House buying: Location recommendation

[Tdotshopper]

Hi,

I currently own a condo in the toronto area. My gf just got a job in Ancaster, Hamilton, and i work in downtown brampton. We are trying to find a mutual area that is agreeable in driving time to both of our place of work (30 min drive one way). We are thinking burlington or oakville area. Our combined income is just under 100k. We are interested in either brand new home, or used home that is just 1 or 2 yr old, or even a model home. I would appreciate some suggestions on how to start my search in the above locations:

1. Any good websites that i can look at
2. preferred locations in either of the above areas. Im looking at close amenities, 401 access, transit access.
3. looking at detached, or semi-detached 2 bedroom, garage (double), bungalow, or 2 storey, and one that is suitable to our income.
4. what can i expect to pay in regards to property taxes.

Thanks for any input on this.

[pipolchap]

Why should both of you commute?

Look at the area around your workplace and the area around your gf's workplace. Compare the two, choose one, and live there.

You might even be able to ditch one car and lower your household expense.

[purplesnow22]

lol, i was thinking about that too. But i guess whoever doesn't drive will do more housework...

[TJ MANIAC]

Oakville is really expensive, you pay for the location though its nice.
Mississauga is not bad
I recently got a house in Brampton, but everybody has their own opinion on brampton and its been discussed in this forum in many posts , so dont want to get into that again :D,

[Bullseye]

Burlington is a great city, and cheaper than Oakville. We moved here 8 years ago from Mississauga and like it much better here.

There are new homes in Burlington around Walkers Line and Dundas, with a 407 entrance very close by. Either of your workplaces would be about 30 minutes drive using 407. This area is right on the edge of farmland and country roads that will never be developed, so 401 access would be through that way north. There is a GO bus stop very close, and it takes the 407. Other transit here is all GO train station based (3 stations here).

You won't find and 2 bedroom homes with double garages. Generally these are 4 bedrooms with newer homes. New detached 2000 sq ft homes are running around $350k-$400k.

Tax rates for Halton are a bit above 1x assessed value. So if you have a $375k home, you'll pay just under $4k/year.

We like it here because it's compact and still has a smaller town feel. Lots of lake access parks, a great downtown, easy access to 6 nice conservation areas north of city.

[synaptech]

Why not Hamilton? Your GF will be working in Ancaster so the drive is negligible, and your commute on the 407 will be the same (perhaps less) as commuting from downtown TO (you didn't say which part of TO you condo was in). House prices are a fraction of what others are listing here for Oakville, etc.

edit -- however, a brand new or almost brand new may take you to outskirts of Hamilton and that is getting more expensive.

[Tdotshopper]

Thanks to all that have replied, very much appreciate the feedbacks.

re: vehicles

we have talked about just having one vehicle but with my occuption i need a vehicle to visit client plants and also i start work at 630am. She needs a vehicle because she says she will be bringing home daily student assignments, and books, and she starts at 830am.

Re: location

Ive done the 1 hr + one way drive to work daily, and i dont want to do that again (during winter it can take 2-3 hrs just to get to work). Thats the reason why i would like to find a location that is only 30 mins for both of us.

[afici0nad0]

http://www.mls.ca/splash.aspx
http://homes.point2.com/
http://www.newhomesreviews.com/Allsendreviews/OnBuilders.htm

[ukgirl]

Burlington is a great city, and cheaper than Oakville. We moved here 8 years ago from Mississauga and like it much better here.

There are new homes in Burlington around Walkers Line and Dundas, with a 407 entrance very close by. Either of your workplaces would be about 30 minutes drive using 407. This area is right on the edge of farmland and country roads that will never be developed, so 401 access would be through that way north. There is a GO bus stop very close, and it takes the 407. Other transit here is all GO train station based (3 stations here).

You won't find and 2 bedroom homes with double garages. Generally these are 4 bedrooms with newer homes. New detached 2000 sq ft homes are running around $350k-$400k.

Tax rates for Halton are a bit above 1x assessed value. So if you have a $375k home, you'll pay just under $4k/year.

We like it here because it's compact and still has a smaller town feel. Lots of lake access parks, a great downtown, easy access to 6 nice conservation areas north of city.

I just bought a house in the walkers Line/dundas area. I was originally looking at Oakville but like others have said, it is very expensive... for the price of a crappy house in oakville, you can get a much newer, nicer, bigger place just down the road in Burlington. Oakville is really just for the location and "prestige".

I hadnt realized they won't develop that area north of Dundas... I just assumed in 5 years time it will all be housing... is it greenbelt??

[Bullseye]

I just bought a house in the walkers Line/dundas area. I was originally looking at Oakville but like others have said, it is very expensive... for the price of a crappy house in oakville, you can get a much newer, nicer, bigger place just down the road in Burlington. Oakville is really just for the location and "prestige".

I hadnt realized they won't develop that area north of Dundas... I just assumed in 5 years time it will all be housing... is it greenbelt??

The 407 is the line that ends the development, the city plan is to not allow further development north. Oakville is going right up to Brittania, so it will eventually just meld into Milton.

So the Walkers/Dundas corner will be developed, but you'll have farmland directly north, which is great for cyclists, hikers, etc.