Experience the ultimate playground for Comics, Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime, and Gaming. Three BIG days of citywide events, family-friendly attractions and world-renowned celebrities await.
Enhance your visit with added family-friendly and interactive programming. Reserve ahead for access to a variety of enhanced activities that include baking, drumming, dancing, storytelling and beading. Engage in discussion about the presence of women in historical military contexts within the free pop-up talks. Join us at THM this March Break for a captivating and immersive program! Explore and breakthrough the untold stories of women and other communities who have played pivotal roles in shaping the cultural, social, and economic landscape of Toronto through workshops, camps and other events.
WHEN: Every Sunday March 9, 2024 – March 17, 2024: Event Time(s): 11:00 am – 4:00 pm- Free tours on the hour, last tour at 3 p.m. Free admission to the ongoing artifact exploration, weaving activity, dress-up station and timed pop-up talks. Reservation not required for free activities.
WHERE: Fort York National Historic Site 250 Fort York Blvd
Timeless Toronto: A Visual Journey Through the 6ix Art Exhibition
Presented by: Celebrate Toronto
Engage in an exploration of Toronto’s dynamic urban narrative and the vibrancy of its cultural tapestry through artworks that encapsulate the city’s evolving identity.
WHEN: Every Tuesday February 21, 2024 – March 27, 2024 Event Time(s): 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Assembly Hall 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr, Etobicoke, ON M8V 4B6, Canada
The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins on the corner of St. George and Bloor St West (near St. George subway station) and heads east on Bloor Street, turns south on Yonge Street and finishes at Dundas Street.
The parade starts at 12 noon and the line of march lasts one and a half hours at any given point along the route. Our review stand will host live entertainment, local dignitaries and our 2024 Grand Marshal. Access from the TTC subway can be made at the following stations: St. George, Museum, Bloor, Wellesley, College, Dundas.
WHEN: The parade takes place on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 12 noon sharp.
WHERE: Parade starts at the corner of St. George and Bloor St W.
VISIT OUR CALENDAR PARTNERS EVENTS IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THE CITIES BELOW:
DJ Skate Nights are coming to the Brick Works this January and February! Bring your friends and family to this brand-new event where you can skate among the trees while the DJ spins your favourite tunes. There will be food and beverages available to purchase on site, as well as free lawn games, smores and firepits for your pre- and post-skate enjoyment. Our Apres Skate Lounge in the Young Centre will be open for you to warm up in after skating. Bring your own skates or you can rent a pair of ours.
Each DJ Skate Night has a theme, from 90s Night featuring throwback hits to Newcomer’s Night with free skating lessons for new Canadians.
The event is the biggest and most popular festival among Chinese communities. And now become a feature event every year to preserve and celebrate the Asian heritage and engage others in cultural activities. The event attracts more than 13,000 visitors during the 2-day event from different races, regions, municipalities, and different countries and now becomes a must-go destination for local and international visitors in Ontario.
WHEN: February 10, 2024 Event Time(s): 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
WHERE:Chinatown Centre – 222 Spadina Ave.- Dragon City Mall – 280 Spadina Ave.
Family Day Weekend Activities at Scarborough Museum
Engage in hands-on, minds-on programming that celebrates the meaning of family, both the ones we are born into and the ones that we create. Grab a warm drink and enjoy a curated selection of books that share stories from families of all kinds, either on your own or during story-time sessions throughout the day. Dive into craft activities from Crafts 2 Kidz, and get active with a Reggae-cise session by Kevin Carrington!
Toronto History Museums celebrates Black History Month with Lifting Voices for Belonging, a series of programs which celebrates the many contributions and the enduring legacy of Black communities on this land now known as Canada.
WHEN: February 17, 2024 Event Time(s): 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Crafts 2 Kidz occurs for one hour at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and for two hours on Monday.
Reggae-cise occurs for one hour on February 17 at 1:30 p.m. and on February 19 at 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Scarborough Museum1007 Brimley Rd
Cost: Free
SickKids Fired-Up Gala
Supported by: SickKids Foundation. The Fired-Up Gala is a black-tie event featuring an oyster bar, top shelf open bar, surf & turf 4-course dinner, live & silent auction, entertainment throughout the evening, dance & DJ afterparty including late night bites & sweets.
All proceeds from this event will benefit the SickKids Hospital’s Burn & Plastics Unit.
In the winter the water fountain in front of Toronto City Hall turns into an outdoor Ice Rink. Take in the downtown sites while pleasure skating.
WHERE: Nathan Phillips Square, Queen Street West, Toronto
WHEN: November 25, 2023 To March 17, 2024
Free
Toronto History Museums Free Admissio
General admission to all 10 Toronto History Museums is permanently free to provide everyone with an opportunity to fully participate in cultural heritage and spaces. This is one of many initiatives at Toronto History Museums to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Toronto History Museums is committed to dismantling museums’ ongoing colonial legacies and working towards fostering reconciliation and healing as well as enhancing the understanding of Toronto’s diverse stories from multiple perspectives.
