Milton: Yay or Nay?

[SilentJay]

It seems i'm making these posts once every few months, but please bear with me. I'm trying to do as much reading and research as I can, but would love to hear some insight as well. To make it as brief/concise as possible, here are the factors:

* Brand new homes
* A 36' lot detached home (Derry + James Snow/4th line) for the same price as a 28' semi-detached home in brampton (Mississauga Rd. + Williams Pkwy area)
* Gf works downtown, I work near 427/Dundas
* Gf will probably use GO-Train, i'll be driving to work

Which would you choose? Why? Please try to back up your answer objectively. Thank you!!

[n00bMeiSter]

My friend just bought a house in milton, great price, but his biggest complaint is how far it is from everything.
So is the extra space worth the extra cost of getting to work or going places?

[SilentJay]

My friend just bought a house in milton, great price, but his biggest complaint is how far it is from everything.
So is the extra space worth the extra cost of getting to work or going places?

That is my only qualm thus far really...

[eguiyab]

Yay.
Development in the GTA its only going to get wider. Its a bit far right now... but i'd say some of the outer edge of markham were considered the same as milton is now just a few years ago... 5-10ish.
Things will develop more and more in milton and thus alot of things will become closer. Space vs cost ratio is the big one. Down the road.. your milton home may/will become higher in value and you can resell it for a profit, hopefully. Then move into a home closer to things if you wish with the profit gained.
If your near a GO and or hwy... its not that much farther out if you think about it. But think about the added time and cost getting to work. If you can move your job closer to home or if its not a big change for your current commute, i say its definitely worth it.

[AlphaMotorsports.ca]

Information I think would be useful to take into consideration is how your GF currently gets to work and current commute time. If it's extra time to get to work and possible extra costs/hassles(maybe) for getting to and from work.

Another thing I would look at is where your family lives and if they will still be within reasonable distance for visits and such.

Do you feel like you would be too far from things you'd want to be near/within reach

[SilentJay]

The gf currently takes about 40-45 minutes to get from markham to union

My parents' place is approximately 15-17km away from the site

We really don't go anywhere/do anything in particular... I do go downtown to the lakeshore quite a bit during the summer months, but that's about it

Thanks :D

[KVS17]

My gf and I are moving to Milton in November and were constantly taking drives there on weekends to get familiar with the area. So far, we haven't had any complaints with the area. It may seem like everything is far but it's really not. You just have to figure out what you're really missing from wherever it is you're living now and where you're moving too. There's tons of nice restaurants, a cineplex, banks everywhere, grocery stores, I'd say the only real thing we might miss from Mississauga would be a nice mall like Erin mills. Even then Milton is growing so fast I'm sure they will build one. The area you're looking at in milton is pretty nice as well, I'm not sure what the area in Brampton Is like, but, my vote would be for Milton.

[Skip]

Jay, I live in Milton so I'm kind of biased haha but to be honest like KVS said it's not that far. I got to humber in 25 minutes on some days. The only thing missing is a Burger King here...and the neighbourhoods are great. Having worked at a TD branch here in Milton, all my clients absolutely love the city and don't regret making the move from places like Mississauga/Brampton/Oakville. I spend most my days in Mississauga/Oakville and to be honest the drive to Square One is sometimes 15-20 minutes.

[RedRaptor]

Down the road.. your milton home may/will become higher in value and you can resell it for a profit, hopefully. Then move into a home closer to things if you wish with the profit gained.


This isn't true. As the value of the houses in Milton goes up, every area surrounding the GTA will go up as well. So you'll still be the same spot 5 years down the road regarding the Space vs. Cost Ratio.

[Default User]

As the value of the houses in Milton goes up, every area surrounding the GTA will go up as well.

True

However, the amount it goes up will vary from area to area.

ie. Ajax and Whitby property values have seen 10-35% increases in the past 5 years. Whereas other areas maintain the (IIRC) 3-5% average. However, this is also partially due to supply and demand for housing in those areas.

[SilentJay]

Just my simple observation but it seems both of the areas i'm interested in are experiencing significant property value increases. The Brampton location was selling a particular model of semi for ~$350k last year, enjoyed brisk sales, and are now selling them starting at $420k.

Milton has a similar story, though their prices haven't QUITE caught up yet, thus the detached home are still somewhat attainable.

[fini]

Jay, I'll only speak to one of the things I'm sure are under consideration for you:

How long do you think it will take you to drive to work at the Milton location? Brampton location?
How long does it take for you to drive to work right now?

I think that should be one of the biggest factors in your decision. Your life will be so much "less tired" if you don't have to commute for a long period of time. I used to commute 3 hours a day for work for 4 years. Since moving offices, I now commute just less than 1 hour per day. Since moving into my place, I commute 15 minutes per day. When I moved offices, I had 2 extra hours a day to do ... pretty much anything I wanted to. I didn't feel "too tired" after work. A long commute really takes a toll on you physically and mentally.

If you are planning on living at this place for an appreciable amount of time. something to consider.

