toronto people

I'm just trying to get an idea of prices for when i get back so i can leave aside enough cash for 6 months living expenses. I don't really know the neighborhoods. Since I won't have a job and don't have any idea of where i'll end up working, where's the best place to look for an apartment? Toronto is so huge... Taking into account the transit system, is there a relatively central place that would enable me to minimize living expenses while I looked for work?

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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I'm just trying to get an idea of prices for when i get back so i can leave aside enough cash for 6 months living expenses. I don't really know the neighborhoods. Since I won't have a job and don't have any idea of where i'll end up working, where's the best place to look for an apartment? Toronto is so huge... Taking into account the transit system, is there a relatively central place that would enable me to minimize living expenses while I looked for work?


The best area would be called VANCOUVER. It is a little west of Downtown TO, but well worth the commute.

Pretty expensive for downtown. You can expect a tiny tiny place (no bedroom) for 1 year at $700/month or a normal one bedroom condo for $1600/month. In between price stuff in the less desired areas (Wellesley) for apartments with one or two bedrooms. No luxuries though. Keep in mind $100 groceries per week. Live off vegetables, eggs, beans and fresh cut lean meat. Restaurants add up.

You can live up north in a basement apartment for.. $1000ish, maybe less. Also one bedroom condos north of the city for $1,100 or so. Just don't go much more north of the subway line. Currently there's no subway north of Finch. From Finch to downtown is 30min on the subway train. Ideally, you'll want to be walking or very short driving distance to either the Yonge St. or Spidina subway lines.

The best thing for you to do is look for a place on bloor, or on young....because those are the two main subway lines. Some where like Dufferin and Bloor would be a good idea, since it's very close to down town, by subway it is about 5 minutes or so.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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I'm just trying to get an idea of prices for when i get back so i can leave aside enough cash for 6 months living expenses. I don't really know the neighborhoods. Since I won't have a job and don't have any idea of where i'll end up working, where's the best place to look for an apartment? Toronto is so huge... Taking into account the transit system, is there a relatively central place that would enable me to minimize living expenses while I looked for work?

No more BA?

Geek, I'd recommend you cut expenses to bare minimums. Stop eating veals and discover the wonder of chicken thighs. Save for a year's expense, because problems are likely to hit Toronto soon (and thus far it's been spaired).

Toronto downtown is expensive to live. $1000 ~ $1500 for 1bd room condo in downtown. I expect $300 less for apartments. If you want cheaper living, better to stay near missisauga or east of toronto and take TTC (or GO) when you travel to downtown Toronto if you're not driving.

Originally Posted by SField

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No more BA?

Geek, I'd recommend you cut expenses to bare minimums. Stop eating veals and discover the wonder of chicken thighs. Save for a year's expense, because problems are likely to hit Toronto soon (and thus far it's been spaired).

I'm still going to south america. I'm just thinking of the money I'll need for when i get back. I may have to work for a couple extra months before I pack up and leave to give myself enough cushion to find a job when i get back.

Regarding TO downtown being expensive, I expect that. However, will living downtown negate the need for a car and driving? I hate driving, especially through traffic. A 30 minute commute on TTC is acceptable. An hour is not.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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I'm still going to south america. I'm just thinking of the money I'll need for when i get back. I may have to work for a couple extra months before I pack up and leave to give myself enough cushion to find a job when i get back.

Regarding TO downtown being expensive, I expect that. However, will living downtown negate the need for a car and driving? I hate driving, especially through traffic. A 30 minute commute on TTC is acceptable. An hour is not.

Depends where you live. I mean, I think it would be worth it for you to budget for 1500 a month for rent so that you don't need a car. Anywhere in the downtown area is excellent for people who don't want a car, and if you're willing to cook for yourself, you can live quite a good lifestyle without having to spend much. Can't you start the search now and interview now for a position? I know some people have been hired and stipulated that they'll start in a few months, and they take the trip in between.

Originally Posted by SField

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Depends where you live. I mean, I think it would be worth it for you to budget for 1500 a month for rent so that you don't need a car. Anywhere in the downtown area is excellent for people who don't want a car, and if you're willing to cook for yourself, you can live quite a good lifestyle without having to spend much. Can't you start the search now and interview now for a position? I know some people have been hired and stipulated that they'll start in a few months, and they take the trip in between.

Unfortunately not. I need to fulfill certain professional requirements before I start interviewing (makes a big difference in what sort of job I can get). I don't really have time to finish before I plan to leave. I'm going to write the exams at a test center in BA so that when I come back I'll have everything potential employers will want to see.

I MAY be able to keep some income flowing from my current employer while I am in SA because i wrote a lot of code for them and they are always asking for new features and changes. The skill set I have is essentially 2 different jobs for most people, programming and IT. I might be able to convince them that it's not worth hiring a full-time programmer now that most of the work is done, and to just pay me on an as-needed basis.

Rosedale, 6 months you can do probably under 700grand

Seriously, for the economics, live in Mississauga..On a GO train, you can get downtown in 25-35 mins. and its soo much cheaper..

Plus, you dont want to live in Toronto's west-end haha

Originally Posted by oneeightyseven

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Seriously, for the economics, live in Mississauga..On a GO train, you can get downtown in 25-35 mins. and its soo much cheaper..

Plus, you dont want to live in Toronto's west-end haha

Ya but you have to get TO the GO train and then from the GO train to work. I lived in Mississauga when I was young and you definitely need a car to live there. Plus, all my friends are in Toronto, so it would be harder to meet-up with them

Btw I just took a quick look and apartments don't seem that much cheaper. The ones that are cheaper seem to be in those ugly old brown/white brick buildings that were built in the 60s. Mississauga would pretty much suck for a single person imo. Unless I'm just totally wrong. I haven't lived there in 15 years. How much does the GO train cost on a monthly basis?

dont live in Mis, if youre single and young you aint gettin no girl to come back with you to Mis . id say look just slightly off of downtown. maybe even like bloor and landsdowne. its a pretty **** area, but if you want to save money, you can get a cheap place and be 5 min ride downtown.

Originally Posted by West24

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dont live in Mis, if youre single and young you aint gettin no girl to come back with you to Mis

. id say look just slightly off of downtown. maybe even like bloor and landsdowne. its a pretty **** area, but if you want to save money, you can get a cheap place and be 5 min ride downtown.

did you just see the hostage at bloor and sherbourne over 200$ and a cellphone? haha

BTW A basement apartment is really cheap in Mississauga

Originally Posted by oneeightyseven

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did you just see the hostage at bloor and sherbourne over 200$ and a cellphone? haha A basement apartment is really cheap in Mississauga

Like how much for a nice place? I honestly don't mind being a bit out of the way to start. I won't be spending money going out until i have a job, at which point I can move to a place more suitable for my income level and closer to downtown. I'd only consider that if it was significantly cheaper though.

Where do you look for mississauga apartments btw? there's no craigslist for it.