IMO one of the incorrect thoughts is that the burbs are truly cheaper. Two of my good friends moved out to Ajax, because it was "cheaper" I decided to stay in the city. Sure the house was cheaper $390,000 for a new-ish 3 bedroom on a large lot VS my 1920 3 bedroom on a large lot for $505000. Sure the mortgage is cheaper, by about $400 a month. but then they needed an extra car because it was taking his wife over a hour an a half on the GO + a short TTC ride (not to mention it like $10 each way) so now they bought a second car, plus insurance and gas ( there goes that $400 difference) now they both commute about an hour on a good day or two hours on a bad one both ways. What does your time cost? My commute is about 20 minutes and my wife takes the 501 from leslieville to yonge ( about 20 minutes) I leave work at 4:30 I'm home with the kids picked up from daycare and cooking dinner by 5:05. He gets home by 6:30, feeds the kids, bath them puts them to bed, where is this better life for kids? His taxes are $3700 per year VS my $2600 ( i know i know this is about to change) User fees are killer there, over $100 for swimming lessons? in toronto $39. My son plays in the park across the street with tons of other kids, his kids play in the backyard by themselves or they drive to the near empty park so the kids can play by themselves yet again. So really when you look at the quality of life for both the adults and the kids, the "real" difference in money spent and then the re-sale value of your home I think it's a no-brainer, the burbs are hardly the deal people say it is. I can't wait to hear him bitch once they are teens and want to go to the mall etc., have fun driving everywhere, my kids will get a metro pass.
