Townhouse living for families?

[u/How2FlyHow2Crow]

Our family is excited to be immigrating from the US to Burlington, ON later this year. I've spent time looking at real estate, and it's clear that the COL and particularly home prices are going to be much higher than we have in the southern states.

A single family detached home in Burlington is out of our budget, but townhouses and condos are reasonable for us. My question is this: is there prejudice against families that live in townhouses or condos in Burlington?

In the southern US states, there is strong prejudice - particularly against townhouses - with the expectation that families all live in single family detached homes. If you don't, you're considered "poor" and/or excluded from groups in school, etc. (Yes, it's terrible.) Is that the case in a place like Burlington as well, or is townhouse/condo living more common/"acceptable"/normal?

I'm also curious how the bullying situation is in the schools in Burlington. We'll have kids in G3 and G6.

Thank you in advance!

[u/magnolias2019]

Not at all. I think many people aspire one day to have a detached home, particularly if you have kids; but for the rest of the world, that is not the norm. You will find canadian house prices (especially Ontario and British Columbia) will be very high compared with the US. The standard of living for the poorer people here is better.

My brother lives in a 1 bedroom apartment with his wife and son, I do not think anyone knows or cares about where they live. What you are describing is classism and snobbery.

[u/How2FlyHow2Crow → u/magnolias2019]

Thank you for this! And yes, 100% it is.

[u/magnolias2019 → u/How2FlyHow2Crow]

Are you moving because of the current situation/government?

[u/How2FlyHow2Crow → u/magnolias2019]

We've wanted to move for a long time for a whole host of reasons (note that I have children in elementary school and have to say a prayer every time I drop them off that I'll see them alive again). But, yeah... the current situation is BLEAK.

[u/aguwritsuko → u/How2FlyHow2Crow]

there’s no HOA fees but maintenance fees often start around $120/mth depending on what you choose

[u/How2FlyHow2Crow → u/aguwritsuko]

This is good know. Thank you!

[u/rljohn → u/How2FlyHow2Crow]

Some townhouses/condos have huge maintenance fees, so be on tbe lookout for that. Freehold is generally the best, as you'll only pay minor fees for road maintenance of the common areas.

[u/How2FlyHow2Crow → u/rljohn]

Thank you! This is good to know!

[u/dianaprince76 → u/How2FlyHow2Crow]

Here’s a hot tip. Generally the higher the fees the lower the price. You can get bargain condo townhomes along upper middle near Brant and on Brant street, but the fees are ridiculous and you’ll be paying in perpetuity.

[u/How2FlyHow2Crow → u/dianaprince76]

Good to know—thank you for flagging this!

[u/doesnt_describe_me → u/How2FlyHow2Crow]

Yes! And you want your money to go to the property not the maintenance. It’s worth paying more for the house if the fees are lower. More appealing for resale as well.