Poll: Would you buy a house in Brampton?

[SilentJay]

Just out of curiosity. Would you buy a brand new detach home in Brampton (Bovaird + Ching area)? Why or why not? I'd love to hear from people who actually live in the area, as well as the speculative comments.

Quick background, choice of residence for my gf and I have been narrowed down to the following. Note that they're all around the same price. Gf works downtown, I work in Etobicoke:

* New 1700-1900 sq. ft. detach @ ching and bovaird
* 0-5 year old 8-950 sq. ft. condo around square one
* 5-15 year old townhouse in Mississauga, probably around Heartland
* 0-5 year old 6-700 sq. ft. downtown

[p-o-g-i]

hahahaha......... I swear buddy we are always going through the same things.

[SilentJay]

That's good to hear, at least I know i'm doing something right then :chuckle

[p-o-g-i]

So here's my input. I live in a 1100-1300 Sq Ft. townhouse in Mississauga. This is not a freehold townhouse, so there are Maint. fees along with the mortgage.
My cousin just baught a 1700 Sq Ft. detached home in the Bovaird/ Ching. area. He paid just between $10-$15k more for what townhouses in my complex are being listed at. I calculated the expenses (mortgage, hydro, etc.) for each home, and when you take into the consideration of the Maint. Fees of the townhouse I live in, the monthly bills are relative.

I wouldn't mind living in that Brampton area, but it doesn't fit my lifestyle as I'm usually in the areas of Mississauga and Toronto (of course except when I go to the office in Richmond Hill).

Condos are great if it's just you and her, and don't plan on having any kids any time soon.
As for the place downtown.... I lived in a 650 Sq Ft. apartment downtown, and free space ran out pretty quick.

Give me a shout buddy if you wanna talk some more.


My vote: either the detached in Brampton (Bovaird/ Ching.) OR townhouse by Heartland.

[SilentJay]

We were primarily making decisions based on proximity to major highways and public transportation, in conjunction with bang-for-buck. The Brampton project is close to the 401/407, and is literally built on top of the GO station out there, so it kinda covers the bases.

I'm kind of concerned about the bad publicity living in Brampton has received (crime, over-population, etc), and whether it has reached this particular area yet...

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Can I vote 'hell no' to all of the poll options?

If I had to pick, I guess I'd say detached or townhome. Mainly cause I hate condos.

[p-o-g-i]

We were primarily making decisions based on proximity to major highways and public transportation, in conjunction with bang-for-buck. The Brampton project is close to the 401/407, and is literally built on top of the GO station out there, so it kinda covers the bases.

I'm kind of concerned about the bad publicity living in Brampton has received (crime, over-population, etc), and whether it has reached this particular area yet...

Close to the Go, I agree, but to the 401... I didn't think it was that close.
But the west side of Brampton isn't bad. Populated... yes.... but crime wise, that's more to the central east side. Nowadays, for best bang for your buck, everyone's looking to the outskirts or new developments (north/ west side of Brampton, Milton, Whitby, Richmond Hill, Aurora)... the $ just doesn't go as far in the GTA as it use to.

[-cj-]

I'd go with the detached in Brampton. Hard to beat a detached home.... plus that's a lot of space. I'd be living in Brampton if the wife wasn't picky about distance.

[n00bMeiSter]

Jay, what if you could get a good sized fully detached home (with 2 car garage) in Markham for cheaper or around the same amount as the 4 options you've listed there. Would you entertain the idea, or is that out of the question?

[Jeff-TheBiz]

With a detached, the value will increase faster than a condo..

My guy said, switch houses every 5 yrs and in 3 flips you will be able to afford the house of your dreams...

With the recent downturn... I was able to do it in 2 flips.. :D

[SilentJay]

Can I vote 'hell no' to all of the poll options? If I had to pick, I guess I'd say detached or townhome. Mainly cause I hate condos

What would you suggest?


Close to the Go, I agree, but to the 401... I didn't think it was that close. But the west side of Brampton isn't bad. Populated... yes.... but crime wise, that's more to the central east side. Nowadays, for best bang for your buck, everyone's looking to the outskirts or new developments (north/ west side of Brampton, Milton, Whitby, Richmond Hill, Aurora)... the $ just doesn't go as far in the GTA as it use to.

