Most people these days when looking for a Toronto home downtown are thinking of purchasing a condo or townhouse. They seem to be springing up everywhere and the designs are getting more elaborate with a greater number of amenities. But, there are some definite drawbacks to living in this sort of real estate and it's just not for everyone. Luckily, when you're looking at Leslieville homes or in many areas across the city there are a number of styles to choose from. Here are some tips for finding your perfect standalone home in Canada's biggest city.

There are some districts downtown where you just won't find a lot of selection if you're not interested in a condo design. These are the waterfront area north through the Entertainment district and up past Queen Street. While you will find some older homes in these areas, you will definitely not get the selection that you will in other sections of the city.

Moving a little further away from the downtown core, there are plenty of unique and beautiful homes available in neighborhoods like the Annex, the Danforth, and Bloor West. These are three of the more popular areas for people who want the independence of owning their own property but don't want the commute that you get with homes for sale in Thornhill. All of these areas have easy access to public transit and comes in simple designs like row houses to luxury properties with historic appeal.

If you're really going for a luxury home, then your first stop needs to be the Rosedale area. This is the swankiest district in Toronto's downtown and is home to some of the oldest family money in the region. Forest Hill and The Bridle Path are also known for their extravagant homes with higher than average price tags. If you're interested in living near one of these areas but cannot yet afford it, check out homes in Moore Park, Toronto. This area is just north of Rosedale and includes many homes that were built using the same design techniques.

If you're a first-time homebuyer or just looking for a home with a little bit more character, you should check out the emerging community of Trinity Bellwoods. This neighbourhood is located just west of Kensington Market and south of Little Italy is has a large concentration of younger home owners. When you're looking at Trinity Bellwoods homes you will see a lot of recent home remodels in older buildings. And because this is a growing area of the city, home prices have yet to reach the higher levels of other popular areas of the city.

You definitely don't need to live in homes in Richmond Hill to have an affordable house in the GTA. There are plenty of properties available in Old Toronto for those that are willing to look for them. So, get out there and start the search for your dream home.