Derry,
I live right downtown and believe me, it is not as you picture it. It is a very pleasant place to live, despite all the events and stuff, yet a very safe place and the most high educated and wealthy people of entire Toronto, actually live and reside in and around downtown neighbourhoods, no offence off course, but North York is just like a Ghetto and although the townhomes and houses in the surrounding subs are nice and offers a lot of green area's and parks, yet it is and has become like a huge ghetto and a whole city on itself which is NOT Toronto.
North York is a good area to live and settle in but am sure he also shall need a car and owning a car isn't that cheap for a new immigrant in town!
So, if you weigh the options, You pay still a little less on a rental in downtown or around it, than in total living in the far north subs and having a car!
or if using subway, one shall need to pay like 120$ a month for a Public Transit card and in case both partners need to use the subway to get around and do their stuff in the beginning and early 2, 3 months until settled downed, the total amount that is due and is paid on all this will be FAR more than if 've chose for a home in downtown and using no subway and/or no need to own a car or pay for parking either.
I live downtown, have not used Subway more than 2x (to go to North York for family visit) and walk around everywhere and it is safe, cosy, fun, lovely and keeps your mind busy and OH SO GOOD for networking.
Don't forget one more thing: the best jobs are the hidden jobs in Canada, if you can network and find friends, especially in downtown, you 've a job like THAT! ;D