Yep! Since I currently live at 401 + Mavis, i've already run mock drives from the site to the 401, 407, 403, and my parents' place during summer and winter driving, on and off peak hours. It takes 9 minutes to get to the 401 @ roughly 10km. I want bang-for-the-buck, but I also want to know that if there were a fire or something, the fire dept would get to my place within the hour :chuckle


I'd go with the detached in Brampton. Hard to beat a detached home.... plus that's a lot of space. I'd be living in Brampton if the wife wasn't picky about distance.

The gf is super-picky about layout and location... A buddy of mine just picked up a house in Vaughn for $475k... A 1500 sq. ft. semi-detach. Absolutely insane.


Jay, what if you could get a good sized fully detached home (with 2 car garage) in Markham for cheaper or around the same amount as the 4 options you've listed there. Would you entertain the idea, or is that out of the question?

I swear my gf must have bribed you or something. She currently lives with her parents in Markham, and would absolutely love to stay there. Me... Not so much :P While I think i'd get greater return on investment there, and would probably gain 400lbs in the process cuz of all the great food, it's too far a trek for me to get to work and I just don't see myself there... Unless there is a super-amazing-crazy-clearout price, then i'd consider :chuckle


With a detached, the value will increase faster than a condo.. My guy said, switch houses every 5 yrs and in 3 flips you will be able to afford the house of your dreams... With the recent downturn... I was able to do it in 2 flips.. :D

That's so awesome :) Flipping is the last thing on my mind, but it's good to know it'll be going towards a goal!

[philipfreire]

Brampton boasts the highest automobile crash rate in Ontario, a study compiled by insurance firm Allstate reveals.

Expect your insurance to sky rocket in a few years.

Reference (http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news/article/906020--city-boasts-worst-crash-rate)

I vote house near Heartland.
Downtown is just congested. Sq1 will be extremely congested after they finish those two landmark condos. Brampton is alright, but being rated as highest auto crashes in Ontario by insurance companies worries me. Why not just a tad north in Caledon/Orangeville

[Hives]

No, traffic is bad and I just find it too choked.

[DumpInfo]

:agree @ Phil's post. More populated cities = higher car insurance.
Going by your options I say go with freehold townhouse or detached home.
How much are you willing to spend tho? That will narrow down where you'd like to live and where you're most likely gonna live.

[SilentJay]

The detach houses are 36' lot going for $320-$450k. I realize the city has a bit of a congestion issue, however I work irregular hours (ie. i'm out the door at around 6AM), and the gf can take the GO. I heard about the insurance stat, but didn't realize it'd be that significant of an increase?

[-cj-]

I forgot to mention, the property taxes are higher in Brampton... I think it has something to do with the lack of commercial / industrial companies sharing the tax bill, so most of the residential people get hit with a larger share of the taxes. I'm not a tax expert, so I might just be talking out of my $$$... But I know the property tax on a Brampton house was significantly higher then the house in Mississauga we ended up buying. Then again, the Brampton house was also a slightly larger.......

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

What would you suggest?

I'd say get the hell out of the east/west corridor and go north instead. What about around the Bolton area or a little further north?

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I'd say get the hell out of the east/west corridor and go north instead. What about around the Bolton area or a little further north?

Bradford.... 30-45 minutes without traffic and I can almost be anywhere.

[SilentJay]

I forgot to mention, the property taxes are higher in Brampton... I think it has something to do with the lack of commercial / industrial companies sharing the tax bill, so most of the residential people get hit with a larger share of the taxes. I'm not a tax expert, so I might just be talking out of my $$$... But I know the property tax on a Brampton house was significantly higher then the house in Mississauga we ended up buying. Then again, the Brampton house was also a slightly larger.......

i'm such a lunkhead. I just assumed the property taxes for both places was just under 1%. Apparently for 2010, it was ~1.2 in Brampton, and ~0.98 in Mississauga. That's like $800 a year on a $350k house. That said, the house would be bigger in Brampton, and property valuation in Mississauga is super-inflated IMO...

[SilentJay]

Moving further out West or North isn't really the most desired option =S All of our friends and more importantly, family, are more central GTA. Personally, I would love to stay in Mississauga, but there has to be a simple/fast public transportation option for the gf to hit the downtown core.

