If You’re Thinking of Taking the Plunge …

I love this time of year. Thanks to such heat and sunshine being a rare deal in these parts, the very existence of July feels like an excuse to do whatever the heck we want, including blowing off work for things that are more fun. We hang out on patios, go to festivals, and stick our toes in the urban sand. It’s enough to make you think you need to be living the condo lifestyle, gadding about downtown, eating out for every meal and walking to every appointment.

I’m not trying to discourage you, but remember that summer leads to fall, which leads to winter, and that means the reality of where you live really sets in. Are you going to want to walk seven blocks to the bus stop in February? Are the great restaurants nearby going to lure you out in a hail storm? Is the lack of parking going to drive you to distraction when every side street is half as wide as it should be thanks to semi-permanent snow banks? How are you going to feel about paying for the outdoor pool throughout the long months that it’s closed?

Before you plop down your hard-earned money on a new condo, here are some eyes-wide-open things to consider:

Are you really going to use the amenities? People who love community living will get the most out of a full complement of amenities, but it pays to be realistic about your own priorities, and not get swept away by a pretty brochure. The number and kind of amenities affect your maintenance fees. If the condo you’re looking at has absolutely everything else you want, maybe it doesn’t matter that you won’t use the pool, but if one of its major selling features is a great party room and you hate parties, and there are also another eight condominiums within a dozen blocks, keep looking.

What’s the neighbourhood like the rest of the year? It’s easy to fall in love with a neighbourhood that’s vibrant with pedestrians (who turn out to be tourists and are all gone by October), festooned with flowers (that disappear in the fall), and featuring quirky narrow alleys (that fill up with snow and become impassable), but unless you’ve experienced your intended neighbourhood in all four seasons, ask around and learn from those who have.

What will the neighbourhood be like in the future? How about the aspect of the building itself? It pays to do your research: Is there a freeway going through in two years? Is another building likely to block your killer view in five years? Are there signs that the bloom is off the rose, like shuttered businesses and potholes that don’t get fixed?

How will your life change in the foreseeable future? Are you recently married? It may seem far off (or even undesirable right now) but young folk getting hitched does tend to lead to babies. Is the neighbourhood kid-friendly? Is the condo itself? Is there room in the local elementary school and is it a good one? Even if you love the nearest school, make sure you’re in its catchment area. Sometimes all it takes is crossing a street to get your kid bussed across town. Is your last remaining kid at home already 15 or 16? Denial won’t save you from becoming an empty-nester. Don’t pick your neighbourhood based on what your teenager likes best.

Are you an entrepreneur now but considering getting a more traditional job? Or vice versa? You may need to pay special attention to transit connections and internet speeds that mean little to you right now, but may play a major role in the future.

Is the commute do-able when there’s snow on the ground? When it’s dark at 4:30 pm?

Am you ready for “real life”? Sometimes, a neighbourhood looks very different when school is out and everyone’s at the cottage all weekend. What’s it going to be like when we all start acting responsibly again? Wander around and talk to people. Most people love to be asked their opinions. Find out what they do and don’t like about the place, and when. Does the entire culture of the neighbourhood change in the summer?

Falling in love is a wonderful thing, and especially easy to do when the sun is shining. Just don’t be unprepared when the chill in the air takes the edge off your infatuation.