A Toronto waterfront condo with wraparound balcony or a detached home with a backyard pool and putting green? Which will you choose?

With housing at a premium in Ontario, how will you choose to spend your hard-earned dollars as you seek a home?
Our search this week takes us to Toronto’s urban Lake Ontario shores and to Courtice, one of the communities that makes up the Municipality of Clarington in Durham Region.
Which property do you pick?
THIS
A condo in a Toronto waterfront building with a hammock room
Address 55 Cooper St., #5201, Toronto
Price $995,500, plus monthly maintenance fee of $588.92
Size 773 square feet, with a 317-sq.-ft. wraparound balcony
Basics Two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Extras Open-concept living/dining/kitchen; contemporary finishes, Miele appliances and floor-to-ceiling windows; main bedroom has walkout to balcony, double closet and private ensuite; second bedroom has floor-to-ceiling windows.
Location Walking distance to Sugar Beach, Harbourfront, Union Station, downtown, St. Lawrence Market and Scotiabank Arena; easy access to Gardiner Expressway, TTC/GO train and the Toronto Islands. Building amenities include 24-hour concierge service, gym memberships, arcade room, hammock lounge, Lego room, VR room, pool and outdoor lounge.
Realtor Heather Lochner, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, 416-916-3931
Quotable “The owners will enjoy living in a bespoke condo in the heart of downtown with sweeping views across Lake Ontario,” says realtor Heather Lochner. “This new and vibrant community has everything you can ask for from top to bottom; in fact, grocery shopping, the LCBO and coffee shops are all located within steps of the front door.”
THAT
A detached home with a backyard pool and putting green
Address 55 Skinner Court, Courtice, Municipality of Clarington
Price $999,999
Size 1,980 sq. ft.
Basics Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, two-car garage
Extras In-ground pool, outdoor bar and backyard putting green; hardwood floors throughout main level; eat-in kitchen with fluted oak island and granite counter; living room fireplace and built-in bookcase; numerous pot lights; oversized bedrooms.
Location Close to Oshawa and its urban amenities, but surrounded by two conservation areas and a provincial park. Not far from Lake Ontario. Walking distance to schools. Short drive to Hwys. 2, 401 and 407.
Realtor Meighen Thompson, Our Neighbourhood Realty, 905-723-5353
Quotable “This turnkey home is topped off by a resort-style backyard, complete with pool, putting green and maintenance-free turf,” says realtor Meighen Thompson. “Courtice, itself, is a lovely, quiet community just east of Oshawa that offers all the amenities one could want.”