ECONOMICAL AREAS AROUND TORONTO

[coke14]

I would like to know the areas around toronto which are considered economical. I know such areas will be lacking in facilities ...may be far from subway or main roads but i am ready for that coz my primary goal is Survival by Cost-Cutting.

Also, i would like to know which type of accomodation is, in general, most economical. whether its an apartment or a condo.... there are a lot other types new to me..... just need a rough idea? Looking for a one bedroom with kitchen and bathroom. Utility bills are also a big factor in decision making. so which type of housing includes the utility bills and which don't.

Thanks in advance

 

[regnard]

I would like to know the areas around toronto which are considered economical. I know such areas will be lacking in facilities ...may be far from subway or main roads but i am ready for that coz my primary goal is Survival by Cost-Cutting.

Also, i would like to know which type of accomodation is, in general, most economical. whether its an apartment or a condo.... there are a lot other types new to me..... just need a rough idea? Looking for a one bedroom with kitchen and bathroom. Utility bills are also a big factor in decision making. so which type of housing includes the utility bills and which don't.

Thanks in advance

Look for places where utilities are already included in the payment (usually hydro, water, and heat). If you're living alone, you should probably look for bachelor apartments (ie apartments w/ no bedrooms).

Consider basement rentals as well-- they are generally cheaper than above-ground rentals.

BTW, how long a commute are you willing to take (say to Downtown)?

 

[newtone]

If you really want to do survival by cost cutting here are a few tips:

1) You can get a place in 320 Niska Road for about $775 for a 1 bedroom, its one of the cheapest in Toronto (for apartments dont worry about utility bills, the land lord pays for that)
2) switch to a vegetarian diet since a non-veg diet is more expensive
3) for cell phone, wind mobile has some really good deals, they are also improving their reception.
4) ask for a low interest credit card at the bank

 

[coke14]

Look for places where utilities are already included in the payment (usually hydro, water, and heat). If you're living alone, you should probably look for bachelor apartments (ie apartments w/ no bedrooms).

Consider basement rentals as well-- they are generally cheaper than above-ground rentals.

BTW, how long a commute are you willing to take (say to Downtown)?

my wife and my two kids, under 5, will be accompanying me so we will be interested in a single bedroom with a separate kitchen and bathroom. and yes we do want the rent to include our utility bills. apartments i guess include heat. what about other several types of accomodations advertised in papers......condos etc.
also could you give me a rough idea about the difference in rents for basement and above-ground....... just a rough idea.
initially, i am ready to travel in buses/subway for about 60 minutes one side.
looking forward to your reply.
thanks

 

[coke14]

If you really want to do survival by cost cutting here are a few tips:

1) You can get a place in 320 Niska Road for about $775 for a 1 bedroom, its one of the cheapest in Toronto (for apartments dont worry about utility bills, the land lord pays for that)
2) switch to a vegetarian diet since a non-veg diet is more expensive
3) for cell phone, wind mobile has some really good deals, they are also improving their reception.
4) ask for a low interest credit card at the bank

thats good rent for an apartment. but will the rent include everything like hydro, heat, and water or a part of it has to be paid by us. what are the average gas, telephone, cable tv charges there... minimum on average?
luckily we are a vegetarian family.
recently i read in this forum about Home phone for under $30 which includes unlimited international call........ is that sort of phone really exists?
to get a credit card, will i have to deposit some money there? any guarantor needed? also please let me know is there any benefit of having a credit card.... if i limit myself to my budget and avoid over spending?

thanks

 

[regnard]

my wife and my two kids, under 5, will be accompanying me so we will be interested in a single bedroom with a separate kitchen and bathroom. and yes we do want the rent to include our utility bills. apartments i guess include heat. what about other several types of accomodations advertised in papers......condos etc.
also could you give me a rough idea about the difference in rents for basement and above-ground....... just a rough idea.
initially, i am ready to travel in buses/subway for about 60 minutes one side.
looking forward to your reply.
thanks

From what I've seen, basement rentals are 20-25% cheaper.

Based on a 1 hour commute, you can look at places in Mississauga in west, areas in Steeles up north, and Scarborough in the east.

