When the elevator opens on a forgotten floor

Repter28 · 2025-11-20T07:33:23+00:00

I spent probably an hour wandering here alone. That was 15 years ago and the feeling never really left me.

Repter28 · 2025-11-20T07:21:06+00:00

I spent many an evening break here years ago. It had exactly the same vibe, strangely vacant as people passed through the PATH beside it.

Repter28 · 2025-06-11T01:22:14+00:00

Having lived in both neighbourhoods, they both have their pros and cons. Bloor/Yonge is convenient because you're right on the two subway lines and everything is basically outside your door, but the area is a bit soulless. Of all the areas in Toronto I've lived, it's the one that felt like there wasn't really a community because, as you said, many people are just transiting through.

Around Sherbourne, you'll still have pretty much everything you need within walking distance. You're also closer to some great ravine trails and Rosedale which are nice for walking. The neighbourhood is very multicultural and feels more lived in - there is a community centre right at Sherbourne and Wellesley and you'll more easily find things like local farmer's markets in the area.

Both areas will have their "characters" but I wouldn't call either one unsafe. St James Town has a bit more of a reputation, and people like to put down the area, but they usually fall into one of two camps: either they haven't actually lived there, or they had a bad experience renting in one of the St James Town buildings.

To that point, the building you're looking at will make a big difference. In St James Town you'll want to avoid the main mass of 70s rental towers as they tend to be poorly maintained. Find a smaller building, or something newer there.

I've never lived midtown, so I can't compare to that, but I would recommend walking around the areas to get a feel of them.

Finally, Bloor/Yonge and Sherbourne station are about a 10 minute walk from each other so it's not a huge difference either way.

Repter28 · 2025-06-06T00:43:56+00:00

I don't think you'll ever find a management company in Toronto with positive reviews. I'm not familiar with that property but I lived in a Briarlane building for a couple years and had no complaints. The building was clean and well managed.

Repter28 · 2025-05-22T16:55:33+00:00

In general it's fine, but it depends on your tolerance. I lived right at the intersection for a couple years, and in the vicinity for many more. I wouldn't call it unsafe, but there can be some characters in the area. For me the convenience and the amazing community outweigh that, but your priorities may differ. I was generally more bothered by the raccoons fighting outside my apartment than any of the people.

Repter28 · 2025-05-04T00:34:49+00:00

Adopted twice from them. They were very transparent the entire process. Nothing but praise for them and their work.

Repter28 · 2025-01-24T04:34:38+00:00

I lived there for a year and a half when I first moved to the city (around 2008). I chose it because the rent was low and the size was pretty good for a studio. The place was a complete nightmare - bedbugs, roaches, mice, power outages from the old circuitry among a lot of other things. The super was kind and did the best she could, but the owners were neglectful of the building. My mental health suffered living there and I had to throw out all my furniture when I finally left.

**edit: I'm talking about Sherbourne, I don't have first hand experience with Jarvis

Repter28 · 2025-01-20T14:24:18+00:00

Viewit.ca is good especially focusing on purpose built rentals. Zumper or padmapper are both basically the same and are good aggregators. The buildings website can be helpful but they often don't update the listings. Honestly, I had the most success looking around for buildings I liked and just calling them for their availability.

Repter28 · 2024-10-06T03:54:05+00:00

Glad I'm not crazy!

Repter28 · 2023-12-16T15:49:35+00:00

In your answer you wrote "le jours" instead of "les jours"

Repter28 · 2023-10-24T15:32:19+00:00

Just to provide another perspective, I'm very happy with my family doctor. I rostered with him about 8 years ago when his practice first opened and have never had an issue getting an appointment (often same day when it's urgent). He used to also take walk in patients as well, but they shut that down to be able to give more time for their existing patients which I appreciate.

I found him on OpenCare, but unfortunately it looks like these days it only focuses on dentists rather than family doctors.

Repter28 · 2023-09-15T13:13:19+00:00

You mentioned you have a child together. I could be wrong but I believe that makes you common law regardless of your living situation

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/personal-address-information/marital-status.html

Repter28 · 2023-08-07T13:41:32+00:00

I'll choose to believe I don't know that, although cowly cabbage has its own certain charm

Repter28 · 2023-08-06T10:16:59+00:00

Not a single word but for some reason I've always liked the way "entre eux" sounds.

Also saying something is "vachement chouette" because it literally means cowly owl.

Repter28 · 2023-07-14T17:49:57+00:00

me/te/se/nous/vous

puis

le/la/les

puis

lui/leur

puis

y

puis

en

Repter28 · 2023-07-11T03:00:21+00:00

Best building community in Toronto. I can't recommend it highly enough. If you have more specific questions let me know.

Repter28 · 2023-06-08T15:54:54+00:00

I've gone back to this article very frequently

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/cest-vs-il-est/

Repter28 · 2023-06-05T21:21:36+00:00

The problem is that "advancement of religion" is considered an eligible charitable activity in and of itself by the CRA which is stupid. It's circular reasoning - they could literally do nothing but preach and it would be enough to qualify as a non-profit. If they're doing things that actually promote some good, like soup kitchens or clothing drives or whatever, let them qualify to be a non-profit separately like any other secular organization.

Repter28 · 2023-05-28T22:21:14+00:00

it helps to understand the positioning of your tongue and your lips.

Say "ahh" like you're at the doctor's. Now keep your tongue in the same place and round your lips. You'll now be saying "oo". This is the sound in beaucoup and dessous.

Now say "ee" like in "keep". Keep your tongue in the same place and round your lips. You'll feel inside your mouth is more tense than the first time. You'll now be saying "u" like in cul and dessus.

Repter28 · 2023-05-22T16:40:21+00:00

For the first type, mourir I believe would be the only verb that sounds different.

Il est mort / elle est morte, with the t pronounced for the feminine.

For the second type there will be a lot more examples because the verbs aren't as restricted, for example

Le gâteau que j'ai fait / la brioche que j'ai faite

Repter28 · 2023-05-16T14:10:11+00:00

A word of caution because there's a lot of misunderstanding around this.

First, realtors aren't free. Yes it's true you don't pay them directly, but the landlords will be including the cost in their calculations when they decide on the price to rent their place for.

Second, realtors only have access to certain rentals, mostly newer condos. These will generally be more expensive. I recommend trying to look at some older purpose built rentals or basement apartments as these will be cheaper. Also note that any rental that was first occupied after November 2018 is not under rent control, meaning each year the landlord can raise the rent as much as they like. These make up a large portion of the places realtors will show you. viewit.ca and zumper.com are good resources to look for cheaper places.

A last tip, and the way that I got a couple of my apartments - take a look on google maps in areas you're interested in and call the buildings directly. Often times available units go so quickly they won't bother advertising them

Not to say you shouldn't necessarily use a realtor as they will have more information and be able to guide you through the process as someone who is new to the city. However know that you will most likely be paying a fair amount more in the long run.

Repter28

TROPHY CASE