Renters in Toronto Now Saving Up For Cottage Homes In the Country?

Kirstyn Mayers, a 28-year-old Canadian native who shares her story with us as she gives us an insight on how people like her are affected by the untimely increase in home prices

Kirstyn and her spouse, Daniel Mayers, were eager to purchase a property in the rural area close to her grandparents’ place, where she spent her summer holidays and worked at a winery. The couple would go around checking out listings and dig about for a handyman’s special when visiting the County.

But in the end, their desired piece of paradise turned up on Kijiji in 2014.

“What is so attractive about the County is it’s beautiful but you’re right in the center of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and there’re so many people from the city that are out there either seasonally or full-time. I have friends like I have in the city. It’s not a culture shock,” Kirstyn said.

Considering the high prices of Toronto’s real estate market, Kirstyn is doubtful as to whether they’ll ever buy a property in the city.

“It seems like you have to be ready to spend $1 million to get a home,” she added.

“Affordable condos are usually in areas that are really over-saturated with condo buildings. Nice neighborhoods that have a couple of condo buildings in them are really expensive,” she said, adding that maintenance fees make condos feel more like renting than owning.

The family moved from a Queen St. and Ossington Ave. apartment and to a rental house in Don Mills in April, where there’s more room to shelter their two kids.

A quick getaway access is a key feature of the new Toronto location. The house has a small trailer parked on their county property and often visit there during autumn.