A big draw to downtown living is having urban conveniences at your fingertips. Your office is within walking distance. Your favourite restaurant and the hottest club are a short stroll away. For trips further afield, public transit is often just outside your front door, ready to do the driving for you.

Downtown neighborhoods are by nature older than suburban counterparts, and thus are often steeped in culture and history, and flaunt a character all their own. Whether it’s Vancouver historic Yaletown neighbourhood, Toronto’s off-beat Kensington Market or Montreal’s vibrant Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, no two neighbourhoods in a city are alike.

Many older downtown neighbourhoods experience a revival, prompted by younger residents moving into the area to take advantage of fixer-uppers at lower prices, supporting new businesses or opening their own, and over time, transforming a down-and-out neighbourhood into the next big thing.

While suburban homes are typically brand new and beautiful, they’ve also come to be classified as “cookie cutter” designs. If you appreciate a home with history – and often some unusual quirks – downtown living could be right for you. As they say, they sure don’t make ‘em like they used to! Think vintage stained-glass window panels, antique door hardware, laundry shoots, etc.

The suburbs give you more home for your money, downtown dwellers often enjoy a greater return on their long-term investment. And depending on which city you live in (or aspire to!) you can still find the “affordable” homes in up-and-coming communities – if you can get in before the boom!

By virtue of being in the heart of the action, your place will naturally become the meeting place for friends before going for dinner at the trendiest restos, or out for a night on the town at the hottest clubs. (BONUS: You can just walk home after you’ve had a few bevvies!)

“A house we love, in a neighbourhood we love, in a city we love…  Comfort for us is represented in all these factors adding up.” – Justus Edmundson, RE/MAX of Nanaimo, Nanaimo, BC

Location, location, location! For many this is incredibly important. Some want to be close to the beach and enjoy the view from their windows of beautiful gardens and luscious trees. Some want to be in the hustle and bustle of the city, close to amenities and restaurants. Whatever their preference, location is one of the most important pieces on what makes their home sweet.

Peace and quiet. They want somewhere they can move at a slower pace. High walkability. No long commutes. A view. Privacy.

“My community is the number one thing. Coming into my neighborhood to see smiling faces of likeminded neighbours. It’s the place I should be.” – Taylor Hack, RE/MAX River City, Edmonton, AB

Coming home to the family members who meet them at the door every day with a wagging tail makes their space home.

Without family, love, the smell of home cooking, and laughter – their home would just be a house.

“A place where I can relax. A place of gathering of friends and family. A place that I can create in, think, pray, and laugh.” – Julie Wilson, RE/MAX RHC Realty, Nelson, BC
A home is where memories are made and kept.

“My personal possessions and the memories they hold, the friendly neighbourhood and how safe and secure I feel there, my husband.” – Susan McGougan, RE/MAX of Nanaimo, Nanaimo, BC

For many, what makes a home that much sweeter, is that it’s somewhere they can relax.
“Reading a good book by the fire in the living room.” – Zachary Mills, RE/MAX City Centre Realty, Prince George, BC

Others find that a sweet home is somewhere that has luxury items that help you decompress, like a hot tub, swim spa, or a massage chair.

To relax, it is necessary to have safety, security, and privacy. It needs to feel like your safe zone.

For a lot of people, it is the personal modifications and renovations that take a house to a sweet home. It’s ownership. It’s living somewhere that represents who you are.
It all comes down to personalizing it with their own décor and colors.

“It’s those spots that become special, like in the morning I warm my feet on that one spot in the kitchen that the sun shines in while I’m drinking my coffee.” – Shauna Thompson, RE/MAX Fort McMurray, Fort McMurray, AB

Sentiment, warm blankets, family photos, a perfect spot to enjoy a good meal, quiet but loud when entertaining, a place to feel calm. That is what makes a home sweet home.