Update 8 months living in my new condo! ䷖

[@CallowG]

I sold my 3 bedroom house recently and moved into a condo and I regret nothing. The house was just constant work and hassle. My lifestyle has changed for the better, I don't have to shovel snow or mow the lawn or get the roof re-shingled or or or. I am close to stores so I can walk to everything. The only time I use my car is to chauffeur my mother around.

[@LivinginCanada]

That sounds awesome!

[@skoobiedew7967]

Wait until you get shafted by your condo board forcing you to pay for the most frivolous crap in the building and increasing your condo fees with one reassessment after another and another and another that you have no say in whatsoever, then you will realize how blessed you were living in a house having complete control over your own finances. We did the opposite. We got out of our condo overseen by the most autocratic condo board ever and bought a house and took our finances and our lives back and we couldn't be happier. Just to give you an example, when we were living in the condo, we were paying increasing condo fees with constant reassessments just to cover the increasing electricity cost (supposedly). After we moved into our house, we renovated our heating system financed by a 0% interest 10-year Canada government loan, now we get refunds on our electricity bill.

[@CallowG]

@@skoobiedew7967 I'm renting the condo so I don't have to deal with any of that. I pay my rent and just live my life.

[@skoobiedew7967]

@@CallowG Ah and your landlord is not passing the higher condo fee onto you in the form of higher rent? Lucky you! LOL

[@CallowG]

@@skoobiedew7967 He probably is. In the end the rent is less than most of the comparable apartments around here so I am counting myself lucky for sure! Plus I don't pay for water or parking.

[@johnl119]

Your ability to rationalize and justify your choices in buying a studio condo is so pleasant to hear. Also, the way you go around the condo and show and describe everything is so on point. So happy for you 😊

[@carswithsanford540]

We just bought a condo that is smaller than our current place so decluttering will be a challenge but after seeing what choices you made with the kitchen made me realize it is possible, we just have so much stuff!! Thanks for the video, we enjoy watching all of them!

[@LivinginCanada]

Congrats to you guys! The decluttering process is quite therapeutical. Once you get over it and are left with the essentials (and just the items you love using), it will feel like a relief. Enjoy your new condo!

[@AnimeBeefRandoms]

Congrats! Buying a house is a long-term investment, don't pay attention to short-term changes in the market. If you were happy with what you got at the time of purchase then just be happy with it!

[@LivinginCanada]

Thanks! I agree, it will pay off in the long-term, and in the meantime we're so enjoying it! :)

[@KC-RA]

I love your optimism. We bought a condo unit and I’m scared that it will be too small for us but your outlook is very refreshing. 😊

[@LivinginCanada]

Congrats on the condo! It works for us because we get along very well (so we don't feel like we're constantly bumping into each other!). And with little stuff, there's actually enough room to make it enjoyable! All the best!

[@yol.7177]

Hi. I also live in Toronto and bought a studio apartment way back in 2001 for less than $100,000. Yes prices were so much less back then. But that was all I could afford. I totally thought that in the future I would upgrade to a one bedroom and felt a bit envious of those that had larger spaces. Well in the end, due to the fact that prices went up so much, and I’m not the best saver, I decided to make the best of my small space. I now really like it, just as you mention, it takes so little time to clean it. I’m retired now and did find it a bit of a challenge during Covid, but the key for me, was to personalize my space, and make it as functional as possible - Im actually happy now that I decided to stay here as I’m able to save quite a lot of money as the condo fees are super affordable. So I totally agree with you that a studio space can be a good choice for many reasons.

[@Northern_Squirrel]

Thanks for sharing your experience living in a studio condo. Condo vs house is really a lifestyle decision and there are pros and cons to both. One of the common complain living in a condo is maintenance fees. You are paying 300 a month is really affordable and low compared to average maintenance fees. Needless to say, smaller the SQFT lower the fees. At least in condo, no need to worry about typical maintenance you would have to do in a house. Enjoy your lifestyle.

[@LivinginCanada]

That's true, having lived in a 180sqm house before I know how enjoyable it can be! Right now the condo is right for us, but I definitely see myself living in a house one day. Thanks!

[@anonymousanonymously8216]

I think having a condo would make you spend less on things you don’t need. I find people who have large homes are buying things to fill that space and probably don’t use much which seems like a waste.

[@LivinginCanada]

Yeah, definitely for right now it's the right thing for us financially. We're really conscious of what we buy, that's why you see in the video there's not much change in terms of furniture and 'stuff' compared to when we move in.

