I decided to write this article specifically because a very large minority of my clients are from 905 areas. Something about Lofts really seems to whet their appetites… As well, I find that many of my Toronto born & bred clients know the city far less than they’re willing to admit (you know who you are).
I can actually relate to many of my “905er” clients. I was raised in Mississauga and moved to Toronto with my mom and sister at seven. I actually didn’t like the city at all initially. Too many people, too much going on and just generally too overwhelming… Although at about nine I had really taken to Toronto and its energy. At fourteen, I started actively exploring different parts of the city and really made it my mission to learn the geography and neighbourhoods.
My favourite characteristic of Toronto is that it’s just like Europe in the sense that the city is broken up into extremely varying locations that offer completely different amenities, cultures, restaurants, shops etc, however all within such a short proximity. I actually live in the Bloor east area around Sherbourne. If I walk south for less than a minute I end up in the heritage conservation district of Cabbagetown. If I go north, in 30 seconds I’m in Rosedale – surrounded by million dollar homes.
A few notes on Toronto:
- It was rated as one of the most “livable” cities in the world, offering a high quality of life and and exceptionally low crime rate. The Economist gave it a #4 ranking internationally (Vancouver took 1st place).
- Toronto is one of the most diverse and multicultural cities in the world. Statistics Canada indicated that Toronto is more ethnically diverse than Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City. 49.9% of Toronto’s population is foreign-born, making it exceptionally tolerant and rich in culture.
- There is a never-ending list of things to do in Toronto (no source for this other than myself unfortunately… but I dare anyone to dispute this).
That’s about all I have to say as far as “promoting” the city goes. Although if you’re on my website reading this, you probably don’t need to be convinced any further. So let’s get to you…
How well do you know the city? Where do you want to live? Would you be open to an area that is “up and coming” if it meant you’d get a higher return on your investment? Do you want to live in an area predominantly populated by young professionals, urban artists or retirees? Are you willing to compromise a bit on location to make your purchase more affordable or for more square footage?
If you’re looking for an agent who knows the city intimately and will take you through these questions at your own pace, I’d be happy to help. As you probably realize by now, I specialize in lofts and more “unique” urban homes.
Call me if you’d like to discuss further. We’ll talk about your criteria, which lofts should be on your short list and what is achievable within your budget. I look forward to speaking with you,
Robert Van Rhijn
