Movin' on Down.. Part 2

Having answered many questions about our decision to downsize to a condo in my last post, this post is about what we're really excited about, and some facts about our future digs.



I love an artist's rendering! I do like how every phase is a little different. Phase III (us) is the shorty on the left side of the screen

Excitement List

1. Instead of another decade plus of mortgage payments and big utility bills here, our monthly costs are reduced to just condo fees and electricity (property taxes a constant, though no idea what they'll be in the new place - hopefully less than the crazy $5k a year we pay in the barren east end)

2. Instead of having three cars to pay insurance on and fill with gas, I can walk to work (800m door to door!!) so we can go down to one car. Downtown Guelph has 2 rental car locations, our building will have a carshare, and .. Uber. So Jeff will take our one car to work every day and I'll … figure it out. This one has been flipping between the pros and cons column because I've had a car since I was SEVENTEEN! But I've only ever lived in the suburbs or had a hefty commute somewhere, so I'm guessing downtown will present a bit more of a walkable, bikeable life. I definitely need a basket and pannier bags for my mountain bike...

3. With only 1,050 square feet to clean and no driveway, backyard or exterior features (like the siding that detaches itself during every wind storm and needs to be beaten back into place with a broom while standing on the top rung of a ladder) to maintain, significant time and money will be freed up for doing things we actually want to do. And the stress when you hear that inevitable bang of siding, falling tree branch, grind of the owned water softener, howl of the wind when you will your shingles to stay put - will be alleviated!

4. Our environmental footprint will be reduced, living in a smaller space and reducing our heating/cooling/electricity needs.

5. Location, location, location! We'll be less than a ten minute walk to my favourite walking and biking trail in Guelph along the Eramosa River which stretches infinitely in each direction. Yay! Restaurants, sports, theatre, shopping, market - suddenly all walkable. The east end has a walkable library and convenience store. End.

6. Back to #1 which is really the driving force here - we'll take the money saved on mortgage payments, bills, cars and spend it on higher priorities for us - accelerating retirement savings to reach ultimate financial/career freedom faster (not saying we'll stop working earlier, but having the option would be nice!), experiences, classes/lessons, more Leafs, more travel and just the ability to breathe a little after stretching ourselves so significantly to get into this house, then as soon as we got comfortable increasing the mortgage payments to get it paid off faster. So, basically, being comfortable for the first time since we lived in our townhome on Schroeder Cres, which I on and off have mildly regretted moving from because it was just so damn affordable!

I wanted to add a big disclaimer, that this move is right for us, and us alone. It's in no way a commentary on anyone else's choices. Especially in that we aren't having kids. As a kid, some of my best memories are in my backyard. It was my happy place! Tobogganing down the tiny hill in the winter; playing "spy" around my and Aynsley's houses, learning about backyard birds from my mom. Then, as a teenager, our 2000 square foot home provided much needed separation from my parents! A separate place to hang out and watch tv with friends was crucial. If Jeff and I were on the life path of having kids, we'd for sure finish paying off this home and hunker down here for the long haul. Then again, there are tons of different ways to make it work! No one decision will be right for everyone. Plus, I need big beautiful real estate to enjoy with soaring ceilings and flooring that stretches on forever - so someone's gotta keep that going!!

For me, I never imagined living in the same place for more than 10 years. I panicked when we bought this house and Jeff suggested we stay here for 20 years. I talked him down to 5-10. It's telling that this will be my third purchased home since 2007. I'm pretty nuts about real estate, and I just like variety all around! I've changed jobs six times in 11 years, changed my priorities and interests more times than I count. I thrive on variety, doing things that scare me and having adventures. Having Jeff and my friends and family as the constants in my life are great - everything else, let's spin the wheel!

I'm really excited for this next adventure to begin, with my awesome hubby and furry puppy by my side. August 2020.. oh gawwwwwwwwwwwddddd this wait is going to kill me!!!

The Facts

I forced you to listen to me ramble for this long, now here are the goods on where we're going!

Condo Development: The Metalworks
Location: The transition between downtown Guelph and (ominous music) THE WARD! 73 Arthur St. S to be specific
Occupancy: August 2020
Unit specs: 1,050 square feet, 240 square foot balcony; 2 bedrooms + den, 2 bathrooms
Parking: 1 space, underground, with car charger
Finishes: tbd - I am so excited. Stone counters and tiled showers are a minimum, which is not too shabby!
Amenities: party room, chef's kitchen and dining room, guest suite, bar (private spaces available for rent for about $100/pop); gym, dog spa, library,

The Metalworks is a pretty cool development I've been keeping a close eye on for the past several years. It's pricier than almost every other condo in Guelph except the River Mill and River House (also downtown) which is driving me a little nuts, but I rationalize we're paying a premium for downtown living and the car charger (no other condo offers this, come on Guelph, get a move on!). In the end it will consist of 5 phases (we're phase 3) and a heritage building turned restaurant and distillery (cool). It backs onto the Speed River. I'm excited to see the Ward continue to turn over into a bit more of a cool, contemporary funky spot. There is this nasty warehouse that I'm going to have to strategically not look at until it sells/changes hands/gets torn down. I'm thinking of petitioning them to put in a green roof ;) But I'm grateful for this old neighbourhood and it's wonderful old trees. It will be neat to be a part of it changing over the coming decade.

In another 10 years (estimate) we'll see where we end up. Retired and living in a cottage on a lake full time? (yes please! Freedom 45?? haha I wish). Finally trying out downtown Toronto living? In the middle of nowhere with my own forest? In a tiny house on a tiny lot because we just couldn't stand the proximity of other people in condo living? In a literal tiny house because we loved the smaller space? Out west with the grizzlies in BC? Leading ecotours in the Galapagos? In Niagara on the Lake close to my parents? It's cool to think that we could keep this condo forever and rent it out, allowing us to go where the wind takes us (jobs pending). It really does feel like I've started sawing a ball and chain off my leg. The future freedom feels at once scary and exhilarating. Note to self: make the most of it!