[@wshen6302]

I love Toronto's summers!!! I sometimes go to Toronto for summer vacation😊

[@billjohnson7904]

One problem with condos, is if you get bad or noisy neighbors. Then its hell.

[@Sp-nz4wv]

Your content and perspective so honest, practical, informative and useful 😊 and your presentation so pleasing both to the eyes and ears ❤

[@LivinginCanada]

Thanks for such a kind comment! Have an awesome day!

[@bobchan1666]

2:53 It's not induction stove. It is a smooth top electric range.

[@LivinginCanada]

You're right...for some reason I kept saying induction stove. I guess induction stoves are the ones that automatically turns on and conducts heat with the appropriate cookware. Yeah, ours is a standard one.

[@green-user8348]

I agree with you about the unobstructed view. One does not feel so closed in.

[@LivinginCanada]

It does make a huge difference!

[@TheLoneVirgo]

You're a great, smart lady. Excellent, practical content as always . "Downsizing"... That's a term all people should be familiar with, and embrace. The world is not what it used to be. It's changing for the worst, economically and socially. Survival is only for the resilient and aware. Best of luck to you.

[@LivinginCanada]

Glad to hear this resonated with you! Thanks and all the best to you too!

[@trudysenglishvictorianhome3244]

I so enjoyed this video! I think its beautiful that you guys have found Contentment. 🤗. My Husband and I also live in a Studio Apartment. We rent and are VERY happy with Our decision to downsize!! It gave us more freedom financially and alot less to clean. We love Our Neighborhood and the neighbors are very nice!! Our experience has been positive. As far as the smell of cooking, thats what a fan and a Open Window are for 😂. Enjoy your Home!! And Merry Christmas 🎄

[@LivinginCanada]

Happy to hear this from someone who's actually experienced studio life! Merry Christmas to you too! :)

[@robertgrey5993]

You keep things so neat. That helps you so much.

[@marg8315]

You’re amazing and thanks for sharing your experience with us. I used to live in a 400 sq ft studio apartment in Manhattan for 2400, before the pandemic. Had to move out because it’s too small. Now that rent is 3300… one bedroom now costs well over 4000 for a decent one bedroom in the city. It’s absolutely insane but the good thing is NYC does have lots of high paying jobs and it has lots to offer. I just can’t imagine living with another person in a studio apartment… and having guest over at my one bedroom is already a struggle because it’s hard for us to have privacy. I just can’t…

[@green-user8348]

That's awesome to hear! Congrats.

[@LivinginCanada]

Thank you!

[@francoisdube0]

I really like you. Thank you for being on line.

[@lubmichal4472]

So happy for you< congratulations! I had a house as investment property and there is always something to do. I have condo in Europe and love it, where I don't have to shovel the snow. Love Toronto for sure!

[@sihembouaoud8226]

I am happy for you enjoy your condo

[@LivinginCanada]

Thank you for the good vibes!

[@JAMGAR369]

It’s definitely better than renting,I can’t see really good but I think you can put a temporary wall to make it a one bedroom,it has a door and causes no damage when you remove it when it’s time to sell I’m a contractor in Toronto I’ve seen them used in New York to make a one bedroom into a two so you can get a roommate

[@LivinginCanada]

One of the units similar to this was advertised as a one-bedroom (with partition) in the past, so I can definitely imagine it! Right now as it's just the two of us and we don't really need privacy we're happy with one big room... but if we were to sell it in the future I'd definitely think about it!

[@danishjaveed1829]

Please share link of your stainless steel electric kettle

[@LivinginCanada]

Thanks for pointing that out, I noticed I didn't put a link to that. When I checked amazon, I couldn't find it again, it seems to be sold out. I will post it when it's there again!

[@danishjaveed1829]

@@LivinginCanadathanks! 👍

[@mbahgugel271]

We live in uptown condo in Toronto, close to Fairview Mall, 3 minutes drive. It is resort style condo with 2 tennis courts, 2 swimming pools, indoor & outdoor, gyms, squash, snooker tables. We are happy.

[@EsoteriaHealing]

We have a dream of buying a house in canada but I want to buy it out in cash and maybe a small mortgage. We're living in a good basement for under $1000, with no car and transportation costs, we are saving a lot per month. It's been 4 years here. A few more and then we'll be out somewhere nice where we can get a house for under $300,000

[@LivinginCanada]

I'm sure you guys can do it soon, all the best!

[@bbyy2194]

Love your accent so much from someone who begin to practice english

[@LivinginCanada]

Thank you!

[@franco8flyline]

That s just crazy - 40sq meters for 2 ppl ? Is it Hong Kong or Singapore coffin homes lol

[@Ethanhu-d3f]

key, i think you need a bigger bed, it's two small for 2 person

[@LivinginCanada]

Haha, we're pretty narrow, has been fine so far!

