How is life in Toronto for people who moved from the US?

[Jancy]

My husband and I received our COPR last week and fortunately an intra company transfer is working out for my husband. If everything goes well, we will move in a couple of months. We live in the US now. Can anyone who settled before in the toronto area, help us get answers for these questions?

1. What is a good neighbourhood with Indian communities and affordable apartments? Whats is the average rent of a 2 bedroom apartment in these areas?

2. Is it advisable to bring your car from the US? I assume you will have to pay for parking and the car insurance is high? (We live in suburbian US now and have no issues with parking or insurance cost)

3. Any other things we should be aware of, moving from US?

 

[links18]

"Affordable" apartments? Maybe Hamilton? People's definition of affordable varies. What is your budget?

 

[canuck78]

Would focus on apartment location based on where your office is located otherwise you could be commuting for multiple hours a day or even one direction.

 

[Jancy]

We are thinking a max of $1500 ?! And how about having and maintaining a car in Toronto? Is it advisable?!

 

[musicholic]

We are thinking a max of $1500 ?! And how about having and maintaining a car in Toronto? Is it advisable?!

The insurance charges in Canada are higher than US. However, insurance is a fixed cost (cannot be avoided). Price of a car in Canada is also higher than that of US. I am not sure as to how much tax/duty you have to pay upon entry of that car into Canada. But I would highly recommend that you do a cost analysis and then take a call.

 

[torontosm]

We are thinking a max of $1500 ?! And how about having and maintaining a car in Toronto? Is it advisable?!

Toronto is a big city. If you live in the suburbs, then you will more than likely need a car. If you live downtown, you don't really need one. The cost of maintenance is comparable to the US, but the insurance costs are much, much higher.

 

[foodie69]

My husband and I received our COPR last week and fortunately an intra company transfer is working out for my husband. If everything goes well, we will move in a couple of months. We live in the US now. Can anyone who settled before in the toronto area, help us get answers for these questions?

1. What is a good neighbourhood with Indian communities and affordable apartments?

Why not trying to fully integrate? You can have Indian community in India..

 

[canuck78]

Depending on where you are coming from in the US the housing prices in Toronto might be a bit of a shock. Would look at your commute as the major factor in your choice of apartment.

 

[Jakev]

My husband and I received our COPR last week and fortunately an intra company transfer is working out for my husband. If everything goes well, we will move in a couple of months. We live in the US now. Can anyone who settled before in the toronto area, help us get answers for these questions?

1. What is a good neighbourhood with Indian communities and affordable apartments? Whats is the average rent of a 2 bedroom apartment in these areas?

2. Is it advisable to bring your car from the US? I assume you will have to pay for parking and the car insurance is high? (We live in suburbian US now and have no issues with parking or insurance cost)

3. Any other things we should be aware of, moving from US?

Scarborough it is- don’t look any further. It’s well-connected to the Downtown as opposed to Brampton or Mississauga. Also meets your checklist for Indian communities.

 

[Pixiegirl]

We are thinking a max of $1500 ?! And how about having and maintaining a car in Toronto? Is it advisable?!

Honestly, I haven't seen an apartment that is less than 1500 unless it's in very bad shape or in someones basement. (And I'm in Mississauga, which is an hour from Toronto and prices are considered lower)
Check out kijiji.ca for rentals (you can pick your neighborhood). You can find a lot of things there, from furniture to cars and buying houses.

 

[Jakev]

In addition to the aforesaid, FB marketplace is another terrific option to scout for these.

 

[DEEPCUR]

Why Canada has this terrible housing market despite low wages compared to US? In US, wages and housing market kinda go hand in hand. Like in California where housing prices are high, wages are significantly high too. In Toronto, people get paid somewhat like in Texas whereas housing costs are as crazy as California.

Higher taxes compared to US are justifiable for healthcare and social benefits, but how could someone moving from US convince themselves for crazy housing prices when the wages are already significantly lower compared to US?

 

[torontosm]

Why Canada has this terrible housing market despite low wages compared to US? In US, wages and housing market kinda go hand in hand. Like in California where housing prices are high, wages are significantly high too. In Toronto, people get paid somewhat like in Texas whereas housing costs are as crazy as California.

Higher taxes compared to US are justifiable for healthcare and social benefits, but how could someone moving from US convince themselves for crazy housing prices when the wages are already significantly lower compared to US?

The housing market has been purely driven by irrational speculation by both foreign investors and local Canadians that went mad with low interest rates. Now that rates are rising, and curbs have been implemented against foreign buyers, you can expect a lot of pain and for prices to continue to drop for several years to come.

 

[Jancy]

Why Canada has this terrible housing market despite low wages compared to US? In US, wages and housing market kinda go hand in hand. Like in California where housing prices are high, wages are significantly high too. In Toronto, people get paid somewhat like in Texas whereas housing costs are as crazy as California.

Higher taxes compared to US are justifiable for healthcare and social benefits, but how could someone moving from US convince themselves for crazy housing prices when the wages are already significantly lower compared to US?

Exactly @DEEPCUR . We live in midwest suburbs and we would be earning almost the same in Toronto downtown of course without taking conversion into account, but would be paying twice as much in rent for a much smaller place. And looks like we have to give up the car if we don't want to pay the exorbitant insurance fees and parking charges. It's almost disheartening to leaving a comfortable life in US and move to Canada. If only US immigration was better. Sigh!!

 

[Pixiegirl]

Why Canada has this terrible housing market despite low wages compared to US? In US, wages and housing market kinda go hand in hand. Like in California where housing prices are high, wages are significantly high too. In Toronto, people get paid somewhat like in Texas whereas housing costs are as crazy as California.

Higher taxes compared to US are justifiable for healthcare and social benefits, but how could someone moving from US convince themselves for crazy housing prices when the wages are already significantly lower compared to US?

The problem is that people agree to pay ridiculous prices for properties. Same type of house can cost between 200 - 1,200,000 depending on location in Canada (if you compare for example mid size city in NS and GTA in ON).
But the bubble will burst at some point (same as it did in Europe) where people will be surprised that the house they bought for 1.5 million is really only worth 300,000, but bank still wants the million.

Wages are a completely different story... If you have a good trade or higher education, you can afford to live comfortable and not worry to meet needs ends. But if you only have a minimum wage job, you won't survive in GTA. Simple as that.

If you are going to move to Canada, make sure there is demand in job market for your profession and if possible, choose to live in smaller city/town that prices are bearable.