Quote:
Originally Posted by Crisis
As I stated in a similar discussion many years ago, if people were wanting to live in a dense, urban environment, they will live in one. Most people on the prairies have chosen not to do so. Telling them that they are wrong to think that way doesn't change things. It's like trying to get water to flow uphill...
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It's more of a financial decision than anything. Most people would probably choose to live in a walkable, mixed-use, active, transit friendly, higher density neighbourhood if that was a feasible option. In fact, there have been numerous studies across Canada that have said as much. The same can be said about Regina and Saskatoon - areas around U of S, or the legislature in Regina are two residential neighbourhoods with some of the highest property values in the province. However, supply does not equal demand and costs are exorbitant for most purchasers. They then gravitate towards neighbourhoods which are more affordable, which typically are those further away from the city centre.
Again, the way that municipalities subsidize and facilitate development, it creates a climate that is more favourable for suburban growth and impedes intensification. The end result is a cheaper cost to purchase in the suburban neighbourhoods than central areas. In reality, if accurate costing was involved suburban prices would be dramatically higher.
But the way things function right now, it's little wonder why families elect to choose larger homes at the periphery of the city than denser living - it's all a matter of price which has emerged from misdirected fiscal policies!