Choosing the Right type of Housing

Making Housing Decisions  Choosing a place to live is one of the most important decisions you will make, and definitely one of the most expensive!

The Decision-Making Process  Step 1: State the Situation  Step 2: Identify your resources  Step 3: List the options  Step 4: Weigh the options  Step 5: Choose the Best Option  Step 6: Carry out your decision  Step 7: Evaluate the Decision

Step 1: Influences on Housing Decisions  Needs: we already talked about this in the first Unit  Wants and Priorities (i.e. swimming pool, gym)

Step 2: Influences on Housing Decisions  Resources:  Human resources: personal qualities that people possess, including creativity, imagination, knowledge, skills, talent, time, energy and experience  Material resources: tangible assets, such as money, property, supplies and tools

Case Study: Miss Culver is moving!  Step 1: State the situation  Miss Culver is single, looking for an affordable housing option  Step 2: Identify your resources  Human resources: not very handy around the house, enjoys decorating and gardening, not very artistic  Material resources: 3 rd year teacher’s salary, does not currently own property, owns furniture for 1 bedroom apartment

Case Study continued  Step 3: List the options  What are my options?  Step 4: Weigh the options  What are the pros/cons of the options  Step 5: Choose the best option  Where should I move???  Step 6: Carry out the decision  Step 7: Evaluate the decision

Choosing a Location  Location is often a major factor in deciding where to live  The location of housing has a major impact on cost:  Housing is most expensive in Vancouver and Toronto in Canada  For example, housing tends to be more expensive in big cities than in smaller cities and towns  Housing usually costs more downtown and in historic neighbourhoods

Types of Locations  Urban – city  Rural – countryside  Suburban – communities beside and around cities (ex. GTA)

Choosing a Neighbourhood  Once you have chosen a general location, you will want to choose a neighbourhood  The housing units in a neighbourhood tend to be similar in design and price range  Some neighbourhoods are only made up of homes, while others are mixes of residential and commercial properties

Choosing a Neighbourhood  Things to think about when choosing a neighbourhood:  Convenience (close to work, activities, school)  Condition of neighbourhood (new, old)  Neighbours (age, culture)  Pros/Cons (quiet, noisy)

Influence of Community Services  The community you live in will provide you with certain services, but this differs from place to place, it is important to find out about:  Utilities (electricity, gas, water, telephone, cable)  Public safety (fire, police departments, hospitals)  Education (elementary, secondary, post-secondary)  Recreation (community centres, sports fields, swimming pools)  Tax policies (high or low taxes?)

Types of Housing

High-rise apartment

Low-rise apartment

Duplex

Town house

Single-Family Home

Toronto Life Neighbourhood Rankings

Pictures taken from:  Duplex:  _house_type_of_duplex_house..jpg _house_type_of_duplex_house..jpg  _Warm_Springs_Avenue,_Boise.jpg _Warm_Springs_Avenue,_Boise.jpg  Townhouse:  ouses.JPG ouses.JPG  Single family home: family_home.jpg family_home.jpg