Should you sell your home first and then buy a new one? Or should you buy a new home before you sell? There is no right or wrong answer to this as the decision to buy a new home or sell one’s home first differs from person to person and every situation is unique. Let’s have a look at a few situations that might help you decide.

The downside of not buying the home first is that you might have to move into a short-term rental in case you do not find something of your choice. Moving into a rental property or living with friends or family even for a short while becomes difficult, especially if there are children involved. Not to mention the process of looking for property becomes stressful when there is a bidding war and at the same time, the clock is ticking.

You risk owning two homes including mortgages, utilities, property taxes, etc. if you buy a new property first but are not able to sell the old one. This makes the task of selling your current home more taxing and at times distressing. Besides, banks rarely ‘bridge finance’ a property if it does not have a bona fide Agreement of Purchase and Sale on it.

Not to mention that if you bought the property first, there’s a good chance that as you get closer to the moving day you might be willing to take any offer, which might not be the best you can get.

Though it is a tough market out there these days, it is still a seller’s playground. So if the house is not selling, first you have to identify the reasons that are resulting in potential buyers shying away.

As per our experience, one usually prominent issue in such cases is the pricing of the property. So make sure the price is right when you list and don’t compare yourself to your neighbours and what they got for their house three or four months ago. Be realistic.

In addition, it is also advisable to keep the closing date of selling the house long enough, around 60-90 days for those who have not bought a property before to avoid last moment jitters.

We always warn homeowners not to back out if they have already purchased or sold off a property even if they are not convinced about its correct price or if it is a right fit. If you are thinking to do so, you risk losing more than the deposit in backing out of the deal. 

These situations are rare and during our long years in real estate business, such a situation emerged only once. A homeowner had agreed to sell the property and all the legalities were completed, signed and submitted. The seller later decided that he did not want to move because he was unable to find the property of his liking. Sadly, the situation got worse and both parties ended up in the court and Richard was acting for the buyer. The issue was seller was not listening to anyone’s advice and it proved costly as there were a number of deals that depended on the seller’s move.

Home buyers should remain patient and avoid making any hasty decisions when it comes to buying and selling. Due diligence and self-involvement are also needed from the sellers’ side including preparing their homes for its upcoming sale while conducting their house hunt. This means they should be open to the idea of painting, de-cluttering and minor renovations that were previously ignored in order to make sure their home looked appealing to potential buyers.

We are still in a sellers’ market and may be moving to a balanced competitive scenario. Very often you will come across many such listings, which are being reintroduced to the market because the owner was not able to sell for the desired price or the house was listed at a much higher price than it is worth and therefore could not be sold. And the only way the sellers were able to get this second chance was because they did not purchase the property before selling the current one.

Trying to make this decision can be a bit overwhelming, but we always advise our clients to sell their property first and later go to buy a new one. The idea is to always play safe, but selling first and then buying is always a lot easier than being stuck with two mortgages until your property sells. List your property, price it right and keep the closing date around 60-90 days. And then browse for the next property of your dreams.

PS00KI

In the decades since she first moved to Toronto in the 1960s, Barbara Hall has woven herself into the city’s social history. First elected to City Council in 1985, Hall went on to become Toronto’s second female mayor (and the city’s 61st overall) in 1994. In 2005, Hall was appointed to the Ontario Human Rights Commission as chief commissioner, and after serving in that capacity for almost ten years, she chaired the panel reviewing the floundering Toronto District School Board. A park named in her honour can be found near Church and Wellesley.

You’ve moved around a lot in your life. How did you come to live in Toronto?

I was born in Ottawa. And then I lived in Victoria, moved back to Ottawa, then London England, Halifax, Victoria, rural Nova Scotia, and Toronto. So I came to Toronto in 1967. I lived in a number of places in Cabbagetown, but I bought this house about 30 years ago.

How did you get into city politics?

I was a lawyer, practicing family law, and I had a client who moved back home with her children even though her husband was violent, and several years later she was killed—by her husband—and I saw that as being partly the result of a lack of affordable housing. She wasn’t able to find affordable housing for her and her children. And so I got involved with some non-profit groups as a volunteer, working on issues of affordable housing. It was probably this that caused people to approach me about considering a run.

I was a councillor for three terms, and then I was concerned about the lack of leadership— positive leadership—and looking around for who I could support to run for mayor, and the finger kept pointing at me, so I ran, and was successful.

How did you approach the job of Mayor?

My philosophy was that successful leaders build teams—wherever the leadership is—so I spent a lot of time building teams, and I think that the things that were most successful about my time in politics were all things where WE did it, as opposed to I did it.

