The short answer
Start with how you want to live, then look at what the market offers where you want to live. The market decides what is available and what it costs, and both change, so I check current listings and rentals before I tell you what is possible. The numbers behind renting or buying belong with your mortgage professional and your lawyer.
You need a place. You need it near the people and routines that matter, and you need it to work for the money you'll have. I work in High Park, Roncesvalles, Mimico and Humber Bay Shores, so this guide is about those four. The method works anywhere.
Where do you start?
Not with a map. Start with how a normal week has to run.
- Where do the kids need to be, and how far apart will two homes be?
- How will you get to work?
- Do you have a dog, and does the dog need a yard, a park or a quiet street?
- How much space do you need, really?
- What can you afford each month once your agreement and your finances are clear?
That last question isn't mine to answer. A mortgage broker or lender can give you a real number, in writing. Your lawyer or mediator can tell you where your agreement lands. Bring those to me and I can show you what the market offers.
Should you rent or buy?
It depends on your timing, your agreement and your finances, and I won't pretend to decide it for you. Renting can give you room to settle and think. It also means paying rent while you do. Buying can give you stability, and it ties up money and time. Run both with a mortgage professional before you choose.
Two FairWell guides cover the money side: mortgage after separation and buying out a spouse. I help renters as well as buyers, so ask me about either.
What do the four neighbourhoods offer?
These are broad strokes from someone who works in the area. Street by street and building by building, things differ. That is why I look at what is actually available before I tell you what is possible.
High Park
Built around the park itself, a large public park. If you have a dog or kids, it is a big part of why people choose the area. There are houses and apartments, and the subway is close for commuters.
Roncesvalles
A village feel. A main street with shops, cafés and restaurants, homes close by and the streetcar on the avenue. If you like handling daily errands on foot, this is worth a look.
Mimico
Along the lakeshore, with the lake nearby and a GO station for commuting. The housing is a mix of types.
Humber Bay Shores
Waterfront condominium towers along the lake, with trails and park space close by. Condos are the main type of home here, and the rules differ from building to building.
I'm describing what these areas are like, not what they cost or what is for sale this week. That changes, and I would rather give you the current picture than an old one.
What if you have a dog?
Dogs are family, and condos and rentals handle them differently. Rules about pets, including how many and what size, vary by building and by landlord. Check them before you fall for a place, not after. I'll read the pet rules before we look at anywhere.
How close do you need to stay for the kids?
If your children will move between two homes, distance matters more than square footage. Think about school, activities and how long the trip takes on a bad day, not a good one. Your parenting plan will say a lot about what works, and FairWell's parenting plan guide covers that side. When we look at homes, I'll map the trip in both directions.
Condo or house?
They cost differently each month, not just at purchase. A condo comes with fees and rules. A house comes with upkeep. Neither is better. It depends on how you live. When you're serious about a condo, your lawyer reviews the building's documents before you commit, and I'll make sure that happens in time.
What does the market decide?
What is available, what it costs and how fast it moves. I don't set any of that, and I can't wish it into something kinder. What I can do is show you what is real today in the places you're considering, and help you decide with clear eyes.
If the market doesn't offer what you want where you want it, I'll say so. Then we look at what to adjust: the area, the type of home or the timing.
What to do this week
- Write down your weekly routine: where you and the kids need to be, and when.
- List your must-haves and your nice-to-haves, in that order.
- Talk to your lawyer or mediator about timing before you commit to anything.
- If buying is on the table, start with a mortgage broker or lender and get your pre-qualification in writing before you tour homes.
- Book a free consultation with me and bring your list.
Common questions
Is it too soon to look?
It is never too soon to look around. It can be too soon to commit. Talk to your lawyer or mediator about timing before you sign a lease or make an offer.
Do I need a mortgage pre-qualification first?
If you plan to buy, yes. I ask buyers to be pre-qualified for a mortgage, in writing, by a mortgage broker or a financial institution before we start touring.
Can you help me rent as well as buy?
Yes. I work with renters too. For a lease, I'll ask for some documents up front.
Which of the four neighbourhoods is best?
None of them, in general. It depends on your routine, your budget and what's available. That is why I start with your week and not the map.
Ready to see where you stand?
The free assessment gives you a roadmap, a financial snapshot and the right professionals for your area in about fifteen minutes.
Start the free assessmentThis guide is general information from a real estate sales representative. It is not legal, tax, mortgage or financial advice, and it does not tell you what your rights or obligations are. Decisions about your home in a separation belong with your lawyer, your mediator and your mortgage professional. What I describe here is how a sale or a move usually works in practice, and your situation may differ. FairWell can connect you with family law professionals through the professional directory.