Run the full monthly number before deciding. Rent or mortgage is only the loud cost; the quiet costs are what wear you down. The GTA works best when you choose based on commute and community together, not only the largest house you can afford. Before committing, test the weekday version: school drop-off, grocery routine, commute, doctor access, and evening energy. The first few months were not a fair test. They were setup, loneliness, paperwork, and too many small decisions.