[Dan Da Man]

I've been in milton for 2 years now, I lived in brampton my whole life prior. I love Milton, good neighbours, people say hello when they walk by and actually hold doors for you. It reminds me of what Brampton used to be like when I was a youth. Lots of nice paths throughout the neighbourhoods for walks and runs, decent place to raise a family. Only negative I see is that it is expanding too fast and there is lots of big ass coyotes! Ha. My wife works downtown and I'm in Sauga. Its shitty that we only have the 401, but its a nightmare no matter where the 401 is. 407 can get pricey if used daily. Sometimes I drive to the 403 via Winston churchill just to avoid the 401.

[SilentJay]

How long do you think it will take you to drive to work at the Milton location? Brampton location?
How long does it take for you to drive to work right now? If you are planning on living at this place for an appreciable amount of time. something to consider.

I have yet to do a real-world trial from the Milton location (drive out there 30 minutes before I would normally leave in the morning, then head out from there), but weekend traffic seems to point to an additional 20ish minutes to my current drive. The Brampton location would add an additional 10-15 minutes.

Because I do such odd hours, i'm not AS affected by traffic as most people. It takes me 15-25 minutes to get to work in the morning and approximately 30-45 minutes on the way home.

We don't actually plan on living in the home for more than 3-5 years, if that makes a difference.

[SilentJay]

I've been in milton for 2 years now, I lived in brampton my whole life prior. I love Milton, good neighbours, people say hello when they walk by and actually hold doors for you. It reminds me of what Brampton used to be like when I was a youth. Lots of nice paths throughout the neighbourhoods for walks and runs, decent place to raise a family. Only negative I see is that it is expanding too fast and there is lots of big ass coyotes! Ha. My wife works downtown and I'm in Sauga. Its shitty that we only have the 401, but its a nightmare no matter where the 401 is. 407 can get pricey if used daily. Sometimes I drive to the 403 via Winston churchill just to avoid the 401.

My thinking was if the 401 was terrible in Milton, to take Derry over to Mavis then get on there.

[XTOTHEL]

1. Building a new home is a PAIN, pain pain pain, unless you don't care much to the details.

2. Any type of public transport will be tiring for your wife.

[KVS17]

Stop eating junk and join the gym with me ! haha

The only thing missing is a Burger King here...

When we purchased our 36" detached, at the end of last year from mattamy, it was selling for $381,990. The value of it now went up to $408,990, and I think thats the lowest 36" lot available now, all the other houses are range from $415-460 new.


Just my simple observation but it seems both of the areas i'm interested in are experiencing significant property value increases. The Brampton location was selling a particular model of semi for ~$350k last year, enjoyed brisk sales, and are now selling them starting at $420k.

Milton has a similar story, though their prices haven't QUITE caught up yet, thus the detached home are still somewhat attainable.

[SilentJay]

=/ we're looking at Mattamy now too! How was your "buyer experience" with them?

[Impressive]

My family has lived in Milton for just over two years now and if I was in the market to buy a reasonably priced detached home I would definitely consider Milton. The housing prices in the west end of Mississauga are nice however the Milton houses I feel have better potential simply because of the developing neighbourhood in the southeast reigon of Milton (particularly the James Snow/Derry/4th Line area that you mentioned you were interested in) and the fact that they are newer and tend to have larger lot sizes than comparable Mississauga price-wise. Our house is a 40" lot I believe, located down the street from the new public library branch off 4th line and I would guess that our house value has increased close to, if not more than $100,000 since we have taken over. Keep in mind we spent a fair bit of money upgrading appliances, doing the backyard/driveway, finishing the basement,among other things. The fact of the matter is, if you're comfortable with living in Milton over a 10 year or more period, it'll definitely pay off and you will learn to love and appreciate everything about the city. All the people living the houses around me, regardless of age, occupation, culture have all been very nice and friendly and the commute is honestly not bad at all. I can get to Square 1 taking the 407/403 from britannia or derry road in 10 minutes give or take depending on traffic and you will notice that Derry is actually a great road to drive on as it's been expanded from the 407 up and soon Britannia will be as well.

I would also explore the Derry/Scott and Derry/Tremaine areas as well for better deals.

Good luck on your search.

[KVS17]

We honestly had no problems with them, they were all really nice (i guess they have to be lol). From time to time we get emails from them letting know about updates to the house and road closures, which we find pretty helpful.


=/ we're looking at Mattamy now too! How was your "buyer experience" with them?

[fini]

I have yet to do a real-world trial from the Milton location (drive out there 30 minutes before I would normally leave in the morning, then head out from there), but weekend traffic seems to point to an additional 20ish minutes to my current drive. The Brampton location would add an additional 10-15 minutes.

Because I do such odd hours, i'm not AS affected by traffic as most people. It takes me 15-25 minutes to get to work in the morning and approximately 30-45 minutes on the way home.

We don't actually plan on living in the home for more than 3-5 years, if that makes a difference.

It sounds like between the 2 locations that you've selected, there is a difference of only 5 minutes. So that's probably not as big a factor since you've consciously understood you'll be adding double your commute time. DOUBLE! Weekend traffic is not that comparable to weekday traffic. Though since you have the odd hours, it will probably even out.

