There are many areas throughout Toronto and the GTA where you might considering living. Once you have been here a while, you will find it easier to judge which areas are best for your needs.
The city of Toronto is generally divided into 5 separate areas: Etobicoke, North York, Central Toronto, East York, and Scarborough. While all of these regions have an abundance and variety of housing choices, the advantages of living in each area varies. Affordability of housing, ease of transit, and proximity to amenities should be taken into consideration before choosing a neighborhood in Toronto.
One region popular with expatriates with families who are new to the city is the area surrounding the airport in West Toronto, in Etobicoke. Here, you will find a range of reasonably priced family-type accommodation, mostly small-medium sized bungalows and two-story homes. Most of the apartment buildings are decent, but not fancy, with reasonable rates. The advantage of this area is that it is close to the airport, should you plan to travel frequently. It is close to several of the primary highways into the city core, making commuting by car quite simple. The transit system is reasonably good, but you may not be close to subway access.
Many singles and young couples opt for the downtown area in Central Toronto for the convenience it offers. It is literally in the middle of everything, which means that you will have excellent access to cultural events, entertainment, shopping, nighttime entertainment, and much more. Transit is easy to access, and many of the places you will likely want to go will be within walking distance. Accommodation varies from new condominiums to old Victorian detached and semi-detached homes.
There are a few disadvantages to living in the city centre, though – first, you can hardly get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The prices are also generally higher, and you would probably enjoy as less privacy as compared to living in the suburbs.
The following section outlines each Toronto neighborhood and the pluses (and minuses) of living in each.
