Costs of Living in Toronto

[thebeast184]

Hi guys/gals,

Im trying to work on a realistic middle class budget for toronto. Can someone give me a hand? We are a couple and just want to have an idea of the budget for a regular canadian middle class life in a nice 1 br apartment

is this real? what needs changes?

Rent 1 br + den $1,500.00
Cable, Internet etc $120.00
Car Expenses (insurance 2500/yr + 200 mo of gas etc) $408.33
Electricity $80.00
Gas (heating) $100.00
Supermarket $400.00
Meals (each 60 @ 4/mo) $240.00
Misc Purchases $300.00
Contingencies $250.00

Monthly total: $3,398.33


Thanks!

 

[scylla]

I think the rent is realistic if you're not in the downtown core, uptown or main/popular areas of the city (walking distance to main transit lines, nice neighbourhoods, etc.). The rental market is incredibly competitive in Toronto right now due to short supply. If you want to live downtown, uptown or in one of the main/popular areas of the city - then I'd up your rent to $1,700 - $1,900. If you're OK being outside of the main core or in the suburbs - then I think the rent you've suggested is fine.

 

[thebeast184]

scylla,

Thanks for the info +1.

Anyone else has any other thoughts on how realistic this is?

 

[art2012]

Hi guys/gals,

Im trying to work on a realistic middle class budget for toronto. Can someone give me a hand? We are a couple and just want to have an idea of the budget for a regular canadian middle class life in a nice 1 br apartment

is this real? what needs changes?

Rent 1 br + den $1,500.00
Cable, Internet etc $120.00
Car Expenses (insurance 2500/yr + 200 mo of gas etc) $408.33
Electricity $80.00
Gas (heating) $100.00
Supermarket $400.00
Meals (each 60 @ 4/mo) $240.00
Misc Purchases $300.00
Contingencies $250.00

Monthly total: $3,398.33


Thanks!

Rent in downtown toronto depends on several factors like access to metro, street car or bus,neighbourhood,safety,convenience stores,building facilities like gym n parking etc. apart from proximity to official buildings,universities.

Rent in prime locations in downtown toronto for 1 bedroom flat ranges from 1700- 2000+ depending on additional factors like kitchen appliances, washer n dryer etc. n its next to impossible to get decent one even u r ready to spend especially in summer.if u get anything less than that u need to keep in mind that something is wrong either with building or with surrounding.

Downtown shares areas for gays,prostitutes, homeless people etc .its very scary to walk in homeless shelter area even in daylight n several crimes hv been recorded in this area.areas surrounding this r infested with drug addicts,alcoholics,psychiatric people etc.(im not discriminating anyone here.)

If u dont hv anyone here in canada n u r newcomer then renting in downtown will drive u crazy.

My experience for renting was quite stressful,one eg i would like to give here :

we were suggested by rental agent to pay upfront of 6 mths apart from first n last mth rent as advance,give bank statements n self written GOOD CONDUCT letter explaning about ourselves,which sd be atleast 1 full A4 page (abt me n my spouse) bec we r new comers n dont hv job or credit rating.i felt humiliated to write my own conduct letter for renting n backed off,though i liked the condo( one bed room ) n was ready to go for it at a rent of 1700/mth with parking at an advance of 8 mths which is illegal here.

I got condo of my choice without getting exploited,my patience paid off.



Good luck.

 

[srmo]

it is not realistic for a couple dear

 

[scylla]

Looking at your budget again...

I would increase your grocery budget by a couple hundred dollars.

I don't own a car because I live downtown - however I think your car insurance amount is too low (especially if you plan to insure both drivers).

I would add a new line item for additional transportation costs at $150.

I would increase cable/internet to $150.

 

[shakira2009]

Hi,
I live in Scarborough (30-40 min. East of Toronto) with my husband, no kids, and these are my monthly costs:

Rent 2 br Basement $1,050.00 (utilities included, so nothing additional for electricity/gas/water)
Internet / Phone $80.00
Supermarket $500.00
Public Transportation $250.00
Misc Purchases $100.00
Going out $200.00 (we really try to control this...)