Going into its 14th year, Canada’s leading and largest annual design festival will see over 100 free exhibitions, installations and events, from artists and designers working in various disciplines. Featuring bold and ambitious design ideas that respond to the climate crisis and sustainability, technology, ethics and social justice, city building, and more, you’ll want to start planning your Festival Week today.
Since its founding in 2011, the Festival has been transforming Toronto into a hub for creativity, taking art and design out of the studio and into the urban sphere, and bringing people together to design a better future, one that is more sustainable, just, and joyful.
DesignTO celebrates contemporary culture, provides opportunities for emerging talent, and engages the community with exceptional and accessible public programming. DesignTO is a non-profit arts organization that produces Canada’s largest annual design festival, forming Toronto’s design week.
Visit the DesignTO website to view the complete Festival Schedule, and start planning your Festival activities today!
An international festival of contemporary music presented annually by the University of Toronto Faculty. Join us for 10 days of concerts, workshops and master classes as we celebrate new music
Downtown Toronto is an incredible place to live – regardless of your age or where you’re at in life. However, for downsizers in particular, moving into the city centre can unlock a whole heap of advantages.
If you’re looking to rightsize your Toronto home, you may enjoy the downtown lifestyle. In this blog post, we’ll touch on everything you need to know before making the move.
Speaking generally, moving to a home with less square footage means less time spent on chores like cleaning and maintenance – giving you more opportunities to engage in activities you enjoy most. With that in mind, rightsizing is your ticket to a cleaner, more simplified lifestyle.
In addition to the lifestyle advantages, rightsizing often goes hand in hand with financial freedom. The cost of maintaining a larger family home, both in terms of mortgage payments and ongoing maintenance, can be a lot. Moving to a smaller home in downtown Toronto allows you to unlock the equity built in your current home and redirect those funds toward enriching your life in other ways.
Of course, moving to a smaller home still allows you to continue building wealth for yourself – marking an opportunity to invest in a property that not only suits your current lifestyle but also has the potential for future appreciation. The downtown core, in particular, remains a prime location for real estate investment.
Getting ready to rightsize your home? Explore these blogs for helpful advice.
It’s hard to encapsulate what makes living in downtown Toronto so exciting in just a few sentences. As the core of Canada’s cultural hub, life downtown is fun, overflowing with opportunities and just as down-to-earth and neighbourly as more suburban areas.
As an empty nester, there are plenty of pursuits to immerse yourself in as you enjoy the freedoms of your new chapter. From joining community clubs and classes to participating in local events and beyond, downtown living provides a rich tapestry of opportunities for personal growth and social engagement.
The city’s parks and waterfront areas offer serene retreats for those seeking a balance between urban living and natural beauty. Whether it’s a morning yoga session in Trinity Bellwoods Park or an afternoon stroll along the waterfront, downtown Toronto provides spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation – that;s your thing.
Live Car-Free
Another huge perk of downtown Toronto is that it’s a pedestrian’s paradise. If you’re embracing a car-free lifestyle as part of your downsize, or are just looking for a high degree of local walkability, it’s hard to find an area more convenient than the city centre.
The freedom from the responsibilities of car ownership not only reduces stress but also contributes to a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. The City’s commitment to urban planning has resulted in a landscape that encourages walking and cycling – allowing for a laid-back lifestyle that prioritizes health and well-being.
Beyond walkability or cycling, one of the major draws of downtown living is the unparalleled transit access. TTC access in downtown Toronto covers all the bases, with an extensive network that includes buses, streetcars, and the subway.
Downtown’s Top Neighbourhoods For Downsizers
One of the best things about rightsizing is having the opportunity to live in a vibrant and close-knit community. As you may expect, downtown Toronto is brimming with unique and lively neighbourhoods that provide an exciting and enjoyable way of life.
Here are a few of our top neighbourhoods for downsizers.
1. Cabbagetown
Located at the eastern edge of downtown, Cabbagetown is one of Toronto’s most charming neighbourhoods. Although the area boasts North America’s largest collection of preserved Victorian houses, there are also many new condos and townhomes as a result of new developments in recent years – providing lots of great options for downsizers.
In addition to being one of the city’s most beautiful areas, Cabbagetown is also one of the friendliest. The community has become known for its neighbourly, down-to-earth vibe. For fans of the outdoors, Cabbagetown features great walkability and green spaces, with Riverdale Park just steps away.
2. The Waterfront
Known for both its abundance of outdoor activities and proximity to the downtown core, the Waterfront communities offer the best of both worlds. Being more recently developed, the Waterfront’s residential layout mainly consists of condos, offering lots of options for downsizers.
