Once upon a time, living in a condo was viewed as an option only for singles, or seniors. Nowadays the condo owner comes from a whole myriad of people in all walks of life, so whether you like to classify yourself in the trendy young professional category, the family (wo)man, or downsizer, here are some of the top reasons why buying a condo may be perfect for you.
1. Price
The beauty of buying a condo means that your monthly payment towards a mortgage actually goes into owning your own place, rather than paying towards a monthly rental that will most likely run you the same cost. Seriously, I’m not even joking. Calculate your future mortgage here. Why rent when you can buy? It’s like renting an escort for the night instead of investing towards a future spouse! Okay maybe that’s stretching it a bit but you get the idea!
2. Convenience
Let’s be honest here, who actually likes doing housework? One of the biggest advantages of condo living comes from the fact that lawn mowing, weeding, home repairs, and shoveling the awful freak Alberta snowstorms from your driveway will become a thing of distant memories. You will have someone else doing all the dirty work while your precious time can be spent doing what you really want; spending time with family, learning to play the guitar or watching the ‘Storage Wars’ marathon. With all that extra free time, the world becomes your oyster!
3. Social Setting
When you live in such close proximity to so many people, you’re bound to create a tight-knit environment. You can meet people that you would not normally have the opportunity to have any interactions with. Because these people will be your long-term neighbours, developing a close friendship is not uncommon. And who knows? Maybe you’ll meet your soul mate in your building, or at least have the opportunity to talk to that cute boy you’ve been eyeing for three weeks without looking too stalker-ish =)
4. Security
If you’re anything like me, you may have an unexplainable and unhealthy fear of serial killers. The solution? That feeling of extra security when you live in a condo! For one thing, the front doors of new condo buildings are locked, with residents needing a key or scan card for access, and guests needing to be buzzed in by owners. Even then you still have a second lock on your own private entrance. And, if a creepy, unfamiliar face is seen lurking around someone is probably going to notice that it’s not the pizza delivery guy.
5. Investment Opportunity
Now that you’re a bonafide grown-up, it’s time to start thinking about investments! That doesn’t just mean stocks and bonds; owning a condo means you own a significant asset. When it’s time to move on, selling off your condo during the right economic conditions can leave you with a nice profit. Or you can hold on to the property and enter the rental revenue game – keep your condo and rent it out. Let someone else pay off your mortgage with their rent money. And thus continues the circle of life!
Condos have become an awesome alternative to the other options out there and can suit a whole range of different lifestyles. These days, you can find anything from trendy condos in a sweet neighbourhood (like the Infusion in Ambleside) or luxury condos for those who want a little more tranquil and sophistication (like the Essex in Callaghan Ravines!) You are no longer limited by the small pool of options as builders are now offering condos in a whole bunch of different sizes, styles and price ranges. Take a look around and maybe you’ll find one that’s just right for you!
