Not safe areas in Toronto?

Question

I'm a female student moving to Toronto, I know it's quite safe comparing to other North American metropolitan cities, yet I've heard about some areas which are not really welcoming, I don't have a vehicle, where should I avoid getting a place to live? Where should I avoid visiting?

Answer 1

Live in Newmarket. GO Bus it down. Avoid visiting Toronto. Nowhere is safe in this city anymore.

Answer 2

I am a former chef and have lived here in Toronto for many years and for someone attending the U of T, I would stay in the general area, around the campus, there are a number of residences that rent for female students only on Bedford Rd, the street the St George Subway Station is on and in that area, Madison Av, Spadina and along Bloor up to Bathurst. And on Harbourd St to is an option.

That area of town is fairly safe as it is a local hangout and entertainment district, not noisy but well it and travelled, I would recommend if your attending in the fall in June or July be in town seaching out places, as they fill up fast, get info from the U of T housing department as to the local or close to opening for you to research.

Answer 3

Avoid anywhere near York University at Jane street and Finch avenue.  You didn't say where you're going to study.

For easy transport try to get a place near a main street.

Too bad you didn't say ppl could send you e-mail.

Not to worry, every college has a student housing office.

Answer 4

Ok right off the bat Jane/Finch is the worst part of town, but just to be on the safe side TRY to avoid Etiobocke (Highway 427 to the Humber River). Your best bet hun, is look for a place by the beaches, it's very cheap, and very little crime happens there.

Answer 5

Studying at U of T's main campus, the area around there is safe and shouldn't present any problem. Most of the city is perfectly safe by day. I would state that the same areas are safe by night, but things are probably different for a young female on her own. Use your best judgment at all times.

Be forewarned, you'll encounter a LOT more homeless people than you're used to. Unless you're moving from Vancouver. They're generally harmless. If you're hit up for money (and you will be several times on a daily basis), just say "no, sorry" and keep moving. Don't make a scene, but I also would advise against giving, since you'll only draw attention from other panhandlers who've spotted you as a target.

The "bad" part of Toronto, reputationwise, is the Jane and Finch area. Lots of low-income housing blocks, gang violence, etc. If you're sticking to the downtown area, you probably won't come across it. The area around York U. is pretty seedy too. In downtown, you might want to avoid Dundas east of Jarvis - it gets pretty seedy around there too. Allen Gardens at night is not a place you want to be either. (That's at Jarvis and Gerrard.) I used to live in the area, and while I didn't mind the panhandlers accosting me for change at night, the crackheads in Allen Gardens made me a bit uneasy.