Cheaper areas with period properties
Jan 22nd 2007, 8:52 pm
#1
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Cheaper areas with period properties
Hi all
I did start a thread on Cabbagetown as it was the only cheaper area in Toronto I had heard of which had a lot of period properties.
I'll be moving to TO by summer 2009 at the latest and, at the moment, I'm doing my fact finding on the Internet as I'm not sure when I'll be visiting TO next.
When I was there last summer I saw loads of condo buildings going up and, to be quite honest, I didn't fancy living in one. I'd prefer to live in an older property with a bit of character. I can't afford to buy in the UK and will rent when I first arrive in TO, but would like to buy somewhere eventually (preferably a small house or maybe a loft apartment) that's not too far from downtown TO.
Can anyone who knows Toronto recommend to me some areas which aren't at the higher end of the price scale and which have a lot of period properties? I'm not too fussed what era - I'm thinking Victorian or Edwardian, but only cos my knowledge is hazy to say the least - and I can't afford a huge house. I'm just really trying to find out the sorts of areas I should be looking at.
TIA
Suze
I did start a thread on Cabbagetown as it was the only cheaper area in Toronto I had heard of which had a lot of period properties.
I'll be moving to TO by summer 2009 at the latest and, at the moment, I'm doing my fact finding on the Internet as I'm not sure when I'll be visiting TO next.
When I was there last summer I saw loads of condo buildings going up and, to be quite honest, I didn't fancy living in one. I'd prefer to live in an older property with a bit of character. I can't afford to buy in the UK and will rent when I first arrive in TO, but would like to buy somewhere eventually (preferably a small house or maybe a loft apartment) that's not too far from downtown TO.
Can anyone who knows Toronto recommend to me some areas which aren't at the higher end of the price scale and which have a lot of period properties? I'm not too fussed what era - I'm thinking Victorian or Edwardian, but only cos my knowledge is hazy to say the least - and I can't afford a huge house. I'm just really trying to find out the sorts of areas I should be looking at.
TIA
Suze
Last edited by Suzey; Jan 22nd 2007 at 9:02 pm.
Jan 22nd 2007, 8:58 pm
#2
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Re: Cheaper areas with period properties
Hi all
I did start a thread on Cabbagetown as it was the only cheaper area in Toronto I had heard of which had a lot of period properties.
I'll be moving to TO by summer 2009 at the latest and, at the moment, I'm doing my fact finding on the Internet as I'm not sure when I'll be visiting TO next.
When I was there last summer I saw loads of condo buildings going up and, to be quite honest, I didn't fancy living in one. I'd prefer to live in an older property with a bit of character. I can't afford to buy in the UK and will rent when I first arrive in TO, but would like to buy somewhere eventually (preferably a small house or maybe a loft apartment).
Can anyone who knows Toronto recommend to me some areas which aren't at the higher end of the price scale and which have a lot of period properties? I'm not too fussed what era - I'm thinking Victorian or Edwardian, but only cos my knowledge is hazy to say the least - and I can't afford a huge house. I'm just really trying to find out the sorts of areas I should be looking at.
TIA
Suze
I did start a thread on Cabbagetown as it was the only cheaper area in Toronto I had heard of which had a lot of period properties.
I'll be moving to TO by summer 2009 at the latest and, at the moment, I'm doing my fact finding on the Internet as I'm not sure when I'll be visiting TO next.
When I was there last summer I saw loads of condo buildings going up and, to be quite honest, I didn't fancy living in one. I'd prefer to live in an older property with a bit of character. I can't afford to buy in the UK and will rent when I first arrive in TO, but would like to buy somewhere eventually (preferably a small house or maybe a loft apartment).
Can anyone who knows Toronto recommend to me some areas which aren't at the higher end of the price scale and which have a lot of period properties? I'm not too fussed what era - I'm thinking Victorian or Edwardian, but only cos my knowledge is hazy to say the least - and I can't afford a huge house. I'm just really trying to find out the sorts of areas I should be looking at.
TIA
Suze
Leslieville?
Jan 22nd 2007, 9:16 pm
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Jan 23rd 2007, 12:01 am
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Re: Cheaper areas with period properties
Corktown is rougher but nearer downtown, it's often mentioned as being about to be gentrified but never is. It's not as rough as Cabbagetown. It's near the film studios and a lot of people locally are employed in that business (not mainly as matinee idols but set builders, make up people, prop supply and so on). The film business is going down the tubes so that should keep prices reasonable.
I used to live in Leslieville, when it was properly cheap. Property values there have crept up but it's still not expensive because it's not really anywhere. A short ride on the tram gets you to the beach strip or, the other way, downtown, but all Leslieville has is a lot of shops that are moving from junk to antiques and a couple of excellent restaurants. It's not too far to walk to the boardwalk from there though and, of course, the Tulip, Toronto's shrine to dead cow, is there.
