Toronto Rental Market
 

If in wrong forum, please move.

So I'm going to Ryerson for grad school this September in Toronto, and I am having a really difficult time figuring out which route I should take to rent/lease a place. I know the 4/5 neighborhoods I want to live in, but not sure how to secure a place.

I've mainly been browsing Craigslist and ViewIt so far, come across a few decent places, but it's obviously hard to judge a place from 1 or 2 pictures. I was thinking of picking up a ticket and flying down to Toronto at the end of July/start of August to check places out in person and sign a lease. It's costly but probably the most ideal I would assume.

Does anyone know if real estate agents such as Remax, Sutton Realty, etc. deal with rentals, and if it would be worth it to go down that path, seeing that they would probably charge quite a bit of $$$ to find a place (although it probably would be the same price as myself flying + hotel).

And no, I do not know anyone in Toronto at all, so unfortunately can't have any friends help me out :(

you're gonna get eaten alive

My suggestion is that if you don't have much to bring with you go live in a motel or something for a week or two while you find a place to rent.

Liquid_o2,

I'll send you a PM with a contact later on. A close friend of mine has been living in Toronto for 5+ years and may possibly have a suite for rental near Ryerson. If not, he will have contacts for you.

good luck finding an ideal place to rent when OTHER students move into the neighborhood,
amirite?

Who told him to go right when school starts? Go around Mid Aug latest or even beginning of Aug.

+1

Yah as I mentioned in my OP, I'm considering going early August to find a place... flight and hotel won't be cheap but it will likely be the most beneficial to see what I can find first hand.

And thanks bcrdukes, good/reliable contacts are hard to find.

what are you taking at grad school? Congrats btw!

There are a lot of places now for rent in TO right now. The problem with Ryerson and surrounding area is rent is on the high side. Check out your department or grad student unions for rental leads?

I moved to TO last year for work. Tons of apts for rent. Best place imo is mls.ca. You can search by neighbourghood and price etc. Agents dont charge you either as they get a comish for finding tenants.

Keep in mind toronto deposits are first and last months rent.

What are you studying?

check the Red Flag Deal forums. Lots of east coast members in there can point you in the right direction.

Doing a Masters of Planning at Ryerson.

I checked out MLS a few times but they don't seem to have much in the way of rentals aside from a few places. ViewIt seems to have a lot more selection.

Not expecting to live right around Ryerson, for those who know Toronto, I'm looking at Yonge & Eglington, Yonge & St. Clair and St. Clair West for the most part.

I think I just need to start contacting building managers in areas I like and see what they have available.

^
You have PM, sir.

I recommend visiting at least for a weekend. Yes it will be expensive, yet you're going to be there 2-3 years so the expense is well worth it to find somewhere nice to live.

Alternatively you could look for a short-term rental to start. There are always people on CL looking to rent out for 1-2 months while they are away, and that will give you time to get adjusted and find a suitable place long term.

Yonge and Eglington is a really nice area. there is LOTS to do around there. and it's right on the subway line. and it's only about 15-20mins away by subway

I say pick a place that is on the subway line. it helps soooo much. as it's the MOST convenient when you have to go somewhere or buy stuff.

I live at yonge and finch and it's so awesome to live on the subway. Getting home is really easy too because yonge street bus is 24/hours. so even if the subway closes you can still take the bus.

By far the most convenient place to live is somewhere near Bay & College area.
Tons of condos there at Horizons on Bay, College Park and 801 Bay St.
Yonge & Eglinton is nice but you won't be able to walk to school.

Good luck!

BTW, don't waste your time with an agent, just go on Kijiji.

My boy chuckie akenz can hook you up in the jane finch area.

:fullofwin: lol...rs is full of assholes...

TORONTO rental market is quite down, u can find first month free.. free parking etc. mainly due to condo boom. Go down for 2-3 days, and find a place before you move. or live in a motel for the first few days.