Townhouses For Sale in Downtown Whitby, Whitby

Peter Perry's 1836 downtown and the housing around it

Settlement in Whitby began around 1800, but the downtown business centre dates to 1836, when Peter Perry established it. The core grew around the Brock and Dundas intersection, and the streets around it filled with houses over the next century and a half.

That history explains the housing mix. Downtown townhouses are rarely part of a big subdivision. They're more often small complexes or infill projects on lots that once held a single house, placed among older homes of many eras.

Small infill corporations on old downtown lots

Many downtown townhouses belong to small condominium corporations, sometimes only a handful of units. That brings specific risks worth checking:

• A small reserve fund. With few owners, each one's share of a big repair is larger, and a single special assessment can hit hard.
• Self-management. Some small corporations have no property manager. Find out who keeps the books, who arranges snow clearing and whether annual meetings actually happen.
• Developer-held units. In a newer infill project, ask whether the builder still owns any units, and whether the turnover meeting has happened.
• Parking. Small lots mean tight parking. Confirm how many spaces come with the unit, and whether visitors can park on site.

A small, well-run corporation can be very pleasant to live in. Ask to see the budget and the last annual meeting minutes.

Brock Street south to the station

From downtown, Whitby GO is a short trip south down Brock Street, below the 401, with local trains about every 15 minutes on weekdays. The 401's Brock Street interchange is on the way, so downtown is well placed for both train and highway commuters.

Dundas Street through Whitby is part of the Highway 2 corridor covered by the Durham-Scarborough bus rapid transit plan. So far, construction has been scheduled for sections in Ajax and Pickering, so treat any Whitby benefit as long-term.

Downtown Whitby for downsizers leaving a detached house

Downsizers are a big part of the downtown market: people who want to give up a yard and a long driveway but not move into an apartment tower. The draw is walking to Brock Street's shops and restaurants.

Watch the stairs. Many newer infill towns are three storeys, with the main living area on the second floor and a bedroom level above. Three-storey towns make good use of a narrow lot, but they mean carrying laundry and groceries up and down every day. If you plan to stay a long time, look for a layout with a main-floor bedroom or a space that could become one, and check the stair width in case you ever need a lift.

How downtown Whitby changes from block to block

Downtown Whitby is small, but the feel changes quickly. Streets right off Brock and Dundas have the most evening activity and the shortest walks; a few blocks out, the side streets are quieter and closer to the older residential fabric.

Some older downtown properties are individually listed or designated on the town's heritage register, separate from Brooklin's district. If a townhouse project includes or sits beside a heritage building, ask what restrictions apply before you plan any exterior changes. Visit at a few different times, including a Friday evening and a weekend morning, before deciding which block suits you.