Downsizing in Thornhill, Markham and Vaughan

Overview of downsizing in Thornhill

Thornhill is not a municipality. It is a long-established community in York Region, to the north of Toronto, divided by Yonge Street. Vaughan covers the west side and Markham the east side. The Thornhill Heritage Conservation District also straddles Yonge Street, and each city maintains its own designation, as the City of Vaughan explains on its heritage district news page. Heritage rules can limit changes to a property, so ask the relevant city whether an address is inside the district.

The split matters more than it sounds. Two sets of planning staff, two tax offices and two recreation systems serve the same community. Check the city before you compare costs. For city-wide detail, see downsizing in Vaughan, downsizing in Markham and the York and Durham overview.

Condos and townhouses in Thornhill for downsizers

Smaller homes in Thornhill include condominium apartments, townhouses and some bungalows. We have not named specific buildings because we have not confirmed any of them against a City page. A condominium owner pays monthly fees to the condominium corporation and shares in any special assessment, so the status certificate and reserve fund study matter more than the building name. Our guide to buying a condo in Ontario explains what to request and condo, townhouse or house compares the three.

Fees, building age and unit sizes vary too widely to generalize, so ask for them in writing. If a land lease or life lease is on your list, read life lease and land lease homes first.

Getting around Thornhill by YRT and the subway

York Region Transit runs local buses and Viva rapid transit routes across Markham and Vaughan, and its trip planner at yrt.ca shows current routes and schedules for an address. TTC Line 1 reaches Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station, which opened on December 17, 2017 and connects to York Region Transit and Viva buses. Cross-boundary trips between York Region and Toronto involve two fare systems, so ask each agency how fares are combined. We have not listed bus route numbers, because they change. GO Transit's trip planner covers train options. See getting around Ontario after 65.

Hospitals near Thornhill

Mackenzie Health operates Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital at 3200 Major Mackenzie Drive West and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital at 10 Trench Street. Markham Stouffville Hospital, at 381 Church Street, is operated by Oak Valley Health. We have not stated distances or travel times. Which hospital is nearer depends on the address, and your care team may refer you to a particular one. Ontario Health atHome (1-833-515-1234) coordinates home and community care. See aging in place or moving if care needs are part of the decision.

Everyday life in Thornhill

Because two cities serve Thornhill, parks, libraries and recreation programs come from Vaughan on the west side and Markham on the east. We have not listed individual parks or shops because we have not confirmed them against city pages. Use each city's recreation listings for current programs and fees. When you clear out a long-held home, the clearing out and moving day guide covers the order of work.

Flood mapping and insurance in Thornhill

Thornhill falls in the area of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Its flood plain map viewer and regulated area search show whether an address lies in a mapped area, on either side of Yonge Street. A property outside a mapped area can still have sewer backup risk. Read our flood and storm insurance guide and get quotes using the exact address.

Property tax relief in Markham and Vaughan

East of Yonge Street, the City of Markham lists a Low-Income Seniors Property Tax Assistance Program and a Seniors and Low-Income Tax Deferral Program on its tax relief page. West of Yonge Street, the City of Vaughan has described an Elderly Home-owners Tax Assistance Program for owners 65 or older who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement, in a news item on seniors' tax support. It also described York Region's property tax deferral program for seniors. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the tax office of the city that serves the address. Provincial programs are on the costs and money page.

A seller pays no land transfer tax in Ontario. The buyer does, and neither Markham nor Vaughan has a municipal land transfer tax. See the land transfer tax guide and the net proceeds calculator.

Questions to ask before you buy in Thornhill

• Is the address in Markham or Vaughan, and which tax programs does that city offer?
• Is it inside the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District, and what does that limit?
• Is it within a TRCA regulated area, and what does the insurer say about sewer backup?
• If it is a condominium, what do the status certificate and reserve fund study say?
• How far is the nearest YRT or Viva stop, and is the walk step-free?
• Which hospital and family doctor will serve you?
• Would you rather sell first or buy first? See buy first or sell first.

When you are ready to talk to someone, contact us. Messages go to agents on the operating team at eXp Realty. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice, and a lawyer licensed in Ontario should review any agreement.