Advice on buying a house in Markham area....

[hank755]

I am looking to buy a house in the Markham/Unionville area, preferably in a region bounded by Kennedy and Markham Rd (east to west) and Highway 7 and Major Mackenzie (north to south).

Does anyone live around there? Any advice or comments that can be related? It seems to be very family friendly which should be good for my wife and I and our small child who will start attending school in a year or so.

Thanks for any advice!
H

[CharmyPoo]

My boyfriend grew up at Hwy 7/Kennedy (actually their family home should be going on the market soon). It is a lovely family oriented neighbourhood. Lots of good schools in the area.

My only complaint is getting to work downtown. The roads are pretty packed in the mornings. I didn't do well on the Go Train schedule but that is a problem anywhere off the subway/bus line.

[tombyman]

I have been looking for a place as well but you might want to wait it out for a bit since the current trend is starting to show that house prices 'could' come lower or at the worse case just remain stable.

you might be able to get your dream house for cheaper.

[poohsing]

If you're willing to move just a bit more north (Bur Oak), there are tons of new development there and probably the most affordable in Markham. There are lots of development on 10th line (two blocks east of Markham Rd) too. Most of Markham is within a 10 minute drive to GO train stations so going downtown should not be a real issue. Drive around on a weekend because you'll come across much more sites than you can find on the internet.

Did you look at the new development in Downtown Markham (Warden & Hwy 7)? It looks like it will be a nice area, if you can live through the major construction over the next few years.

[SW20 MR2]

I've lived in Markham for almost 25 years, and this is all IMO. First thing, what's your budget? My favourite areas are Unionville Main Street and Unionville boxed in by Warden/Woodbine and Hwy7/16th. You need $500k+ to buy a good-sized detached house in these areas though.

I don't like the Bur Oak area at all. I can't stand how they've mixed front-garage and rear-garage houses. It's like the urban planner couldn't decide what to do. Also, the demographic in the area is very one-dimensional with mainly Chinese (at least in the Kennedy/Bur Oak area). Before anyone gets all huffy, I'm Chinese, and I'm not implying anything about the race. If you're looking for diversity, look elsewhere.

If you're looking to spend a little less money, you need to go towards east Markham. I lived in the Raymerville area for most of my life, and it's great. Nice houses, nice people, and good diversity. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a house in that area. Since the houses are 20-25 years old, you'll find bigger lots (40+ ft) than compared to 5-10 year old houses (30-45 ft).

I think the "downtown" Markham properties are way overpriced. Traffic will be an absolute nightmare when it's done...as if it weren't already bad enough right now.

[hank755]

Thanks for the replies so far.

To the most recent poster, my budget is in the $500K to $600K range. Regarding diversity, I am of Indian descent (but born and bred in Canada) so I have no problem with Chinese or other immigrants since I am a visible minority myself.

My main goal is to move somewhere "family friendly" without having to worry about the kind of people walking on the street or a neighbour renting out 2 illegal basement apartments to transients.

I also liked the area around Warden and Highway 7 and 16th but I thought it would be out of my league. The Raymerville area is intriguing however. I will look into it. I have also heard of the "Wismer Woods" area which I think is just north of Raymerville. Any comments on that area?

[molala]

Thanks for the replies so far.

To the most recent poster, my budget is in the $500K to $600K range. Regarding diversity, I am of Indian descent (but born and bred in Canada) so I have no problem with Chinese or other immigrants since I am a visible minority myself.

My main goal is to move somewhere "family friendly" without having to worry about the kind of people walking on the street or a neighbour renting out 2 illegal basement apartments to transients.

I also liked the area around Warden and Highway 7 and 16th but I thought it would be out of my league. The Raymerville area is intriguing however. I will look into it. I have also heard of the "Wismer Woods" area which I think is just north of Raymerville. Any comments on that area?

Wismer Woods is closed to Markham/Bur Oak...it's an excellent area if you ask me...it's closed to the GO and the neighbourhood is fairly diverse...and you could get a decent size house within your budget...

however..i'm not sure how long you planned to live in that area...but Kennedy/Bur Oak area has a very reputable high school which ranked within top 10 high schools in Ontario...it's called Pierre Elliot Trudall (typo)...but that area seems to be a little messy compare to Wismer Woods...(based on the no. of marijuana houses got busted in the last few years)....

but...i have confidence in Bur Oak High School in Wismer Woods which was only opened last september....

[SW20 MR2]

Thanks for the replies so far.

To the most recent poster, my budget is in the $500K to $600K range. Regarding diversity, I am of Indian descent (but born and bred in Canada) so I have no problem with Chinese or other immigrants since I am a visible minority myself.

My main goal is to move somewhere "family friendly" without having to worry about the kind of people walking on the street or a neighbour renting out 2 illegal basement apartments to transients.

I also liked the area around Warden and Highway 7 and 16th but I thought it would be out of my league. The Raymerville area is intriguing however. I will look into it. I have also heard of the "Wismer Woods" area which I think is just north of Raymerville. Any comments on that area?

