Our Condo Story
When we first got married, we lived in a smaller apartment-style condo—about 1,000 square feet, with two bedrooms and one bathroom. Our condo fees were around $150/month, which covered basics like snow removal and access to a pool.
Today, we live in a much larger space: a three-floor townhouse-style condo with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and about 2,000 square feet. It’s not small by any means—and our condo fees are now about $600/month.
Even with the higher fees, we would still choose condo living over a house every single time.
Why We Chose a Condo
1. Walkability = Freedom
One of the biggest reasons we chose this condo was the location. We can walk almost everywhere—dentist, pharmacy, post office, coffee shops, restaurants, parks, and bike paths.
With kids, that kind of walkability is priceless. It means less time in the car, more time outside, and a stronger connection to our community.
In fact, we only use our car about once every two weeks.
2. A Built-In Community
Our condo feels like a small village. There are no cars directly in front of our home, so when our kids were younger, they could play outside while I watched them from the kitchen.
Neighbors look out for each other. If we go on vacation, someone always keeps an eye on our place. And if something unusual happens, people notice.
There’s something incredibly comforting about that kind of quiet, everyday security.
3. A Safe Place for Kids to Grow Up
Our kids learned how to ride their bikes right here in the complex—no busy streets, no stress. There are parks, green spaces, and play areas just steps away.
Birthday party? No need to rent a venue.
Playdate? Just head outside.
It’s simple, safe, and surprisingly freeing.
It Feels Like Living in a Resort
This is the part that surprised us the most.
In the summer, our condo transforms into something that feels like a vacation destination. We have:
A solar-heated pool and kids’ pool
Tennis and pickleball courts
A community garden (which I helped start!)
Beautiful landscaped green spaces
We can spend entire days outside without worrying about maintenance. No mowing lawns, no fixing things, no upkeep—just enjoying.
Because of this, we actually don’t travel much. In 18 years, we’ve only left the country twice as a family. It never felt like we were missing out… because home already feels like a getaway.
What Our $600 Condo Fee Actually Covers
A lot of people hear “$600/month” and immediately think it’s a waste of money. But when you break it down, it’s really paying for time, convenience, and peace of mind.
Here’s what it includes:
✔ Landscaping & Lawn Care
No lawnmower, no yard work. We only maintain our small garden space (which I turned into a veggie garden).
✔ Snow Removal
No shoveling driveways or parking areas—especially valuable during long Canadian winters.
✔ Maintenance of Common Areas
Parks, green spaces, flowers, lighting—it’s all taken care of beautifully.
✔ Amenities Upkeep
Pool, courts, playgrounds—all maintained for us.
✔ Repairs & Maintenance
From small fixes to larger upkeep, everything is managed without us needing to coordinate contractors.
✔ Reserve Fund Contributions
This is a big one. The reserve fund covers major repairs like roofing, asphalt, drainage, and structural issues.
For example, our condo (built in the late 70s) has had pyrite issues. Because we’ve been contributing to the reserve fund for years, when it’s finally our unit’s turn for repairs, we don’t have to pay a massive lump sum—it’s already covered.
The Hidden Financial Benefit
If we owned a house, every repair would mean:
Researching contractors
Comparing quotes
Hoping we chose someone trustworthy
Paying large, unpredictable costs
With a condo, all of that is handled—and often at a lower cost because contractors are hired for multiple units at once.
So while the monthly fee looks high upfront, it actually replaces a lot of unpredictable expenses (and stress).
The Lifestyle Shift: Time Over Money
We didn’t choose condo living to save money—we chose it to gain time.
Time not spent maintaining a home.
Time spent with our kids.
Time spent outside, in our community.
For us, that trade-off is worth everything.
What About Privacy?
This is a common concern—but in our case, it hasn’t been an issue. Our condo is built with concrete, so we barely hear our neighbors.
We also benefit from:
Lower heating costs (we’re a middle unit)
Less overall space to maintain
A natural limit on accumulating “stuff”
It’s a simpler, more intentional way of living.
The Environmental Side
Condo living also comes with environmental benefits:
Shared infrastructure reduces resource use
Less energy needed for heating and maintenance
Community composting and shared green initiatives
It aligns really well with our values of living more sustainably.
Is Condo Living for Everyone?
Not necessarily.
If you value:
Complete independence over your property
Total privacy
Owning land
…then a house might be a better fit.
But if you’re drawn to:
Community living
Walkability
Low maintenance
Built-in amenities
A safer, more connected environment for kids
…then condo living might surprise you.
Thoughts
Many people dream of a big house with a big yard. But sometimes, the life we actually enjoy the most looks very different from the one we imagined.
For us, condo living offers:
Community
Convenience
Safety
Simplicity
And a lifestyle that feels full without being overwhelming
It may not be the traditional choice—but for our family, it’s the right one.
And we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
