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Things To Consider When You’re Taking On A Commute

Written by Posted On Friday, 01 November 2019 15:17

History is repeating itself in Toronto; decades removed from the suburbanization of the city that saw residents leave for the suburbs in search of affordable housing, we’re now seeing a similar trend, this time for newly built condos.

The condo boom of the early 2000s changed the meaning of a commute for many Torontonians; those who moved for downtown condos exchanged bumper to bumper traffic on the 401 for short rides on a streetcar, bus or subway. But now that condo living has become so popular in the city, prices in the core are once again driving buyers outside of downtown Toronto.

Developers caught on to this trend years ago, building sizeable condos in neighbourhoods like Mimico and Yonge and Eglinton; attracting countless new businesses and residents and virtually transforming these areas in the process.

There are many reasons to look at condos outside of downtown Toronto; larger suite sizes, lower prices, and less congestion among them. But there are also some reasons to take an analytic approach to moving, particularly when it comes to your commute.

Are You Actually Saving Money?

If you’re making the move to save money, it’s essential that your move actually works out to a net positive; that’s not always the case. Should your savings translate to $500 or more, it’s an easy decision, but some buyers learn the hard way that the $200-300 their saving a month on rent or a mortgage is getting eaten up by gas or transit tickets. For this reason, it’s always wise to calculate the increased cost of your commute before committing to a new location.

Commute Time

Another surprise that can take the joy out of your new home is learning that your commute is considerably longer than anticipated. With our ever increasing reliance on technology, it’s common to throw an address into google maps and base you travel assessment on the results.

Unfortunately, travel times can vary quite a bit in the GTA and unless your regularly checking google maps during peak hours, you’re probably not getting the entire picture. In fact, there's some evidence that apps like goole maps can make traffic worse. To save yourself from potential regret, try out your commute before you buy; if possible, test your commute during rush hour or during the hours you expect to be in transit.

Not only will this help you assess travel time, but it will also help you assess the impact on your sanity: There’s no point saving money if it drives you crazy.

You Might be Commuting for More Than Work

Doctor's appointments, haircuts, grocery shopping, schooling — depending on where you move, you might find that you’re spending far more time on the road or the subway while trying to run everyday errands. If you’re moving to high density areas like Yonge and Eglinton, this won’t be a concern, but if you’re new condo is in a highly suburban area in Scarborough, that could be a different story.

This is an instance where google maps is your best friend; if you’ve narrowed your search to a few properties, take a scan of the area first and make sure you can run errands close to home.

Your Job Might Not Be Your Job Forever

Sure, you have a great commute now but that could change. Job security might make this a non-factor for some buyers and renters, however, if your job security is in question, then you might want to choose a more neutral location; lest you find that your 20 minute commute shifts to 40 minutes when you’re forced to find new employment. It’s natural to look for a home that’s close to work, but ask yourself the question “Will I still be happy here if my commute changes?”

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Robert Van Rhijn

Robert Van Rhijn is a Toronto based Realtor and Broker-of-Record at Slate Realty Inc. He founded Strata.ca in 2018 — a Toronto condo website featuring data and analytics you don’t need to be a statistician to understand. You can connect with Robert at robert@strata.ca.

https://truelofts.ca/

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