[@thrylosbg]

You could have bought a nice 4-bedroom Townhome in Calgary for the same price. All the best!

[@Mustang85635]

Haha yea we bought a standalone house for that price brand new three bedrooms and huge backyard. It’s crazy I would feel even claustrophobic living by myself there let alone with my family

[@LivinginCanada]

@thrylosbg Yup, that was definitely on my mind about a year or so ago, but we needed to stay in Toronto for work. In the future, perhaps!

[@stephenn88]

@@LivinginCanadanot much job in Calgary

[@Mustang85635]

@@stephenn88 yes not much job if you speak poor English and have bad qualifications. I studied computer science in Canada and I was hired out of Toronto with moving cost and relocation covered. Need to upskill 😅

[@stephenn88]

@@Mustang85635 how much do you make?

[@rinat3408]

Going to be moving to a studio apartment that has a smaller kitchen than yours. Going to make it work with induction cook top and air frier. Going to be downsizing so much That other than a bit of clothing to downsize the hardest is the furniture.

[@LivinginCanada]

Good for you! It might help to have multi-function furniture, like a day-bed, or a desk/table that doubles as dining and working space.

[@rinat3408]

Thank you and I agree thank you! Currently there are 2 queen beds and space for a small table but we are taking the 2 queen beds and replacing it with 2 twins with drawers underneath so that would be our dressers and 2 small night stands. The reason for 2 twins is so we can have it in different directions and have space for a table/desk combo and/ or other things we need and space for the both of us and pets and any guests that comes.

[@SarcasticLittlePrick]

Congratulations 🥳

[@LivinginCanada]

Thank you!

[@10ahmedhassan]

Great video! can you mention the price of the condo ?

[@LivinginCanada]

It's in the high 400s! For privacy reasons I've avoided mentioning the exact price.

[@TeslaEng-z6o]

I presume the condo does not come with parking. Do you own a car? Where do you park if so?

[@LivinginCanada]

It doesn't, we didn't need it because we don't have a car rn. It came with a locker though which we rented out!

[@TrinhNguyen-lw4me]

for guest, when you have guest do you need permission from the building to have more people than your unit capacity since it's a studio or let's say one bedroom unit?

[@Pulpswo]

That is the area I am thinking of moving to in the future.

[@LivinginCanada]

This corner of the GTA is quite nice.

[@Navneetnavneetvt9en]

Love your videos🙌you go girl

[@BerezhnyiOleg]

Why did you choose Islington? The question of choosing a neighborhood is interesting and relevant...

[@АнатолийКараваев-у7з]

Why you didn’t stay in Germany? What was the reason to move ?

[@LivinginCanada]

Personal reasons, mainly!

[@MrBojo-jv4qq]

Good for you for buying your own place, but seriously it is sad to what point Canada has downgraded economically in the last 10 years. We used to find it interesting back in the day when people from Hong Kong moved to Canada selling their studio apartments at that time, and buying a huge house in Canada for that money. Now, it seems that Ontario has turned into Hong Kong.

[@LivinginCanada]

Yes, times are definitely different now.

[@billjohnson7904]

Your videos are great, like are basically Adulting 101 lol. For sure you guys will do well. Did you ever check out the Millennial Revolution blog?

[@dorjidamdul3887]

a very beautiful,smart sincere KZbinr.keep it up?

[@LivinginCanada]

I will, thanks!

[@sukhjitsingh8269]

Is it a 25 or 30 year Ammortization?

[@LivinginCanada]

It's 25!

[@밥먹자-l9d]

Hello I got a job in Canada and I will go next year, but when I see Lee Young-sang, worry comes first...I go to work in Canada from Korea.

[@NamekSaiyan]

the reason why it works is cause you're a gem of a woman

[@AL.BUNDY.]

Wow ur mortgage rate was 4.6%? That is incredibly low. I think the rates were around 6.5% for a 5 year ARM and around 7.25% for a 30 year fixed in California in 2023. I feel ripped off lol

[@robertgrey5993]

I hope the Toronto housing market doesn’t drop a lot

[@cheekymonkeygirl3378]

You can buy a 400K house in cheaper citys in other provinces.

[@azamarabear]

Wow😮

[@BerezhnyiOleg]

You are paying approximately 1900 percent in interest and 800 goes towards the principal. I want to believe that the interest rate will soon be lower.

[@TheMichaelkim3]

🇨🇦 No place like it!

