Choosing the Right type of Housing

Making Housing Decisions Choosing a place to live is one of the most

important decisions you will make, and definitely one of the most expensive!

The Decision-Making Process Step 1: State the Situation Step 2: Identify your resources Step 3: List the options Step 4: Weigh the options Step 5: Choose the Best Option Step 6: Carry out your decision Step 7: Evaluate the Decision

Step 1: Influences on Housing Decisions

Needs: we already talked about this in the first Unit

Wants and Priorities (i.e. swimming pool, gym)

Step 2: Influences on Housing Decisions Resources:

Human resources: personal qualities that people possess, including creativity, imagination, knowledge, skills, talent, time, energy and experience

Material resources: tangible assets, such as money, property, supplies and tools

Case Study: Miss Culver is moving! Step 1: State the situation

Miss Culver is single, looking for an affordable housing option

Step 2: Identify your resources Human resources: not very handy around the house,

enjoys decorating and gardening, not very artistic Material resources: 3rd year teacher’s salary, does not

currently own property, owns furniture for 1 bedroom apartment

Case Study continued Step 3: List the options

What are my options? Step 4: Weigh the options

What are the pros/cons of the options Step 5: Choose the best option

Where should I move??? Step 6: Carry out the decision Step 7: Evaluate the decision

Choosing a Location Location is often a major factor in deciding

where to live

The location of housing has a major impact on cost: Housing is most expensive in Vancouver and

Toronto in Canada For example, housing tends to be more expensive

in big cities than in smaller cities and towns Housing usually costs more downtown and in

historic neighbourhoods

Types of Locations Urban – city

Rural – countryside

Suburban – communities beside and around cities (ex. GTA)

Choosing a Neighbourhood Once you have chosen a general location, you

will want to choose a neighbourhood

The housing units in a neighbourhood tend to be similar in design and price range

Some neighbourhoods are only made up of homes, while others are mixes of residential and commercial properties

Choosing a Neighbourhood Things to think about when choosing a

neighbourhood: Convenience (close to work, activities, school) Condition of neighbourhood (new, old) Neighbours (age, culture) Pros/Cons (quiet, noisy)

Influence of Community Services

The community you live in will provide you with certain services, but this differs from place to place, it is important to find out about: Utilities (electricity, gas, water, telephone, cable) Public safety (fire, police departments, hospitals) Education (elementary, secondary, post-

secondary) Recreation (community centres, sports fields,

swimming pools) Tax policies (high or low taxes?)

Types of Housing

High-rise apartment

Low-rise apartment

Duplex

Town house

Single-Family Home

Toronto Life Neighbourhood Rankings

Toronto Life Neighbourhood Rankings

Pictures taken from: Duplex: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Over_a

nd_under_house_type_of_duplex_house..jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Row_H

ouses_on_Warm_Springs_Avenue,_Boise.jpg Townhouse: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mayna

rd_Row_Houses.JPG Single family home:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Small_Single-family_home.jpg