Just looked at viewit - there is a lot of choice and in many handy areas, not central but with good transit links.

A lot are in basements of houses and you might get to enjoy the garden if that appeals to you. But some really have a nerve asking what they do - especially some of the basements which look like someone without a lot, or any, skill did them. I faithfully watch Income Property on HGTV so I think every basement should look like what he does on that show, I guess. Besides making them look good, he builds them to fire and other safety codes which is more important than how they look, I know. http://bing.search.sympatico.ca/?q=I...&setLang=en-CA

Also, look for a building with a laundry on the premises - going to the laundromat (as I'm doing with my washer broken) is not so bad in the summer but a pain once the snow flies.

If you can wait and come in the summer, you can rent student rooms at the downtown university campuses. That would give you some time to do a search in person but not have to make a commitment to staying here if either it's too expensive or you don't like it.

Morningglory47, you are so right! When I was renting, I would have killed for one of those finished properties on Income Property :)

Me too, Susan...in fact, the rental unit in plenty of those houses ends up lookin' better than the main house.

I looked at Viewit, and there's an $845 a month basement apartment in a house that looks a lot like a house I used to own -- near Wanlass Park.

And so I can see where you get the idea that under $900 can work in Toronto.

Some of the highrises look better inthe photos than they do in real life, and if as neighbors you're happy with two families sharing an apartment and living on welfare, you'll get an introduction to Toronto's growing multiculturism.

While public rtransit is good in Toronto, even n the fairly central parts of the city, any need to siwrthc from one bus or streetcar to another before reaching the subway is a guarantee of a ride home that's not very much fun.

I have a daughter who lives by herself and has spent years tryng to keep her rent under $1000, and it's tough.

Unless the building is clearly new, make sure you see it in person before committing.

BAK

I hear your cynicism about those great looking properties under $800 and thats great...you will need to do a lot of looking and we urge you once again, DO NOT book these places sight unseen. Some of those buildings you are mentioning are in really dicey areas. What I have said before, I will re-state: you can get a good place for the price you want once you get here and know what you are REALL looking at. But for anyone here to tell you your dream apt. is available at your dream price through Craigslist...very doubtful.

BTW< the Annex is not affluent, it is just VER popular...it is the student ghetto and if your timing is right there are bargains to be had (I.e. when the students depart en masse in May).

Toronto is a nice city I feel pretty safe most of the time. There are a few neighbourhoods I would avoid living in (Regent Park, Jane and Finch area) http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/p..._and_index.htm this site might help you out, it lists the neighbourhoods and gives you a profile.

I personally like the Annex, Yonge and Eglintinton area (I believe on the site I listed this area is called Mount Pleasent east/west), Leaside, Rosedale (houses are very expensive but there are affordable condos and appartments), and the beaches. Just to name few :)

here are some websites to take a look at,
viewit.ca, torontorentals.com, craigslist, kijiji.ca, I also would take a look at myhood.ca for reviews of some apartment complexes and rental units from people that have lived there.

good luck :)

I agree with previous posters...it is difficult to rent a place in Toronto sight unseen...some of the quotes you gave for the areas seem really shocking to me...Bathurst / Eglinton for example can be a really pricey area unless they are referring to more around Oakwood north of St. Clair...it can be a bit more nerve wracking for a single woman from out of town.

I think that the suggestions of some of the areas such as Leaside, Annex etc...are good but also expensive pretty much across the board. I think that if you look up the shared accomodations with other single women already living in apartments in the area...if nothing else you could inquire about the areas...the Danforth can be a good area if you rent a floor of a house...bachelor etc...

I assume the Toronto Star also list rentals under classifieds online.

I guess that the challenge is the balance between ensuring safety and staying within your price range...the suburbs may be a good choice for your arrival...as it can be easier to ensure safety and price then you can begin to better investigate Toronto in the area!

Hey Guys! I cannot tell you enough how greatful Im for all your inputs!! And I think I have made up my mind. I will look into shared accomodation with a female or females. If its a sublet or temporary situation, thats even better. I think signing a lease would be silly. And after Im in town, I can look around and see all those neighboorhoods for myself. Plus, living with other people might help me networking for rentals and jobs, as well. My search will focus on North York, Yonge and Eglinton, Yonge and Sheppard, and the Annex. I have only heard good things about these areas. Thanks again for everybody who participated in our discussion!

Those areas sound great! I hope that you find a great fit for you and are happy once you are here...if you need further input obviously come back - and now if you don't mind can I ask that you let us know how it all turns out for you! Best wishes and happy searching!

Thank you Caribheart!! Im pretty sure I will ask for advice once I have specific locations on hand. Of course I will let you guys know how I made out once in Toronto, thats the least I can do!! Thanks again for everybody!!

One other area I'd suggest for you is St Clair West. I shared an apartment there for a year when I first started working. There are some good value apartment buildings (built in the 1950s and 1960s) - a mix of high rises and low to mid-rises. It's still urban but feels a little more open and there are some parks, although it's not as leafy as High Park. It's an easy commute downtown from the St Clair West subway station (and, when I lived there, the subway wasn't crowded at rush hour because every other subway train turned around at St Clair West so it was empty when I got on it). There is a large grocery store almost right above the station.

Lots of older buildings with vacancies, too, on Lakeshore Blvd. West around Royal York Road in Mimico. The lake is your backyard there.

And there's a building on Eglinton East near Laird offering a free tv if you rent there.

Mimi1975, have you considered what Canadian city is most likely to have employment for you? I know it might seem like your odds are best in Toronto, but I wouldn't be sure without further investigation.

Calgary may not have a huge amount to recommend it, but it does seem like people get jobs there fairly easily (I'm sure this varies by field, of course).

I am in Vancouver, and I know too many unemployed people to wholeheartedly recommend it, although it could still be good for you with the right skillset. (Having said that, I also know several people in Vancouver who have gotten jobs lately, so let's hope things are improving.)

Frogoutofwater and morningglory47, thanks for the specific recommendations. I will make a note of them, and look for the areas in ads.

WillTravel, its funny to suggest looking at other cities, as well. I thought of it, (still in back of my mind) and the only reason why I feel more strongly about Toronto is its distance from where I live now (New Jersey), which makes the move an easy 8 hour ride. It also has good public transit (I will sell my car before I leave), and of course, its supposed to have many job opportunities. I have thought about Mississauga, Hamilton, London on the East coast and yes, even Vancouver and Victoria on the west coast.
Im in the hospitality field. I have run coffe shops, and currently Im the dining room manager in a small restaurant.