US citizens moving to Canada

[Disneyjamie]

Hi,

I posted this on the budget board and was advised I might get more response on the Canada board.

I just received a job offer for a position in Toronto. Anyone have any budget trips for moving to Toronto from Detroit?

TIA,
Jamie

 

[Northstar]

Well, an obvious one is to start watching the US$ to Can$ exchange rate like a hawk and exchange some money when the rate is favorable.

Are you going to bring your car? Check http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx for info on bringing it over. When I moved (in 1993, so not very recent), I shouldn't have even tried to move my car but didn't know. It cost me a lot to get the car modified to meet Canadian standards.

Check whether you'll be eligible for an Ontario provincial health card right away, and if not, buy a cheap travel medical policy to cover you till it kicks in.

The folks from Toronto will have plenty of information for you on where to live and shop and things like that.

Meanwhile, welcome to Canada!

 

[abdmom]

I just moved to Toronto from MN last year. It was a real hassle and a half to import my car. Luckily I wasn't working at the time since it took a lot of time. If I had to do it over again, I would have sold it.

In order to get an ON driver's license and health card, you will need to go to a Service Ontario location. It may be worthwhile to visit one in southern ON to check out what you will need for you and your family. Generally, you need to be an ON resident for 90 days before you can get a health card.

Toronto real estate has been on a boom (compared to the U.S.) for the past several years. Bidding wars are still happening. Don't expect any bargains in rentals or sales. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is huge - think NYC. If you are buying, find a good real estate agent. In any case, find a place to live that is close to your work.

 

[stefanospops]

I just moved to Toronto from MN last year. It was a real hassle and a half to import my car. Luckily I wasn't working at the time since it took a lot of time. If I had to do it over again, I would have sold it.

In order to get an ON driver's license and health card, you will need to go to a Service Ontario location. It may be worthwhile to visit one in southern ON to check out what you will need for you and your family. Generally, you need to be an ON resident for 90 days before you can get a health card.

Toronto real estate has been on a boom (compared to the U.S.) for the past several years. Bidding wars are still happening. Don't expect any bargains in rentals or sales. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is huge - think NYC. If you are buying, find a good real estate agent. In any case, find a place to live that is close to your work.

I sent you a private message as well. I can echo the comments about the real estate market. I am a realtor here in Toronto and while the market is not as crazy as it was a few months ago it is still busy. My suggestion to anyone is to consider renting something short term until you can experience Toronto for yourself. There are so many different places in this city that are appealing to different people. Good luck!

 

[Gigi22]

Bump.

 

[Disneyjamie]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Since you'll be working in Toronto, living spaces on the northern end of the city should be more affordable. With our awesome transit system, it's very easy to get around the city. Something temporary around the northern yonge area would be very convenient for you until you find a permanent residence.

My family is in the midst of moving between houses, so we're now renting an apartment on Steeles and Yonge that is surprisingly affordable and is in a great location.

Whereabouts is your new place of employment?

 

[Tower]

Since you'll be working in Toronto, living spaces on the northern end of the city should be more affordable. With our awesome transit system, it's very easy to get around the city. Something temporary around the northern yonge area would be very convenient for you until you find a permanent residence.

Ditto that thought on living away from downtown. We live in Mississauga (Toronto airport is in Mississauga). If you tell us where you will be working, maybe we can help with a location that's good for you.
Are you going to be alone? Or the whole family moving as well?

 

[Gigi22]

Bump.

 

[Disneyjamie]

Hi Everyone. I will be working right downtown in the financial district. My husband, who will come over 1-3 months after me, will be working in the Scarborough area. So we were thinking of renting either northern or eastern Toronto. We heard good things about the Beaches area. We are budgeting around 2K for renting. Right now we are trying to figure out the deal with importing cars. It seems very complicated.

 

[Nahanni]

Beaches is a very nice urban neighbourhood with plenty of restaurants, shops and the beach.

If you prefer not to drive to work, the streetcar takes about 20-30 minutes (I used to ride my bike or rollerblade across the waterfront trail - we had a shower at work!). Husband will be able to drive opposite rush hour traffic to work in Scarborough.

Anywhere along the Yonge subway line provides many rental options and nice places to live.

 

[snickerboo]

The Beaches are beautiful but quite pricey. We lived in Leaside when we lived in TO and it's a very nice neighbourhood with a little trendy area for eating/shopping. It's in between the east and downtown & easy to access the DVP/401 for the commute. It's also safe. From Leaside, it'd be easier to take the bus/subway to work downtown. A lot of people don't drive if they work downtown. Toronto subway is pretty efficient and then you don't have to worry about traffic & parking. Traffic in Toronto is a much bigger issue than Detroit! Thornhill, Markham, Richmond Hill might also be reasonable neighbourhoods for you (but not as accesible to public transportation).

We are doing the same thing in reverse! We are moving from the London, ON area to St. Louis, MO. And, yes, the car thing is a PITA!

 

[Disneyjamie]

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Welcome to Canada! I hope you'll love it here as much as we do.

Teresa

 

[abdmom]

The Beaches are beautiful but quite pricey. We lived in Leaside when we lived in TO and it's a very nice neighbourhood with a little trendy area for eating/shopping. It's in between the east and downtown & easy to access the DVP/401 for the commute. It's also safe. From Leaside, it'd be easier to take the bus/subway to work downtown. A lot of people don't drive if they work downtown. Toronto subway is pretty efficient and then you don't have to worry about traffic & parking. Traffic in Toronto is a much bigger issue than Detroit! Thornhill, Markham, Richmond Hill might also be reasonable neighbourhoods for you (but not as accesible to public transportation).

We are doing the same thing in reverse! We are moving from the London, ON area to St. Louis, MO. And, yes, the car thing is a PITA!

I live in Leaside and my dsis lives in the Beaches. She tells me it's called The Beach now. There are not many rental apartments in Leaside, but there should be more in The Beach. Rental of a house in Leaside will run you over $3K/month. Something on the Yonge line or in the downtown area would be good. Since it's just the 2 of you and you are new to the area, I would lean more towards the downtown area. This would put you in a good position to explore what Toronto has to offer.

 

[Disneyjamie]

Thanks - 3K for a rental is just amazing. Coming from Detroit where you can buy homes for 30K it just seems unreal!

 

[YukiPhnx]

How about renting in Scarborough? North eastern Toronto is where I grew up, in scarborough.

But like someone said, apartments along the Yonge subway line are pretty nice right now. Good prices, only about 20-30 mins drive away from Scarborough, very convenient area and very close to our transit system.