September 2013
Toronto was one of the first cities to experiment with condominiums as a solution to population growth. The Yonge Street Corridor north of Highway 401 was a focal point of this experiment.
Cut to 20 years later – when you look at the explosion of condominium development in the Yonge North Corridor (and beyond), it’s easy to see that this experiment proved a success. Individuals of all ages and backgrounds have embraced condominium living. Young adults with aspirations of home ownership have gravitated to condos both as buyers and renters. As compared to a house, condos may be less costly yet this is not always the most important criteria. Proximity to public transit for employment and entertainment, multi-ethnic dining options, a multitude of shopping areas and personal services, and the ability to live car-free, are all major draws to the vibrant Yonge North Corridor condo experience.
As much as condo living has been a draw for younger adults, it’s the older adult segment maximizing the benefits of this lifestyle in this neighbourhood. Seniors choose condo life for the same reasons as do younger adults, but in addition, it represents a solution to mounting home maintenance responsibilities, safety concerns and isolation. Like many older communities in the GTA, North York is loaded with modest single family dwellings with narrow stairwells and hallways, dimly lit basements and tight washrooms, all posing significant safety risks, particularly when physical mobility is a challenge. With aging structures come frequent repairs and upkeep, not to mention lawn and snow management, all significant physical and financial burdens. For the senior living alone who becomes overwhelmed by the demands of the home, there is a tendency to isolate from others and become lonely and depressed. Transition to one-level living and even surfaces, minimal repairs and opportunities for socialization, can be life-saving.
For senior condo dwellers, the safe, independent lifestyle can be threatened by illness, injury, or simply the advances of age, resulting in the need for assistance with daily activities. An increasingly visible trend in the Yonge North Corridor is the pairing of aging seniors with their personal caregivers. It is now commonplace for older adults to plan for the future by ensuring their condo has the space to accommodate the potential need for live-in assistance. When the choice is a live-out caregiver, easy access to most condo communities along the Yonge North Corridor from the three subway stations serving this area is a major benefit. Bringing care and companionship into the condo allows the senior to remain at home with good quality of life.
