Posted on: 25-11-04 23:32:23
Hi All,
We are planning to move to Canada in Jan. We plan to land in Toronto as we've heard that we have better chances of getting a job there. Myself and my husband are s/w engineers. One thing we don't know about is which exact place to be in Toronto. We will be driving from Buffalo to Toronto. We are planning to look for an apartment as soon as we land.
Can someone please advise us as to the place where we will be able to find decent apartments and which wud make us accessible to work places as well. All i know is there is east toronto and west toronto. Don't have much idea as to where we should be focussing on.
Please guide us. Also, is Jan a bad time to land in Canada? Will the weather be too bad?
Thank You.
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waiting
This is the second time you have posted your question. I was hoping someone would respond, but apparently this board is becoming quite sluggish. Don't see too many members logged on for long.
Coming to your question, I don't live in Toronto and so can't help you much. No idea how to answer your question on finding decent apartments in areas which wud make you "accessible to work places as well". Toronto is a humongous megapolis if you want to live close to your place of work, then obviously the first requirement is to know where you get work. If you want a larger desi community around you, try Mississauga, Brampton, Scarborough in that order. Transit in Toronto is not a problem if you do not mind using the bus and the underground. However, if your job is away from the reaches of buses etc. , then you will depend on your car, which I see you already have. My suggestion: If you have a car, do not bother much about "where" you get an apartment. Most apartments will require you to sign a one year lease. If your job location happens to be across town then, you will have to wait a year before getting another place. You may want to avoid this by choosing to live in the many basement apartments available that perhaps require leases of lesser periods.
Quote:
Orginally posted by waiting
All i know is there is east toronto and west toronto.
That is because Toronto just moved to a new bidirectional only planet!
Ok, we have North and South as well, but then you know what? South is mostly lake!!Quote:
Orginally posted by waiting
Please guide us. Also, is Jan a bad time to land in Canada? Will the weather be too bad?
Welcome to Inuitland! Yes, it will be bone chilling cold! I do not want to even think of the possibility of a major snow storm in that month, but that is when one can expect it.
Sorry about that!
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Diogenes
====================
The Cynic
Thanks a bunch for ur reply.
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waiting
Quote:
Orginally posted by waitingCan someone please advise us as to the place where we will be able to find decent apartments and which wud make us accessible to work places as well.
You need to identify places where most of the S/W companies are located.
If your case, it is probably places like Mississauga, Toronto downtown and some areas of Markham along the 407.
Although you will have mobility because of your car, keep in mind that traffic is major issue here, esp. during the winters.
Be prepared for long commute times, esp along the 401 and QEW route and hazardous driving conditions.
You will make things easier for yourself by looking for apartments in areas that are served by TTC and/or the GO transit.
Quote:Yes :P
Please guide us. Also, is Jan a bad time to land in Canada? Will the weather be too bad?
However, if this is the best time that works for you, then go for it.
I don't want to discourage you, but be prepared for some extreme weather and some hazardous driving conditions.
Feel free to ask more questions.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
Thanks for helping out. I have couple more q's:
1) I have been trying to find apartments online. One thing i noticed is all apartment complexes are high rise buildings. Are all apts like this? Never used to living in high rise apts. So just wondering if there wud be apts with just 1 or 2 floors.
2) Also, what wud be a good rent for a 1 bedroom apt ? Most of the apts i found online do not have air conditioner. Is that very common there. Doesn't it get hot during summmer?
3) I'm trying to contact one of my friends there so i can give their address for PR card. What if i'm not able to provide an address. Will it be a problem?
Please advise. Thanks.
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waiting
Hi --
Quote:LOL !
Orginally posted by waiting
1) I have been trying to find apartments online. One thing i noticed is all apartment complexes are high rise buildings. Are all apts like this? Never used to living in high rise apts. So just wondering if there wud be apts with just 1 or 2 floors.
Welcome to Toronto
Yes, most apartment buildings are high-rises (15, 20 30 or more floors)
We were also surprised (and disappointed) when we first arrived.
If you are coming from the US, you may find this inconvenient.
If you are used to living in those 2-floor apartment complexes with gardens and parking decks, you may not like these kind of apartments.
However, there are some (very few) apartment complexes that are like the ones you mention.
But they are few and are typically more expensive than the high-rise ones.
I have recently seen one on Don Mills Rd. just past Overlea where construction is almost complete and they are leasing those out now.
But rents are about $200 higher than the other high-rise buildings in that area.
If you really can't adjust yourself to high-rise building lifestyle, then go for those kinds - but be prepared to pay a premium for that.
Quote:Quite common
2) Also, what wud be a good rent for a 1 bedroom apt ? Most of the apts i found online do not have air conditioner. Is that very common there.
Quote:mmmm....depends on what you consider hot.
Doesn't it get hot during summmer?
It gets humid, but if you are moving from Florida or Texas, then it is a joke.
However, there is a period of several weeks during July - August when it is hot and humid and most people prefer to have an A/C on.
You can probably get by using two fans in one room, it depends on what you can tolerate and what you are willing to pay for
Quote:I think CIC allows you 30 or 60 days after landing to provide an address for PR card.
3) I'm trying to contact one of my friends there so i can give their address for PR card. What if i'm not able to provide an address. Will it be a problem?
If you can't provide it at the time of landing, you can do so later.
However, keep in mind that your PR card will take longer than usual if you do this.
If it's alright with you, you can get it touch with me offline and you can use my address to receive your PR card.
I will forward it to you once it arrives.
Best wishes.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
Quote:
Orginally posted by waiting
1) I have been trying to find apartments online. One thing i noticed is all apartment complexes are high rise buildings. Are all apts like this? Never used to living in high rise apts. So just wondering if there wud be apts with just 1 or 2 floors.
2) Also, what wud be a good rent for a 1 bedroom apt ? Most of the apts i found online do not have air conditioner. Is that very common there. Doesn't it get hot during summmer?
1) You can also go for a townhouse if you can afford it. Those typically go for around 1300 - 1600 per mo. as far as rent is concerned. But hey, you'll have lots more space and have your feet on the ground.
2) I guess we're talking about highrise buildings here. There are two kinds of apts. here (although after 4 years, the distinction is still a bit blurry to me). Let's call them "regulars" and "condos".
The regulars would cost around 800 to 1100 bucks based on the area you're in. They usually come with 2 appliances (a fridge and an Conventional Oven). They usually have non-carpeted floors and a common laundry room on the ground floor of the building. Some may have covered parking lots (underground), I would think most have open lots. Parking and utility bills may be extra. Usually they don't have airconditioning, you could always buy a small portable one for one of your rooms. The better buildings may have an indoor pool, a table-tennis room, a pool room etc etc.
The condos usually cost anywhere from 1050 - 1200 for a one bedroom (downtown TO may be more expensive). They usually come with 5 appliances ( fridge, oven, dishwasher, washer, dryer). Most have wall-to-wall carpeting, or at least most areas would be carpeted. Parking would usually be underground (this does help a lot in the winter when you dont have to dig your car out after lots of snow). Many condos also have 24 hour security guard on site. Most would also have a tiny gym, a pool room, an indoor pool etc etc.
I live in a condo near the Square One area in Mississauga. My rent is around 1200 bucks, everything included (i.e. parking and utilities). If you need more info., send me an email and I'll reply.
Hope that helps.
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