Reflections on Condo Living: Embracing Knowledge, Patience, and Harmony
For those living and working in condominiums, the expert insights shared by our Rapid Fire Panelists at the October 30th Brunch & Learn at Barrie Golf & Country Club were truly appreciated. The overwhelming enthusiasm for our educational events is something we deeply value and reflects the essence of what CCI stands for—You. Your quest for knowledge. Our experts. Our connections. As longtime members of CCI know, we are your Condo Connection, and we are proud to serve in this role.
As the moderator of this insightful event, I find myself reflecting on the nature of complaints and where they often stem from. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit family in BC and passed through two large airports, managing my luggage along the way. As I navigated these airports, I tried to imagine the experience of a new condominium resident. Picture it: signs, crowds, rules, cars parked in the wrong areas, diverse cultures and languages, people giving instructions—some hurried, some slow. There were the happy, energetic travelers, seemingly oblivious to any boundaries, and the frowners, looking perplexed. The seasoned travelers glided through with ease.
Isn’t moving into a condominium for the first time much like arriving at a busy airport? I see many similarities. Complaints often arise from a lack of understanding, but who is responsible for that? Is it the lawyer handling the sale, the real estate agent guiding the purchase, the board for not providing a thorough Owner’s handbook, or the property manager for not distributing the right information effectively? Perhaps it’s the new resident or owner arriving in the condominium world without the knowledge they need to succeed. It’s a combination of factors, and of course, we can’t forget the influence of personality types, life experiences, and even nature versus nurture. All of this can contribute to a swirl of confusion and complaints.
Though I navigated the airports with relative ease, it wasn’t without questions, long lines, security procedures, and new faces. Each time I boarded a plane, there was that moment of realizing that control was, in fact, in the hands of someone else. Fortunately, condominiums don’t “fly,” and we are not passengers on a plane piloted by an unknown force. In the condominium world, we are each in control of our experience—aren’t we?
I encourage all participants in the condominium world to be kind, patient, and tolerant. Take it upon yourself to learn the necessary information to be successful, productive, and positive within these shared living spaces. With the right knowledge and attitude, complaints can quickly become a thing of the past, and we can work together in harmony to create the best possible living environments.