I'm afraid I'm no help. lol
If it's a relatively temporary thing, you'll probably be alright. If I had to drive 1+ hour to work for the rest of my life. I'd either move closer or get a job closer.

[SilentJay]

^^^ I'm desperately trying to find a job out on the west-end...

[KenYork]

I'm also currently in the house hunt. I work downtown(off peak traffic hours), wife works in sauga. We've looked at the houses in Milton and although the prices are decent, we'd rather stay closer to the core of sauga as the commute seems not worth the house you get. We also find for the dollar and commute, Kitchener seems a better value if we're gonna commute.

[Dan Da Man]

Mattamy has been great with me also. They will fix anything. Even if your bastard dog scratched your stairs, they will fix it!

[SilentJay]

I'm also currently in the house hunt. I work downtown(off peak traffic hours), wife works in sauga. We've looked at the houses in Milton and although the prices are decent, we'd rather stay closer to the core of sauga as the commute seems not worth the house you get. We also find for the dollar and commute, Kitchener seems a better value if we're gonna commute.
Kitchener is pretty far out?



Mattamy has been great with me also. They will fix anything. Even if your bastard dog scratched your stairs, they will fix it!
lol - good to hear

[KenYork]

Mattamy has been great with me also. They will fix anything. Even if your bastard dog scratched your stairs, they will fix it!

Yes it is far. I guess it helps to have good friends where you're moving to as well. I figure you're either close or far with great value and friends about. Anything in between is a waste of time. I just don't see the value of Milton after the last 12months.

I also don't see the value in buying a house and moving after 5years in our current state of economy(IMO better to buy and expect to stay at least 5 or more than expect to sell.). You gotta pay fees everytime you buy and sell, and moving in and out is not good ecnomics unless the market is strong.

[prinsesa]

I wouldn't want to travel from Milton to DT Toronto =/
It's very exhausting, when I used to work DT Toronto (8 months placement), I used to go there twice a week and I would hate it. Taking the bus to go to the GO Station then taking the GO train..Then at 4-5, everyone would RUN back to Union to catch the train and it would be crammed like sardines. UGH. I hated it!! It was when I realized that I needed to wear runners instead of heels T_T

I had a job offer for DT Toronto and Mississauga, I chose Mississauga because of the distance (the Mississauga job paid better too so win/win situation)
My office moved so now I am literally 10 mins walking distance to my office ^_^

In conclusion, I will pick the house that's closer to a GO station.
I dont think your area of work matters since both are houses are all North

[SilentJay]

^^^ She commutes to DT via the GO right now anyway, so its not like its a new environment to her... It just might take a little longer. The station is 5 minutes away from the site in Milton, and 7 minutes from the site in Brampton. It's really my commute that's going to be significantly extended. An additional 20-30ish minutes for me in the morning, and i'd assume another 30-40 at night.

[Unoriginalusername]

I live in Milton. Used to commute to Dixie & 401, now I commute to Warden in Markham. The 401, 403 and 407 along with the GO make most parts of the GTA very accessible. it's nice to come home to milton at the end of the day and have some breathing space, and a great little downtown with lots of bike trails and parks. if you can stomach the 407 fees, you'll have a traffic free commute to and from work

The prices will vary by builder, Sundial, Greenpark etc. do not have as high of a price or the same resale draw as the Mattamy homes even though they often come with more features (i.e. our home had a 110 foot lot and California shutters from the builder).

Single car garage 3 bedroom homes were 350-375 last year are selling for $425-$450k currently. The "cheap" builders double car garage homes start at about $480k. We just sold our house a week ago and are looking at downsizing within Milton and have been through a number of homes.

The school zone (i.e. Hawthorn Village) greatly effects home prices, as does expansion plans. James snow is slated to become a 6 lane highway and the farm land on the other side has all been approved and zoned as commercial and industrial. If you are looking at a home near a field in Milton that land is very likely to be developed and you should know what you are getting into before you buy.

[SilentJay]

I think we're really leaning towards the detach in Milton now, and may be making the offer as soon as Saturday morning. Funny enough, both my gf and I were looking at switching our cars to something a bit more efficient like the Honda Fit too...

[SilentJay]

So despite a few setbacks, I managed to snag an appointment to make an offer this Saturday afternoon. I think we still owe it to ourselves to check out the other sales offices, but she's got her heart set on this one. Anyone have any idea where the Fieldgate/Arista/Great Gulf Homes office is?

[Unoriginalusername]

I think we're really leaning towards the detach in Milton now, and may be making the offer as soon as Saturday morning. Funny enough, both my gf and I were looking at switching our cars to something a bit more efficient like the Honda Fit too...

The fit is an economy freak on the highway. I just installed a K&N short ram air filter and the MPG numbers are looking 5-7% better already. It's not as bad as I thought it would be to drive, but then again it did come with Pro-Kits, iPod integration (factory USB) and an exhaust.

how did the offer on the home go? we just bought another home in milton on the weekend as well

[SilentJay]

^^^ We go in on Saturday to see what's left over :P