The best way to find an apartment is probably on craigslist: http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/, the trouble with apartment hunting in Toronto is that places go very quickly (I've gone to see a place on multiple occassions, on the same day as the posting, to already find them rented out), and there is a good chance that no one will rent to you without meeting you first. Also, in Toronto people are supposed to give 60 days notice, so places go up for rent long before you move in.
There isn't really a good season for apartment hunting, but close to the university people tend to move in / out on May or June 1st or September 1st.
It's hard to say how long it'll take you to find a place to live, but setting up everything else shouldn't take too long.
As for a ticket, that depends on if you have a planned return trip in mind, or if it is significantly cheaper than a one way ticket. I recommend flights.google.com
The best place to live imo is Kensington market / the Annex - North of Dundas, West of McCaul, South of Dupont, and East of Bathurst.
Guys, I told you I emailed the department. And the professor came back to me this morning saying I was accepted and she would love that I take U of T offer and not Concordia. Thank you for making me do it!
mhindawy got a reaction from misskira in How bad is it to turn down an offer after I have accpted it?