Can you give an example of that philosophy in action?

Probably the thing that I’m most known for is bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to support what’s called ‘The Kings’, which many people say has been the most important and most successful city initiative in many decades. If one took King-Spadina and King-Parliament as the centres of circles drawn in each place, those were basically fairly derelict industrial lands.

via The Globe and Mail

There was no residential building permitted in those areas. The industrial buildings didn’t suit 21st century industry, and so many of them were vacant. Many had ‘for sale’ signs. Many had already been torn down because the owners could generate more revenue from surface parking lots. My concern was that if these areas continued to become more derelict, that was going to impact the core—which is always fragile—and that we could end up the way many large American cities did—with no one downtown and unsafe downtown areas.

So I brought together a group of people, including Jane Jacobs, and developers, heritage buffs, planners and economists, and we ultimately put forward a plan that would change the zoning in those areas to permit…basically, a flexible zoning that would allow the full range of uses. So we’ve seen large amounts of residential housing, and streets where you couldn’t buy a quart of milk or a loaf of bread, now have supermarket wars because there’s so much residential housing that all the businesses are coming back, along with vibrant city life.

What is one of your most enduring memories of being mayor?

Well, one is that first time marching in Pride in 1995, and the screams and yells and affection of the community was very powerful.

You were the first Mayor of Toronto to march in the Pride Parade. Do you think it’s still important for mayors to do that?

I do think it’s important. I think it sends a message of acceptance and diversity and inclusion that I think is important. It’s hard now to remember what it was like before; before I was mayor, I had marched in the parade a number of years, in support of various AIDS organizations, for example, and I saw that there would be people in various parts of the parade—either with signs or yelling— jeering negative things towards the parade.

For me, it was a no-brainer that I would march in Pride as mayor, but back then, the leaders from the community were not there. The police chief, the fire chief, politicians from all levels were not there at all, so it was not just a national story. There were reporters from the States, from Europe, because the mayor of Canada’s largest city was going to be in Pride. And it’s still a community where there are significant numbers of hate crimes…and certainly, there are still issues of discrimination that exist, so to me, leadership should be about projecting what can be and what should be.

His Excellency presents the Members insigna of the Order of Canada to Barbara Hall, C.M.

You were the chief commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission from 2005 to 2015. What exactly does that job entail?

Well, the Chief Commissioner chairs a board of commissioners, but also a staff of a hundred or so, who develop policy and education for Ontarians about Human Rights, and work to advance Human Rights in the province.

For example….

I think we all know that disability is an area that’s protected under the Human Rights Code, but when I got to the Commission I was surprised to learn that almost all of the issues that came up were related to physical disability, and that in the same way that mental illness was in the closet in families and in our society, it was in the Human Rights Commission closet as well. So what are the issues there, and how could we educate people, and support people with mental health issues to come out, and be protected when they come out? And what are their needs?

What should the big Human Rights focuses be in Ontario now?

Well, systemic racism continues to be an issue. We see a lot of things that come up in the context of policing and racializing people. We see studies that say that if you’re applying for a job and your name is, you know, Smith, as opposed to Mohammad, or Singh or something else, that you’re more likely—much more likely—to get an interview.

I think that Toronto—and Ontario and Canada—are the best in the world. I’ve travelled a lot, and you know, I love our city, and country, and I love our diversity and the things that we do that really are an example to the world. But, having said that, I think what we have is fragile, and we have to keep working on it.

Barbara Hall Park

You’ve had a rather varied career; family law, politics, HR Commission, and most recently, heading the panel that ran public consultations on the Toronto District School Board. Is there a connecting factor?

Well, all of them are about how people live together in society. And I think my role has always been to think about a healthy community—a healthy city, in a very broad sense. All of these things contribute to how we live together, either in our personal relationships or in our various roles. How we have the opportunity to live in safe, healthy communities, to have an equal chance of fulfilling our dreams and abilities. Those are the things that I’ve had the privilege of working on in different ways, and those are the things that still generate passion in me.

The city named a park after you in 2014. What’s it like when someone wants to name a park after you?

Well, you’re thrilled. You’re humbled. You think ‘does that mean I go and weed every night?’ I told you that I came here in 1967, and because my family moved a lot, I lived in sixteen different houses as a child. And I— if asked where I was from—would say’ Canada’, in those days. But I have really put down roots in Toronto, and I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else. And to have a park named after me, that’s very, very special.

Barbara Hall Lights by thinc design

What are some of your favourite spots in Toronto?

