Bitten by the real estate bug
A strange thing happened when I was in Kingsville a few weeks ago.
Whenever we travel, hubby likes to take a peek at local real estate prices, but I'm usually content to receive any information he wishes to share. This time, after walking past a few homes for sale at the start of our trip and hearing hubby say, “I wonder how much this is going for,” I pored over MLS listings and condo development websites nearly every night. I spent hours doing this. I couldn’t stop. I chattered on and on about the properties for sale.
They’re building new condos just up the street.
The blue house we passed yesterday has a huge covered porch.
Look at this little house on Pelee Island with its own private beach.
It was happening again.
I know what it’s like to be bitten by the real estate bug. It happens like clockwork, every 2 to 3 years. Seemingly out of nowhere, I get the idea that there's a place out there that’s more suitable for our little family. I get drawn in by the prospect of having more space in a new home, a new neighborhood, a new town, or even a new province or country.
I could have a home office or a dedicated room to film YouTube videos.
It would be nice to have a second bathroom.
This house sounds like a steal.
Fortunately, I remember in the nick of time that I can’t stand the hassle of moving. That hubby and I get stressed out when we think about cleaning and maintaining a bigger home. That I’m not ready to give up the peace of mind that comes with having no debt. And most importantly, I remember that I love where we live.
It's natural to feel the pull of shiny new things. When we’re being swept up by the wave of desire, it can feel tedious to take a pause, look deeper, and ask, is this what I truly want? What need am I trying to fulfill? Do I want this for myself or for someone else’s expectation of me? When I took a step back and reflected on these questions, I uncovered three steadfast truths — reminders of why we’ve lived here for so long and why I’m not quite ready to move.
Truth #1:
I love to walk, and everything we desire is within walking distance of our home. My daily walks are often the best part of my day. I feel antsy and irritable when I don’t get my steps in and our current home has a dreamy Walk Score of 99. I love that we’re within a short stroll to Chinatown, Harbourfront, St. Lawrence Market, the Distillery District, tons of delicious restaurants, a variety of grocery stores, and pretty much anything our hearts desire. I don’t enjoy going to the gym or playing sports, so my daily walks are how I stay active. I also don’t enjoy being in vehicles, so it’s nice that I can seamlessly integrate walks into my car-free lifestyle. When we do want to venture farther afield, we have a multitude of public transit and car rental options nearby. My current home is perfectly aligned with the life I want to live.
Truth #2:
I love the anonymity of living in a big city. I’ve never gravitated towards being in areas where everybody knows my name or wants to catch up. The idea that I can be in a lively, bustling, diverse neighbourhood and just go about my day feels incredibly freeing. I get a sense of belonging from simply existing in this community of strangers in downtown Toronto. To me, it doesn’t feel disconnected or impersonal; it feels like a quiet kinship. As soon as I step out of our building and onto the sidewalk, I notice other humans going about their day, just like I am. I love being able to remain in my own thoughts while being surrounded by people. I can be alone without feeling lonely.
Truth #3:
I love that we use all our space in significant, meaningful ways. There’s a certain level of creativity that’s needed to live in a small space. When I noticed during The Artist’s Way that I was drawn to images of greenery, we didn’t move away from the concrete jungle. Instead, I created a sanctuary in our home with houseplants. When I wanted to experiment with growing herbs, we didn’t move to a place with better sun exposure. Instead, we bought an AeroGarden. When we wanted a hammock for our home, we didn’t move to a house with a backyard. Instead, we found room on our balcony. I love that we use every square inch we have, every single day. Our condo feels efficient and purposeful, with no part sitting empty or unused. Despite the small space, I feel like I can have it all. I feel like I do have it all.
Hubby and I are incredibly fortunate to own our home. There’s a beautiful freedom in being debt-free, and I don’t want to get swept up in the collective desire for something newer, bigger, more impressive. Maybe one day, it will be the right decision for us to move out of our tiny condo. In the meantime, the next time I get bitten by the real estate bug, I’ll take a pause to look deeper and ask myself if my three steadfast truths still hold true.