[Noisy Crow]

--Close to GO --- doesn't matter, parking is a PITA.
--Trucks everywhere -- Brampton is Distribution Central for the GTA
--If you going into Toronto.... be prepared to get stuck in traffic both going in the morning and the afternoon
--If you are going into Mississauga.... mixed bag, depends on route.
--Drivers here are crazy
--There are some very nice areas... old Brampton, which is where I live, along with some of the newer construction along the Credit River. The rest of it.... well, a lot of bland surburbia
--To be honest.... if you want to live and work out this way I would suggest Georgetown, or even Milton

[Noisy Crow]

I would kill for $800 a year taxes.

Try more like $4000 a year.

[Skip]

come to Milton, i swear it seems like everyone from Mississauga is moving here. Really quiet city, developing nicely and the houses aren't priced too high yet but it is getting there

[DumpInfo]

I would kill for $800 a year taxes.

Try more like $4000 a year.

Exactly, out in Whitby it's a little over $4K for us so not too sure about the whole $800 thingy.

[Jackal]

Get a real estate agent to show you a few houses around Richmond Hill. Near enough to your gf's parent's house but a nice distance too. Many people are moving to RH for the schools, low crime rate and 'attractive quality of life'. Here's an article.

http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/business/article/421653--richmond-hill-makes-a-list

[-cj-]

I think he meant $800 per year MORE living in Brampton, vs Mississauga.

[SilentJay]

Close to the GO as in a 5-10 minute walk to the station
I live in Mississauga now, right by heartland - love it
The new place is only 10 mins north of where I am now, so its not a HUGE change
I know the drivers suck :p we both work near and in downtown toronto


--Close to GO --- doesn't matter, parking is a PITA.
--Trucks everywhere -- Brampton is Distribution Central for the GTA
--If you going into Toronto.... be prepared to get stuck in traffic both going in the morning and the afternoon
--If you are going into Mississauga.... mixed bag, depends on route.
--Drivers here are crazy
--There are some very nice areas... old Brampton, which is where I live, along with some of the newer construction along the Credit River. The rest of it.... well, a lot of bland surburbia
--To be honest.... if you want to live and work out this way I would suggest Georgetown, or even Milton

[SilentJay]

I would kill for $800 a year taxes.

Try more like $4000 a year.


come to Milton, i swear it seems like everyone from Mississauga is moving here. Really quiet city, developing nicely and the houses aren't priced too high yet but it is getting there


Exactly, out in Whitby it's a little over $4K for us so not too sure about the whole $800 thingy.


I think he meant $800 per year MORE living in Brampton, vs Mississauga.

Sorry guys, I meant $800 more. I thought about Milton but the gf is absolutely frigid to that idea :(

[SirWanker]

Have you considered a townhouse in the Mill rd/Burnhamthorpe area? Easy access to the TTC and a much more mature and greener neighbourhood.

[-cj-]

This is Canada... Go spend a week in most US cities and you'll consider living anywhere. :) Brampton isn't bad... It's still relatively close to Toronto vs Milton, has great houses (price vs value vs location) and is established. I'd totally consider living in Brampton...

[SilentJay]

Get a real estate agent to show you a few houses around Richmond Hill. Near enough to your gf's parent's house but a nice distance too. Many people are moving to RH for the schools, low crime rate and 'attractive quality of life'. Here's an article.
http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/business/article/421653--richmond-hill-makes-a-list

I know Richmond Hill is awesome and all, but I wanna be a bit closer to my mommy+daddy too :chuckle

[SilentJay]

Have you considered a townhouse in the Mill rd/Burnhamthorpe area? Easy access to the TTC and a much more mature and greener neighbourhood.
Not at that exact intersection, but the general area. The neighbourhood is nice and quiet, but we feel that it's a tad too old for our tastes. TTC access was a definate bonus though.


This is Canada... Go spend a week in most US cities and you'll consider living anywhere. :) Brampton isn't bad... It's still relatively close to Toronto vs Milton, has great houses (price vs value vs location) and is established. I'd totally consider living in Brampton...
Yeah, i'm just a bit worried about "crime". I think it was mentioned that this part of Brampton is a bit nicer, but it's something in the back of my mind...