I love walking down Broadview, South of the Danforth, and looking across at the skyline. That view of Toronto, I think it’s a gorgeous view. I like the ravines—walking in the ravines, and riding my bike along the bike trails there. But I also love marching down University Avenue, or running down University Avenue as part of a marathon or a fundraiser or whatever, with thousands of other people out enjoying the life…. Smelling the curries in Little India on a hot summer evening. My list of favourite places is very long.

Do you consider yourself retired at this point?

Sort of retired. I’m still on the boards of a couple non-profits, working on similar issues to those I’ve done over my life. I guess I still get quite a few invitations to speak to groups, and in the next couple of weeks, I’m going to Thunder Bay to speak about women and politics. So I do quite a few things like that. I laugh sometimes trying to think of how to describe me, and I guess I’m… I’ve always been an activist, and I’m still an activist-citizen.

JN00KI

 By Sherille Layton

Canada has just celebrated 150 years of history. As an immigrant, I thought it would be instructive for me to look at the history of the community where my family and I now live. The Lawrence Park Community has been voted among the top five areas in the city over the last few years in various publications – and this just reaffirms how lucky we are to live in this diverse neighbourhood.

It goes without saying that the major demographic in the area is families, which is reflected in both the housing stock and highranking schools in Lawrence Park. The area is home to lush parks and walking trails, and our Yonge Street corridor has plenty of restaurants and shops to give residents enough choice and a reason to champion local businesses.

So, when did this all take shape? The assembly of Lawrence Park began in 1907 by the Dovercourt Land Building and Saving Company, which acquired the north parcel of the park from John Lawrence (who was a tanner and farmer), after whom this neighbourhood is named. English-born Wilfrid Servington Dinnick, the young company president, was the new visionary for this undeveloped subdivision. He felt that Toronto had reached a level where it could support another Rosedale or Moore Park.

Dinnick saw this creation as a “garden suburb” akin to the garden suburbs being developed in England. Dinnick later referred to Lawrence Park as the “Hampstead Garden Suburb of Canada.” (Being an ex-Londoner myself, I can especially identify with this, as one of my favourite areas in London is Hampstead, which is situated in Northwest London.) He wanted to build a housing subdivision, mainly high-quality homes on larger lots designed to attract business executives and professionals. We can see this trend continuing to this day.

The original founders of Sheridan Nurseries (now on Yonge Street) were commissioned to do the landscape architecture for many of the new homes, boulevards and parks in the area. To this day you can see evidence of real gardening enthusiasts in the colourful, manicured residential gardens in the area. Lawrence Park’s first advertisement to attract new home owners described the new subdivision as “an aristocratic neighbourhood.” The Good’s Atlas of 1924 showed 225 houses in Lawrence Park.

Lawrence Park

Strict guidelines dictated that residential houses had to be detached, constructed of brick and stone, and have a value of at least $4,000. Today, Lawrence Park’s houses display a variety of architectural styles, including English Cottage, Tudor Revival, Georgian and Colonial. Most of these homes were built between 1910 and the late 1940s. Over the last few years, some lots in Lawrence Park have been redeveloped with larger houses that do not match the scale of the original housing in the neighbourhood.

Although it is hard to imagine in 2017, at the time lots sold for $15 to $75 per square foot, a world away from the current market value of approximately $900 to $1,000 per square foot. According to current Toronto Real Estate Board data, homes in the area have increased in value by over 100% in the last decade alone.

Only in 1949 was the area’s residential tradition compromised slightly with the construction of the Toronto Public Library branch at Yonge and Lawrence, and the establishment of the Lawrence Park Community Church. Two notable social institutions that now serve the residents of this district are the Rosedale Golf Club and the Granite Club.

I think it’s safe to say that Wilfrid S. Dinnick’s vision has come to fruition. What we see today is a picturesque “garden suburb” in Toronto with a strong sense of community and one that our friends, children and neighbours get to enjoy on a daily basis.

If you are interested in learning more about Lawrence Park, or if you’re looking to sell, upgrade or buy in the area, please call me at 416-419-5893. I am always happy to share neighbourhood statistics with you and help you with all your real estate needs.
 

It’s not every day that you run into a teenager trying to add more material to her school’s curriculum, but that’s exactly what Elizabeth Farkouh has been doing for the last four years.

Farkouh came to Canada in 2008, when she and her family moved from New York to the Yonge-Lawrence area of Toronto. Enrolled in Havergal College (one of the oldest all-girl private schools in Canada), Farkouh became interested in the phenomenon of under-age drinking and eventually convinced her school to add more information about the negative effects of drinking alcohol to their health studies curriculum.

