Calling all Torontonians

[echob]

I'm currently in 1st year of my PhD and am moving to Toronto in May to do my final study.  I have a couple of questions for those of you who live in Toronto as well.

 

1. Living situation: I'm looking to live close to U of T...anyone know of someone subletting their place? Any advice for where to stay away from, etc? I know Moss Park area is bad but that's the extent of my knowledge.

 

2. Meeting people: I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about meeting people. I'm not super outgoing to begin with, and I'm in a bit of an odd situation since I'll be collecting data at U of T but not technically enrolled in the university. I've done all my coursework etc. at my "home" university, so I won't be able to meet people that way either.

 

I've told myself that when I move to Toronto, I'll really focus on getting some balance in life (i.e. having one outside of school) and meeting some like minded people my age would go a long way. Any advice about best ways to meet people?

[rj16]

Check out/post in this thread 

 

I got great info there! I'm also moving to Toronto this fall, but going to York. 

[Kaitri]

I'm currently in 1st year of my PhD and am moving to Toronto in May to do my final study.  I have a couple of questions for those of you who live in Toronto as well.

 

1. Living situation: I'm looking to live close to U of T...anyone know of someone subletting their place? Any advice for where to stay away from, etc? I know Moss Park area is bad but that's the extent of my knowledge.

 

2. Meeting people: I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about meeting people. I'm not super outgoing to begin with, and I'm in a bit of an odd situation since I'll be collecting data at U of T but not technically enrolled in the university. I've done all my coursework etc. at my "home" university, so I won't be able to meet people that way either.

 

I've told myself that when I move to Toronto, I'll really focus on getting some balance in life (i.e. having one outside of school) and meeting some like minded people my age would go a long way. Any advice about best ways to meet people?

 

I've lived in Toronto for the last five years and for most of it I've lived close to U of T (despite working in the private sector for the entire time). I would suggest looking for apartments to the west of campus along College Street, Bloor Street or Dundas Street. Great neighbourhoods include Kensington Market, Little Italy, Koreatown, Bloordale and Little Portugal. You could also find cheaper apartments in Parkdale, but there are some less-than-savoury characters there. Still, it's an amazing neighbourhood with lots of things to do.

 

Regarding meeting new people: it can be incredibly challenging in a large city like Toronto. I know people who have said that Torontonians are the furthest thing from welcoming, with most people who grew up here choosing to stick with their friends from childhood. I would recommend looking for a group of people like yourself - there are lots of recent "immigrants" (from cities and countries outside the GTA) in Toronto looking for friends. I'd recommend starting with events organized by students at U of T, and would suggest that you reach out to current students doing work in your field at U of T. Send an email to the program administrator or the president of the student association and ask about student events. I recently attended an anthropology student pub night and even though I didn't know anyone there, I managed to have a fantastic time and made connections that I will definitely be able to maintain when I start classes officially in the fall.

 

And lastly, feel free to PM me when you move here! As I mentioned, I live close to campus and love meeting new people.

[echob]

Check out/post in this thread 

 

I got great info there! I'm also moving to Toronto this fall, but going to York. 

Thanks for the link!

 

I've lived in Toronto for the last five years and for most of it I've lived close to U of T (despite working in the private sector for the entire time). I would suggest looking for apartments to the west of campus along College Street, Bloor Street or Dundas Street. Great neighbourhoods include Kensington Market, Little Italy, Koreatown, Bloordale and Little Portugal. You could also find cheaper apartments in Parkdale, but there are some less-than-savoury characters there. Still, it's an amazing neighbourhood with lots of things to do.

 

Regarding meeting new people: it can be incredibly challenging in a large city like Toronto. I know people who have said that Torontonians are the furthest thing from welcoming, with most people who grew up here choosing to stick with their friends from childhood. I would recommend looking for a group of people like yourself - there are lots of recent "immigrants" (from cities and countries outside the GTA) in Toronto looking for friends. I'd recommend starting with events organized by students at U of T, and would suggest that you reach out to current students doing work in your field at U of T. Send an email to the program administrator or the president of the student association and ask about student events. I recently attended an anthropology student pub night and even though I didn't know anyone there, I managed to have a fantastic time and made connections that I will definitely be able to maintain when I start classes officially in the fall.

 

And lastly, feel free to PM me when you move here! As I mentioned, I live close to campus and love meeting new people.

 

Thank you for the thorough response. I've heard the same about Torontonians being pretty cliquey...fun times ahead!  I will definitely PM you!

[sorairo]

I grew up in Toronto and am now finishing up my undergrad at U of T! Hopefully I can be helpful:

 

1. I live in the Annex (sharing a house with 4 others), and I personally really like it (very residential area, lots of families). A lot of my friends live in Koreatown (late night food/entertainment), Chinatown/Kensington (cheap groceries, coffee shops), and Little Portugal. If your funding situation is good, you can also rent a nice apartment at Bay/College. If not, you can get a bike and look along the Bloor subway line (maybe as far west as Dufferin and as far east as Sherbourne, but essentially it gets sketchier the further you go out). There's also the Grad House on campus if you're thinking of something more short-term. As for neighbourhoods, I feel pretty safe everywhere within walking distance of campus (Queen's Park used to be sketchy, but it's better now). Can't comment as much outside that though.

 

2. I've met a lot of people joining clubs/events on campus (although I agree with Kaitri, most of my closest friends are from high school...). I don't know how tricky/expensive that might be if you aren't officially a U of T student, though. I like hanging out at Hart House (kind of a student community centre?) because there's a lot to do there (artsy events, pool/gym, library, classes).

 

Feel free to PM me as well! I'm moving away at the end of April, but I can at least answer any other questions you might have. Good luck with your move!

[echob]

I grew up in Toronto and am now finishing up my undergrad at U of T! Hopefully I can be helpful:

 

1. I live in the Annex (sharing a house with 4 others), and I personally really like it (very residential area, lots of families). A lot of my friends live in Koreatown (late night food/entertainment), Chinatown/Kensington (cheap groceries, coffee shops), and Little Portugal. If your funding situation is good, you can also rent a nice apartment at Bay/College. If not, you can get a bike and look along the Bloor subway line (maybe as far west as Dufferin and as far east as Sherbourne, but essentially it gets sketchier the further you go out). There's also the Grad House on campus if you're thinking of something more short-term. As for neighbourhoods, I feel pretty safe everywhere within walking distance of campus (Queen's Park used to be sketchy, but it's better now). Can't comment as much outside that though.

 

2. I've met a lot of people joining clubs/events on campus (although I agree with Kaitri, most of my closest friends are from high school...). I don't know how tricky/expensive that might be if you aren't officially a U of T student, though. I like hanging out at Hart House (kind of a student community centre?) because there's a lot to do there (artsy events, pool/gym, library, classes).

 

Feel free to PM me as well! I'm moving away at the end of April, but I can at least answer any other questions you might have. Good luck with your move!

 

 

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I might do Bay and College, or Queen West/King West/Richmond West, east of Bathurst.

 

Re: clubs/events, I don't know if I'm able to join the clubs since I'm technically not a student.  Thanks for the Hart House suggestion - never even heard of it!

[sorairo]

I don't know if I'm able to join the clubs since I'm technically not a student.

 

You can, but you'd have to pay a membership fee and I don't know how much that is. It'll probably be on harthouse.ca though!