Moving to Toronto from the UK, HELP!!!

[Summer-Caitlin]

Hi guys

Sorry to jump right in here, but I am in a predicament.

My new husband and I have decided to leave the UK and come to Canada, Toronto to be exact. I am currently studying Law over here and I am looking to continue my studies in Toronto.

I am looking mainly at Seneca College first then moving on to The University of Toronto hopefully to do my Law Conversion course.

I am really struggling with housing. My husband and I are looking for accommodations close to Seneca but don't mind commuting 30-45 min max. I have came across areas like Maple, Aurora, Richmond Hill and Thornhill etc, which I know are close to Seneca, however for decent accommodation the price increases dramatically the closer to Seneca I get.
We do not want to share accommodations so we are looking for an apartment or such like.

My question is, is there any other areas I could be looking in? I need access to public transport, and no more than a 30-45 min commute. Safe neigborhood, access to amenities etc.

Looking at maps is just confusing me even more as I have no ideas about theses areas.

We are looking to move in about 11 months so I am eager to find an area which would be suitable asap.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[myasmum]

Which campus for Seneca are you looking at? ALSO remember not all public transit are the same fares so IF you are crossing into different places you could be paying different fares as theres the TTC (Toronto Public Transit), Mississauga transit, Vaughan Transit, etc... each is roughly from $2.50 to $2.75 cash fare each way so could get a little expensive if your crossing over areas.
Let me know and I will see what info I can get for you since I am in Toronto Robyn

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Thank you

The campus I am looking at is Newnham.

 

[101DalmFan]

Will you have a car? Newnham Campus is just off Hwy 404 (known locally as the Don Valley Parkway) on Finch Avenue East. The suburbs you mention -- Aurora, Richmond Hill, etc. -- are way, way too far for you with your 30-45 minute timeframe for commuting, unless you were driving. Even then, with rush hour, it could possibly take you longer. And by public transit from those areas, you're looking at a long haul -- and switching transit too, from regional transit to city transit, so you're also looking at double fares.

So, any chance of having a car?

 

[amw]

I am really struggling with housing. My husband and I are looking for accommodations close to Seneca but don't mind commuting 30-45 min max. I have came across areas like Maple, Aurora, Richmond Hill and Thornhill etc, which I know are close to Seneca, however for decent accommodation the price increases dramatically the closer to Seneca I get.
We do not want to share accommodations so we are looking for an apartment or such like.

My question is, is there any other areas I could be looking in? I need access to public transport, and no more than a 30-45 min commute. Safe neigborhood, access to amenities etc.

I grew up down the street from Seneca College (off Seneca Hill Drive), and now live in Markham. I definitely agree with the previous poster... Seneca College is in the very north end of Toronto - Steeles Avenue is the dividing line between Toronto and the "Greater Toronto Area" or the burbs you mentioned. If you do not have a car, you don't really want to do public transit between the GTA and Seneca. You would be switching bus routes between cities -- not the same as using a commuter train to go downtown.

Seneca College is in North York, and there are a lot of apartments in the area -- specifically around Fairview Mall. This is a relatively clean area, surrounding a large shopping mall, and there is a subway if you wanted to go downtown. I think this is the area you are best to focus on. I know it's a little pricier than the burbs but all the conveniences would be close by.

Directly east of Seneca College is Scarborough. Scarborough has a "mixed" reputation - some hate it and some like it. A little more crime. It would be slightly less expensive than North York - stick to Northern Scarborough for an easy commute to Seneca.

I'm not as familiar with the city going west of Yonge, even though I was raised here, so I can't comment there.

I would try to focus around "Fairview Mall" as your best bet. Being in the actual city would be greatly beneficial not only for your commute to Seneca, but should you swith to U of T, it's just a subway ride away.

Here's the mall's info, with info on Toronto tourism. There may be a map in there:
http://www.fairviewmall.ca/tourist/index.ch2

Good luck