Although she has now graduated from grade 12, and is preparing to study Global and Public Health Sciences at New York’s Cornell University, Farkouh is still deeply concerned about alcohol miss-use by adolescents. She even joined the Alcohol Working Group – an offshoot of the Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition and was quite willing to interrupt her summer cottage vacation to share her thoughts for Torontoism.

How did Toronto seem to you when you first got here from New York? How has this impression changed over the years?

I was born and raised in NYC, so coming to Toronto (and especially my North York area) was a big change. It was calmer, and there was a really big sense of community. What I love about Toronto is that although I live in North York, within 20 minutes I can find myself in downtown, bustling with excitement. There is always something to do, whether it be seeing a Mirvish show, going for walks on the Lakeshore, seeing a movie, etc. What I really love about Toronto is that it has everything.

Havergal is a pretty old and prestigious school. What made you choose to go there, and what was it like being a student once you got there?

My mom actually attended Havergal, so once I got in, it was a no brainer. Havergal is an amazing school. What I loved most about Havergal is that they allow you (and want you) to explore all of your passions, and they will support you along the way. In other words, I didn’t have to pick academics or sports or arts – I could do all of them. Moreover, every aspect of the school had a supportive department/faculty. My science classes taught me so much about critical thinking and analysis, and my co-curricular involvement with theatre made me more creative and engaged in school life. 

Have you always been interested in health?

I probably have always been interested in health – from a young age, because my parents are both doctors, so they taught me the importance of maintaining good health. And of course my parents raised me in a household where drinking wasn’t acceptable, smoking wasn’t acceptable, so I was always raised in a household where we were taught to make good decisions.

How did you become interested in the underage drinking phenomenon?

In middle school – grade seven and eight – I hadn’t really heard about drinking at my age. Nobody really talked about it – perhaps it did go on, but nobody really discussed it in any way. But in grade nine I noticed that quite a few of my peers started to talk about drinking, and maybe talked about parties they were at where they had seen alcohol or maybe even taken part in drinking alcohol themselves, and that’s when I kind of started to be exposed to this issue.

And I was just curious, so I googled it and found an article that read ‘Underage binge drinking is the number 1 risk factor for developing early-onset dementia’. That was something that I’d never really heard about and that’s when I really became specifically interested in alcohol, and alcohol issues regarding youth.

So after learning a bit and becoming concerned, what did you do?

The first thing that I did was put up anonymous posters around my school. It was basically a picture of one brain of a fifteen-year-old male non-drinker, and then a fifteen-year-old male heavy drinker. And you could actually see how the brain activity is greatly decreased in the heavy drinker – and this is done while they were sober, so the effects are long-lasting. So I put a picture of these two brains up in bathroom stalls, I put it in the locker room, areas where students could just take it in, it wasn’t in a classroom environment, so they weren’t busy learning something else, it was just something in their own space that they could take in.

I didn’t have my name on them, because I just wanted to start a dialogue about it, and I didn’t want it to be about me in any way. I just wanted them to take the information for what it was. And then after that, we had an assembly at school, so I gave a presentation to around 600 people about the issue. So that was kind of nerve-wracking. And that’s when I attached my name to what I had done.

What was the response to the posters and the presentation?

I was actually expecting the response to be quite negative because drinking is something that quite a few teenagers do, but it was actually overwhelmingly positive for the most part. And I had a few friends tell me that they were really proud of me and that it took courage to do this, and they were really appreciative of the fact that I was sharing this information. A lot of people were really appreciative.

There was some negative response. A few people said that perhaps it wasn’t true, or the information wasn’t real, but you know, I think that’s probably just a defense mechanism or just people who don’t want to believe it, which is fine, you know. There’s always going to be a negative response to things.

You also managed to get a bit more information about alcohol and its effects into the health curriculum.

I went to the Director of Curriculum at my school, and I spoke with her, and she put me in touch with the head of the physical education department at my school. Then I created a lesson plan for grade eight students on underage drinking. And after that, I met with the physical education department of the junior school and they allowed me to give a presentation to grade six students at the end of the year.

But hopefully, I’ll be able to establish an actual lesson plan that teachers can use for the future. And my hope down the road is that this will eventually be in the provincial curriculum, but obviously, that’s a long way away.

Can you tell me more about what you added to the grade eight curriculum?

