lead82
Senior Member
fencejack:
Yonge from 401 to Sheppard is very busy. It's only really a crawl during the peak hours (and so are other arteries all over the GTA). The only area that I would caution against buying are the condos on NE corner of 401/Yonge. The problem with them is that they're only road access to the network is via Avondale. The cars can't get to Sheppard because the road network doesn't allow it yet. To get to the 401 is a left turn, and another left turn if heading east on 401.
I find the best access is from buildings north of Sheppard, since you're just going straight south on Yonge, and that gives you best and smoothest travel.
There are ways to avoid some of that congestion.
The local roads such as Finch, Sheppard, Steeles generally flow very well even during peak hours, so you can take get on/off the 401 at other areas, such as Bayview, or Allen Road. Depending on where you need to go. However, it really depends on where you are going and when you are commuting. Downtown would be best by subway. The nice thing about the area is that even with congestion, distance wise you are never too far from any one point in Toronto. On weekends, it's awesome to be able to get anywhere in around 20 minutes.
I've lived in North York for many years, so I know the area very well, and my alternate routes to avoid traffic.
As for a 1br vs 1+1. I would say layout and size is key. Consider both types. I would say if you plan to live there for about 5 years, then a bigger place is better. To me, unless the den has a separate door, I don't consider it a room. Most of the 'dens' are actually just a nook off of the living room. That's why layout is key. If the den is an actual room with a door, then it's useful to have, because rental/resale value is higher (a den could sleep a student).
Good luck in your search.
Yonge from 401 to Sheppard is very busy. It's only really a crawl during the peak hours (and so are other arteries all over the GTA). The only area that I would caution against buying are the condos on NE corner of 401/Yonge. The problem with them is that they're only road access to the network is via Avondale. The cars can't get to Sheppard because the road network doesn't allow it yet. To get to the 401 is a left turn, and another left turn if heading east on 401.
I find the best access is from buildings north of Sheppard, since you're just going straight south on Yonge, and that gives you best and smoothest travel.
There are ways to avoid some of that congestion.
The local roads such as Finch, Sheppard, Steeles generally flow very well even during peak hours, so you can take get on/off the 401 at other areas, such as Bayview, or Allen Road. Depending on where you need to go. However, it really depends on where you are going and when you are commuting. Downtown would be best by subway. The nice thing about the area is that even with congestion, distance wise you are never too far from any one point in Toronto. On weekends, it's awesome to be able to get anywhere in around 20 minutes.
I've lived in North York for many years, so I know the area very well, and my alternate routes to avoid traffic.
As for a 1br vs 1+1. I would say layout and size is key. Consider both types. I would say if you plan to live there for about 5 years, then a bigger place is better. To me, unless the den has a separate door, I don't consider it a room. Most of the 'dens' are actually just a nook off of the living room. That's why layout is key. If the den is an actual room with a door, then it's useful to have, because rental/resale value is higher (a den could sleep a student).
Good luck in your search.
