What $500,000 Gets You Across Canada
Take a real estate tour across the country to see what half a million dollars will buy you close to downtown in most major Canadian cities.
We looked at what you can buy in Calgary for $515,000, but what about the rest of the country? Here’s what you can get in some of the major cities across Canada for around $500,000*. The properties are all generally close to the centre of the city because that makes it a little more interesting, but in every city you can get more the further out you go.
*All of the prices are the list prices on MLS as of January 28, 2015.Victoria
Where it is
1290 Vista Hts, Victoria, B.C. (3.7 kilometres from the Parliament Buildings)
How much it is
$494,000
What you get
It’s a 1928 house with five bedrooms and two bathrooms over 2,082 square-feet. It has some of those cute character details like crown mouldings, a butler’s pantry, leaded glass and hardwood floors. And, it wouldn’t be Victoria without a huge deck to enjoy the outdoors for more time each year than most of the rest of Canada.
Vancouver
Where it is
210, 1500 Pendrell St., Vancouver, B.C. (1 kilometre from Stanley Park)
How much it is
$499,000
What you get
You get a two bedroom, 950 square-foot condo in Vancouver’s West End. It comes with 9-foot ceilings and a covered balcony. The kitchen is tiny, but the building has a fitness centre with a racquetball court and a rooftop deck. Because it is a condo, you also get to pay $402 each month in maintenance fees.
Edmonton
Where it is
9947 89 Ave., Edmonton, AB (In the neighbourhood of Strathcona, near the river valley)
How much it is
$529,9000
What you get
This house was built in 1941 and has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It also happens to have two kitchens. One upstairs that has been updated and another in the basement. You’re really buying location here. It is close to the river and Whyte Avenue and is in one of the best neighbourhoods in the city.
Calgary
Where it is
309 12 Ave. N.W., Calgary, AB (It’s in Bridgeland, across the river from downtown and East Village)
How much it is
$509,900
What you get
It’s a 1931 bungalow with 2014 renovations. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms over 828 square-feet plus a basement.
Saskatoon
Where it is
126 9 St. E, Saskatoon, Sask. (A few blocks from Broadway Avenue)
How much it is
$489,900
What you get
You get four bedrooms and two bathrooms over 1,595 square-feet, but most noticeably you get a lot of wood work. There is wood on the coffered ceilings, lining the rec room, on beams on the cathedral ceiling and plus the usual places like floors and built-ins. The house was built in 1921. The kitchen is small but upgraded.
Winnipeg
Where it is
214 Girton Boulevard, Winnipeg, MN (In the Tuxedo area, a few blocks from Assiniboine Park and the river)
How much it is
$479,900
What you get
This is a 1929 house that has been upgraded over the years. It has three bedrooms and three bathrooms with a kitchen that opens into a living room with vaulted ceilings. The best part is the location close to the park.
Ottawa
Where it is
211 Crichton St., Ottawa, ON (Along Rideau River Pathway, three kilometres from Parliament Hill)
How much it is
$479,900
What you get
This is a townhouse is right across from Porter Island, the river and all of those river pathways. It has three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms over three storeys. It’s in trendy New Edinburgh, which might help make up for the slightly outdated kitchen.
Toronto
Where it is
410, 549 King St. E., Toronto, ON (3 kilometres to downtown and near the Distillery District)
How much it is
$489,000
What you get
It’s a two bedroom and two bathroom condo with a big balcony that gets you views of downtown Toronto. It’s close to Leslieville and the St. Lawrence Market. Monthly maintenance fees are a whopping $616.
Montreal
Where it is
510, 4225 Rue. St. Dominique, Montreal, QC (Four blocks from Mount Royal in the Plateau)
How much it is
$539,000
What you get
This one bedroom, 1.5 bathroom apartment has all the fancy extras – heated floors, air conditioning, a 200 bottle wine cellar, a fireplace in the bathroom, brick walls, hardwood floors, a rooftop patio and building concierge.
Halifax
Where it is
5292 South St., Halifax, NS (Within a kilometre of the Halifax Public Gardens)
How much it is
$515,000
What you get
It’s an old character house that has been mostly renovated with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. There’s a bonus room on the top floor and a rec room on the bottom floor.
Charlottetown
Where it is
187 Dorchester St., Charlottetown, PEI (Two blocks from Water Street and four blocks from Confederation Landing)
How much it is
$487,000
What you get
It’s a really old home that got a massive renovation in 2011. There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms and six brick fireplaces.
St. John’s
Where it is
55 Cochrane St., St. John’s, NFLD (In between Bannerman Park and St. John’s Harbour)
How much it is
$497,000
What you get
It’s one of St. John’s heritage homes that has been restored as well as renovated. The kitchen got an upgrade with marble and butcher block counter tops. There are spa bathrooms and walk-in closets. And, there are restored stained glass windows, pocket doors and mouldings.