So now they’re teaching the grade eight students, that drinking damages the developing brain. For example, the hippocampus is the brain structure which is responsible for memory, and it’s actually ten percent smaller in underage binge drinkers. They’re taught that it reduces their memory, their learning and comprehension.

Also, the developing brain is more susceptible to addiction, so they’re now learning that – for example – if you start drinking at age 13, your chances of developing alcohol dependence are so much higher than if you start drinking at age 21.

Is there more you’d like to add?

I’m trying to put in the cancer component; that alcohol is a carcinogen. Because we learn from a young age that tobacco causes lung cancer, but we don’t really hear about the effects of alcohol as a carcinogen. That’s just not something that’s really talked about in the health curriculum.

Given all of the different causes one could become concerned with, why do you think this one resonated so much with you?

Almost everybody knows the risks associated with smoking, but alcohol is something that most people don’t know. I mean, you see cancer organizations will host fundraisers that say, literally, ‘raise a glass to conquer cancer’. Alcohol and cancer, and alcohol and the developing brain, is just something that I think a lot of people don’t know and don’t understand. And that’s why I’m so passionate about it.

Now that you’ve graduated, are you doing anything else about under-age drinking?

I’m still a member of the Alcohol Working Group, which works to educate people about the carcinogenic effect of alcohol. But I’ve just been kind of sitting on this and thinking about it. Just exploring the ideas and seeing how I can pursue this further.

I’m currently looking into a program called Alcohol EDU, which is an online interactive educational program regarding alcohol. And I want to contact them to ensure that they have the information about carcinogenic effect of alcohol in their program, and also about the effect of alcohol on the developing brain, because this is a program that’s sent out to many high-school students and a lot of colleges in the States.

Are you thinking of pursuing any other alcohol-related issues besides education?

One thing I’d kind of like to open up the discussion about is actually when the legal drinking age is. Because the brain isn’t actually fully developed until age 25. So theoretically, the legal drinking age should be 25, but that’s kind of unrealistic. But you know, if we were even able to put it to 21, that would just prevent a lot of damage to the developing brain, and it’s actually been proven that in countries like the States with a higher drinking age, people actually do drink later, and that reduces public health problems in many ways.

I also think it’s interesting that tobacco advertising is completely illegal, but alcohol advertising is everywhere. And you know, kids are exposed to alcohol advertising almost every day. And I’m interested in how alcohol is portrayed in films that are available – for example, not rated R – but are available to teenagers and to children, and how alcohol is portrayed in these films, because often it’s glamorized, and this is shown to kids who aren’t even at the legal age yet. So I find that really interesting too, and that’s something I want to pursue.

The words “Toronto” and “condo” have become synonymous. There’s no avoiding them. It seems as though every week more are commissioned, and half a week later a cluster of three or four high-rise, garden-topped buildings appear.

Different people will experience this influx of infrastructure differently, but there’s no denying it’s changing Toronto, and the change poses questions to the city’s population. “Do I take advantage of this? Get in on the literal ground floor? Do I leave the city because I don’t like condos? Do I invest in the condos, buy, sublet, and remain where I am? Do I just want a condo because it’s something new when I should really just renovate?” This last question, paired with the question of who’s asking it, is the most important in this case.

Think Broad and Think Long Term

What is best, and for whom? Richard Silver, Senior Vice President of Sales at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, understands this well:

Adding value to any property is less expensive than selling and buying. For example money spent on improving kitchens and baths usually will garner a return on the money spent. But not everything is as impressive, interesting, or attention-grabbing as that.  Not all renovations are equal. Maintenance must be done, but it does not have that wow factor.

And although finances are arguably the most important indicator when choosing relocation or renovation, it is not the only indicator.

A long-term perspective is the only way to consider your options when it comes to housing. Health is long term. Employment is long term. Overall livability is long term.

Not all renovation investments pay off equally: the maintenance doesn’t have that wow factor but it has to be done.

Age and Health

The housing market is a tough market to get into right now. There are some options for buyers, but each is as expensive as the next. This means, generally, it’s people in their middle age who hold the power; they can afford the luxury of choice. Put another way, younger, less established people in their 20s and early 30s must either work with a lot less to achieve the same or reassess and minimize their options.

Right away on buying you have a 4% land tax, and on selling you have moving expenses including commission. That could be money put into improving your property.

Seniors, too, have got the short end of the stick. Silver says,

I suggest [seniors] if they have to move at all plan on when and where to move before they’re forced to move. In other words, they should make the choice instead of having the choice made for them. There’s nothing sadder than speaking with a senior who needs my help and realizing they’re past the point of control. Someone who has outstayed their life in the house: Living on the main floor because they can no longer do the stairs or worse.