[n00bMeiSter]

I swear my gf must have bribed you or something. She currently lives with her parents in Markham, and would absolutely love to stay there. Me... Not so much :P While I think i'd get greater return on investment there, and would probably gain 400lbs in the process cuz of all the great food, it's too far a trek for me to get to work and I just don't see myself there... Unless there is a super-amazing-crazy-clearout price, then i'd consider :chuckle

PM'd. And tell her the deposit cleared this morning. LOL jk jk

[-cj-]

Just get an alarm system :)

[MajesticBlueNTO]

I know Richmond Hill is awesome and all, but I wanna be a bit closer to my mommy+daddy too :chuckle

is your GF chipping in for the house too?

i like that, you want to be closer to your parents but she has to move across town from her parents. :chuckle

[fini]

Yeah, i'm just a bit worried about "crime". I think it was mentioned that this part of Brampton is a bit nicer, but it's something in the back of my mind...

I live on the side of brampton you are looking at (ching / sandalwood) and i can say that "crime" can happen anywhere. one of the most important things to consider is violent crime. i haven't heard of any in this area. In my opinon, keep east of ching and it's a nicer area. I feel very safe in my community.

P.S. buy our house. my parents want to sell. we'll give you TM3 discount. lol :)

prices are much cheaper when comparing to mississauag. and can be ideal if you want that big backyard for your kids.

[Scottobot]

I've lived in this area as well for nearly 5 years. Are you looking at buying in the new Mount Pleasant development, just north of the GO station?

We really love our house and we have some good neighbours but there are some real idiots out there. We love our home and we're very happy where we are for now (the location is excellent) but we expect we'll have to move when our son gets a little older to avoid the bad influences at the schools unless something radical changes between now and then. If you're young with no kids I'd say it's excellent.

[SilentJay]

PM'd. And tell her the deposit cleared this morning. LOL jk jk

Thanks for the heads up :)


Just get an alarm system :)

Absolutely.


is your GF chipping in for the house too?
i like that, you want to be closer to your parents but she has to move across town from her parents. :chuckle

:P she's chipping in, but her parents are snow-bird and my parents aren't. It just works out better if we're closer to my parents :)


I've lived in this area as well for nearly 5 years. Are you looking at buying in the new Mount Pleasant development, just north of the GO station? We really love our house and we have some good neighbours but there are some real idiots out there. We love our home and we're very happy where we are for now (the location is excellent) but we expect we'll have to move when our son gets a little older to avoid the bad influences at the schools unless something radical changes between now and then. If you're young with no kids I'd say it's excellent.

Yep, the new development right on top of the Mt. Pleasant GO. This is pretty good feedback, and your strategy for your kids' schooling is exactly what we're going to do.

[sauga_kid]

I would go for a town near Heartland. You should most definitely consider "best bang for your buck" when purchasing but also keep the long term in mind. A town near Heartland will retain its value quite well, the amenities surrounding it are just dumbfounding. Brampton most definitely is hitting a growth issue which in turn could lead to issues down the line when trying to unload it when you decide that it is time to move. I use to live in Brampton as well (within the last year) and in selling our home (Castlemore/Airport) my experience is that the prospective buyers perception of what your house is worth vs. what the going rate for a similar home is is quite convoluted and you will most definitely be seeing some major lowballing. I understand the poker aspect of the retail game but just be forewarned. Additionally, finished basements are a huge attraction if you wish to add appeal to the house as basement rentals seem high here from my observations.

Someone had mentioned above that it is known that the schools in the NW end of Brampton can get a little iffy...my wife is a high school teacher and says its pretty well known to be a little "rougher". To be fair though, as others have mentioned, it can happen anywhere, its all about your comfort level.

If kids are in the near future, being close to parents is always great.

Auto insurance is definitely high and was always increasing while I was there and you most definitely have to consider your safety during your commuting, you can always be safe but you have no influence on those around you.

Ultimately, it is what you and the gf feel comfortable with, but IMO, I'd say 'sauga (yeah, my name shows no bias :chuckle).