With parks, bike paths, skating rinks and easy access to Toronto Islands via ferry, the neighbourhood is perfect for those who love the outdoors. Plus, the Waterfront is only going to get better as the City has announced even more initiatives to preserve the lake shore and bring new green spaces to the area.
3. Liberty Village
Liberty Village is one of Toronto’s newest and fastest-growing neighbourhoods. Although it is located just outside the downtown core, the community has an undeniable urban feel. In addition to great transit access, Liberty Village offers its residents unmatched walkability. With a variety of boutiques, supermarkets and restaurants located across the neighbourhood, all the essentials are only steps away.
From a real estate perspective, Liberty Village is unique in its volume of condos and townhomes. This makes it great for downsizers as there are plenty of housing options to meet your needs.
Want to know more about Toronto’s dynamic range of neighbourhoods for rightsizers? Explore these other blogs from our site.
Downsizing doesn’t mean compromising on comfort or style, and downtown Toronto offers a plethora of housing options that cater specifically to the needs and preferences of empty nesters. Condominiums, townhouses, and smaller single-family homes dot the downtown landscape, each presenting a unique set of advantages.
In Toronto, condo living in particular, has become increasingly popular among rightsizers. The convenience of a maintenance-free lifestyle, coupled with fantastic amenities like fitness centres, social spaces, storage and security. creates a sense of community without the hassles of traditional homeownership.
Because it offers many of the same perks as owning a condo, we’ve also seen an uptick in the popularity of purpose-built rental apartments in Toronto’s core neighbourhoods.
What About Garden Suites?
Garden suites are a newcomer in the Toronto real estate landscape. If you haven’t heard of them before, garden suites are essentially separate, self-contained living spaces built on an existing property (usually in the backyard).
Given their compact size, garden suites have become a first-choice option for some rightsizers. However, they do come with their fair share of special considerations.
As a rightsizer, your options for living in a garden suite are twofold. The first option is to find a for-rent garden suite that’s available in downtown Toronto. Or, if your current property has the space, you could build your own.
Looking for outside-of-the-box housing options as a downsizer? Check out these blog posts for unique insights.
As experts in helping clients discover their best lives, we’ve got the rightsizing process down to a T. Because it’s a little more complex than your average move, we’ve created a dedicated system to make the process as seamless as possible.
Our approach to rightsizing is end-to-end. We understand both parts of the process – selling and buying inside and out. It’s our goal to not only help you achieve a great result but to also take the weight off your shoulders. We’ll coordinate all the logistics and moving parts on your behalf so you can focus on enjoying your transition.
When you’re ready to make the jump to an exciting new chapter in your life, we’re here to help!
As an experienced and collaborative real estate team, we can help you navigate the process of rightsizing. When you’re ready to begin your next chapter, get in touch. Click here to send an email or .
Space in Toronto comes at a premium, and as a homeowner, this means making the most out of what’s available. Garden suites, also known as laneway homes, present a unique opportunity to unlock the untapped potential of your property.
These auxiliary housing units, often found in the back of a property, offer a vast range of advantages – and not just for homeowners. As a result, the City of Toronto has also recognized the numerous benefits of garden suites and introduced new policies to encourage their construction.
In this blog, we’ll cover some of the primary benefits that come from building a garden suite. We’ll also mention some of the important considerations that anyone who is serious about building one should know before getting started.
We recently interviewed a professional expert who helped us answer some of the burning questions Torontonians have about building garden and laneway suites. Click here to read it.
Why Garden Suites Work
Although garden suites and laneway homes are a relatively new addition to Toronto’s housing profile, one of the main reasons for their early success is that they benefit everyone. For homeowners, they provide a unique range of advantages (which we’ll dive into shortly), but they also positively impact Toronto’s growing pool of renters.
In a rental market that’s known for being competitive, garden suites offer a comfortable and stable housing option for renters. It’s no surprise that as garden suites have become more prominent across the city, they’ve become a hot commodity among renters.
Searching for more investor-focused resources that can help you build personal and generational wealth? Check out these blog posts.
One of the foremost perks of owning a garden suite is the opportunity to earn reliable rental income. Toronto’s real estate market has seen steadily rising rental averages and property values, making it an attractive destination for real estate investments.
With the construction of a garden suite, homeowners can tap into this lucrative market with ease, earning impressive returns in a hurry. Further, in Toronto’s hot rental landscape, this type of investment can ultimately pay for itself as the rental income earned by the garden suite can directly offset the costs of construction and maintenance.
A New Pathway to Investing
Investing in Toronto real estate can be incredibly lucrative. That said, the sheer demand for real estate in the city, coupled with other economic factors can make purchasing a dedicated income property a more challenging endeavour – especially in today’s market.