Somewhere else worth a look is what's now called South Riverdale, it's that bit between Gerrard and Queen along Pape. It used to be quite dodgy but a friend who lives there tells me it's getting more civilised as "the queers more south from Riverdale proper". I don't think she keeps up with developments very well as we took the dog to obedience training there a couple of years ago and were the only different sex couple in the class. It has old houses, including terraces built as railwaymens' cottages, which are now quite fashionable, if nearly impossible to insure.
I don't know the west end very well but I'm sure it has equivalent areas. It'd be best to rent somewhere central at first and explore. I'd aim for the St Lawrence Market area, I loved it there even if it is all apartments.
I used to live in Leslieville, when it was properly cheap. Property values there have crept up but it's still not expensive because it's not really anywhere. A short ride on the tram gets you to the beach strip or, the other way, downtown, but all Leslieville has is a lot of shops that are moving from junk to antiques and a couple of excellent restaurants. It's not too far to walk to the boardwalk from there though and, of course, the Tulip, Toronto's shrine to dead cow, is there.
Somewhere else worth a look is what's now called South Riverdale, it's that bit between Gerrard and Queen along Pape. It used to be quite dodgy but a friend who lives there tells me it's getting more civilised as "the queers more south from Riverdale proper". I don't think she keeps up with developments very well as we took the dog to obedience training there a couple of years ago and were the only different sex couple in the class. It has old houses, including terraces built as railwaymens' cottages, which are now quite fashionable, if nearly impossible to insure.
I don't know the west end very well but I'm sure it has equivalent areas. It'd be best to rent somewhere central at first and explore. I'd aim for the St Lawrence Market area, I loved it there even if it is all apartments.
Jan 23rd 2007, 12:02 am
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Re: Cheaper areas with period properties
Again, it's hard to disagree with this guy's opinions : http://www.boldts.net/Toronto.shtml
Jan 23rd 2007, 8:44 pm
#6
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Re: Cheaper areas with period properties
That's something I spose!!!
Cheap? How cheap?
Property values there have crept up but it's still not expensive because it's not really anywhere. A short ride on the tram gets you to the beach strip or, the other way, downtown, but all Leslieville has is a lot of shops that are moving from junk to antiques and a couple of excellent restaurants.
I wonder if your idea of inexpensive corresponds with mine. I'm not bringing huge amounts of cash as I'm not selling a place here but I'd hope that I'd be able to get onto the property ladder a bit easier than I would here. With any luck exchange rates will keep going up while I'm saving here and the exchange rate will be kind to me when I'm ready to move.
Somewhere else worth a look is what's now called South Riverdale, it's that bit between Gerrard and Queen along Pape. It used to be quite dodgy but a friend who lives there tells me it's getting more civilised as "the queers more south from Riverdale proper". I don't think she keeps up with developments very well as we took the dog to obedience training there a couple of years ago and were the only different sex couple in the class. It has old houses, including terraces built as railwaymens' cottages, which are now quite fashionable, if nearly impossible to insure.
I've heard a few good things about Roncesvalles but I believe it's a bit newer than the sort of stuff I have in mind?
Suze
Jan 23rd 2007, 8:46 pm
#7
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Re: Cheaper areas with period properties
I've checked out a couple of areas... he doesn't say much about Cabbagetown (and definitely nothing bad)! I'll have a browse...
thanks
Suze
thanks
Suze
Again, it's hard to disagree with this guy's opinions : http://www.boldts.net/Toronto.shtml
Jan 23rd 2007, 9:04 pm
#8
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Re: Cheaper areas with period properties
The other option would be to buy a conversion apartment in a nicer area. I'd rather chop my own head off than live in Leslieville quite frankly, and the properties there are very expensive for what you get. E.g. proximity to the bread factory....
If you want to know of a really good real estate agent, I'm happy to give you a recommendation of the guy who got me my place in Little Italy...
If you want to know of a really good real estate agent, I'm happy to give you a recommendation of the guy who got me my place in Little Italy...
Jan 23rd 2007, 9:15 pm
#9
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Re: Cheaper areas with period properties
http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.as...ertyID=5280171
this one comes complete with tenants and work orders:
http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.as...ertyID=5269498
The area is E01 on mls.
What does $250,000 get you in Little Italy (besides lots of railings and pillars)?
Jan 23rd 2007, 9:23 pm
#10
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Joined: Jul 2004
Location: T. ON (so there!)
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Re: Cheaper areas with period properties
Now that's a good question.... not very much probably...
But a duplex or conversion might be possible on that money though...
Incidentially I do have a wrought iron fence in my front yard, and pillars on the porch.
But a duplex or conversion might be possible on that money though...
Incidentially I do have a wrought iron fence in my front yard, and pillars on the porch.
Jan 23rd 2007, 9:27 pm
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Re: Cheaper areas with period properties
More seriously, this looks a sensible price in not a bad location, if you can find a company to insure it.
http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.as...ertyID=5371730
Roncesvalles is an older area, novocastrian lived there for a while and may comment. I have the idea that it's too expensive but then I'm not sure how much is too much.
http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.as...ertyID=5371730
Roncesvalles is an older area, novocastrian lived there for a while and may comment. I have the idea that it's too expensive but then I'm not sure how much is too much.