Rollios

I'm moving to Canada for 1 year to live with my Canadian girlfriend, we are looking for a nice area to live she thinks Vaughn or Missisauga, although she isn't from the area so isn't too sure.

We are looking for a place that is close enough to Toronto as that's probably my best bet for work, but a nice area to live in. We are both 24 and looking for an apartment for no more than $1000 a week between us.

We like to eat out regularly so somewhere with a good selection of restaurants and good public transport.

Thanks.

Novocastrian

Neither Mississauga nor Vaughan meet those tests.

If you really meant $1000 a week rather than a month you can live anywhere including right downtown, if it's per month, that's possible but difficult in areas which meet the criteria in bold.

There are lots of threads on this. Have a search.

Cheers.

ultrarunner

$1000/week you say? It's monthly rent usually, but for that kind of wonga, you will indeed be able to get a Condo in the sauga'. Another option will be Milton with GO train access to union station.

The area also has stores, cinema and restaurants to boot. Quick access to the hwy east or west.

Rollios

Sorry I meant month! My gf seemed to think Vaughn and Missisauga were around 30 minutes from Toronto?

Novocastrian

From where in Toronto? At what time of day? I'd at least double that for Mississauga and almost double that for Vaughan to say Yonge & Bloor.

I've suggested before that Yonge & Finch is worth a look in that price range since it's the northern end of the subway line to Union, passing Bloor on the way. That's roughly 30 minutes.

exenglishman

I have friends who live around Bloor/St Geroge and they pay $1100 a month, not including bills. Its a good size apartment in a high rise, kind of a student area with lots of Frats around but generally safe. Loads of restaurants around as its very close to downtown.

You could try Pickering/Scarborough. Both about 20-30 minutes from Downtown T.O and you should be able to get something for $1000. Try looking for all-inclusive places, they help you budget better.

Don't live where I live - Oshawa. Its not nice at all and kind of shock initially. Only here because of the Mr's school and so she can get experience, then were outta here

Rollios

In all honesty I haven't really looked into anything about Toronto so I suppose that is my first step I used to live in Melbourne so though it would be similar to that in wanting to be close to the CBD. I think I will be having a look more into Toronto first and get a bit more of an insight.

Novocastrian

Perhaps by helicopter. I entirely agree about Oshawa but what is different in Pickering?

The Bloor/St. George area would be perfect if the OP can luck into something in his price range.

dgagitw

If you're going to work downtown, get an apartment in Toronto - it'll cost a bit more than 1000 probably but, by the time you add transport in, it'll work out cheaper. You'll have way more fun living in town too unless you really do like the quiet life of the burbs.

A couple of random examples:

http://viewit.ca/vwExpandView.aspx?ViT=17812
http://viewit.ca/vwExpandView.aspx?ViT=99586

exenglishman

We did Oshawa -> Pearson airport in 30 minutes the other day. Yes it was 3am in the morning.. still though! Really depends how they are commuting, Pickering - Toronto is 30 minutes on the GO, I do it regularly.

Pickering is much nicer in some areas, I find with Oshawa that even when you live in the nicer areas you have to go through or to 'not so nice' (&%*&) ones now and then for whatever reason. Im not in Pickering so often so you may be right still though. Rouge Hill is Very nice, more expensive though I imagine.

last time I was at my mates on St George there were a few buildings advertising for Bach, 1 & 2 bed places, take note OP. Lots of high rise around there, coming up for student season so more will be available soon!

Novocastrian

I'm not going to quibble but 30 mins to Union is fine if you work in Union and live in the GO station. Add ?? to get anywhere more probable plus ?? to get from wherever to the Pickering GO station.

Rollios

Thanks for the replys. My girlfriend will be looking for a job as a teacher in a primary school, although I understand that is difficult so she will be looking into day cares also. I'm guessing there isn't many daycares and schools downtown, so I she may be reluctant to live downtown, although I understand the subway is very good

Oink

If she has all the right qualifications, I'd suggest she sub for awhile, she might be able to get her foot in the door by doing that.

Novocastrian

Oh dear. There's not even the slightest chance of her getting a job as a teacher (unless she already is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers, then the chance increases from zero to extremely unlikely). She'd need a Canadian ECE qualification to work in most childcare facilities.

Does she have a Plan C?

Novocastrian

The OP's girlfriend is 24 which suggests she has a UK teacher qualification. If I understand the first post they're coming for a year.

Not a chance on that time scale.