Welcome to my blog on housing, culture, and design in Toronto, where I share my insights, ideas and point of view on the many facets of the Toronto Real Estate Market!
So we’re six months into a global pandemic and, as we live and breathe with gratitude (I certainly do), the risk and trauma of COVID-19 have altered the way many of us live our lives. To minimize exposure to those we love and respect, we’ve scaled back our engagements and gatherings, we maintain social distance from one another, and we are committed to wearing masks whenever we are in public spaces.
More fundamentally, the pandemic has shifted many things surrounding the framework of our lives. For example, COVID-19 have caused us to collectively rethink how we operate our long term care homes and shift our attention to multi-generational living, prompted employees to reevaluate how and where they work, and even address the fundamentals of how we design our built environment, which I assess in Exploring COVID-19, Urban Planning And Toronto Real Estate.
Given my passion for all matters of shelter, I recently wrote in How COVID-19 Will Likely Change How We Design Our Homes about how our considerations of living vulnerable to on-going waves of the virus will shift to focus on domestic spaces which are both more comfortable, effective and protective in our altered lives. Certain changes could include the return of the air-locked foyer, a dedicated office space independently accessible from our living quarters, a self-contained suite for isolating and recuperating, and green space is increasingly coveted. As we recognized the need for distance and privacy due to health concerns, there’s been a boost in desire for having your own front door and outdoor space, and a decline in the attraction of shared spaces, including lobbies, common areas, and elevators.
As the ways we do business changes (I’m anticipating more consultancies and contract work), I expect there will be increased demand for live/work properties (which is easier said than done in Toronto, thanks to restrictive bylaws). This shift may signal the need to adapt these to suit our next trend. Click here to read my post, The Need And Demand For Live/Work Properties In Toronto.
It’s not just where we are living that we are processing, however. In many cases, in light of our experiences during this pandemic, many people are changing their perspective on how we are living. And for a growing number of people – who have realized the rat race of always being five minutes late- has resulted in a movement towards seeking a simpler more honest life that can take root in the land and our immediate communities.
What Is Hipsteading?
“Hipsteading” is a modern take on the traditional concept of homesteading; it’s about getting back to ‘the land’. If you had been born into a rural community in the oldey-time days (before technology), you would have probably led this lifestyle simply because of geography and circumstance. Farmers, for example, are in a position to play an active role in cultivating their lifestyle – quite literally! “Hipsteaders” on the other hand, belong to a movement largely followed by urban dwellers who choose to take a step back from their frenetic pre-COVID lifestyles to seek pleasure and peace in a more simple way of living. For many, this means embracing more at-home tasks – anything from gardening to baking to DIY projects. This group largely shares their accomplishments (i.e. home projects, culinary accomplishments, and victory gardens) with Instagram-style photos and posts, as they collectively celebrate what they consider a return to the essentials, and revel in the satisfaction that comes with hands-on activities.
This group tends to reject processed and fast foods (and the Big Grocers) in favour of growing and producing as much as they can. They scoff at the implied status of a $10 Starbucks beverage and expensive designer threads, and instead embrace the idea that what is old can always be made new again (and that there is great monetary & spiritual value in saving and refurbishing well-used objects whose stories would otherwise be lost to the dump.) Think: tailoring Value Village vintage finds, upcycling tired or obsolete items, reusing materials, and religiously recycling (and composting!)
Hipsteading isn’t just about baking or gardening, but rather encompasses a wide gamut of DIY activities, from canning to sewing to farming to knitting to home renovation projects. And this group is spending money that they might have directed towards dining out and other urban lifestyle activities pre-COVID. Whether they’ve been financially impacted by the pandemic is not always the situation, but in decompressing during lockdown they’ve funnelled their dollars into their domestic lives, with many committing to a life of voluntary simplicity.
This is also impacting consumer behaviour, as hipsteaders seek out products and services that support their lifestyle endeavours, like gardening equipment, small appliances, cooking implements, seeds and flowers and materials for their living environment.
