W. K. Lis
Superstar
Depends upon one's definition of "downtown". Is "downtown" just the "old" city, very "old" city, or the "city" from when you were a kid?
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Considering a small town to retire to in 2030-35. Recommendations?
- Thread starter Admiral Beez
- Start date
Depends upon one's definition of "downtown". Is "downtown" just the "old" city, very "old" city, or the "city" from when you were a kid?
Midtown Urbanist
Superstar
Most of my memories are in post-amalgamation Toronto. Downtown to me means south of Bloor, and from Bathurst to the Don River.
I code-switch if I am speaking with someone from the suburbs (inner or outer), and move the Bathurst boundary all the way west to High Park.
W. K. Lis
Superstar
Garage visible in front? Suburb.
Garage not visible, because it might be in back or in a laneway? Downtown.
Admiral Beez
Superstar
Downtown to me lines up with this....
Downtown Toronto's borders have just been redrawn
The subject of what constitutes downtown for any major city can get people pretty riled up — especially so in a place like Toronto, where the bound...
www.blogto.com
Where in this area above can you buy a semi or row house for about $1 million that doesn’t have the issues I’ve described?
W. K. Lis
Superstar
Downtown to me lines up with this....
Downtown Toronto's borders have just been redrawn
The subject of what constitutes downtown for any major city can get people pretty riled up — especially so in a place like Toronto, where the bound...
Where in this area above can you buy a semi or row house for about $1 million that doesn’t have the issues I’ve described?
I noticed "Yorkville" was included. "Yorkville" was founded in 1830 by a brewer, Joseph Bloore. It was incorporated as a village in 1853. and was annexed by the city of Toronto in 1883. For a "village", it certainly is a high-density neighbourhood these days. Maybe you'll enjoy the hippies that lived there in the 1960's. From link.
The point is neighbourhoods tend to change over time. What a neighbourhood was during your childhood, could be completely different today. So beware, it could also change in the future.
Towered
Superstar
Downtown to me lines up with this....
Downtown Toronto's borders have just been redrawn
The subject of what constitutes downtown for any major city can get people pretty riled up — especially so in a place like Toronto, where the bound...
Where in this area above can you buy a semi or row house for about $1 million that doesn’t have the issues I’ve described?
You need to expand your downtown map. Brockton is a great choice.
Admiral Beez
Superstar
I‘ve always hated the garage in front look, with the little window beside the front door.
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AlbertC
Superstar
The article isn't necessarily about retirement folks but it does show that affordable housing can be found (right now) in a town like Bracebridge ($300K range):
torontolife.com
A Toronto family wanted to escape the city—so they bought a $315,000 house in Bracebridge
Liam and Nichole had been planning to leave the city for years. When the pandemic hit and Liam's music gigs disappeared, the couple finally made the move
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TrickyRicky
Senior Member
Bracebridge is affordable until you get your hydro bill in the winter 
taal
Senior Member
North York City Center ? Downtown Markham ? MCC ? ... the requirements are a bit odd, most people with the small town desire what a quieter place, you didn't quite state that. If it's just to get away from downtown east (though I'm fairly optimistic for its longer term future to be honest), aren't there many other options in the 416 and 905 ?
lenaitch
Senior Member
Bracebridge is affordable until you get your hydro bill in the winter
Natural gas is available in the townsite areas of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville. Outlying areas are likely a mix of electric, propane and oil for heating unless you are lucky enough to be on a feeder line.
Admiral Beez
Superstar
Two weeks ago my friend and I did a 930 km two day ride to Gananoque, Kingston, Perth and Prince Edward County. We saw many cute medium and small towns with working main streets, including Warkworth and Wooler, plus the larger Napanee, Brighton, Port Hope, Wellington. Last weekend we rode to Erin and Alton. So cute homes in Alton.
Admiral Beez
Superstar
Nice hiking in Uxbridge yesterday. Great late Sept weather, warm yet foggy, fantastic trails, see map. http://discoveruxbridge.ca/trail-overview-map-2/. We did the Glen Major Forest trail. Then a nice fish and chips and stout pint at http://www.hobbyhorsearms.com
My teenage daughter has fallen for the town. Her immediate exclamation upon walking the main street shops was, “there’s no creepy old dudes or crazy people, let’s move here“.
As a tall, 40-something, able-bodied, sane, employed and somewhat well dressed and clean shaven white guy I sometimes forget her negative personal experiences in downtown east. I can definitely see my daughter abandoning the city for one of these smaller towns. Look at what $600k gets you in Scugog, https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/22333701/1160-cragg-rd-scugog-rural-scugog
I told her that‘s good, now you need a plan to find employment you can do either from home or in the smaller towns, as you don’t want to be one of those poor bastards I see commuting down the 404 from above Newmarket and beyond.
My teenage daughter has fallen for the town. Her immediate exclamation upon walking the main street shops was, “there’s no creepy old dudes or crazy people, let’s move here“.
As a tall, 40-something, able-bodied, sane, employed and somewhat well dressed and clean shaven white guy I sometimes forget her negative personal experiences in downtown east. I can definitely see my daughter abandoning the city for one of these smaller towns. Look at what $600k gets you in Scugog, https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/22333701/1160-cragg-rd-scugog-rural-scugog
I told her that‘s good, now you need a plan to find employment you can do either from home or in the smaller towns, as you don’t want to be one of those poor bastards I see commuting down the 404 from above Newmarket and beyond.
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lenaitch
Senior Member
^ Nice town and area. We lived near there for several years in the '80s - out in the country right on top of the moraine where we could see for miles. The only downside was we were on a main route and its gravel country. The townsite wasn't as built up as it is now; the retail area on the south didn't exist and the new subdivisions on the west side seem fairly generic. I still have friends in town and get down once or twice a year.
christiesplits
Senior Member
I have a former boomer coworker who sold his house in the east end and just retired in Peterborough. Originally, he wanted to retire in Guelph or Elora, but he said he got a much better bang for his buck east of the city.