Help with finding good neighborhoods around the GTA for young families

[rj16]

I'm thinking of moving to Canada within next few months. Since me and my wife work in Pharmaceutical industry, the chances are that we will be staying in GTA area. There are many companies in Mississauga, North York and Richmond Hill Area. We also have 2 young kids in daycare.
Based on these, what are some good neighborhoods which are safe, affordable (relatively) and has good elementary school system? The school system is the most important criteria followed by safety and affordability.

 

[scylla]

I'm thinking of moving to Canada within next few months. Since me and my wife work in Pharmaceutical industry, the chances are that we will be staying in GTA area. There are many companies in Mississauga, North York and Richmond Hill Area. We also have 2 young kids in daycare.
Based on these, what are some good neighborhoods which are safe, affordable (relatively) and has good elementary school system? The school system is the most important criteria followed by safety and affordability.

What is your approximate monthly budget for accommodations?

I would also recommend that you begin researching daycares in the GTA - unfortunately rates are generally quite expensive and you'll want to factor this into your budget and plans.

 

[rj16]

What is your approximate monthly budget for accommodations?

I would also recommend that you begin researching daycares in the GTA - unfortunately rates are generally quite expensive and you'll want to factor this into your budget and plans.

I'm planning to budget around 2100-2500 for 2BR Apartment. I would prefer to rent a town house/home but then I would be pushing to 3000.
For Daycare, I am thinking about 2200-2400 total for a 2 and 5 year old. Is that reasonable?

 

[canuck78]

I'm planning to budget around 2100-2500 for 2BR Apartment. I would prefer to rent a town house/home but then I would be pushing to 3000.
For Daycare, I am thinking about 2200-2400 total for a 2 and 5 year old. Is that reasonable?

5 year old will likely need after school daycare and maybe before. Around $700/month. More in the summers plus holidays. Summers $1500-2000/month or more for summer camps. 2 year old. All depends if you are going for a home daycare or licensed daycare/preschool. Around $1000 for in home daycare and $1800 for preschool. It is tough because it depends on where you can get a spot and rates keep increasing. Know some daycares in Toronto are at $2400/month. Not sure what your professions are but Canada has a relatively small pharma industry. More expensive area you’ll expect to pay more for daycare.

 

[starnaenae]

I live in mississauga near square one. Great area. I have a 2 year okd and an infant jn daycare and pay 2400 a month. For rent there are lots of townhomes for 2400-3000 a month plus utilities.

 

[canuck78]

I live in mississauga near square one. Great area. I have a 2 year okd and an infant jn daycare and pay 2400 a month. For rent there are lots of townhomes for 2400-3000 a month plus utilities.

Licensed or home daycare? Seems very low for licensed daycare especially for an infant but I know Toronto prices more than suburban prices.

 

[rj16]

I live in mississauga near square one. Great area. I have a 2 year okd and an infant jn daycare and pay 2400 a month. For rent there are lots of townhomes for 2400-3000 a month plus utilities.

Thanks. That's much closer to my budget. As others have pointed out, it may be more when you get closer to Toronto. I was in the area last week and I liked it. Of course the mall was crazy busy with boxing day weekend.
How are the elementary and secondary schools in this area? And safety?

 

[rj16]

5 year old will likely need after school daycare and maybe before. Around $700/month. More in the summers plus holidays. Summers $1500-2000/month or more for summer camps. 2 year old. All depends if you are going for a home daycare or licensed daycare/preschool. Around $1000 for in home daycare and $1800 for preschool. It is tough because it depends on where you can get a spot and rates keep increasing. Know some daycares in Toronto are at $2400/month. Not sure what your professions are but Canada has a relatively small pharma industry. More expensive area you’ll expect to pay more for daycare.

Thanks for the detailed info. I didn't think about before/after care in school. What are typical school hours for Kindergarten and Elementary school?

We visited a daycare in North York area and they mentioned about government subsidizing cost of daycare. Is this separate than Child Care Benefits?

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the detailed info. I didn't think about before/after care in school. What are typical school hours for Kindergarten and Elementary school?

We visited a daycare in North York area and they mentioned about government subsidizing cost of daycare. Is this separate than Child Care Benefits?