All of this means one must take into account their health.

Currently, seniors don’t have to worry too much about long-term employment. Chances are they have got a pension plan from years of work, and between 55 and 65 years of age, they transition to become dependent on said pension. This means, after a few years, it all comes down to their health and in another ten years, whether they’ll be in decent shape or not. How well will they be able to move? Not properties but even around the house. Will they have to install railings? Bars in the shower? Do they have to make their home wheel chair accessible? What about a room for a caregiver? Speaking of caregiver, will that be a family member? Family adds another layer of decision-making and planning for a senior. Silver adds:

A lot of what should be empty nesters end up with their nests full again. Kids, and then grandkids end up living with their parents. A smaller, two-bedroom condo would make the return impossible.

So, which way is best when it comes to a factor of health? It’s too easy to say the answer is different in every case. Ultimately, it comes down to planning. As long as you’re ahead of the curve of your physical and mental health, renovation yields the greatest long-term benefits. The only major issue is finances.

Sometimes age has the final say when it comes to planning your investments.

Finances, Employment, and Location

Until you hit retirement, every major decision made hinges on finances. Do you have enough money to do whatever it is you’re doing? That applies to buying, moving, and renovating, among other issues. If you have prepared well enough for retirement, you may well be okay spending your money on the home you know you’re going to settle into and stay for the long haul. If you are like folks in middle age, or especially those who are younger, just getting into the market in general, it becomes a little more complex.

Buying outside a city centre is almost always cheaper, but then there’s the commute. Silver says when it comes to Toronto, a bad location is a cause for concern.

Toronto has huge issues with transportation, means the closer you are to your work the better. In Toronto, you will never have an issue the closer you are to subway/transit system.

The other thing to remember is the commute to the city (where, inevitably, your job lies). You can afford to be picky with a lawn or the kind of stone you wanted in your front yard, but location is key. If you’re far away from your job to the point that it affects your ability to work, that in turn affects the money you make, and infects the rest of your decision making. For example, with less money, you no longer can afford the luxury of picking the kind of stone you want.

The Conclusion: Pros and Cons

Dissecting reams of advice from professionals can feel a lot like sifting mud for gold: tiring and potentially fruitless. Let’s just cut to the chase, but let’s do it in a way that’s slightly more hopeful, with the bad news first, and the good news to follow.

What are the cons of relocation?

Everything, if you don’t have the money. There are the aforementioned taxes and fees, which are hefty. There’s a lot of general stress in buying, not to mention moving and selling.

What are the pros of relocation?

If you can handle it, financially and physically, it can mean a lot of money in the short term, especially if you then move somewhere where you live beneath your means. Theoretically, you’ll also move closer to where you work, considering the commute issue in Toronto. If you’ve got all that going for you, and the money to make it happen, relocation makes a lot of sense.

Be prepared that renovations can take longer than the initial outline and become financially and mentally draining.

What are the cons of renovation?

Maybe your lifestyle changes in a way you don’t expect, or you take a gamble on an idea for a living room, and it flops. The idea doesn’t pan out and maybe it causes the value or look to suffer, therefore hindering your ability to sell should you want to. If you outstay your welcome, as Silver warns, you’re in for years of hardship. Without a house that’s flexible or without being flexible yourself, it can cause a lot of problems. And this goes for construction. It almost always takes longer than the initial outline and if that causes you a lot of internal stress, financially or mentally, it can be draining, and you may come out on the other side less happy and resentful of the change you’ve made to the house.

What are the pros of renovation?

All of the moving fees, the shopping around for realtors, the interviews, going from seller to “buyer” in a tough market — all of that’s gone. You get to improve the home in which you’ve settled, and if you settle, theoretically you’ve decided the commute (if you’ve got one) isn’t too bad, and you’ve got the money to shape and rearrange the property to your slowly shifting lifestyle.

If there’s anything to glean from all of this, it’s to weigh your options, and to be self-aware. If you’re self-aware, smart about your health and your finances, you can consider all opportunities as objectively as possible. In real estate, there’s no room for subjectivity.

Be prepared, and good luck out there.

AS00KI

If you’re looking for a city that offers a healthy lifestyle, Toronto is a fantastic option. Boasting the largest population in Canada, it offers an impressive blend of career and business opportunities, safety, diversity, arts and culture, and healthy living.

Whether you’re looking to relocate yourself or your family or to invest in a piece of real estate, Toronto is a bustling city that will continue to grow in terms of its economy and quality of life. It is a safe bet whether you’re moving from within Canada or from overseas for many reasons and we’ve decided to explain a few of those.

