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: A New Chapter

One Reason Why I Don't Want to Move Back to Toronto

I grew up in Toronto. I liked the area where I grew up in. It was a nice middle to upper middle class neighbourhood that was far enough away from downtown that there was space, but close enough that it was on the subway line and easy to get to by both car and(with a bit of work) bike. There were lots of kids in my neighbourhood. It was safe and there was plenty of things to do for kids in those awkward in between years where they are old enough to do things on their own, but not old enough to drive.

I could bike almost everywhere. The shops of Bloor St. West were nearby, and there were plenty of parks, rivers and ravines that I could go explore. To make further ventures into the city, the subway was only a 15 minute walk away and bike paths to get to the waterfront were nearby. It was a good neighbourhood to live in and while it was nice, I would not go so far as to say that it was ritzy.

But here's the thing. It seems everyone in the Greater Toronto Area has now recognized that. Roughly 10-12 years ago, the average 3 or 4 bedroom house in the area was selling for between $300,000 and $400,000. Now, looking through Realtor.ca, I've notice that there's a newly built house on my old street selling for 1.275 Million! MILLION! Granted it's a newly built house and will come with all the ammenities. But it's only a 2 story, 3 or 4 bedroom house. That's crazy!

A number of my friends will be heading to Bay St. when they are done law school. One of the draws is the big salary. The salaries there are almost twice as much as they are in Halifax. While Halifax housing prices are not exactly cheap, to move a little further out to reduce the cost of a house means that your drive in will take an extra 10-20 minutes, in Toronto, at rush hour, you're looking at anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour and a half longer. No thanks.

I've gotten in trouble with some of my Toronto friends for ranting about the city. But I can say I'm very glad I do not live there anymore. I love Halifax.

Full post as published by A New Chapter on October 03, 2008 (boomark / email).