Transit Oriented Development in Toronto

 Transit Oriented Development in Toronto

What transit infrastructure is required for the increased density that all the downtown condo construction is bringing? This is a question I thought of today when thinking about the impact of the Mirvish-Gehry Proposal on King West. The one thing I've always done is to make an assumption that those that live or make the choice to live downtown are going to accept a new car-free and not car-dependant way of living. Of course this is not always the case, and many of the new condo projects are replete with obscene amounts of underground or onsite parking. Its only a matter of time before critical mass is reached and there will be decreasing returns on the density being placed downtown.

People that choose to live downtown should make the commitment to making car ownership or car dependant lifestyle a last case option. Not the primary option for getting around downtown. Now obviously I can't dictate how people live, but hope that there is some forward thinking going on in the minds of would be downtown residents.

Now, the burden cannot just be put on the people, real improvements to transit downtown are required by all levels of government. The most important of these is the Downtown Relief Line (DRL)
Other transit improvements are coming with the new increased capacity Subways and new streetcars which are almost double the size of the existing fleet. As well as the new Queens Quay Promenade Development in the works for next year.

More walkable communities with work, retail and entertainment are likely the most important factors outside of improved transit connections for making the flood of new residents content to get around outside of using their cars. Its a small progressive step in the right direction.

Queens Quay Blvd - Toronto Harbourfront

Getting a Mortgage and Mortgage Insurance through Desjardins Group for financing a loan to purchase at FIVE Condos is actually a relatively easy process, and new rules from the federal government has required that company include new regulations, which have made the home loan and mortgage process a bit more difficult. Those changes at Desjardins Group include shortening the amortization period for which the loan can be held by the consumer, and the degree to which the property is financed by the mortgage. They have also increased deposit requirements to lift the loan insurance amount. Mortgage insurance from Desjardins Group is actually one of the major financing costs on home loans.

Investment Trusts have no taken to looking to purchase rental properties and acquiring mortgages through financing auctions by the banks looking to shore up their balances sheets in light of stricter government regulation. These regulations have actually made holding residential mortgages by the large financial institutions harder to hold. Currently investors are looking to increase their position in rental properties in Toronto, at the same time the federal government in co-operation with the financial institutions are making getting and qualifying for loans and mortgages more difficult

Desjardins Group : What is Condo Insurance?
Condo Insurance is required to protect your personal contents from theft or fire damage in your condo if these unforeseen events should happen you should make sure that you have adequate protection. Some items in your condo are will also be protected by your condo association insurance policy which covers the general building. The events that are covered by condo insurance include Fire, as well as Lighting. Other weather related causes such as Windstorms, and Hail are also covered. The major one that most people worry about is theft which is covered by condo contents insurance policies.