[SilentJay]

:( I'd like to stay in sauga, as mentioned before - just that i'd end up with a much older and smaller place for the same or more money...

[KenYork]

+1 for a detach or town.. even a semi if it was in the equation. I'm in the process of a downgrade transition, possibly into pogi's town-h complex. Last year we were also looking at the towns at Mavis and Dundas. I find the $400+- condo fees almost a third of a mortgage payment hefty.

I would recommend a bit of exploring all the neighborhoods in between your and your gf's parents place, you may find a hidden gem somewhere. Don't overlook a fixer if it's within budget, you can make it your own. Don't be afraid to give a low-ball offer, you may be in the right place at the right time. Be able to walk away from any house you fall in love with if it's gonna cost too much, your first home will most likely not be your dream home.

[n00bMeiSter]

I would recommend a bit of exploring all the neighborhoods in between your and your gf's parents place, you may find a hidden gem somewhere. Don't overlook a fixer if it's within budget, you can make it your own. Don't be afraid to give a low-ball offer, you may be in the right place at the right time. Be able to walk away from any house you fall in love with if it's gonna cost too much, your first home will most likely not be your dream home.

+1000

[SilentJay]

Sage advice :) Thanks guys

[KenYork]

I low-balled in pogi's area and acquire for my in-laws a place for low-mid $200's in early 2009. It just happened that the owners were sick of the wait game. It needed a bit of fixing but nothing serious. If we added $20k in reno's it'd still be mid $200's.

[Soyabean]

Jason, move into brampton. You'll be living like 5 mins from my gf. We can meet up in the summer for ice cream lol

[SilentJay]

Jason, move into brampton. You'll be living like 5 mins from my gf. We can meet up in the summer for ice cream lol

lol - Awesome! Ice cream seals the deal :chuckle

[Burner]

I lived in Brampton all my life before I moved out to Cambridge. The traffic is ridiculous now with all the new subdivisions and no new roads to support them. Not only that, but the increase in basement apartment usage in the last 15-20 years has ruined most of the city for me. I lived on a street in the heart lake area that had so many basement apartments that you could never find a place to park on the street.

The only place I'd consider buying in Brampton would be the Bramalea Woods area.

[SilentJay]

I lived in Brampton all my life before I moved out to Cambridge. The traffic is ridiculous now with all the new subdivisions and no new roads to support them. Not only that, but the increase in basement apartment usage in the last 15-20 years has ruined most of the city for me. I lived on a street in the heart lake area that had so many basement apartments that you could never find a place to park on the street. The only place I'd consider buying in Brampton would be the Bramalea Woods area.

:( That seems to be the consensus with a lot of people who lived in Brampton...

[blackm3]

Two ?'s. Where do u work? Have u seen the 410 south at 5am, Monday to Friday? Brampton and even Mississiauga traffic are bad as hell, and people complaint about Toronto. Atleast TTC is not like an hour away. However, I am looking to Mississauga myself.

[Scottobot]

At 5am I could be in downtown Toronto in 45 minutes. But I'd rather take the GO. :)

[SirWanker]

Yep, the new development right on top of the Mt. Pleasant GO. This is pretty good feedback, and your strategy for your kids' schooling is exactly what we're going to do.

Hence my original suggestion of the Mill/Burnhamthorpe area. It has an excellent school district that has a full school system ( jr>senior>highschool) all within walking distance of each other. Yes, the houses are older but nothing you can't update. Besides moving is ........ a pain in the @ss exercise.

[RedRaptor]

I work in Brampton (over 4 years) and live Downtown Toronto (1 year).

My commute involves the Gardiner west, 427 North, 401 West, 410 North.

Traffic is brutal everywhere. It doesn't matter where you live and work. I crawl on all the major highways...

Its all preference and your "support network". If your family and friends live close to you, you'll live anywhere really.

I personally would not want to live/own a property in Brampton. But then again, a lot of people would say the samething about Downtown Toronto.

[SilentJay]

Two ?'s. Where do u work? Have u seen the 410 south at 5am, Monday to Friday? Brampton and even Mississiauga traffic are bad as hell, and people complaint about Toronto. Atleast TTC is not like an hour away. However, I am looking to Mississauga myself.

