It's all good in da hood..

Ok silly @$$ question.... Is Westmount is good/bad/ok neighbourhood? Currently living in Queen Elizabeth.

I'm still learning what's good/bad as far as neighbourhoods, I know it's not as cut and dried as East = good, West = bad.

Westmount is sketchy. Unless things have changed drastically, I grew up on the west side. I lived in Massey Place just over from Westmount. There are certainly good blocks and bad blocks but generally speaking it's not ideal.

Is there some kind of circumstance for the move? I'd personally stay in QE.

Don't necessarily NEED to move... It's just we're renting now, and if we could get a bigger place that we're getting equity on, so much the better. And I agree, we like this neighborhood, but most houses here are out of our price range at the moment.

I figured it out... GW runs the Saskatoon real estate market!

For sure its always better to own. Like Scott and Robyn said there could be some sketchyness there. The further from 22nd the better, for sure.

Robyn: Missed your post. Here's the house:

http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=10736445&PidKey=1319526961

It's right across the street from the school.

Gluvzer: I've been here long enough (you know, more than 5 mins:) to know 22nd is bad news, its that it seems hit or miss exactly how far from there you can go and find somewhere you are comfortable leaving your wife and kids:) The phrase "Walking distance to St. Paul's Hospital!" isn't a plus, Mr. Realtor. A few co-workers live around 29th and Idlywild and have said it's good.

I don't know your situation personally, or what you're comfortable with in terms of housing and location but I would pass on it. It's a decent looking price but the home is from 1912 (I've owned one of those before) I would defo pass on the location.

Roland wrote:Ok silly @$$ question.... Is Westmount is good/bad/ok neighbourhood? Currently living in Queen Elizabeth.

I'm still learning what's good/bad as far as neighbourhoods, I know it's not as cut and dried as East = good, West = bad.

I have live 4 blocks down from that location , and bought my house 7 years ago.
i have had my car window smashed out once in that time, and nothing else realy.
I do have a bigish wolf looking dog that likes to sit in the front window and watch poeple go by though.
I have also noticed the are getting better in the last 7 years. It seems like alot of younger families are moving here because they can't afford the higher east side prices.

Your always gonna get mixed reviews .. especially from people living on the east and west. For a first house though, the price is definitely right.

Like I said, besides Trev.. we have a friend that lives only 3 blocks away.. shes a working professional, her husband a baker.. and they have a baby on the way. They have a very similar house to this one they bought about 6-7 years ago and have been slowly renovating, and they love the nighbourhood .. so, tough call.

Hmmmm

I think I'm gonna take a drive and see what the general area looks like. If it looks ok, then it can't hurt to take a look.

Robyn I think you hit the nail on the head. We're not in a position where we have to move or anything, our other option is keep saving until we can afford something pricier. It's somewhat bewildering, as new homes start in the $180's where we are from (Niagara), and a "starter" home starts in the $120's.

Hey Roland I was just looking for a house last year and I picked up quiet a bit. One look at the out side. The windows look from the 60's (leak or draft... winters get cold). Look at the siding... put your hand on it and feel it. If it isn't solid walk away. Find out what tip of insulation it R20, 40 or in my old house wood chips. The higher the R value the thicker/better insulation. Check the foundation. house listed made 1912. They very rarely made good concrete then because it was to expensive. If its cracked walk away. Also they didn't have good electrical standards tell the 80's watch the breaker box is it full 100 or 200 amp how old are the wire going to the box, are there signs of ware or corrosion. While in the basement check for signs of flooding. stains on the floor boards of bottom of stairs are a died give away. If your not sure about the hood walk next door and talk to your future neighbors. Its a great way to get a feel of the neighborhood. Bring the wife along so they dont think your a creeper... lol

Also take a good look at the furnace and water heater looking at the photos it looks well installed. Looking at the photos I would be concerned about the foundation, siding, insulation, and the widows. I hope this helped ya out. Good luck man

Commander James of the Ul wrote:Hey Roland I was just looking for a house last year and I picked up quiet a bit. One look at the out side. The windows look from the 60's (leak or draft... winters get cold). Look at the siding... put your hand on it and feel it. If it isn't solid walk away. Find out what tip of insulation it R20, 40 or in my old house wood chips. The higher the R value the thicker/better insulation. Check the foundation. house listed made 1912. They very rarely made good concrete then because it was to expensive. If its cracked walk away. Also they didn't have good electrical standards tell the 80's watch the breaker box is it full 100 or 200 amp how old are the wire going to the box, are there signs of ware or corrosion. While in the basement check for signs of flooding. stains on the floor boards of bottom of stairs are a died give away. If your not sure about the hood walk next door and talk to your future neighbors. Its a great way to get a feel of the neighborhood. Bring the wife along so they dont think your a creeper... lol

Also take a good look at the furnace and water heater looking at the photos it looks well installed. Looking at the photos I would be concerned about the foundation, siding, insulation, and the widows. I hope this helped ya out. Good luck man

Hey thanks, I knew some of those, but others... I had NO idea about the concrete foundations out here.

another good area on the west side is look at anything around 11th st and south of that; its like a whole other town; you cant tell your in a big city, gives a small town feel, there's several schools down there (2 or 3 off the top of my head), nice quiet area. natives wont walk that far south of 22nd either. "11 blocks? you out of your mind ehhhh?" just some advice from your metis friend.

System Commander wrote:

James gives some great advice though. I mean, you'll get an inspector to check out a bunch of it for you, but the more you can do yourself before shelling out the cash for him to come by, the better.

Just be sure to take whatever info an inspector gives you with a grain salt, as far as I am aware there is no Provincial regulations governing home inspectors. Most that advertise will claim membership to one of 3 or 4 international organizations but any schmuck off the street can claim to be a House inspector. The guy we used told us the humidifier attached to the furnace was dumping excess moisture into the house and needed to be removed. Turns out the sweating windows in the bedroom was due to a WINDOW BEING LEFT OPEN!!!

Ya be very careful of the foundation. If you see cracks or larger sized rocks in the concrete it was a cheep job. The older houses are famous for that. Jen and I bought a J,H house last fall and are very impressed with the results. They have a large variety of options per house and several different models. We lucked out and got the Imperial model show home and love it. Like REALLY REALLY.... But with that you have to either build or move one on. And well if you choose to live in the big city that could be very expensive. There are several estates for sale within 30 minutes of the city. Some could be reasonalby priced. any way later