Thanks for coming along on my thought journey today!

Movin' on Down... Part 1

I'm excited to share that Jeff and I are officially the proud new owners of a condo... that won't exist until 2020! Yep, that's right - we are downsizing! The driving force is financial freedom - I know mortgages are kinda de rigeur, but we have a unique opportunity to sidestep the last 12 years of payments, because we bought our house when the market was in the tank (and the Guelph market did well as the TO market boomed), and are willing to live in a smaller space - I just felt this pressing need to take advantage of the value in our home. And like 60 year old empty nesters, we have realized we don't need this much space, we're tired of the maintenance (yard, cleaning, repairs), have always been interested in downtown living - so here we go! The 2 year window until our home actually exists should hopefully be enough time to get rid of several couches, cars, treadmills, coffee tables and the remarkable number of 'things' we have filled our house with since we moved here in 2010 (...maybe). Though I'm relieved about my heavy duty Marie Kondo effort of December 2017 (see I Got Kondo'd - Part 1 and Part 2), which I had in the back of my mind was the first step toward downsizing, it didn't take care of the pieces of furniture which fill this full house plus basement. To Kijiji!! (p.s. anyone want a couch or treadmill? let me know!)

Question Period

Questions? I thought you might have some - I've heard every question and concern under the sun, but to the credit of my coworkers, friends, and family once their questions had been answered they were happily on board because they could see that we were stoked about this (as usual, against social norm) life choice.

1. What about your dog?
Our dog's top 2 priorities are napping as close to us as possible at all times and going for walks. Bailey was a 10 year old at heart by the age of 2 - just an old soul. His use of our backyard consists of laying on the deck staring at the grass and occasionally using it as a toilet (though he mostly goes on walks, because it's important that I touch poop every day of my life). When we have to get up with him in the middle of the night there are a lot of stairs to head down anyway. And since he will never age or pass away, we're good.. right? ;)
Conclusion: more small walks, nothing else changes for Bailey

2. Don't you love your backyard?
Yes, the big willow trees on our back neighbour's rural property and shaded deck are wonderful. We sit out there about 1x a week from April - October (though not in this crazy kinda heat) and love it. But I just don't love it ENOUGH to keep paying through the nose for it for another decade plus. I would literally pay someone if I never had to garden again in my life. ;) The hot tub was a fun/novel addition but it is a lot of money and maintenance and the chlorine plus my skin is not a great combo, especially in the winter.
Conclusion: Our 250 sqft shaded 5th floor balcony will have nice views of treetops (and our building allows hot tubs on balcony - doubt it, but good to know!)

3. But I thought you loved your house!
I never would have spent every last cent to my name if I didn't love this house to pieces. I think an appropriate word all my fb/friends could agree to use is "obsessed" during the buying, building and decorating process. In 2009 my priority was buying as much space as I possibly could and I was thrilled to end up here. We felt so lucky, so in love with this home, and spent years lovingly tending to it. But the bloom is off the rose. We can't/don't want to sacrifice $ for Leafs tickets to pay for cleaners so we spend 1 hour a week dusting, vacuuming and scrubbing 2000 square feet. Jeff mows the lawn in the stifling heat of summer. We seal the driveway. We refinish the deck. Jeff waters and weeds the gardens and lawn. We work, and work, and work, and have stopped finding joy in it. There's always another outdoor improvement project to blow a couple grand on per summer and yet another room to upgrade in our home. The windows and shingles are more than halfway through their life so I see that $30,000+ cost staring me down. And I just... want out.
Conclusion: We aren't "in love" with our home anymore, though still love it very much - but we are starting to see some red flags! ;)

4. You're going down to one car? But you love Sparky!
That one's easy - I love our fully electric Tesla even more! And I will not miss the multiple car payments or insurance payments, that's for sure!
Conclusion: I get 2 more years with Sparky, and then share Tesla with Jeff. I can do it.

5. Won't you and Jeff feel cramped, cutting your space down to 1050 sqft?
It's very difficult to use two living rooms, a dining room and three bedroom simultaneously, if you can imagine (haha, I was so irritated when I drafted this blog post in early August, I'm actually just transcribing it now - but I'm leaving that in because it made me laugh). Two adults need maximum two living areas and we will have three (it's a 2 bedroom plus den with a living/dining area). I don't think we need 2000 square feet to fit comfortably. Contrary to what Jeff will tell you, I do really like him! ;)
Conclusion: We will not feel cramped and if we do there are multiple indoor/outdoor common areas as well as nearby parks and coffee shops!

6. What about Jeff's tools and woodworking?
Jeff builds about one piece of furniture every 2 years. We'll put his albeit impressive tool collection in our external storage space ($150/month compared to a decade of four digit mortgage payments per month felt like a good tradeoff) and he found a space in downtown Guelph you can pay a monthly fee that you can stop and start anytime to use their tools, workbenches and space as often as you like. However, he has decided he doesn't like the idea of building things for selling (too bad, he could have a great side hustle, he's so talented!!) and already having built our entertainment unit, kitchen table, headboard and coffee table, and in the process of building a new writing desk for me (all can fit into the new space, yay) he's basically out of stuff to build. Unless we wanted to sit on some sort of wooden couch..
Conclusion: There is a workable solution for my woodworkin' guy.

Stay tuned for the next post, containing a list of the things we're pretty darn jazzed about... :)