Daily insights for city builders, delivered every morning at 6 AM ET. I’m Brandon Donnelly — a Toronto-based real estate developer and founder of Globizen. I’ve been writing here since 2013.

Moving from the city to the suburbs and back

This is an interesting story about a Toronto couple who got married about 20 years ago, initially lived in a small downtown condo, and then decided it was “time to adult” and move to the suburbs. They bought a 3,200 square foot home in Markham and lived there for a number of years. It had a lawn, a garage, and all sorts of other suburban comforts. But eventually they realized that they had made a mistake. They preferred the conveniences of city living over the amenities of the suburbs. Living in the city was simply better suited to their lifestyles. And so they sold their house, bought an epic 2,100 square foot penthouse in the Shangri-La Residences — which just so happens to be one of my favorite buildings in the city — and hired the design firm NIVEK REMAS to completely redo it. I think their new home turned out great and maybe you do too.

4 responses to “Moving from the city to the suburbs and back”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    And the key to this significant upgrade – no kids.

    1. Brandon Graham Donnelly Avatar

      Can’t have kids in a condo?

  2. Bleu Gasbarri Avatar
    Bleu Gasbarri

    If they like it that’s all that matters. But you asked for comments and mine is — it looks like a corporate office. Move out the bed and put in a desk. I can’t understand it. Brrr…

  3. Desmond Avatar
    Desmond

    Breaking News: Living in a $1,000,000+ Downtown Toronto condo not all that bad

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