Garden suites offer you the opportunity to side-step the local real estate market by constructing an investment property yourself. Rather than paying a premium for property somewhere else in the city, building a garden suite in your own backyard can be a relatively economical solution.
Thinking about becoming a landlord in Toronto? There’s a lot you’ll want to know first. Explore these blogs for helpful advice.
Adding a garden suite to your Toronto property can also significantly enhance its overall value. A well-designed and functional garden suite not only provides extra living space but also increases the property’s overall appeal. Down the line, potential buyers will be willing to pay a premium for the convenience, income potential, and flexibility that a garden suite offers. As a result, the addition of a garden suite can substantially boost your home’s resale value in the long term.
Total Flexibility
Finally, one of the best perks of building a garden suite on your Toronto property is flexibility. While most garden suite owners may choose to use it as a dedicated rental suite, that’s far from the only option.
For instance, Toronto’s fast-paced growth has led to an uptick in multigenerational living. Families are increasingly looking for ways to accommodate multiple generations under one roof while maintaining privacy and independence. A garden suite can be a perfect solution for this, allowing elderly parents or adult children to live separately while remaining close to the main family home.
Alternatively, you could use a garden suite as your primary living space while utilizing your main home as an income property. This could help you achieve even greater monthly returns while simultaneously curbing your personal living expenses.
Considering adding a Garden Suite to your property? As seasoned experts in Toronto real estate, our team would be happy to assist you. to get in touch or email .
Are you looking for a new way to check out real estate in Toronto? Downloaded Listed, a new real estate app that lets you work directly with your agent to buy or sell seamlessly. It’s as easy as using Instagram! Download the app via our exclusive link right here.
Modernizing your condo is a fantastic way to breathe new life into your home, creating a more comfortable, functional, and visually appealing space.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your condo’s aesthetics, improve functionality, or incorporate the latest technology, we’ve got tips to help you spruce up your Toronto condo.
One of the main reasons why condo owners choose to upgrade their space is for comfort. Toronto has a lot of great older condo buildings, many of which offer spacious units. By making a few select improvements, you can make your condo better suited to your needs and tastes. In turn, this can help you get greater longevity out of your condo, delaying the need to move or relocate.
Boost Your Property Value:
In addition to making your condo feel more like home, modernizing can also help you boost its value. When you choose to sell down the line, the rejuvenations you’ve made will help your unit stand out from others on the market.
Looking for more condo-focused insights? Check out these other blog posts.
While upgrading your condo can be an exciting process, it’s important to highlight what steps you must take before getting started.
First and foremost, any modernizations that you make to your condo must be approved under the condo bylaws. For larger projects, you will need to receive direct approval from the condo board or corporation.
Like any type of home renovation, it’s important to recognize that some of your ideas may not be possible – either due to regulatory restrictions, budget constraints, or practicality. While frustrating, it’s important to accept any restrictions your condo board or corporation may impose as they impact the safety and interests of other residents in the building.
Think About Your Needs
Before embarking on the journey to modernize your condo, take a step back and evaluate your space. Consider your current needs, lifestyle, and preferences.
Are you aiming to create a more open and spacious feel? Are there particular areas that need a functional overhaul, such as the kitchen or bathroom? Setting clear goals will provide a roadmap for your modernization project.
Budget Carefully
You’ll also want to carefully consider what upgrades you can afford to make. While some modernizations will pay themselves off when you sell, not all projects will have the same degree of ROI.
With this in mind, you should also consult a local real estate agent before making any improvements to your condo (along with your condo board and corporation). As an expert in home values, they can help you determine which projects will suit your budget and how they may pay off down the road.
Hoping to buy a condo? Check out these other posts from our blog.
Lighting plays a pivotal role in modernizing any living space. Consider replacing outdated fixtures with contemporary alternatives that offer both functionality and style. Incorporate a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create depth.
Smart lighting systems, equipped with adjustable brightness and colour settings, can add a touch of modern sophistication to your condo. Not to mention, there are plenty of eco-conscious lighting options that can help you save on energy costs.
Smart Home Technologies
As real estate agents in Toronto, one of the most popular methods of home modernization we see is the embrace of new and innovative technologies. Transform your condo into a smart home by integrating devices such as smart thermostats, automated blinds, voice-controlled assistants, and smart appliances.
Sleek Storage
Sleek, clutter-free living spaces are a cornerstone of modern interior design. Not only do effective storage solutions help you maintain an organized living space, but well-designed contemporary furnishings like built-in shelving, multi-functional furniture with hidden compartments, and wall-mounted storage units can keep your condo looking stylish.
Looking to modernize your Toronto condo or buy something new? As knowledgeable and locally leading real estate agents, we can help. or click here to send an email.
