duncnd

Hi
My family and I are moving to Toronto in the next month or two. I will be working in Mississauga and would like anyone's advice about good areas to live. We are looking for a family friendly suburb with a strong sense of community. We want a 4 or 5 bedroom house (we have 3 daughters under 5) around the $1,500 per month mark.
Also, in very broad terms, what are the likely living costs in Toronto?
Many thanks for your help
Duncan

Dave n Ailsa

Wow, did you get a job, LMO and visa already?

We're not there yet so can't really help with advice on areas, but if you're looking to rent then it's not too bad if you don't like a place, you can always try somewhere else. Lots to consider when you have kids.

Good luck!

dbd33

I expect most people do. Also a boat and one of those 50s Cadillac convertibles just for driving to the ice cream stand.

Atlantic Xpat

Is there any area in Canada where you could rent a 4-5 bedroom house for $1500 a month? Or, rather is there any area, you'd want to live, where you could do so?

Is that the sound of a harsh dose of reality I hear coming along?

cheeky_monkey

i cant think of anywhere you could get a 4-5 bed house for $1500?..i would love to know though.

iaink

You could rent two three bedroom houses in Trenton, and have some actual peace and quiet

dgagitw

You might just about get somewhere in Brampton or Milton for that. e.g. http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetail...Key=1794938024

I'll let others comment on the strength of community and family friendliness of those areas as I've only ever visited them briefly.

duncnd

Yeah. There's plenty in the Toronto area. I've been looking on MLS.ca and there are a few knocking around. I just wanted to know the nicer areas really. I get the impression that most of you don't think it's possible and you will definately know more about it than me. I'll keep looking and if I have to change my plans, I will. Thanks for your help

duncnd

I've seen a nice looking place in the Richmond area for around $1,500... Is Richmond a nice place for a family?

iaink

If its only 1500 in Richmond Hill, Im guessing there must be a reason...

Presumably "seen" means pics online, not in the flesh?

duncnd

I'm still in the UK so yes it is 'pics' and not 'in the flesh', but it looks good on a good size plot. Should I be very wary?

iaink

My understanding is that if a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is.

Other posters here know the GTA market much better than me, but I imagine there are some crap houses / ex grow ops in nice areas...

duncnd

Fair enough. I'm going to stay in a hotel for a bit anyway and take a look around. If I have to adjust my rental budget, I will. It seemed to me on the website that around 1,500 was reasonable - my bad! What would be the going rate for that size house?

Novocastrian

There's a Richmond near Vancouver but that's quite a commute. Was it perhaps in Richmond Hill? If so I can definitely help. Post a link from mls.

duncnd

No, it's in Toronto