 

[newtone]

thats good rent for an apartment. but will the rent include everything like hydro, heat, and water or a part of it has to be paid by us. what are the average gas, telephone, cable tv charges there... minimum on average?
luckily we are a vegetarian family.
recently i read in this forum about Home phone for under $30 which includes unlimited international call........ is that sort of phone really exists?
to get a credit card, will i have to deposit some money there? any guarantor needed? also please let me know is there any benefit of having a credit card.... if i limit myself to my budget and avoid over spending?

thanks

As I mentioned earlier you dont have to worry about hydro and electricity if you are renting. Telephone and cable TV you have to pay for, anywhere from $35 to $100. When people give you offers in home phone being the cheapest always remember in Canada there is a catch to everything even if they tell you there is no catch, you should ask if there is hidden catch if they tell you there is no hidden catch ask if there is anything else hidden. The concept here is if you dont ask they dont tell. So dont be shy about asking, they are getting paid to answer your questions. If they seem annoyed by your questions dont feel discouraged and politely tell them they need to find a new career.

Lets take cell phone for example, in developing countries there is no extra charge for caller ID, here they give you the phone and everything else is an add on or you have to be in some kind of package. Its a customized package from the company to the customer not a customized package "for the customer" any additional customizations you have to pay extra. So here are a few tips when buying a cell phone you have to ask:

Does your plan come with caller ID?
Does it come with voice-mail?
Is local incoming local calls free?
Is local outgoing local calls free?
Is international incoming calls free?
Is international outgoing calls free?
Is incoming local text messaging free?
Is outgoing local text message free?
Is outgoing international text message free?
Is incoming international text message free?
Are daytime minutes free?
Are evening and weekends free?
If someone from another cell phone carrier calls and if I pick up that call is that free
Will there be a convenience fee in my bill? if so whose convenience is it for?
Will there be a government regulatory fee on my bill, who is the government regulating?
Will there be a provincial regulatory fee on my bill?
Is there going to be any convenience/service/environment/political/ethical/legal fee applied to my cell phone bill?
If I am using more than one phone how is the tax applied to my total bill?
If I am buying a smart phone is data plan included? How much am I paying for data and how much data can I use? If I go above the required limit for a month how much extra do I have to pay?
What is an airtime charge?
Is there any roaming charge? How are roaming charges applied?
If I use 411 is there a charge for that? If I dont use 411 is there a charge for that
Is there a charge to call 911 monthly? If I dont call 911 do I still have to pay? In an unlikely event of an emergency if I call 911 do I have to pay more?

Match all this up against what you realistically need. Keeping all this in mind they probably try and fit you into a plan they think is right for you, if you want a customized plan for yourself you have to pay more. I personally think companies should customize plans without customers having to pay extra. This is my two cents.

In hindsight its much easier to buy a car cause you know you don't have to pay extra monthly fees for tires, steering wheel, engines doors etc

For credit cards you dont need a guarantor as long as you have a job, any kind of paycheck coming to your account. Thats all, start with $1000 limit. Good luck

 

[coke14]

As I mentioned earlier you dont have to worry about hydro and electricity if you are renting. Telephone and cable TV you have to pay for, anywhere from $35 to $100. When people give you offers in home phone being the cheapest always remember in Canada there is a catch to everything even if they tell you there is no catch, you should ask if there is hidden catch if they tell you there is no hidden catch ask if there is anything else hidden. The concept here is if you dont ask they dont tell. So dont be shy about asking, they are getting paid to answer your questions. If they seem annoyed by your questions dont feel discouraged and politely tell them they need to find a new career.

Lets take cell phone for example, in developing countries there is no extra charge for caller ID, here they give you the phone and everything else is an add on or you have to be in some kind of package. Its a customized package from the company to the customer not a customized package "for the customer" any additional customizations you have to pay extra. So here are a few tips when buying a cell phone you have to ask:

Does your plan come with caller ID?
Does it come with voice-mail?
Is local incoming local calls free?
Is local outgoing local calls free?
Is international incoming calls free?
Is international outgoing calls free?
Is incoming local text messaging free?
Is outgoing local text message free?
Is outgoing international text message free?
Is incoming international text message free?
Are daytime minutes free?
Are evening and weekends free?
If someone from another cell phone carrier calls and if I pick up that call is that free
Will there be a convenience fee in my bill? if so whose convenience is it for?
Will there be a government regulatory fee on my bill, who is the government regulating?
Will there be a provincial regulatory fee on my bill?
Is there going to be any convenience/service/environment/political/ethical/legal fee applied to my cell phone bill?
If I am using more than one phone how is the tax applied to my total bill?
If I am buying a smart phone is data plan included? How much am I paying for data and how much data can I use? If I go above the required limit for a month how much extra do I have to pay?
What is an airtime charge?
Is there any roaming charge? How are roaming charges applied?
If I use 411 is there a charge for that? If I dont use 411 is there a charge for that
Is there a charge to call 911 monthly? If I dont call 911 do I still have to pay? In an unlikely event of an emergency if I call 911 do I have to pay more?

