Dear reader,

In this edition of Curb Appeal: a TV producer living in Baldwin Village explains why renting is the key to her financial freedom. Plus, a restored Victorian with a secret garden in the backyard and a penthouse on Sultan Street with bespoke maple cabinets that took three years to make. 

Deanne Marsh has no plans of ever buying property in Toronto, and that suits her just fine. She and her partner, Kyle Skillman, are more than happy living in their 650-square-foot Baldwin Village apartment—with plenty of cashflow, no crippling down payment and tons of downtown flexibility. Here, Deanne makes the case for lifelong renting.

How about a $2.8-million century home in Beaconsfield Village hidden by a wall of greenery? The 3,000-square-foot property comes with dramatic beams and arches, barn boards and a pool out back. 

This 3,200-square-foot unit in Yorkville was inspired by Parisian art deco. It has a private elevator, a 900-bottle wine rack, 1,000 square feet of terraces—and it’s now going for $7.4 million.

Toronto used to have one of the best transit systems in North America. Now it’s crowded, unreliable, underfunded and dangerous. In our July issue, the inside story of what went wrong and who’s to blame. Also in this issue: Shania Twain’s Toronto years, essential stuff for the pampered pooch, the summer’s best street food and more. Still not receiving Toronto Life at home? Subscribe today.