Townhouses For Sale in Monaghan Ward 2, Peterborough

The west end's newer freehold rows

Much of the west end was built out in the last few decades, as subdivisions spread from the older streets near Monaghan Road toward the city limits. Townhouses here include two-storey freehold rows on public streets, often with an attached single garage, a small backyard and no monthly fee. They are the closest thing in Peterborough to the suburban rows buyers know from Durham Region.

Alongside them are condominium complexes from various eras, including some bungalow-style units with higher fees that cover more of the exterior care. If you are deciding between the two, think about whether you want to handle your own roof, driveway and snow, or pay to have it handled.

Newer streets on the far west side were laid out with sidewalks, parks and school sites planned in, and some still have vacant land nearby that may yet be developed. Ask the city's planning department what is approved on any open parcel behind a row you like.

Close to the hospital and Fleming

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Hospital Drive opened in 2008 and is the city's largest employer. Many west-end buyers work there, and being able to get to a shift in minutes is a real draw. Fleming College's Sutherland Campus on Brealey Drive is also in the west end, which brings a student rental market to some streets.

For owner-occupiers, it is worth driving a street at night and on a weekend to see how much of it is rented. For investors, the proximity to both the college and the hospital is the main appeal.

Jackson Park and the green edge

Jackson Park, with its old-growth forest reached from Monaghan Road, is one of the west end's best features, and the trails along Jackson Creek give some townhouse streets an easy walk into the woods. Further out, the city gives way to farmland in Cavan Monaghan township.

Rows that back onto green space get the most attention here. If a row backs onto a ravine or creek, check whether the lot is affected by conservation authority regulations, which can limit decks, sheds and fencing.

What to compare on a west-end townhouse

• Freehold versus condo: similar-looking units on neighbouring streets can have very different monthly costs.
• Garage and storage: newer rows usually have a garage; older complexes may have a single outdoor space.
• Basement finish: many freehold rows were sold with unfinished basements, and the quality of later finishing varies.
• Distance to Lansdowne Street: it is the main shopping corridor, and the drive from the far west end can be longer than it looks on a map.

Who tends to buy in Monaghan

Young families who want a freehold with a yard, hospital staff, and investors focused on the college market make up much of the demand here. Downsizers who want a bungalow-style condo unit with exterior maintenance included also look in the west end, especially if they want to be near medical services.

Because the west end has a broader mix of tenures than other wards, it is also the easiest place to compare a freehold and a condo side by side, which helps when you are still deciding which one fits your budget and lifestyle.