I know the 410 is a write off, but like I said, I'm about 10 minutes from the 401 exit I take right now. Again, I'd love Mississauga - but we're looking for new/pretty-new, with reasonable size, for a reasonable price.

[SilentJay]

I work in Brampton (over 4 years) and live Downtown Toronto (1 year).
My commute involves the Gardiner west, 427 North, 401 West, 410 North.
Traffic is brutal everywhere. It doesn't matter where you live and work. I crawl on all the major highways...
Its all preference and your "support network". If your family and friends live close to you, you'll live anywhere really.
I personally would not want to live/own a property in Brampton. But then again, a lot of people would say the samething about Downtown Toronto.

I'd actually love to live in Downtown Toronto, but for the same price as a new 2500 sq. ft. detach in Brampton, you'd get a pre-owned 600 sq. ft. box in Toronto.

[RedRaptor]

I'd actually love to live in Downtown Toronto, but for the same price as a new 2500 sq. ft. detach in Brampton, you'd get a pre-owned 600 sq. ft. box in Toronto.

Yup you are right. I live in a concrete sky box in Toronto.

Pros and Cons in life. We all make choices.

I'd like to live in a 2500 sq. ft. detach in North York with a black Escalade ESV in the drive way :) But who doesn't have that dream?

[SilentJay]

Supposed to go out and take a look at the construction site today... FML.

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1065/11314030.jpg

[acrossthec]

I work in Brampton (over 4 years) and live Downtown Toronto (1 year).

My commute involves the Gardiner west, 427 North, 401 West, 410 North.

Traffic is brutal everywhere. It doesn't matter where you live and work. I crawl on all the major highways...

Its all preference and your "support network". If your family and friends live close to you, you'll live anywhere really.

I personally would not want to live/own a property in Brampton. But then again, a lot of people would say the samething about Downtown Toronto.

I take the same route out to 401/Britannia from the Beaches. You'd think traveling out of the core it wouldn't be so bad, but it is. Looking at moving out the west end/etobicoke to cut down on the commute. You couldn't pay me to live in the 905, but as you said there are many people that would say the same for downtown TO.

[Dan Da Man]

I lived in brampton for 25 years with my parents, looked at some houses in brampton when I decided to buy my own. Then I realized Brampton is not what it used to be and is not getting any better. So I moved to Milton. Mississauga is not much better than Brampton.

[SilentJay]

I lived in brampton for 25 years with my parents, looked at some houses in brampton when I decided to buy my own. Then I realized Brampton is not what it used to be and is not getting any better. So I moved to Milton. Mississauga is not much better than Brampton.

I beg to differ - Mississauga is making efforts to change itself from a sprawling desolate urban environment to one that encourages pedestrian traffic.

[n00bMeiSter]

Jay, does it -have- to be a new/newish home? Are you two completely against getting an older home, even if it is larger, in a better area, cheaper or the same price?
And if the older home required a little bit of work, would that put it completely out of the question?

[KenYork]

I beg to differ - Mississauga is making efforts to change itself from a sprawling desolate urban environment to one that encourages pedestrian traffic.

That only applies to the new areas. Mississauga is mostly major roadways. How often do you see people walk around the area you are currently in? Even at Hwy10 and Bristol(where I used to live), other than the students from the schools around there, how often would someone walk? Point is not many leave their cars at home in Mississauga.

[prinsesa]

I would pick
* 5-15 year old townhouse in Mississauga, probably around Heartland

Perfect starter house
The others?
The box downtown + condo around sq1 = too small, plus those choices are usually recommended for singles and investors
The detached in Brampton is way too big, unless you're having your parents and her parents move in, then it's perfect, otherwise, there's a LOT of cleaning to do..

Plus a townhouse is better because its not too big to clean, but at the same time, if you choose to have a baby on the way, it's still going to be perfect because townhouses usually have 3 bedrooms
Plus, there's GO stations @ Square One (15mins away) @ Meadowvale/Streetsville (15mins away) @ 407/Hurontario (5mins away) for your way

[Dan Da Man]

I beg to differ - Mississauga is making efforts to change itself from a sprawling desolate urban environment to one that encourages pedestrian traffic.

Yes at hwy 10/b'thorpe/city hall/square one area. thats about it.