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!