For that budget range, I think you can get something in Unionville. You can also check out the houses at Woodbine and 16th (north of 16th, west of Woodbine). Living right off the highway is a big bonus if you drive a lot. One caveat for that area, however, is that Buttonville Airport is right there, so if you don't like the sound of planes everyone once in a while, you'll want to be closer to Warden or Kennedy.

You won't have to worry about the people in any of the areas that you've been looking. All of them will have middle- and upper-middle-class people. There will be very few basement apartments. Just keep your search north of Hwy 7 if you want to avoid them.

[hank755]

SW20 MR2, your advice is much appreciated! Your many years in the Markham area gives you unique and valuable insight.

A friend has also mentioned the South Unionville area bounded by Kennedy and McCowan and Hwy7 and 407. It seems to have really nice houses and close to Markville Mall and the Go station. However, I remember your tip:

>>Just keep your search north of Hwy 7 if you want to avoid them.

So this area may see some unseemly characters in a few years time? Or do you think it will be immune?

[toky]

but that area seems to be a little messy compare to Wismer Woods...(based on the no. of marijuana houses got busted in the last few years)....



Do you have some figures to support that or you are just guessing?

[SW20 MR2]

I drive through there every day. There are two subdevelopments there. On the north side are 20-25 year old homes (bigger lots), and I'd say it's very nice. Many Italians live there, so the gardens are beautiful. The southern area is 5-10 years old, and I'd characterize that area the same as the Kennedy/Bur Oak area. I don't like this area due to the same reasons (combinatation of front-garage/rear-garage and little ethnic diversity). You won't have any problems with seedy people. In general, all of Markham (even south of Hwy 7) is just fine if you want to walk down the street. I just don't like some of the areas for a number of reasons.

SW20 MR2, your advice is much appreciated! Your many years in the Markham area gives you unique and valuable insight.

A friend has also mentioned the South Unionville area bounded by Kennedy and McCowan and Hwy7 and 407. It seems to have really nice houses and close to Markville Mall and the Go station. However, I remember your tip:

>>Just keep your search north of Hwy 7 if you want to avoid them.

So this area may see some unseemly characters in a few years time? Or do you think it will be immune?

[molala]

OP..are you looking at buying a brand new house or an old one or few years old?? it makes a difference..

if you want diversity..i would suggest Wismer Woods as you previously mentioned or Greensborough...I lived in Greensborough and it's one of the most diverse area I've seen in Markham...

Do you have some figures to support that or you are just guessing?

It's from watching the news and reading the paper...if you want figures.... www.google.ca

[toky]

To the most recent poster, my budget is in the $500K to $600K range. Regarding diversity, I am of Indian descent (but born and bred in Canada) so I have no problem with Chinese or other immigrants since I am a visible minority myself. How do I know? Becuase my parents live there for many years and they just love it.

My main goal is to move somewhere "family friendly" without having to worry about the kind of people walking on the street or a neighbour renting out 2 illegal basement apartments to transients.

If your budget is between $500K and $600K then you have a lot of choices. People in the Berczy Village area are very friendly. You can play soccer or other sports while your kids can run around in one of the largest park in the Markham area. Residents are a mix of Chinese, South Asian and Middle East. One of the best public school (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Elliott_Trudeau_High_School) in Ontario is just located at Bur Oak and Kennedy. If you like playing golf, Angus Glen is just a stone throw away. My parents have been living in this area for a long time and they just love it so much.

Just remember diversity (I know it does not bother you) can change but location of your house can never change. If you need to use the highway everyday you want to live as close to the highway as possible......it is always location, location, location.

[calmman]

I moved into the old Unionville area several years ago and IMO this is the best area for my family life style. Schools are good. Streets are quiet and beautiful. The historical Main Street Unionville and Toogood Pond are within walking distance. For $500 - 600k budget, if you are patient, you can still get a detached one in this area. The typical characteristics of such houses are: 20 to 30 plus year old (may need a lot of fixing or renovation), very big lot, relatively small interior space (old interior design style too), old exterior appearance (many have half brick half siding, small windows), big trees.

For OP, choosing the area should depend on your family life style. What do you care most. What do you not like most. If you don't mind old houses and lots of gardening, come to the old Unionville area in different times in a day and in a week to feel it.

[charliebrown]

I don't like the Bur Oak area at all. I can't stand how they've mixed front-garage and rear-garage houses. It's like the urban planner couldn't decide what to do. Also, the demographic in the area is very one-dimensional with mainly Chinese (at least in the Kennedy/Bur Oak area). Before anyone gets all huffy, I'm Chinese, and I'm not implying anything about the race. If you're looking for diversity, look elsewhere.


If you look at the huge park @ Bur Oak between Kennedy & McCowan, all the houses facing the park have rear garage (while other houses on the same street have front garage). Perhaps they didnt want cars backing into children playing at the park

Personally, i'm not a huge fan of the rear garage; although it does allow for more pleasing appearances for the front of the house.