We don't have a car and are not planning to buy one for now.

There are places you can rent for $950 to 1200 near a subway station, and I'm not talking about basements only. It's a matter of searching well once you come.

I'm not sure what you meant about 'Meals'. In my case I put everything under Supermarket because I cook at home as much as possible. My 'Going out' includes eating out and having a coffee at Starbucks.

Hope it helps!

 

[crazysun]

shocked...cost of living in canada is way more when compared with US
I live in Ohio
me and my wife with no kids
$700 I payfor a single bed room nice apt (heat incl)
$50 electricity
$55 car insurance
$100 Gas
$65 internet/phone
$500 food and other grocerries
$100 going out
$200 Misc(movies clothes etc)

my monthly expenditure would around $1700-$1800/month

 

[crazysun]

Forgot to mention in my earlier post
I pay $350 for medical insurance

 

[vidya]

www.viewit.ca

Economical housing in Scarborough area.

2BR 985/ pm and all utilities included.

 

[thebeast184]

How good is an area called Humber Bay?

Thanks

 

[eemmoo1]

www.viewit.ca

Economical housing in Scarborough area.

2BR 985/ pm and all utilities included.

But i read somewhere on this forum that Scarborough is not really a recommended area in terms of crime rate over there.

With a 2-yrs [or more] LOA u can go for "direct G"... many went that way & successfully received their 'full license' imdtly.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ps.: Next time when u come here - try to avoid Scarborough.

 

[shakira2009]

Well true, relatively speaking Scarborough is not the best/safest place. But each person's view will depend on where they come from. I'm from Mexico where the crime rate is high anywhere you live, and I find Scarborough to be a quiet and nice neighborhood. Nothing comparable to my hometown!

I've heard that some areas within Scarborough are rougher than others, for example near Kennedy Rd. & Sheppard Ave., or near Morningside -actually there was a shooting a couple months ago, but that is ONE case. You don't have a shooting every day like in some Mexican cities. I live very close to Warden station and it seems Ok. There are areas in Downtown that are rougher than here, like near Sherbourne street.

I'm of course alert when I walk in the streets, be it in Scarborough or in Downtown or in Mississauga. Also, if I have to go somewhere in the late afternoon or evening, I walk faster and make sure nobody suspicious is around or following me.

It really depends on your past experiences and peace of mind. I'd recommend everybody to come here first, talk to as many people as possible, walk in the actual neighborhood at different times of the day, and see how you feel.

 

[vidya]

Hi Emmo,
Scarborough is a nice place . The intersection between ELLESMERE & Lawrence is quite O.K.
It was in Qorax post where u heard abt Scare....borough. I doubt he has stayed here for one day.
Always remember Sholay Gabbar Singh dialogue" JO DAR GAYA SO MAR GAYA". ;D :-* :'( 8) ;D

 

[PQR]

Well true, relatively speaking Scarborough is not the best/safest place. But each person's view will depend on where they come from. I'm from Mexico where the crime rate is high anywhere you live, and I find Scarborough to be a quiet and nice neighborhood. Nothing comparable to my hometown!

I've heard that some areas within Scarborough are rougher than others, for example near Kennedy Rd. & Sheppard Ave., or near Morningside -actually there was a shooting a couple months ago, but that is ONE case. You don't have a shooting every day like in some Mexican cities. I live very close to Warden station and it seems Ok. There are areas in Downtown that are rougher than here, like near Sherbourne street.

I'm of course alert when I walk in the streets, be it in Scarborough or in Downtown or in Mississauga. Also, if I have to go somewhere in the late afternoon or evening, I walk faster and make sure nobody suspicious is around or following me.

It really depends on your past experiences and peace of mind. I'd recommend everybody to come here first, talk to as many people as possible, walk in the actual neighborhood at different times of the day, and see how you feel.

yeah......true