Yes - the subsidized day care spots are separate from the child tax benefit. However there is a waiting list generally and the subsidy depends on your level of income.

You can calculate what you might qualify for here:

https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/employment-social-support/child-family-support/child-care-support/

 

[starnaenae]

Thanks. That's much closer to my budget. As others have pointed out, it may be more when you get closer to Toronto. I was in the area last week and I liked it. Of course the mall was crazy busy with boxing day weekend.
How are the elementary and secondary schools in this area? And safety?

Not sure about schools yet but there are tons of catholic and public options!!!! I feel safe walking alone (am a woman) to the corner store around 1030 at night if that helps!!! Its a community area so lots of families. No crap that i can see!!!

 

[starnaenae]

Licensed or home daycare? Seems very low for licensed daycare especially for an infant but I know Toronto prices more than suburban prices.

Licensed!!!!! Small wunders is the name of the daycare. Toronto is stupid for prices!!!

 

[canuck78]

Licensed!!!!! Small wunders is the name of the daycare. Toronto is stupid for prices!!!

Wow that is very low. I know people paying more in Ottawa and London as well especially for children under 1. If you are paying around $1000 for a 2 year old and $1400 for an under 1 year old that is a really good price. Are your friends in the area getting a similar price? There is quite a large variability if a daycare is for profit or not for profit. Some are run by the city or receive municipal money. One of the reasons there is such a variability in prices. Getting a spot when you need is spot is the other challenge. In some areas you need to put you name down a year or more before you need a spot but in other areas there is lots of spots available.

Believe there is a new tax rebate for daycare in 2020. Haven’t looked in to CARE yet.

https://budget.ontario.ca/2019/bg-tax.html

 

[starnaenae]

Wow that is very low. I know people paying more in Ottawa and London as well especially for children under 1. If you are paying around $1000 for a 2 year old and $1400 for an under 1 year old that is a really good price. Are your friends in the area getting a similar price? There is quite a large variability if a daycare is for profit or not for profit. Some are run by the city or receive municipal money. One of the reasons there is such a variability in prices. Getting a spot when you need is spot is the other challenge. In some areas you need to put you name down a year or more before you need a spot but in other areas there is lots of spots available.

Believe there is a new tax rebate for daycare in 2020. Haven’t looked in to CARE yet.

https://budget.ontario.ca/2019/bg-tax.html

My friends qualify for subsidy so dont feel the pain i do paying!!! Its a great centre and VERY reasonable. They provide two meals and a snack. Have great structured programs and amazing staff. We lucked out there. When i was looking for my first son, i was being quoted 72-86 dollars a day... so yeah its quite a difference which to me is ridiculous either way... hoping the credit helps me!!!

 

[canuck78]

My friends qualify for subsidy so dont feel the pain i do paying!!! Its a great centre and VERY reasonable. They provide two meals and a snack. Have great structured programs and amazing staff. We lucked out there. When i was looking for my first son, i was being quoted 72-86 dollars a day... so yeah its quite a difference which to me is ridiculous either way... hoping the credit helps me!!!

If they qualify for the subsidy they likely still feel the pain because they must be earning very little. In Toronto there are huge waitlist for subsidized spots and it is very hard to qualify. Very lucky that you found such a great place and there was availability for both of your children when you wanted them to start. That is like winning the lottery.

 

[starnaenae]

If they qualify for the subsidy they likely still feel the pain because they must be earning very little. In Toronto there are huge waitlist for subsidized spots and it is very hard to qualify. Very lucky that you found such a great place and there was availability for both of your children when you wanted them to start. That is like winning the lottery.

I lucked out with my first and when i was 6 weeks pregnant added the baby to the waitlist. I just recently put the deposit down. Hell be 5 months in april wheb he starts.
As far as low income yes, they may be feeling it but with all the handouts they get from government - super high ccb, ocb, hydro bill cuts, gst cheques, 10 dollar a month internet plans, food bank access which gives diapers food as well as gifts for christmas to name a few.... yet here i am struggling. My income alone is over 95k and with all that i pay, get extra taces taken off, contribute 7%to rrsp per cheque i still owe, get very little in ccb and STILL cannot save a penny because its so expensive to live... Even with my husbands salary we barely have enough to save