Tallie

Hi Everyone

My husband and I are moving to Toronto in January for two years and went over recently to view apartments. We are in our late 20s and want to experience living in a large, vibrant city with easy access to transport, restaurants, running clubs etc.

We viewed quite a few but we have currently got a Yorkville apartment at the top of our list, however this is the most expensive apartment! I'd just like some honest feedback from people who have lived in the area on whether paying the extra is really worth it, and pros and cons of Yorkville living.

Also any suggestions for downtown areas with a similar feel or recommendations for new apartment blocks to view would be really useful.

Fingers crossed our joint salary will be $180 - $200k so I am hopeful this is a realistic salary to live on. I expect it will cost us an additional $500 a month to live in Yorkville compared to the other apartments we viewed.


Thanks

Tallie

JonboyE

Totally unrealistic.

Most families get by on half of that or less.

London Mike

We haven't moved yet (next June) and we're hoping to live in Toronto for half that amount of income so I really hope you make do ok (i'll be watching!).
Good luck

Tallie

Hi JonboyE and London Mike,

I only mentioned salary because Yorkville is a particularly expensive area to live in! We really want to make the most of the next couple of years, hopefully we can enjoy a great lifestyle and also do some saving before heading back to reality in the UK and getting back on the property ladder!

Thanks

Tallie

Novocastrian

Yorkville is certainly expensive but mostly because it's trendy and popular with "celebs". For the price of a TTC token you could live in equally attractive "buzz" areas and avoid these tedious people.

Yonge and Lawrence, High Park, The Beach spring to mind. Even the Danforth is as "vibrant" as Yorkville, but I suppose it depends if you're into Greek.

atscmc

Hi,

Yorkville is very vibrant, but the housing costs are very over-inflated. You'd probably get a fabulous place in a great area for less than the Yorkville apartment and still be within easy reach of everything you want.
Good luck and have fun in Toronto.

Chris

babsi

I wouldn't want to live there, jmo. My new favourite area atm is Babypoint, it feels really surreal there, kind of like a gated community. But very expensive. It is on Jane at Annette when it changes to Babypoint and it is only a short walk to Bloor Village. So you have the best of both world.s

Novocastrian

There's absolutely nothing in Babypoint apart from ludicrously expensive houses. It's not an area so much as a zillionaire's ghetto.

Zap0ne

Yep, you are paying a premium to live in Yorkville for sure. There are some great areas in the city to consider whereby you might get a bit more apartment for your money but it would be marginally less snob value.

I recently rented out a place in the Quantum buildings at Yonge and Eglington that was really nice. My client originally just wanted Yorkville and after viewing places changed his mind. The building has great facilities etc. Close to the subway, restaurants, bars all amenities close to hand which is all good. I think that there is a lovely 2 bed + den with 2 bath place on the 44th floor with fabby view. You should check it out. There are also some very new buildings on Bay St. around Dundas and College area which would put you in the heart of Downtown in close proximity to everything.

Almost Canadian

Birds of a feather

Tallie

Thanks everyone, I will look into the areas suggested.

Zap0ne - the Quantum Apartments look excellent!

Not sure I've had any comments back from anyone who's actually lived in Yorkville and can offer an insightful view as they've experienced it 24/7. If anyone has live in Yorkville I would find it really useful!

Thanks

Tallie

lmartin999

And you chose Toronto?

Just kidding....really...

The TTC is a particularly special kind of experience. Almost historical.

Check your PMs for some comments about Quantam etc.

Bleepedy Bloops

Yorkville is a joke. If you want a really nice place I would say look further north along the Yonge/Bayview corridor. You won't get the same fake overpriced posh garbage of Yorkville and there are more amenities, shopping etc. to live.

marimac

You may want to factor in other costs of living too - the restaurants are pricier, the 'local supermarket' is Whole Foods, etc. If you want the trendy lifestyle, you have to pay for it!

worldfairy

Hi Tallie

My fiance and I have been living here three months now and wanted the same kind of lifestyle you mention.
We opted for an apartment a block or so from Bloor and Yonge, because it was cheap enough and in a great location for our work and both subway lines.
Yorkville's lovely, but you can get the vibrant city lifestyle pretty much anywhere downtown... there is so much going on and the TTC is great. As long as you are near a subway station you'll be fine.
My advice would be to stay in a b&b or something for a week or two until you suss out some alternatives, then if you still choose Yorkville, you know you made the right choice.
My view is an extra $500 isn't worth it... but then it depends if you already have jobs when you arrive as to how comfortable you will be early on.
Hope that helps : )

Charlotte