Best place to live in Toronto/GTA for a couple (wife pregnant)

[marketstudent1]

Hi

We are new immigrants and my wife will be 7 months due when we land in April.

Could you advise the best places which we could search for living.

Key criteria

1. Nearby hospital and connectivity

2. Park or open spaces

3. Good health clubs, gym and if possible Tennis court

Thanks a lot!

 

[marketstudent1]

We are looking for a 1 BHK or condo. Price is not a constraint but would prefer a quality place with least hassles. Also, as I will be without a job, will I be able to get it on monthly leases?

I made a good credit score after landing and can pay deposit as well.

 

[Mr_Chang]

Not sure what you mean when you say you want a 1 BHK or Condo, I'm going to assumed you're looking for a 1 bedroom apartment or condo rental.

Your requirements are kind of vague, a lot of places in Toronto are close to hospitals, have good connectivity, are close to parks etc, so you'd need to be more specific. Looking for "the best places to live" without a budget is also kind of vague, I would like to help you but there are 1 Bedrooms in Toronto that would be around 1,500 CAD/mo and there are ones that are CAD 5k+/mo. So it would help if you were to be clear what you mean when you say price is not a constraint? In my opinion, in Toronto Real Estate, at some point price is always a concern.

As for monthly leases, job isn't everything, When we first came to Canada we were able to show bankstatements with around 12 months worth of Rent in them and we were able to get a lease. We did have to sign a lease for whole year and payments were due monthly. But that is really subjective and depends on the Landlord's discretion

 

[canuck78]

You shouldn't rent anything until you find out where you'll be working. You could end up commuting for a long time. Would also view something before committing to a year long lease. Budget is also very important when it comes to both rental and health club. Some of the clubs are very pricey

 

[marketstudent1]

Not sure what you mean when you say you want a 1 BHK or Condo, I'm going to assumed you're looking for a 1 bedroom apartment or condo rental.

Your requirements are kind of vague, a lot of places in Toronto are close to hospitals, have good connectivity, are close to parks etc, so you'd need to be more specific. Looking for "the best places to live" without a budget is also kind of vague, I would like to help you but there are 1 Bedrooms in Toronto that would be around 1,500 CAD/mo and there are ones that are CAD 5k+/mo. So it would help if you were to be clear what you mean when you say price is not a constraint? In my opinion, in Toronto Real Estate, at some point price is always a concern.

As for monthly leases, job isn't everything, When we first came to Canada we were able to show bankstatements with around 12 months worth of Rent in them and we were able to get a lease. We did have to sign a lease for whole year and payments were due monthly. But that is really subjective and depends on the Landlord's discretion

Thank you so much and apologies for posting vague statements.

My budget is 2000-2200k.I am looking for a good quality and premium place with least hassles (walkable to stations). 1 bedroom or condo both would do. An accessible tennis court would be really great as well.

Thank you

 

[marketstudent1]

Thank you so much and apologies for posting vague statements.

My budget is 2000-2200k.I am looking for a good quality and premium place with least hassles (walkable to stations). 1 bedroom or condo both would do. An accessible tennis court would be really great as well.

Thank you

2000-2200 cad per month

 

[marketstudent1]

You shouldn't rent anything until you find out where you'll be working. You could end up commuting for a long time. Would also view something before committing to a year long lease. Budget is also very important when it comes to both rental and health club. Some of the clubs are very pricey

What do you advise for the first 6 months, as I except to take that amount of time before I get a job? What should be my approach?

Thanks so much!

 

[NOC98]

If you plan to land in April, I think you should start searching indeed, LinkedIn and other job placements already. With the lockdowns in Ontario, most job interviews are done virtually. If you get lucky, you may have a job offer by the time you arrive in April.

if you’re looking at condos, 2.2k for a 1BHK is a good budget in Toronto. The rent prices for 1 BHK is a between 1.6k-1.9k atm. You can look up condos.ca

 

[marketstudent1]

If you plan to land in April, I think you should start searching indeed, LinkedIn and other job placements already. With the lockdowns in Ontario, most job interviews are done virtually. If you get lucky, you may have a job offer by the time you arrive in April.

if you’re looking at condos, 2.2k for a 1BHK is a good budget in Toronto. The rent prices for 1 BHK is a between 1.6k-1.9k atm. You can look up condos.ca

Thank You so much. Would you suggest the best areas as I'm looking for a comfortable home with least hassles.

I've been searching for jobs for the last few months. Even connected with a lot of people on LinkedIn but couldn't get a call until now. I have 13 years of experience in Global equity markets (including US stocks) and am CFA and MBA by qualification. I do hope I get lucky soon.