Big box DIY giants Home Depot and Lowes are reaping in profits as home project interest has exploded. During the pandemic, you were hard-pressed to find a bread maker, mixer, pressure cooker or other similar supplies. While these are generally back in stock now, there is no denying the newfound popularity of small appliances. Craft stores, online craft marketplaces, and their goods – glitter, glue, yarn, etc. – have soared in popularity!
This article looks at some of this data, as well as some at-home trends that got sparked during the pandemic, and look to last, like baking, cooking, home fitness, DIY hair treatments, victory food gardens, and more. Click here to read a Bloomberg article called “Covid Is Turning Us All Into Hipsteaders”.
Similarly, this QZ article ,”The “Hipsteader” And Other New Consumer Species In The Age Of Coronavirus”, looks at some of the new consumer profiles that have emerged in the wake of our pandemic. They examine changes in group behaviour as a result of quarantine, including the hipsteader movement.
Why is hipsteading so gratifying and why did this movement explode during quarantine? It’s the relationship between cause and effect and the satisfaction of having control over your movement. Think about it; when the world was upside down this spring, how gratifying would it have been to be able to get hands-on, digging in the dirt, swinging the hammer, or kneading that dough, knowing that your immediate actions will control the outcome of your process (i.e. you will yield a product)? It continues to be a way for us to feel a sense of control again.
Simple, but soothing; you can see why this caught on and why it is enduring as we adjust to living within COVID-19. Plus, with more people working at home, and less time spent commuting, there is generally more time to devote to these simple pleasures.
Hipsteading For Urbanites
It’s important to note that this movement is not pretending to be true “homesteading”. It simply couldn’t pass given that many qualities and consequences of urban living are counterintuitive to the pioneer spirit (i.e. high density, more pollution, commuting, self-serving attitudes, fewer deep interpersonal connections, etc.). But there’s a balance to be struck.
Although many hipsteaders are physically moving to less dense areas – even rural – areas to take part in farming or to live more closely with nature, hipsteading principals can easily be adopted in urban centres as well. It’s about a mindset.
This amusing article The Joy of Imaginary Homesteading in Los Angeles talks about one woman’s experience with baking and growing herbs in her garage as she reaps joy from these simple but rewarding tasks in her urban home.
So how does one fuse hipsteader ideals with urban living in practice? Well, it’s fairly simple!
To start, make a decision to scale back and reduce your consumerism. Embrace the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra, especially when it comes to your home (hello upcycling!) Wherever you can, make things from scratch- like food, clothing, soap and more. Commit to supporting the local movement in every way that you can; buy food that is in season and get to know your local farmers. A lot of the hipsteading mentality is about environmental stewardship.
You don’t need a sprawling ranch in the country. If your domestic space comprises a balcony, terrace, or small yard, you can still embrace sustainability and build a relationship with the natural environment. Set up a windowsill garden, or cultivate planter boxes on your balcony or in your yard with as many veggies, fruits, and herbs as is feasible. Collect rainwater. Hang clothes to dry. Compost as much waste as you can. These are all fairly easy lifestyle changes that can have a huge impact on your outlook, your well-being, and the world around you.
Many hipsteader activities happen within your own walls, so it doesn’t matter so much where you live, as how you live. If part of your domestic dream is to more consciously embrace a hipsteader attitude, seek a home that’s well-suited to your activities, or renovate your current digs to suit! (For example, does your kitchen have suitable counter space and the appropriate appliances for creating food from scratch? Can it accommodate the occasional preserving and canning party? Do you have enough room to store those preserves? Do you have a dedicated space for gardening and room to store the tools required? Does your property have the permissions and means to compost? How about a flex space for crafting, potting, WFH, or meditation?)
If you are lucky enough to enjoy a yard or outdoor living space of some sort, raised beds for growing produce are a no-brainer. You might consider more ambitious projects like building a chicken coop for eggs and poultry, or even a pen for rabbits or a goat or two, if you have the space and ambition. (Just be sure to check your local bylaws before taking that on!)
I enjoyed both these articles and I think you will too: “5 Tips To Start Your Urban Homestead” and “Urban Homesteading: How to Get Started”.
