Townhouses For Sale in Carlton/Bunting, St. Catharines

A 1960s and 1970s neighbourhood with condo pockets

More than half of Carlton/Bunting's homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s, and detached houses make up most of the neighbourhood. Streets such as Royal Manor Drive, Leaside Drive and Berkshire Drive are typical: bungalows and two-storeys on generous lots with mature trees.

Townhouses are tucked into condo complexes. The ones you will see most often are on Dorchester Boulevard, with three-bedroom, two-bathroom units in established rows. There is also a stacked condo townhouse complex at Carlton Street and Bunting Road with units of about 1,350 square feet, an attached single garage and driveway parking.

Because the neighbourhood is mostly detached homes, townhouse complexes here are not crowded together. They tend to sit among quiet residential streets, which gives them a calmer feel than complexes on a busy commercial road.

Older rows and newer stacked units

The right choice depends on your priorities. A row gives you a basement and a small yard. A stacked unit with a garage gives you covered parking and often a more updated interior.

Slower pace, easy highway

Carlton/Bunting is described as a neighbourhood for people who prefer a slower pace. It is generally quiet, with low traffic noise and green space nearby. Primary schools are within walking distance of most homes, but there are no high schools in the neighbourhood itself.

Driving is the usual way to get around. Highway access is quick, and parking is easy. Transit is limited, with a few bus lines running through the area. Pharmacies and basic food shopping are easy to reach, but larger grocery trips usually need a car.

For a buyer from the GTA, that slower pace is often the point. The trade-off is that you will rely on a car for most errands, so a townhouse with a garage or a second parking space is worth looking for.

Carlton/Bunting for downsizers and first-timers

Downsizers from the GTA who want a quiet, settled area and a condo that handles the outdoor work often like Carlton/Bunting. A stacked unit with a garage can be a practical choice for a couple, while a two-storey row with a basement works for anyone who wants guest space.

First-time buyers also look here, since condo townhouses in an established area can be a more accessible way into a three-bedroom home. Investors should look at the condo's leasing rules and the owner-renter mix; about two-thirds of the neighbourhood's homes are owner-occupied.

Before you buy in Carlton/Bunting

• For older rows, read the reserve fund study closely and ask about recent roof, window and paving work.
• For stacked units, ask about sound insulation, shared mechanical systems and how snow is cleared from driveways and walkways.
• Confirm what the fee covers. Some include water, cable and insurance; others do not.
• Check visitor parking if family visits often.
• Look at the walk to the nearest bus stop if you expect to rely less on driving in future.