 

[canuck78]

Thank You so much. Would you suggest the best areas as I'm looking for a comfortable home with least hassles.

I've been searching for jobs for the last few months. Even connected with a lot of people on LinkedIn but couldn't get a call until now. I have 13 years of experience in Global equity markets (including US stocks) and am CFA and MBA by qualification. I do hope I get lucky soon.

Most banks are on hiring freezes. You should really consider a 2 bedroom or 1 bedroom and den. You need somewhere for a crib, strollers, baby stuff, etc You can find a 1 bedroom condo in your budget but you won't find tennis courts. Downtown condo prices have decreased due to the pandemic or your budget would be on the low end. If you are working in global equity markets you should be able to afford a 2nd bedroom. Given that you and your spouse may need to work from home you really need a 2nd room. Maybe in an old condo in the suburbs still have tennis courts but you'll likely need to pay a membership for a tennis club.

 

[steaky]

Is there a reason why GTA/Toronto? Live in the suburbs of Metro Vancouver and you should have no difficulty in finding tennis courts and other open spaces.

 

[marketstudent1]

Is there a reason why GTA/Toronto? Live in the suburbs of Metro Vancouver, and you should have no difficulty in finding tennis courts and other open spaces.

Thank you so much for taking out time to reply.

As jobs will be primarily in Ontario and we want to utilise OIHP, hence landing in Toronto/GTA. Would have loved Vancouver otherwise.

I'm little disappointed that Tennis is not accessible easily there.

 

[marketstudent1]

Most banks are on hiring freezes. You should really consider a 2 bedroom or 1 bedroom and den. You need somewhere for a crib, strollers, baby stuff, etc You can find a 1 bedroom condo in your budget but you won't find tennis courts. Downtown condo prices have decreased due to the pandemic or your budget would be on the low end. If you are working in global equity markets you should be able to afford a 2nd bedroom. Given that you and your spouse may need to work from home you really need a 2nd room. Maybe in an old condo in the suburbs still have tennis courts but you'll likely need to pay a membership for a tennis club.

Thanks a lot for this suggestion. This is very helpful! Sure I will consider both 1 and 2 bedrooms.

My search shows Tennis courts in High Park. Is it free to play, any idea?

Also any societies that you know which have tennis courts is at a walkable distance to Trains and hospitals.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanks a lot for this suggestion. This is very helpful! Sure I will consider both 1 and 2 bedrooms.

My search shows Tennis courts in High Park. Is it free to play, any idea?

Also any societies that you know which have tennis courts is at a walkable distance to Trains and hospitals.

High Park is a private club with grass courts. There are many tennis clubs and courts. You just have to do some research and decide whether you want a private club or public (usually free) courts. Public courts you usually just show up and play. Some public courts can be in rough shape depending on the neighborhood.

 

[Mr_Chang]

GTA consists of multiple municipalities, I can only speak from my personal experience about Toronto and the following should be considered subjective based on my opinions:

- I feel that the work from home situation which many people are betting their life decisions on is going to slowly phase away atleast for most major professions like banking professionals.
- A downtown condo right now if you are planning to live in a condo/apartment for a few years is going to get you in at a very low rent controlled price that would be really good.
-A lot of downtown toronto has issues with homelessness, drug abuse, and 'non-friendly' elements on the streets here and there, there's also some neighbourhoods in downtown that I'd like you to specifically avoid - Moss park, West end, most places on and around Dundas street between river street to the east and Spadina street to the west
-The area that I feel might be best for you would be roughly in an imaginary rectangle between Yonge St, Spadina St, King West, Queens Quay W
I agree with someone that you should atleast get a 1 bedroom + den or even a 2 bedroom, you would definitely get a 1 bedroom + den in your budget and may also get a 2 in your budget if you're lucky in the area. Your budget allows you to live right across from the waters and believe me from experience it's a blessing to take your children out for a stroll on the water front.
-There are public tennis courts scattered across downtown, you just need to know where they are and depending on the time of the day there's usually splace to play, there is a couple in Moss park which will be roughly 15-20 minutes walk from the area I'm suggesting. There are quite a few near Rosedale metro station which is 15 minutes away from union station(union station being inside the rectangle I mentioned)

-If you don't want to stay in the city, (believe me, cities are a lot dirtier than the suburbs) there's a lot of options there too in your budget, but then again there are so many places that will be in your budget in the suburbs that you'd need to think of more requirements maybe.