1. Healthy Restaurants

Let’s start with the most important thing – food. There is no shortage of healthy restaurants to be appreciated in Toronto. Ever since organic and vegetarian cuisine has been growing in popularity, Toronto’s restaurant scene has responded accordingly in its offerings. Regardless of where you live in Toronto, rest assured, there will be healthy restaurants nearby.

We recommend:

If you live on College Street, for example, you can enjoy the nearby Grasshopper Restaurant, known for its meat-free menu (hence the clever restaurant name). Its exposed brick and wooden furniture decor provide a hip ambiance for those dedicated vegetarians as well as those non-vegetarians looking to explore new cuisine options. They have a second location in the Junction.

If you live closer to Kensington Market, Hibiscus Café is a comforting vegan restaurant serving delightful soups. If you up for a a carb-rich meal, you can order a delicious savoury crepe stuffed with ingredients including but not limited to chocolate and brie cheese.

These are just two options, but rest assured, there are healthy dining options at each corner in Toronto.

2. Cycling Lanes

If you enjoy cycling, Toronto is an ideal destination for you. The city’s network of bicycle lanes offers comprehensive coverage of the downtown core. These lanes are separated from primary car traffic, making it safer and quicker to get around on bicycle than other major cities.

Not to mention that you don’t even have to own your own bike to cycle. Bike sharing in Toronto is very well developed and there are stations all around the city. Bike Share just added 120 new stations and a 1,000 new bikes, making it possible for more people to enjoy cycling without the burden of owning and maintaining their own bikes.

New kid on the block, Dropbike, is similar to Car2Go because it allows you to locate one of their available orange bikes using your smartphone. It will first become available around the U of T and Ryerson University and their website advertises rides starting at $1 per hour. As for Bike Share, you can choose between a membership at $90 per year, with the following usage fees:

• 0-30 minutes = no charge
• 31-60 = $1.50
• 61=90 = $4
• Every additional half-hour = $7

or you can opt for a short term membership, starting at $7 for a 24 hour pass and $15 for a 72 hour pass.

There are a number of cycling trails around the city. If you’re in the West End, make sure to check out Etobicoke’s West Bike Trail or Humber Valley Trail. For Eastenders and Downtowners, there’s the beautiful Tommy Thompson Park Trail, with no cars to ruin your cycling trip and the well known Waterfront Trail, perfect for a family cycling trip.

3. Proximity to Green Spaces & Water

According to EcoHealth Ontario, 92 per cent of studies resulted in a statistically significant relationship between mental health and proximity to nature within a city. It was also discovered that green spaces have a positive effect on physical health, presumably due to the resulting opportunities for physical activities and relaxation. Fortunately for us, Toronto is unique in its rich mix of green space and water within its urban design. Its downtown core also features a beautiful harbour.

You can spend a whole day cruising across the Toronto harbour and visiting the Toronto Islands. Central Island is a quaint getaway from the downtown bustle and offers a romantic day trip for any couples looking to ride a bike throughout this gorgeous island.

If you’re looking for a park to visit in Toronto, Trinity Bellwoods is a local favourite. Its central location makes it a perfect destination for picnics with friends or family. But we also have to mention The Don River Valley Park and of course Toronto’s biggest park – High Park.

Further away from the downtown core, there’s the gorgeous Scarborough Bluffs Park featuring a 15-km stretch of scenic lookout spots along Lake Ontario.

In the summer, you can go for a swim near Toronto by visiting one of its many nearby water locations. Elora Quarry is located about one hour away from downtown Toronto and features incredible landscapes as well as a beach area for sunbathing. St. Mary’s Quarry is deemed the biggest freshwater swimming location in the country and offers a floating dock for the purposes of jumping into the water.

4. Air Quality

Compared to other major international cities, Toronto has good air quality. According to the World Health Organization, Canada’s average pollutant air particle size is 13 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This is low compared to China, for example, with pollutant particulates of 55 micrograms per cubic meter of air or Delhi, India with particulates of 150 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

Toronto outperformed the national average with a relatively impressive average particulate size of 7.9 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The air feels clean in Toronto and the data supports this anecdotal observation.

5. Healthy Grocery Stores

If you value a selection of organic grocery stores in your city, Toronto is an excellent option for you. You can buy locally-sourced fruits and vegetables and organic meat products in various outlets throughout the city.