[@gullybull5568]

4:25 THE COOKING SMELL IS 2X PER DAY. CATS EXTRA COST .$ 😂 NO DOGS. 😂 PARKING 200 😂 LAME. PAY !,, NO.

[@mazedar_tv]

if going to live for 5 years then no regrets

[@robertdmci]

Just remember the condo don't really worth anything in the long run, sell it when you have enough capital build up and upgrade into a real house or find a better place. House ownership is a joke in Toronto, ROI less than 5% and maintenance plus property tax can make you cash flow dip into negative for the coming 2 decades. Focus on making more money and finding good accountant to help you with taxes. Olivia is the new mayor, the city will head into other problems just like those in San Francisco.

[@zodiacair]

Condo's suck. So does living in Toronto.

[@greneration12]

Hi friend how are you

[@blackgrandpa7652]

Im a new subscriber from Brampton Ontario Canada i enjoy your content fun fact my daughter is the youngest play write in Canada she also makes independent films and she is only 23 this years old Happy new year

[@NoName-zm1ks]

Sounds like a lot of justification after the purchase. We didn’t make a mistake, we didn’t make a mistake…….

[@greneration12]

Hi dear friend how are you love from banglades

[@Dinsdale2020]

I made just as much money on condos in BC as I did on houses with quicker resale. Thanks for all new people that come to live and work in Canada and help us pay these taxes. Lol🙏 Best of the season to all 🎄🎄🎄

[@alien_from_somewhere]

Are you really friendly in your real life or just pretending to be in your videos? 😂😂😂

[@LivinginCanada]

I'm more or less like in the videos, as long as no one messes with me lol

[@chickolat]

you sound delulu lol

[@gullybull5568]

STUDIO IS NOT A " CONDOMINIUM " 700-900. per month MAX. MIGRUNT : " 2500 PER MONTH " " 😂😂😂

[@Mustang85635]

To expensive and to small! No marriage can survive this studio apartment. No one needs to live in the center of Toronto. Got a huge brand new house detached in Calgary for that same price with nice backyard. You also have no room for children. And it’s known these apartments don’t gain any value either. Financially probably not the best decision imho all for the sake of location. Are you both working in the CBD and need to wake up very early to be in the office if not that location is unnecessary. Lot of new comers think living in the CBD is somewhat special or desirable. It’s not like Asia where that’s the case in Canada all the druggies and homeless and criminals congregate in the city especially Toronto and Vancouver. Good luck 🤞

[@stephenn88]

Condo living is common in Asia 😂😂😂Toronto is an international city and Calgary is a cow town

[@LivinginCanada]

@Mustang85635 In the long term we may move out to afford something better, that's the plan. For now it works just fine, we've been living in a rented studio previously for 5 years and our relationship has blossomed nevertheless. But I get what you mean, thanks!

[@alphabravo0]

@@LivinginCanada If you work from home then why not to choose cheaper real-estate in Ottawa, for example? Or if you want a vibrant city then Montreal? (sizable percentage of Montreal population don't speak French and for the money that you would save on real-estate I would say that it even makes French worth learning).

[@Mustang85635]

@@stephenn88 Shows you have no clue what you are talking about probably never even visited Calgary. It’s the economic engine room of the country and I work for a major multinational oil company with higher salary than equivalent job I had in Toronto with half the living costs. This is not China where living in a certain city means something like Beijing or Shanghai. Toronto and Vancouver crime is out of control. To many homeless too.

[@Mustang85635]

@@stephenn88 Cow town with largest number of millionaires in Canada and most liveable in Canada and third most liveable in the world. Where is Toronto? Why do all the millionaires live in cow town 🤔 Wikipedia for your education: Calgary's economy includes activity in the energy, financial services, film and television, transportation and logistics, technology, manufacturing, aerospace, health and wellness, retail, and tourism sectors.[13] The Calgary Metropolitan Region is home to Canada's second-largest number of corporate head offices among the country's 800 largest corporations.[14] In 2015, Calgary had the largest number of millionaires per capita of any major Canadian city.[15] In 2022, Calgary was ranked alongside Zürich as the third most livable city in the world, ranking first in Canada and in North America.[16] In 1988, it became the first Canadian city to host the Olympic Winter Games

[@zz7zt0p56]

Hello! Dear ... Wish you & your Hubby Well 👉must says this 👍Chiu Yen Tan 💞💞Look so much a like BTW! you Both 👍Constance Wu💞💞 from "Crazy Rich Asians 2018" 😂 got to be Related somehow Lost Sibling 👌Identical Twins sister ?🤞🧐🤫

[@LivinginCanada]

Thanks so much!