A recent and tragic incident in a respectable Toronto neighbourhood has come to illustrate the importance of selecting the right area, before selecting your new home. I am in no way suggesting that as a home buyer who chooses not to follow these guidelines, you may face such a similar and unfortunate outcome.
What I am suggesting is that before making any kind of decision on the type of home you would like to live in, it is wise to first choose the right neighbourhood for you.
By doing so, you can almost guarantee you will have an amenable and peaceful time living among your new neighbours.
What makes a right neighbourhood?
In two words; people and their values. The comments I sometimes hear from older residents in areas such as Davisville Village or Leaside are that these “new people are not very friendly, do not acknowledge their neighbours, and are just concerned about themselves and their lives.”
According to some of these older residents, conflict arises when the “new comers” to the area either do not share or chose to ignore the values of those who lived in the neighbourhood before them. Homeownership is a highly emotional and territorial issue for some people, and such comments are a vivid example.
The Wychwood Park tragedy was a result of a clash of values by those who have lived there for years and new owners unaware of the unwritten rules of conduct.
Keep in mind that you will always be able to make modifications to your house to suit your needs and lifestyle. However, if after the fact, you realize you bought in the wrong neighbourhood, the solution could be very costly and painful.
On average, a first time home buyer remains in their first home for about seven years. With this in mind… seven years can go by very slowly if you are not happy with your neighbours or the amenities available in the area.
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It’s a hard lesson to be learned for sure!
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