What better way to daydream about homes than to build them in The Sims 4? We’ve picked three homes in Canada’s most popular cities – Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, and rebuilt them as The Sims 4 houses!
Buying a home is a big deal – it’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your lifetime, and with home prices still sky-high in Canada, it’s probably also one of the most expensive decisions you’ll make.
According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, The average price for a home in Canada was $729,000 in May 2023. Still, the average home price is even higher in some of Canada’s most sought-after cities. Despite these higher prices, shopping for listings can be a fun past-time, as can daydreaming about homes you may not be able to afford.
Toronto Two-Storey
Toronto is the capital city of the province of Ontario and the biggest city in Canada, with a population of 3.24 million and a dynamic metropolis with iconic landmarks like the CN Tower and the 400-acre High Park. Toronto is also an economic and cultural hub, so it’s no surprise that the average price for a detached home in this major city is a cool $1.27 million.
The home we decided to build in the Sims 4 is a quintessential Toronto home with a traditional brick facade and is located in the East York area of the Greater Toronto Area. This home sold for an impressive price of $1,330,000 but cost just $29,417 as a Sims 4 house.
Vancouver Craftsman
Vancouver is located in the beautiful westernmost province of British Columbia and is one of Canada’s densest, most diverse cities. Nestled between the sea and a mountain range, you’re never far from outdoor adventures if you live in Vancouver.
Although the population of Vancouver proper is only 675,218, Greater Vancouver is home to 2.71 million people. Vancouver has become a popular place for Canadians and international residents to settle down. So it should be no surprise that the average price for a detached home in Vancouver is $1.953 million.
A popular west-coast home style is the craftsman home. This style is a primarily American architectural tradition prominent in homes built between 1900 and 1929. The house we chose to make in the Sims 4 was built in 1912 and is a beautiful example of a traditional craftsman home. In the real world, this home sold for $2,275,000, but as a Sims 4 house, it cost just $59,595.
Calgary Suburban Oasis
Homes in the two biggest cities in Canada are expensive. Considering that fact, it’s no surprise a wave of Canadians have moved away from the densest cities in search of affordable housing. With this wave of migration, Calgary has emerged as one of the hottest destinations. Calgary is located in the prairie province of Alberta, the centre of the Canadian oil industry. However, it’s still steeped in Western culture and has earned the nickname “Cowtown.”
Calgary is known for its Calgary Stampede, a massive rodeo each July. The city is also famous for its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and skiing destinations like Banff. While Calgary is a growing city with a population of 1.64 million, its real estate is drastically more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver. In Calgary, the average cost of a detached home is a reasonable $606,000.
While Calgary has an older urban centre, many Canadians move to this city for affordable homes with larger footprints. We chose this quintessential suburban home with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a private backyard terrace. This home sold for $640,000 in Calgary, and as a Sims 4 house, this home costs $69,360.
Can’t Afford Your Dream Home? Try Building Sims 4 Homes Instead
The dream of owning a home in Canada’s most sought-after cities may seem financially out of reach. That said, there’s no harm in indulging in some virtual house-hunting in The Sims 4. Building these homes in the game allows us to experience the Canadian real estate market without breaking the bank.
Whether it’s the iconic two-storey Toronto home, the charming Vancouver craftsman, or the suburban oasis in Calgary, The Sims 4 offers a creative and affordable way to daydream about our ideal homes while we work towards making those dreams a reality. Happy simming!