What Hipsteading Means For Toronto Real Estate & The Urbanite Lifestyle
Like how COVID-19 has changed our work and home environments, so will COVID-19 most likely change our attitudes towards consumerism, simpler lifestyle and even where we live. Realtors have certainly seen a huge uptick in interest from people seeking rural, suburban or off-grid properties. With telework becoming a norm now, people are moving further afield, without the need to commute. But make sure you’ve got sufficient internet bandwidth before you buy that dwelling!
Similarly, with international travel waning for the foreseeable future and increasing gravitation towards staycations, the secondary home market is growing. Semi-rural areas with smaller charming towns – like Prince Edward County and Niagara-on-the-Lake – are becoming increasingly sought-after.
Properties suitable for home gardening (with the space to do it) are more coveted. Additionally, being part of a supportive community is important – one where food sharing, potlucks, and ‘know-your-neighbour’-type attitudes abound – so choose your neighbourhood wisely. Areas with active BIAs are already drawing more interest from homebuyers, where you’re more likely to build/expand a network of connections and relationships, as well as shop locally.
As people gravitate towards a simpler life and minimalism, things like bartering and pay-it-forward altruism will be more engrained in our communities. There will likely be more multi-generational and co-ownership arrangements as people cluster together for support – both social and financial.
Furthermore, as homeowners become more mindful and self-sufficient at home, expect that sustainable practices will become even more popular than they already are. Expect an uptick in in-house self-sufficient power (solar, wind, generators, and wood stoves), rain gardens, and naturalized yards, and a rising interest in eco-friendly architectural considerations like passive solar heating/cooling techniques.
And for those with the cash to spend, they might even spring for a safe room or panic room that can provide extra security and peace of mind – as well house fully stocked emergency kits (Dear Urbaneer: How Can I Prepare My Home For Emergencies?). Sounds a bit silly or extreme, but I think the pandemic reminded us that we can never be too complacent or prepared.
Want to learn more about sustainability, safety, and keeping a healthy home? I have a whole series that covers that and more: Healthy Homes. Check it out!
Wouldn’t it be great to own a home that lends itself to urban hipsteading and all of its activities, benefits, and bounty? Check out our listing that we called, Hipsteading On Somerset Near Ossington & Dupont – NOW SOLD!
This property has an enormous garden on a deep lot that is already producing a bounty of produce to pick, pickle and preserve!
Yes, the pandemic has left many of us trying to find our place in a new world, and amidst the trauma there are silver linings. I’m fascinated by this, and have been focusing on exploring our relationship to housing and home in this new era. Here are some of my recent COVID-19 related blogs:
Exploring COVID-19, Urban Planning And Toronto Real Estate
How Urbaneer’s Tailored Toronto Real Estate Marketing Sold This Condo During The Pandemic
The Need And Demand For Live/Work Properties In Toronto
WHO Changes Guidance On Possibility Of Airborne Transmission Of COVID-19
Dear Urbaneer: Can I Be Exposed To COVID-19 From HVAC Systems?
Demand For ‘Forever Homes’ In Toronto’s Downtown Family Neighbourhoods Persists Despite COVID-19
Healthy Home: The Irony Of Navigating COVID-19 On The 50th Anniversary Of Earth Day
How COVID-19 Will Likely Change How We Design Our Homes
With COVID-19 Outbreaks In Long-Term Care Facilities, Is Multi-Generational Housing Better?
Assess Your Risk: Buying & Selling Toronto Real Estate During The COVID-19 Pandemic
As we mark a shift in our housing and in our behaviour, it is important to find a home that helps you achieve health and happiness.Can my team and I be of assistance?
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Can my team and I become your realtors of choice, and guide you to the best of the best Toronto real estate?
With a multi-disciplinary education in housing – and 28 years of experience in the property market – I believe the search for a Home requires engagement on sensory, intellectual and emotional levels. In fact, it’s how I’ve become a top producing realtor.
With decades of experience navigating the highs and lows of our market, and our commitment to remain acutely aware of shifts and trends, we are here to help without pressure or hassle.
May we be of assistance to you, or someone you love?
Thanks for reading!
-The Urbaneer Team
Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
& The Innovative Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage – (416) 322-8000
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COVID-19 & Toronto Real Estate
Healthy Home
