night. With less activity downtown it even more noticeable. There is no need to be right beside a hospital since you'll need to drive to appointments or labour because of covid. Only the patient can go to appointments You will need to have a car seat to leave the hospital. You'll need to find an OB with space during you wife's delivery month. She/he will tell you what hospital they work out of.

 

[canuck78]

At lower price points, how many condominium have tennis courts and amenities in the building?

None but with a budget of 2000-2200K we aren't talking about luxury buildings.

 

[marketstudent1]

Thank you so much.

So which means

1.I will have to book a taxi everytime I need to go to a hospital. Hence I should look something in Downtown.

2.And Tennis courts are not common in GTA in societies (Condo + den range of 2200/per month). Else I need to pay more for clubs, which I won't feel like spending since I'll have to restrict my expenditure.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you so much.

So which means

1.I will have to book a taxi everytime I need to go to a hospital. Hence I should look something in Downtown.

2.And Tennis courts are not common in GTA in societies (Condo + den range of 2200/per month). Else I need to pay more for clubs, which I won't feel like spending since I'll have to restrict my expenditure.

There are some condos in older condo complexes from the 80/90s in a complex with multiple buildings but they are usually not downtown, tend to have a high owner occupancy level and are usually higher than your budget. You can't pick what hospital you go to and an OB may have an office in another location. You shouldn't really be basing where you live on where a hospital is or where an OB office is located. You don't go there frequently so if you have to pay an extra $20 it's not a big deal. Would add that with a baby a car becomes more of a necessity. You don't need one asap but having a baby without a car is certainly more difficult. Would make sure your wife arrives with all her doctor's notes about the pregnancy, lab results, sonogram report, glucose tolerance results, etc.

 

[marketstudent1]

There are some condos in older condo complexes from the 80/90s in a complex with multiple buildings but they are usually not downtown, tend to have a high owner occupancy level and are usually higher than your budget. You can't pick what hospital you go to and an OB may have an office in another location. You shouldn't really be basing where you live on where a hospital is or where an OB office is located. You don't go there frequently so if you have to pay an extra $20 it's not a big deal. Would add that with a baby a car becomes more of a necessity. You don't need one asap but having a baby without a car is certainly more difficult. Would make sure your wife arrives with all her doctor's notes about the pregnancy, lab results, sonogram report, glucose tolerance results, etc.

I have no words to thank you for your courtesy to take out time and reply in detail. This is extremely helpful. Thank You.

 

[scylla]

Thank you so much.

So which means

1.I will have to book a taxi everytime I need to go to a hospital. Hence I should look something in Downtown.

2.And Tennis courts are not common in GTA in societies (Condo + den range of 2200/per month). Else I need to pay more for clubs, which I won't feel like spending since I'll have to restrict my expenditure.

Yes, tennis courts are quite rare.

Here's an example of a building that has tennis courts and which is right on the subway line. Two bedroom unit is $2,650 per month.

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/22851286/603-50-quebec-ave-toronto-high-park-north

 

[marketstudent1]

Yes, tennis courts are quite rare.

Here's an example of a building that has tennis courts and which is right on the subway line. Two bedroom unit is $2,650 per month.

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/22851286/603-50-quebec-ave-toronto-high-park-north

Thanks. I was looking at exactly these kinds of places - Tennis, pool, gym but unfortunately it is out of my budget : (

 

[scylla]

Thanks. I was looking at exactly these kinds of places - Tennis, pool, gym but unfortunately it is out of my budget : (

If you want a place that has all of these amenities but is within your price range, then you'll have to look at locations that are not right on the subway line and that are less convenient when it comes to public transit like the one below.

You have to give something up. Either location or amenities. Or you need to be willing to pay more.

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/22779225/704-11-wincott-dr-toronto-kingsview-village-the-westway

 

[canuck78]

Yes, tennis courts are quite rare.

Here's an example of a building that has tennis courts and which is right on the subway line. Two bedroom unit is $2,650 per month.

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/22851286/603-50-quebec-ave-toronto-high-park-north

Would add that many of these amenities are only available for half the year or less than half a year. Utilities and things like internet are not included. Would really prioritize things like more sq footage, a car, etc. versus tennis courts. Babies are expensive and their stuff takes up a lot of room. Just a stroller takes up the whole entranceway of most condos and many newer condos barely fit a queen bed so a crib in addition to a bed and a dresser may not fit in most bedrooms. Would make sure you have the dimensions of your potential furniture when looking at rentals. I would also consider apartments versus condos and somewhere close to the subway but not downtown if you are looking to get more from your budget. 2 bedrooms would make a very big difference when you have a child