Condo Living and the Single Woman

Every day, I meet intelligent, independent and motivated women who are no longer waiting for the perfect partner before settling down: they’re taking the reins. According to the 2011 TD Canada Trust First Time Homebuyers Report released in June, nearly one third of Canadian women will purchase their own first home. These women come from every age bracket and all backgrounds. Some are young women just starting out, while others, with a wealth of experience behind them, are looking for a place to call their own after divorce or widowhood. Thankfully, the old-fashioned stigma around being single has gone out the window.

There’s no denying that, financially, double-income purchasers have an advantage: most single women aren’t prepared to spring for a giant house complete with a giant mortgage. But the great news is that the Ottawa market is just popping with incredible condominium options. New condos of every description – traditional, open-concept, townhome, loft-style – are available at a variety of price points.

Many of today’s condos put emphasis on features that may have been overlooked by builders in the past – terrific closet space, for instance, more expansive kitchens and deep soaker baths.

Security is a major concern for many single women. Condominiums can provide this in varying degrees, from buzzer systems to security cameras to 24-hour concierge service, depending on your personal comfort level. That’s something that a traditional suburban home simply can’t offer.

In accordance with your monthly condo fees, amenities may range from basic to over-the-top. Many women opt for condos with equipped gyms, allowing them to forego the cost of a gym membership and to work out in the comfort and safety of their own buildings. Party rooms are another popular amenity: by reserving these spaces for special occasions, a woman needn’t feel that she can’t entertain in large numbers because her living room is too confined.

After a long day at work, most of us would rather not scoop leaves from the eavestroughs. A lot of single women – and men, too – are drawn to condos for the maintenance-free lifestyle they offer.

Finally, condos tend to be situated in vibrant neighbourhoods and to attract people with similar lifestyles. After all, “single” isn’t a synonym for “isolated”. Condominium living offers the comfort of knowing you’re surrounded by neighbours and, at its best, provides a sense of genuine community.

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