If you're looking at brand new development, there are signs for a new builder besides the garden nursery @ Kennedy & Bur Oak; i think they say prices start at $500K. The neighborhood (Berzcy Village) is pretty quiet, tons of parks & green space, and convenient in terms of shopping (24hr sobeys @ McCowan, Markville Mall, etc).

If you want something more upscale in terms of decor, 500K will get you a nice townhouse or small single detached (< 2000 sq ft) across the street in Angus Glen East Village.

In hindsight, something closer to 404 (i.e. Woodbine/Major Mac) may have been a better option for the commute, but then you might get problems with highway noise & people using sidestreets (i.e. Roddick/Markland) to avoid traffic on Woodbine.

[toky]

In hindsight, something closer to 404 (i.e. Woodbine/Major Mac) may have been a better option for the commute, but then you might get problems with highway noise & people using sidestreets (i.e. Roddick/Markland) to avoid traffic on Woodbine.

I think the asking price for a lot of the houses in that area is total ridiculous but then again there must be people out there who are willing to pay that kind of money.

[hank755]

To those who asked, I'm looking towards a "newer" home (5 - 10 years old). However, I do like the homes in old Unionville and I bet some of them have been recently renovated. It is a nice-looking area as previous posters have mentioned.

Regarding homes around Woodbine/DVP/Major Mackenzie. I drive westbound on the 407 to work and whenever I pass the DVP, it's bumper to bumper going southbound in the morning and then bumper to bumper northbound at around 6pm. Does the DVP really speed up the commute to the Woodbine/Major Mack area? Maybe it does relative to taking the arterial streets like Warden and Woodbine?

[molala]

I think the asking price for a lot of the houses in that area is total ridiculous but then again there must be people out there who are willing to pay that kind of money.

of course there are people there who are willing to pay that money and that area it's expensive because of Pierre Elliot Trudeau High School which is ranked one of the top 10 high schools in Ontario. Parents are willing to spend big bucks to live in an area that link to a good reputable school...some houses in North York are like my grandma's age...around 2000 sq ft and asking for over one million dollars and they get sold within few days of listing...OP is a father...when he buy a house..he need to consider schools too..not just the way it look..

To those who asked, I'm looking towards a "newer" home (5 - 10 years old). However, I do like the homes in old Unionville and I bet some of them have been recently renovated. It is a nice-looking area as previous posters have mentioned.

Regarding homes around Woodbine/DVP/Major Mackenzie. I drive westbound on the 407 to work and whenever I pass the DVP, it's bumper to bumper going southbound in the morning and then bumper to bumper northbound at around 6pm. Does the DVP really speed up the commute to the Woodbine/Major Mack area? Maybe it does relative to taking the arterial streets like Warden and Woodbine?

Old Unionville houses are old...if u were to buy a house there....given the expensive house price...but prepared to spend some big bucks on renovation...

Depends on what time you leave in the morning...but usually the DVP doesn't get packed up until you hit hwy 7..but since you're going to 407...the lane and ramp merging down are quite smooth...but 6pm is hard to say..it could get pretty packed coming back up...but 407 and major mack is not too far away....and they're expanding major mack to two lanes from kennedy to woodbine..so traffic shouldn't be as bad as it is now....from your price range and age of house you're looking at..i would recomment kennedy/major mac...major mac between kennedy and mccowan

[charliebrown]

To those who asked, I'm looking towards a "newer" home (5 - 10 years old). However, I do like the homes in old Unionville and I bet some of them have been recently renovated. It is a nice-looking area as previous posters have mentioned.

Regarding homes around Woodbine/DVP/Major Mackenzie. I drive westbound on the 407 to work and whenever I pass the DVP, it's bumper to bumper going southbound in the morning and then bumper to bumper northbound at around 6pm. Does the DVP really speed up the commute to the Woodbine/Major Mack area? Maybe it does relative to taking the arterial streets like Warden and Woodbine?

5-10 yrs...that'll probably put you within the Kennedy/16th to McCowan & Major Mac block; or the house between 16th & Major Mac on Woodbine (west).

Personally, I avoid 404 in my commute. Warden & woodbine are pretty good trafficwise; then again, i'm on the roads after 9am & 6pm...so that could make a difference (while the 404 is still packed from steeles to 16th)

[toky]

of course there are people there who are willing to pay that money and that area it's expensive because of Pierre Elliot Trudeau High School which is ranked one of the top 10 high schools in Ontario. Parents are willing to spend big bucks to live in an area that link to a good reputable school
If you read my post again, I am talking about those houses at Woodbine and Major Mac that the asking price are rediculous......not Berczy Village where the Pierre Elliot Trudeau High School is located.

Price of house at Berczy is more reasonable.

[molala]

If you read my post again, I am talking about those houses at Woodbine and Major Mac that the asking price are rediculous......not Berczy Village where the Pierre Elliot Trudeau High School is located.

Price of house at Berczy is more reasonable.

Oooppss...sorry...my bad...i agree...i think houses are expensive there because of the convenience of 404...that's all i could think of..