Moving to Toronto
Moving to Toronto? Here are some helpful tips for getting acclimatized.
The City of Toronto is booming. Canada’s financial and cultural capital recently became the fourth largest city in North America, and in February the Toronto census metropolitan area broke the 6-million person mark. Throw into the mix a thriving music and arts scene, an up and coming food culture, a potential 2024 Summer Olympics bid, and the fact that Toronto is one of the world’s most multi-cultural cities, and it’s safe to say that now is a prime time to consider a Toronto condo rental.
Whether you’re making the move for career purposes or are simply anxious to experience the excitement of a growing city, here are some helpful tips to make your search for a Toronto condo rental and your move to Toronto in general a positive experience.
Sun, snow, or rain, there’s always something to do
There’s no use denying it: Toronto winters are cold, though not as cold as in cities like Montreal, Ottawa, or Calgary. And while chattering teeth will come as no surprise to a Toronto newcomer, the summer heat might. Temperatures often rise above 30 degrees, giving residents a chance to enjoy Toronto’s many public beaches, pools, and parks. It doesn’t cool off much at night, so consider a unit with AC for your comfort.
Regardless of the weather, there are always fun and exciting ways to fill your days in Toronto. To name only a few, the city is home to the Toronto International Film Festival, a world renowned Pride Week, Caribana, Nuit Blanche, and the NXNE music festival.
Getting around
The Toronto Transit Commission – or TTC, colloquially – includes a system of streetcars, subways, and busses that can deliver you to nearly everywhere you’ll need to go. The majority of downtown Toronto condo rentals provide easy access to the TTC, making your commute to and from work a breeze. The subway provides a hassle free alternative to frustrating city driving, and will help you save on parking, which can be expensive.
Many downtown residents also choose walking or cycling as their transportation methods of choice. Downtown Toronto is becoming increasingly bike-friendly, and some brave commuters will cycle year-round. Downtown’s simple grid pattern makes finding your way around easy, and you can nearly always use the CN Tower as a compass pointing south.
The city is expensive, but…
Like all world-class cities, Toronto is expensive to live in. As is the case in much of Canada, house prices have soared over recent years, and the average price of a detached home is upwards of $1-million. However, Toronto condo rentals are a viable alternative to home ownership, one that young professionals and millennials are increasingly open to. Opting to rent over buying gives you more freedom to choose which neighbourhood you live in, will free up money to go out and enjoy the city’s amenities, and will give you the flexibility to move as you see fit.
At Renting Toronto, we’ve been in the business of placing qualified tenants in owners’ and landlords’ properties since 1999. There’s never been a better time to live in the city, so check out our extensive Toronto condo rental listings and feel free to contact us today.