@romanticcode A condo closer to the city center might actually appreciate
more on a percentage basis than a townhouse further out. This was true for a long time before COVID, and I think we will return to that trend.
When most people speak of higher returns from detached/townhouse, they are assuming you are spending more for one, in which case the higher purchase price offsets the lower appreciation.
Home buying is very personal, and your lifestyle and life goals are huge. Don't buy a property that you don't fundamentally want just because you think it will be a good investment, you'll end up miserable. Balancing your budget, lifestyle, and life goals should come first, and maximizing the potential investment returns 4th.