We have worked very, very hard to clear numerous hurdles strewn across our path thus far, and those efforts have paid handsome dividends. The next hurdle is no longer an exit hurdle, it's a destination hurdle. The real estate market where we are headed is, by all accounts, the second most overheated in the country.
Our sights are set on an unsettling land where countless tiny post-war houses command multiple offers within minutes of listing, and sell at prices that buy stately manors in most other Canadian and U.S. cities. They do this in spite of being cursed with astonishingly bad curb appeal and interiors staged to the Nth degree to lure the buyer's eye, like a skilled magician's sleight of hand, to place settings for an imaginary empty meal, and away from impossibly narrow and steep stairways, bowling alley floor plans, basements with ceilings only gnomes and leprechauns could love, and outbuilding garages sufficiently out of the perpendicular to remind you of a trip to Pisa.
Next week we hop in the car and trudge west down Highway 401 like pilgrims headed to the wild west. Since we believe the worn-out truism that the equation for real estate nirvana is location, location, location, equals happiness, we have drawn a crude but effective map that will guide our exploration.
16 comments:
Hmmm, why the move to Toronto rather than somewhere in the middle of nowhere? Yellowknife anyone?
It's all about the preponderance of family.
As for Yellowknife, many folks like it, I hear. Plus I think you get those cool polar bear license plates.
I was thinking that it might be something like that.
I think you're right. The Northwest Territories has that cool bear shaped license plate. I heard a rumor in Dawson last summer that an all weather road was being built between Yellowknife and Inuvik.
July good. Somebody else getting his ganglies deracinated by a stupid real estate market. Hand 'em over with a smile and hope you get nice neighbors. At least I have frequently nice weather.
Well have you thought a little looking around at Niagara on the Lake? St. Catharines? Better yet come live out in the real west where you can scoot all year long!
Jolly good indeed, Michael. Adversity without fail brings your British nature to the fore. I love that. Bring it on, dastardly market! Bollocks!
Our plan, for the time being, is not to sacrifice location by going condo. If that fails, maybe rent in T.O. and buy in Florida.
Did I hear FLORIDA - the meca of Vespa land? Home to the likes of Lostboater, Wleuthold, and ADK Jim. Days full of sunshine and buddies to ride with. Skip the TO houses - get a nice maintenance free condo, and put those extra dollars into something where you don't have to shovel to go out and get your latte! :-)
Good luck with the quest. As the saying goes, better you than me.
Hmmmm.... the outlaws are 99% in SOUTH Florida! All you Vespaholics are in the far Florida north! What were you guys thinking??
I know, I know, I know. There is a chance we can work this out to a reasonably happy conclusion.
Ick blah on house hunting. Hopefully you will find something suitable without breaking the bank.
Time will tell Brandy. The good news is that Toronto is a very big place, and we're downsizing, so the odds are in our favor.
I am all excited about your move (that's just me... I like moving around). In Vancouver we had a similar situation, condo life was the only affordable. Houses... not so much.
Anyway, I like the Florida scenario, too... should it happen, expect us to visit sometime ;-)
Good hunting!
Sonja thanks for the encouragement. We still have a snag on the sale of our house, which we hope will be resolved today or tomorrow.
No matter where we end up, Thunderbird/Black Betty will be there waiting for you, along with a spare bedroom. Although I can see the attraction of Florida in the winter. At one point there were quite a few Germans wandering around there during the winter tourist season. Now it's mostly Russians. They really, really like Adidas track pants and heavy gold chains, so they're easy to spot.
Track pants and gold chains, yes, that's them. Germans can be spotted by their attire as well: white socks and sandals.
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