Match all this up against what you realistically need. Keeping all this in mind they probably try and fit you into a plan they think is right for you, if you want a customized plan for yourself you have to pay more. I personally think companies should customize plans without customers having to pay extra. This is my two cents.

In hindsight its much easier to buy a car cause you know you don't have to pay extra monthly fees for tires, steering wheel, engines doors etc

For credit cards you dont need a guarantor as long as you have a job, any kind of paycheck coming to your account. Thats all, start with $1000 limit. Good luck

thanks for your best wishes and for your elaborate reply.
initially i would be using phone just for being in touch..... calling and receiving. nothing else. so i need the most basic plan.
for international calls i intend to use voip on internet...... that should be cheaper i guess. or is there a catch in that aswell :-[
its strange that even incoming calls are being charged ......... even india has stopped doing that a long back

the more i learn about canada on this forum, the more i get disillusioned.

by the way, is it true that Windsor is cheaper than most of the other cities around toronto.......rent wise?? your valued remarks are awaited.

thanks

 

[newtone]

For internet usage I am sorry to say there is a catch too, depending on light medium and heavy usage. If you go above the required bandwidth you'll be charged extra please inquire with your ISP regarding the details, charges apply depending how much you are uploading or downloading

 

[steaky]

by the way, is it true that Windsor is cheaper than most of the other cities around toronto.......rent wise?? your valued remarks are awaited.

Why Toronto? How about Calgary, Alberta?

 

[coke14]

Why Toronto? How about Calgary, Alberta?

i know calgary is booming like anything but, if i am not wrong, its climate is a bit harsh. also some people wrote in this forum that toronto has more job opportunities. i dont know if they get consumed by more people there......

i dont have any favourite city. just searching for the one which has plenty of jobs, low rents and other costs of living.

hopefully i can make up my mind before landing. someone suggested sudbury . .. how's that??

 

[newtone]

i know calgary is booming like anything but, if i am not wrong, its climate is a bit harsh. also some people wrote in this forum that toronto has more job opportunities. i dont know if they get consumed by more people there......

i dont have any favourite city. just searching for the one which has plenty of jobs, low rents and other costs of living.

hopefully i can make up my mind before landing. someone suggested sudbury . .. how's that??

Sudbury is cold too, job prospects are not good either, add racism and discrimination and its a recipe for disaster for new immigrants. Try the big cities first, it will be easier to assimilate.

You have to make a trade off. Big cities, more job opportunities, greater competition, higher rents. Small cities, lower rents, low job prospects, low competition.

I don't mean to sound all negative but just giving you a truthful information about the reality of the situation so that its not a surprise or a shock for new immigrants. Below is a recent news about job prospects in Toronto

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1143367--jobless-gen-y-young-unemployed-and-giving-up-hope

 

[jnathan]

Are you married? got kids?

If not, you can stay in a shared room. will not cost you more than $300-$500 with all included.
You can stay closer to a TTC Bus stop/Subway with that amount of money in GTA.

 

[coke14]

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1143367--jobless-gen-y-young-unemployed-and-giving-up-hope

i just hope this story is one of those rare ones.... but i guess things are not well in canada either. its also feeling the heat of recession. so naturally jobs are gonna be difficult to find.

at present to start with, i am just thinking of the survival jobs like security guard/ mcdonald etc.....

i wonder which one is the most profitable survival job to look for in the first few days.......

 

[coke14]

Are you married? got kids?

If not, you can stay in a shared room. will not cost you more than $300-$500 with all included.
You can stay closer to a TTC Bus stop/Subway with that amount of money in GTA.

yes i am married having two kids under 5. i have to go for a bedroom with kitchen and bathroom. no problem if its in the basement. good if a school is nearby with a park to play. but lowest rent is what i am looking for.

i have seen a lot of rental ads, is the rent mentioned in ads is the final one or is there a scope for some bargaining......... in general ?