I would like to share some inspiration with you that helped guide my partner and I. As you may know, if you read through our services page, we have developed a workshop to help home buyers assess where they should live, what house will suit their lifestyle, and what decor will reflect their personalities. Where to live and why that matters is what this post is about.
Image via Hypebeast, March 2nd, 2009
Richard Florida, a prominent American sociologist, has an established reputation in writing and lecturing for the mainstream. One of his latest books: “Who’s Your City: How the Creative Economy is Making Where to Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life” argues that choosing a city is more important than any other major decision that one makes in life. Why? Because it is the source of the opportunities that lead to these other major decisions.
Richard Florida discusses his ideas here:
He proposes that within the creative economy, the city is the ultimate attraction. Creative industries can set up shop almost anywhere in the world. They are attracted to a city’s persona; its values, politics, people, and culture. People will move to and remain in a city for the same reasons. What is the result for you? The people you meet – friends, neighbours, colleagues, lovers, and spouses – were likely attracted to the city for the same reason you were. The lifestyle you want to lead – the values, culture, and facilities that allow for it – are there because there are enough like-minded people in the city to support it.
In short, he is saying you should be more proactive; choose your city instead of it choosing you. For example, don’t jump at a high paying job without thinking about where it is taking you, because that city will continue to determine who you meet, what culture you are exposed to, and how you continue to lead the rest of your life.
Image via Lostatsea
Whether you agree with all of Richard Florida’s theories or not, we agree with the premise that place matters. We think the neighbourhood you choose, like the choice you have made to live in a city, can have a significant impact on the people you meet and what you are able to pursue in your day to day life. The people in a community have chosen, consciously or sub-consciously, to live there for reasons that probably reflect who they are and what they value – the aesthetics, the accessibility, the character, the housing, the schools, proximity to a retail district, and cultural/recreational facilities.
Check out our location lab to learn more about which Ottawa neighbourhood is right for you.
If you haven’t already, click here to read an introduction to the “Price Check” series before you get started.
Our goal is to help you find the right house in the right neighbourhood. That said, everyone has a budget. This post is about what you might expect to pay for a home in the neighbourhood of Manor Park.
Every house in Manor Park is different and will demand a different price, but one of the best indicators of what to expect in the future is the past. Check out the neighbourhood profile for Manor Park: here.
12 homes were sold in the past six months in Manor Park. The following chart shows how many homes were sold in each price range (000s).
Two homes are listed in the current market of homes in Manor Park at $390,000 and $748,000 respectively.
If you haven’t already, click here to read an introduction to the “Price Check” series before you get started.
Our goal is to help you find the right home in the right neighbourhood. That said, everyone has a budget. This post is about what you might expect to pay for a condominium in the area of Carlingwood and what the condominium fees may be.
Every condominium in this area is different and will demand a different price, but one of the best indicators of what to expect in the future is the past. See our profile of Carlingwood: here.
27 condominiums were sold in the past six months in Carlingwood. The following chart shows how many condominiums were sold in each price range(000s). The majority sold for between $200,000 to $250,000.
The current market reflects the past 6 month trend, with prices ranging from $179,000 to $355,000 and averaging $251,000. As discussed in another post, “Condo Fees: Pay Now or Pay Later“, there are many benefits to condominium ownership. The downside is that the fees add to your monthly costs. Condo fees vary and so does what they cover. The value in each fee has to be assessed from condo to condo. That said, the following numbers are helpful for budgeting purposes. For the 13 condominiums sold in the past six months, monthly condo fees ranged from $181 to $1040 per month, with an average fee of $495. For the 13 condominiums currently on the market in Carlingwood, the condominium fees range from $441 to $917, with an average fee of $595.
If you haven’t already, click here to read an introduction to the “Price Check” series before you get started.
Our goal is to help you find the right house in the right neighbourhood. That said, everyone has a budget. This post is about what you might expect to pay for a home in the neighbourhood of Carlingwood.
Every house in Carlingwood is different and will demand a different price, but one of the best indicators of what to expect in the future is the past. Check out the neighbourhood profile for Carlingwood: here.
27 homes were sold in the past six months in Carlingwood. The following chart shows how many homes were sold in each price range (000s). The majority of houses sold for between $200,000 and $300,000.
The current market of homes in Carlingwood have shifted slightly upwards from the past 6 month trend, with an average price of $377,000 and prices ranging from $210,000 to $499,000.
If you haven’t already, click here to read an introduction to the “Price Check” series before you get started.
Our goal is to help you find the right house in the right neighbourhood. That said, everyone has a budget. This post is about what you might expect to pay for a home in the neighbourhood of McKellar Heights.
Every house in McKellar Heights is different and will demand a different price, but one of the best indicators of what to expect in the future is the past. Check out the neighbourhood profile of McKellar Heights: here.
18 homes were sold in the past six months in McKellar Heights. The following chart shows how many homes were sold in each price range (000s).
The current market of homes in McKellar Heights has shifted upwards from the last 6 month trend. Prices range from $359,000 to $949,000 with an average price of $609,000.