According to blogTO, Torontonians rank Big Carrot, located on the Danforth, as one of the city’s best healthy grocery stores. It stocks a huge variety of organic grocery items and sells prepared organic food items as well. If you live near Leslieville, Raise the Root is a popular destination for organic groceries. For those living in the Junction, The Sweet Potato is a good option. Overall, Toronto boasts a wonderful assortment of organic grocery stores and farmers’ markets allowing you to cook healthily for you and your family.

Check out our list of the top 10 local food stores in the city.

6. Public Sports Programs

Toronto has an attractive offering of athletic programs available to the public.

Kayaking

If you enjoy kayaking, there are kayak rentals available at Woodbine Beach for as cheap as $25 per day. If you want to try rock climbing with friends, you can book an introductory course at the oldest rock climbing school in Ontario, located near Milton. Otherwise, if you’re interested in joining an intramural sports team, the City of Toronto offers many opportunities to get involved in local athletics.

Golf

Toronto is an excellent city for golfers. There are local golfing options for all budget levels. Don Valley is an excellent golfing destination for those on a tight budget. It’s within walking distance from York Mills subway station and green fees range from $58 – $70. While round times can be slow at this course due to its proximity to the city and inexpensive entry, this location provides excellent value and well-designed golf courses.

If you’re looking to splurge on a premium golfing experience, you can visit Copper Creek. This golf course is considered one of the best in Canada. It’s located near Toronto in a town called Kleinburg and green fees range from $125 – $190 CAD.

Skiing

Interested in making the best of Canada’s snowy weather and planning a ski trip? Toronto has plenty of nearby ski hills! Blue Mountain is a popular local skiing destination due to its beautiful natural landscapes and proximity to the city. It offers day and night skiing on its 40+ trails. Full day passes start at $70 CAD. Mount St. Louis Moonstone is another nearby skiing option. It’s about an hour away from Toronto and features 35 trails. Charging about $56 for a day pass, this hill is ideal if you’re looking for an affordable day trip destination.

7. Arts and Culture

For many people, having access to local arts and culture is critical to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Toronto has an incredible arts and culture scene for anyone with such desires. Notable film festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival occur on a yearly basis.

New York has Broadway and Toronto has its Entertainment District. Dynamic theatre performances are given consistently if you like musicals or just about any other genre of theatre. Mirvish Productions is a must for musical lovers, while Soulpepper in the Distillery District or the Second City will impress comedy fans. And let’s not forget Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, the world’s largest queer theatre, featuring art, dance, drama and music.

Many famous and local musical artists perform on a weekly basis if you enjoy live music. Just recently Drake’s OVO festival went down at the Molson Amp featuring a huge replica of the CN Tower.

Museums and Galleries
Toronto’s museums and art galleries provide an insight into the local and international history and artistry. Famous for not just its looks, the centrally located Royal Ontario Museum offers fun for all age groups. The AGO, a well-known institution, gained some new popularity among the younger crowd recently when they started with their monthly First Thursday parties. Not to be missed are also The Hockey Hall of Fame and the Aga Khan Museum.

8. Free Healthcare

It goes without saying that it’s difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle if you’re unable to access healthcare services.

Thanks to Canada’s universal healthcare environment, Toronto promises accessible healthcare to anyone in need of regular health-related services, regardless of your income level, age or race.

Furthermore, the Canadian government regularly invests in public education campaigns in an attempt to reduce the risk of injuries and health issues for its citizens.

9. Toronto’s Smoke-Free Laws

As an extension to the previous point, Toronto guarantees a healthy environment with its strictly regulated smoke-free governmental policies.

There is a no-tolerance legislation with regards to smoking inside public facilities. Moreover, every retail site is required by law to display a no smoking sign on its doors at all times.

Government officers are frequently deployed into stores that sell age-restricted products such as tobacco to test for compliance. These officers investigate merchants’ records and behaviours for proper IDing procedures, training documents, and other such operational factors that ensure the integrity of the provincial legislation.

10. Occupational Health and Safety Policies

If you intend on moving to Toronto for employment purposes, you can be confident that your health will be treated as a priority by your employer. The Occupational Health and Safety Act mandates employers to protect your health.

This comprehensive act protects your right to refuse to carry out work where your health or safety is in danger. Unlike other major international cities with more lax occupational health policies, Toronto’s robust program places your right to a healthy lifestyle at the forefront.

Toronto is a great place to live if you’re striving for a healthy lifestyle. With its world-class health-related policies, cultural and culinary offerings, and fitness-oriented design, it offers an impressive environment for anyone.

Read more about why you should consider moving to Toronto

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