Residential areas in Toronto?

Question

We are moving to Toronto from India for a while. My husband's office is located in Scarborough. We are planning to rent an apartment which is not very far from my husband's office. I need some advice. Which areas are good & which ones should be avoided? And how are the rental rates for one/two bedroom apartment?

Thanks a lot for your help!!

Answer 1

Scarborough is HUGE.  Where exactly is the office?

Scarborough in general has a pretty bad reputation as a crime-ridden place, but it's not ALL bad (only *almost* all :-)).  But a place like the Beaches which is near the western edge of Scarborough is particularly fantastic.

Answer 2

Go to www.viewit.ca for ideas of rental pricing by neighbourhood.

Answer 3

Scarborough itself is not a very beautiful area BUT "The Beaches" is located at the easternmost part of Toronto, right next to Scarborough, and it is gorgeous. Lovely shops and restaurants, a very long boardwalk and beach along Lake Ontario. I live here, and my husband drives to eastern Scarborough for work--about a 20 minute drive (depends where in Scarborough your husband is living).

Rent in Toronto is not cheap, unfortunately. However, look at www.craigslist.org (choose Toronto), and check out the apartments for "Beaches". Also, www.viewit.ca can be helpful. Choose "East Toronto" (the section of the map that is more south and east of downtown).

I pay $1285/mo for a small 3 bedroom, but you could expect to pay the same for a two bedroom, unless you decide to live in a highrise apartment (which are in less lovely areas), which should be a little cheaper.

Good luck... and welcome to Toronto!