Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

We are starting to look at short-term rentals in Toronto. Can anyone recommend areas that are particularly nice and advise us of areas to avoid?

One apartment is apparently "just south of the Old Mill Subway Station in the prestigious Kingsway neighbourhood of Toronto". Is this an ok area?

Thanks.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

That area is fine in a rather conservative suburbanish manner.

Avoid: Rexdale, Parkdale, the numbered streets of Etobicoke.

Get the exact address and check back: Scarborough.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Yup. That's fine.

Avoid most of Scarborough, most of Etobicoke, Jane-Finch: stick to places on the metro for preference.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

I lived just off a numbered street in Etobicoke from 1992-1994 and they are fine. South of Lakeshore Blvd, is usually nicer than north of it.

Part of the old City of York along Eglinton Avenue, Jane/Finch, parts of Malvern, and any areas with high concentrations of low income housing are usually pretty clear cut areas you would want to avoid.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

92? When the hooker motels were still there?

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

No a lot further west almost at the Mississauga boundary....on Lake Promenade....The hooker motels were being replaced by high end condos when I lived there.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

What are you looking for?
Areas to look at might differ depending on your need for a house or apartment, schools and where work will be and if you drive etc.

A few more details and we'll be able to help more.

Rob;)

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

What's wrong with Scarborough? Oh I forgot, it's also known as Scarberia (as in Siberia), and Scarlem (as in Harlem) because no-one wants to live here and it's seen as a ghetto neighbourhood.

Scarborough extends from Victoria Park Avenue in the West of Scarborough to Rouge Valley in the East,and up to Steeles Ave in the North. I'm proud to live in Scarborough, and I'd recommend it to anyone. Prices are much more reasonable here. I work in Mississauga and even in rush hour I get to work in less than an hour.

North York doesn't get tarred as a bad place to live just because Jane and Finch has a bad reputation.

But you did say most of Scarborough. :p

I agree. Then you have the perfect excuse not to buy a vehicle with which to visit some of the beautiful towns and villages outside of Toronto. :rofl:

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Ahem. From downtown I can't get to the dealership where I have the car serviced, Cedarbrae VW, in an hour. Even if you live at Vic Park and the 401 and work at the 401 and 427 an hour is good going; that's probably 20 miles.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

I use TTC to get downtown.

I live Markham Rd and Lawrence (not far from Cedarbrae VW) and use 401 to get to the 410. Once I get past Yonge St not a lot of traffic until just past Islington.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

No, it's not that. It's just that it's packed with bleeding Arsenal supporters.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Good point. :D:D:D

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Thank you, everyone, for your replies - very useful.

Rob, my husband will be working in Toronto. We are looking for a place to rent for the first month or so, probably in Toronto. We have 2 teenage sons, so need at least 2 bedrooms, but preferably 3. Don't need schools, don't mind if it is an apartment or a house, and we will be looking for a car as soon as we arrive but somewhere near public transport would be an advantage. We will look at longer term house rentals after we arrive (most likely outside of Toronto), but for the moment I just need to find something short-term that I can book from here.

Thanks again,
gmb

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

The problem with a house is that you're likely to have to sign a lease for a year. Still, worse things could happen than being in a commutable location for a year while getting established. Nice enough areas with lots of rentals: Beach, High Park, Yonge and Eglinton/Davisville. All depends on money, of course.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Thanks. I will look out for those areas in the rental adverts.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Hook, I would not live in your area on a bet,and I know that area, probably better than you.
Cedarbrae Grad, lived off Markham, S of Lawrence, Blakemanor, sister on Brimorton, dangerous area.

It used to be a good area.

Pockets around park are O.K, but I wouldn't buy there on a bet.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

All of it....nuff said:p

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

I've only been here 15months so I'm very sure you know the area much better than I do. We're only renting for now but looks like mortgage has been approved so will be deciding where to buy soon. 16yr old still in school and wants to do another year after this one, so not really wanting to move too far. Considering Starspray as an option though as TTC-able and there's a Go Station nearby.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

My former sister in common law (!) lives in that area. I don't remember the name of the street but it's behind the Cedarbrae Mall one block south and west. It's metro housing and the rent is geared to income. It suits her because she doesn't have much declared income, she mostly lives by renting the floor to fellow Newfies who come up and work the weeks for their stamp each summer, and so she doesn't pay much rent. That building, at least, seems pretty rough to me, there were always crack dealers in the stairwells and I often heard gunshots while over there. I'd think twice about making a long term commitment to the neighbourhood.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

So you're agreeing with Howard?
<falls of chair in amazement>

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

I couldn't help myself.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Hear hear!:thumbsup: in spades!

Seriously, to visit Toronto's OK. I guess it really depends on what your individual requirements are re work etc. Areas I liked teneded to be pretty expensive (go figure) but even then, I dislike ALL cities so my light hearted response above is from a position of not HAVING to live in the city anymore, and extremely grateful for that I am.

Best of luck with your search

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

The City of Toronto in all its' wisdom poiceeded to build high rise complexes for Government housing and located many along the Markham -401 strip and along Lawrence east.

The area used to be great, Cedarbrae was a good School, lots of nice affordable bungalows, the Mall was a good place to shop.

I looked after Cedarbrook Park while going to Uni, it was a good area, Punch Imlach, one of the Leafs most famous coaches lived in the area, his son was my friend.

Now, it is dangerous, My Sister refuses to leave, but she has two Dogs , each of whom weigh well over 70 pounds, ShepardxMastiffs, She sleeps easier that way.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Parts of Parkdale aren't that bad though... I have friends who live there, and it's gently gentrifying...

Specifically the bits North and South of Queen and West of Landsdown...

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Oh sure, there are passable streets everywhere, I was just trying to give a general idea. The really dodgy bits, Queen/Sherbourne, Dundas/Sherbourne, Regent Park aren't advertised as that anyway.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

Actually, I agree with this too. There's no way I'd want to live near Cedarbrae Mall these days.

Re: Which parts of Toronto to avoid?
 

I am in no position to offer any advice on safe places in Toronto but as a general comment I would say that some areas in major cities will, over a couple of generations, inevitably fall into decline.

Most often what keeps an area safe is high home prices/rentals. Pure economics (translation: lack of affordability for most) tends to keep the riif raff and criminal element from moving in.