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| Subject: Toronto area schools/housing |
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Latest study is available here.
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/Commerce.Web/product_files/70ONESC08DTTO.pdf
I´m just basing my thoughts about the school quality based on this list.
Can you guys advice me about price difference in the houses (I´m talking average price) between areas where average schools are not that good (for example Oshawa) compared to an area where the average schools are better (for example Oakville). Does better schools play a part towards the price difference ?
[03-04-2008,19:32]
[***.242.242.2]
Raj |
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(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
I will answer your last question first - house prices are not affected by the calibre of the school rating. In many districts you are free to attend any school in the city so you would be free to travel across town if you chose to.
The Fraser Institute ranking is hated by educators. It´s measuring tools are very narrow.
Neighbourhoods are made up of people. Without stereotyping people may I submit, single parents afford less expensive housing. Low income earners don´t put as much emphasis on education with their children, poor nutrition affects education, recent immigration and language skills play havoc with kids test scores. Does that make it a bad school - NO.
If you go to a school in a more affordable neighbourhood, the teaching will be the same, the standards will be the same - but the students performance may very well be impacted by their personal life circumstances.
May I suggest that what happens with your parenting is far more important than which public school you choose.
[03-04-2008,20:39]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
Its not a new thing that these ranking institutes are hated, you cannot please everyone. Is there any other ranking institution that does such school rankings in Canada ?
I can refer to their report too....
Well parenting does play a very important part but I am of the strong opinion that children are inclined to be influenced by their friends a lot. When they get to high school, they are probably spending more time with their friends. High school dropouts are bad, and not aiming for graduation also will not get you far in your career.
I do feel that "not putting emphasis on education", "poor nutrition" and "bad language skills" are not exactly signs of a great neighborhood. The school that those kids go to is probably going to bring in a low score.
Also I feel most people would not prefer to send children across town for schooling. Its hard to fathom that entire Oshawa is occupied by single parents because of which housing is cheaper, and all families go to Oakville where houses are expensive, each city will have a mix of both... no ?
Anyway, What are the websites that I can research if I were to buy a house in the Greater Toronto area and Vancouver area ?
[04-04-2008,00:42]
[**.112.73.220]
Raj |
(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
Nomlah,
What are those websites ?
I could not find anything relevant out there....
The first one did not even load properly.
[04-04-2008,00:50]
[**.112.73.220]
Raj |
(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
vancouver/lower mainland - http://www.realtylink.org/
[04-04-2008,01:49]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
Dear Raj
Why ask a question that you know the answer to already?
No matter the response you can debate the opposite.
Your answer is and has to be based on your own personal circumstances and desires.
Now Raj do you want to live near this/that or this is important to have around and that is something you don´t want to live near, or you want to be in the country setting, or you prefer to be close to downtown, or you prefer to commute to have a bigger safer yard. What????
Better yet what about the drive from York Region south or driving into the sun from Halton Region every morning and into the sun every evening.
Current House prices are found at www.mls.ca for the whole country.
Oshawa was recently rated one of the better cities in Canada but its not my first choice.
Roy
[04-04-2008,09:41]
[**.52.217.209]
Roy |
(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
Thanks Sharon.
Roy, Good try trying to talk in circles.... I just asked about the schools, looks like you have opened up a lot more issues to consider than just schools.... Hmmmm.... well, sorry to dissapoint you, but after considering all that other stuff, its amazing that schools are still on top of my list.... I know its so crazy !! thanks for the link though LOL !!
I´ll do some research on the weekend.
[04-04-2008,11:12]
[***.242.242.2]
Raj |
(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
I appreciate that you are trying your best to be a good parent, but may I suggest the choice of school should be much further down your list. I understand you are used to a different funding system and performance range in the US - but in Canada it really does not play out that way.
Pick a nieghbourhood with good swimming pools, ice rinks, sports teams, music programs, parks, a commute you could live with, potential employment for your wife, a yard for a dog....
you are trying too hard with the school stuff
[04-04-2008,15:01]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
Yeah those are some of the things I am looking for surely, don´t get me wrong.... and I am asking my friend Mr.Google about those things, fortunately I have first hand info about those things in the USA as I have lived here for a while and I have friends scattered all around the country.
On second thoughts, its very interesting that there is a high possibility of most of the things that you mentioned above to exist in pricier neighborhoods in the USA when you compare to cheaper neighborhoods, seems like its not the case in Canada.... still learning the subtle differences.... and just enjoying ... not trying too hard !!
[04-04-2008,15:27]
[***.242.242.2]
Raj |
(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
it´s that socialist type government we keep electing and all those darn taxes we pay... hmmmmm
have a look at this. I grew up in this neighbourhood. It is 80%+/- new immigrant. Right beside this community centre is the largest Punjabi market ourside of South Asia. The neighbourhood is the poorer side of town but has received a brand new community centre. This is what it looks like -
http://www.mysunset.net/newcentre.htm
right beside this new structure is an ice rink and elementary school.
[04-04-2008,16:03]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Toronto area schools/housing)
Yeah its looking real cool, my kid enjoys the pre school programs, she had a blast last year and we are already enrolled into 4 such programs at the center where I live for this spring, wife is happy kid is happy.... what else can you ask.... right ?
Yes, it is because of the socialist type government... but let me tell you 2 things....
1. Say 2 people live in same state in the USA... but in 2 neighboring cities, one cheap and one expensive. They both pay same federal and state taxes, but one of them pays a premium (higher real estate tax) to live in the expensive place, usually that place has most of the good stuff that you would want.
2. I think there is a hidden socialist taxing concept in the USA too. New York contributes one of the most (if not THE most) by way of taxes to the govt, but the return of investment is among the least as the govt actually distributes it among the other poorer states (don´t even mention Iraq here LOL !) and that´s why New Yorkers are mad as they are not getting enough back !! I see that as a little socialism too.
[04-04-2008,16:39]
[***.242.242.2]
Raj |
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