Many families and young professionals initially think that their first real estate purchase should be a detached single-family home. However, there are many reasons why buying a condo could be the better decision. Put simply, condominiums are the ultimate housing option for those looking to live in or near any major city’s downtown area.

A downtown condo lifestyle is perfect for students, young professionals, immigrants or anyone else who is trying to assimilate into a community. Downtown condos come with a huge set of benefits, not the least of which is location. For example, Toronto’s city center is home to some of the best shopping, dining and cultural experiences in the world, and what better way to really take in the city than to live right there amid all the best the city has to offer? The Toronto real estate market, while now showing some signs of slowdown, has often been cited as one of the few bright spots in the housing market since the worldwide economic crisis began. Purchasing a Toronto condominium allows one to take advantage of everything there is to love about living in an urban area.

In general, condos are more affordable than single family homes. This means that one can often get a unit cialis cheap the same size as a comparable home for less money (although this may not apply to downtown living). Also, owners usually have a shared responsibility for maintenance with their neighbors. This can be very beneficial, yet one should always look into the Home Owners Association dues, as they can be quite high, depending on the amenities offered.

Another benefit to condo living is the security. Many units have their own patrol and other security features that are part of the building, ensuring that you and yours are safe in your home, no matter what section of town you live in. Urban condos are often quite upscale, offering amenities that are very costly in single family homes. These units are built to appeal to the young professionals and other urbanites who want all the best that downtown living can offer.

While this lifestyle has many benefits, it can also have its own set of downsides. Close proximity to neighbors means that one has to be more respectful in terms of noise, and your freedom to have pets or decorate the outside of your unit (even during holidays) may be somewhat restricted. Since some units also don’t have windows that open, it’s important to inquire about this early on. If you can get over these issues, however, you’ll surely find an enjoyable and active lifestyle in condo living.

Author Bio: Stephen Daniels is an acclaimed NetBiz SEO 2.0 researcher. If you’re looking for an experienced real estate agent with a great track record for buying or selling Toronto condominiums, he recommends Ashley Fray. He was the leader in Toronto condo sales from 2007 to 2009 and is also a RE/MAX Platinum Award Winning Agent.

Category: Finance/Real Estate
Keywords: Toronto real estate, Toronto condominiums, real estate in Toronto