Nice post, but a few things seem out of date. Namely, rents are much higher than stated here. If you are renting a room only, in the city of Toronto you will pay at least $800-1200 CAD. One-bedrooms are starting from $1600 in the older apartment buildings (I'm talking about professionally managed buildings, but still very basic and small units). Two-bedrooms are almost impossible to find under $2000.
OK, you may be able to find a basement for cheaper, but not much cheaper. Also, not everyone wants the potential trouble coming from dealing with a private landlord.
Even in Mississauga, it is hard to find an apartment for less than $1400, and definitely not in modern condo buildings for that much. Check Kijiji or Craigslist to see for yourselves.
A 3-bedroom townhouse inside the city limits would start at around $2500 and up.
Nobody answered the question about recreation. In the city of Toronto there are many community centres where the use of facilities is very cheap (gym is 75 for 3 months) or free (leisure swimming at a pool e.g.). There are also really affordable registered programs that happen seasonally for which you can get Welcome Policy funding to use for your whole family if you are low-income.
Another thing, we are a family of 3 with a toddler and spend around $500 on food monthly. We don't eat prime steaks and lobster, but a normal healthy diet with all cooked meals. Fruit and vegetables are quite expensive, if you buy higher quality stuff. We shop at No Frills and occasionally at farmer's market, bakery and some ethnic shops (no Whole Foods and the like).
OK, you may be able to find a basement for cheaper, but not much cheaper. Also, not everyone wants the potential trouble coming from dealing with a private landlord.
Even in Mississauga, it is hard to find an apartment for less than $1400, and definitely not in modern condo buildings for that much. Check Kijiji or Craigslist to see for yourselves.
A 3-bedroom townhouse inside the city limits would start at around $2500 and up.
Nobody answered the question about recreation. In the city of Toronto there are many community centres where the use of facilities is very cheap (gym is 75 for 3 months) or free (leisure swimming at a pool e.g.). There are also really affordable registered programs that happen seasonally for which you can get Welcome Policy funding to use for your whole family if you are low-income.
Another thing, we are a family of 3 with a toddler and spend around $500 on food monthly. We don't eat prime steaks and lobster, but a normal healthy diet with all cooked meals. Fruit and vegetables are quite expensive, if you buy higher quality stuff. We shop at No Frills and occasionally at farmer's market, bakery and some ethnic shops (no Whole Foods and the like).
