Downsizing in Whitby

Overview of downsizing in Whitby

Whitby is one of eight municipalities in Durham Region, between Ajax and Oshawa. Services such as waste collection, regional roads and transit sit partly with the Region and partly with the Town, so check who to call for each. The Town includes Brooklin to the north, which has its own library branch, as well as the lakefront and central areas. Spend time in each area before you decide.

Messages from this site go to agents on the operating team at eXp Realty. Our downsizing guide and the York and Durham overview are good places to start.

Condos, townhouses and bungalows for downsizers in Whitby

Whitby has condominium apartments, townhouses and bungalows. Condominiums charge monthly fees and have shared rules, and the status certificate shows the budget and reserve fund. Our buying a condo in Ontario guide covers what to request, and condo, townhouse or house sets out the differences. No specific buildings are named here, so ask your agent for current listings and get fees and rules in writing.

If you own a larger older home, preparing an older home for sale lists what buyers and inspectors look at.

Getting around Whitby by GO train and bus

Whitby GO station is on GO Transit's Lakeshore East line, with trains toward Union Station in Toronto. Rush-hour trips have been added in recent years, but check the GO Transit schedules for current times. Local buses are run by Durham Region Transit, and you can find routes at durhamregiontransit.com. Plan any regular trip, such as to a specialist, before you commit to a car-free life. The guide getting around Ontario after 65 covers the options.

Hospitals near Whitby

Lakeridge Health Whitby Hospital, at 300 Gordon Street, provides dialysis and kidney care, diabetes education, outpatient and neurological rehabilitation, complex continuing care and geriatric rehabilitation and assessment. It has no emergency department. Lakeridge Health lists emergency departments at its Ajax Pickering, Bowmanville, Oshawa and Port Perry hospitals, and says to call 911 in a life-threatening emergency. If you value having an emergency department close, ask how long the trip takes from the specific address. Home and community care is coordinated through Ontario Health atHome at 1-833-515-1234.

Lynde Shores, the waterfront trail and libraries in Whitby

Lynde Shores Conservation Area is run by CLOCA and covers the mouth of Lynde Creek and its marshes, with looping trails. Whitby's Waterfront Trail is paved and off-road in sections, and the Town has recently upgraded the Corbett Creek section with a boardwalk and bridge. Whitby Public Library has three branches: Central on Dundas Street West, Brooklin on Vipond Road and Rossland on Rossland Road East. Check each source for current hours.

Flood maps and storm insurance in Whitby

CLOCA publishes regulated area mapping and a flood plain map. Whitby's lakefront and creek valleys are the places to check closely, including the area around Lynde Creek. Lake Ontario water levels and storm surge can affect shoreline properties, and ordinary home policies typically exclude overland flood. Read our flood and storm insurance guide and get insurance quotes before you waive conditions.

Property tax relief and land transfer tax in Whitby

The Town of Whitby's low-income seniors page describes a tax rebate for owners 65 and over who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement and live in the home. Applications are due by December 31 each year with a current GIS letter. Its tax deferral program is closed and will reopen when the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation carries out the next province-wide reassessment. The provincial Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant is claimed through your income tax return. See costs and money.

When you sell, the buyer pays land transfer tax rather than you, and Whitby has no municipal land transfer tax. The land transfer tax guide shows the rates and the net proceeds calculator estimates your proceeds.

Selling the larger home first or buying first

Most people downsizing in Whitby sell a larger home to buy a smaller one, and the order matters. Selling first gives certainty about your budget but may mean a temporary rental or a long closing. Buying first avoids a gap but can mean carrying two homes for a time. Our guide to buying first or selling first sets out the trade-offs, and capital gains and selling your principal residence explains why the gain on a home that was always your principal residence is generally not taxed, as long as the sale is reported on your return. This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Ask a lawyer or accountant licensed in Ontario about your own situation.

Questions to ask before you buy a smaller home in Whitby

• How far is the nearest hospital emergency department, given that Whitby Hospital has none?
• Is the property in a CLOCA regulated area, near Lynde Creek or on the shoreline?
• How far is the GO station or bus stop, and would you use it?
• What do the condominium fees cover, and when was the reserve fund study done?
• Are there rules about rentals, pets or renovations?
• Do you meet the Town's rebate rules, and have you set the December 31 date?

When you are ready to talk to someone, contact us to an agent on the eXp Realty team.