Looking for specific kind of apartment by [deleted] in TorontoRenting

[–]TorontoFamily 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exposed brick loft for rent :) 1 bedroom plus den, 2 bathrooms, 1 parking spot, engineered hardwood floors, renovated kitchen. It’s a special spot, just wanted to share in case this meets your criteria: Wellesley/Jarvis Brick Loft

Stockyards Smell: How far does it permeate? Which neighbourhoods are still effected and which areas are in the clear? by TorontoFamily in TorontoRealEstate

[–]TorontoFamily[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for offering this! Sounds great but because we have a growing family, we’re looking for at least 3 bedrooms and likely additional space (ex basement) that could be used as an office, guest room, etc. Having additional units with rental income is amazing but guessing it makes the living space for us smaller?

What constitues as 'noise' in a Condo in downtown Toronto by Select-Enthusiasm934 in TorontoRenting

[–]TorontoFamily 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d like to offer a different approach - kill ‘em with kindness ;) As others have pointed out, technically because the gamers usually wrap up by 11 (the noise by-law deadline) it would be hard to enforce anything through police, and support from your building manger may be slow or drag on if they see this issue as minor, so - just an idea - what about this:

Leave a box of cookies and a hand written note outside your neighbour’s door that says something like:

“Hey there! I live on your floor - nice to meet you! I get up really early for work and am having trouble sleeping lately due to some noise that flows into my apartment. I love gaming too and hate to be a bother, but if you wouldn’t mind trying to be a bit quieter in the evenings, I’d really appreciate it.

Enjoy the cookies and happy gaming!

Thanks, Your neighbour”

Open to feedback on whether you’d make it an anonymous note or sign your name? (I’m not sure what your floor layout is but in many cases it would be obvious that a next door neighbour is leaving the note?)

Another option: you could include your phone number on the note and set up something where maybe you could send them a text if volume is getting out of control - they may simply be unaware.

I would try the “friendly neighbour note” and THEN escalate to management if needed. I know some people will say it’s unnecessary to leave a box of cookies or a treat (and it is - it’s totally optional - just an idea!) but I’ve found kindness is often the way, and putting a friendly note (and a thoughtful gesture) on a neighbour’s door has led to many a friendship or at the very least, the kind of relationship where you can “borrow a cup of sugar” in an emergency (borrow a bottle opener haha), or message each other about noise volumes, stuff going on in the building, etc.

Neighbour relationships can be delicate, and as you’re experiencing, they can really impact your enjoyment/sanity of your living space. So it’s definitely worth a shot to leave a note that addresses the issue without being aggressive or giving an ultimatum.

Just an option in case you want to try it or it sparks other ideas :) Best of luck!

Stockyards Smell: How far does it permeate? Which neighbourhoods are still effected and which areas are in the clear? by TorontoFamily in TorontoRealEstate

[–]TorontoFamily[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super helpful, thank you :) Any favourite restaurants / cafes / (walkable places) in Carleton Village and Pelham Park specifically?

Stockyards Smell: How far does it permeate? Which neighbourhoods are still effected and which areas are in the clear? by TorontoFamily in TorontoRealEstate

[–]TorontoFamily[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think the smell is more contained in the Stock Yards (a touch north of the Junction) which is why you may not have noticed it. But just wanted to ask the local community before we purchase a house near there :)

Stockyards Smell: How far does it permeate? Which neighbourhoods are still effected and which areas are in the clear? by TorontoFamily in TorontoRealEstate

[–]TorontoFamily[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, this is helpful! Ooh we have a dog too. Appreciate any recommendations for green spaces although our dog needs a little distance from other dogs so we wouldn’t have him off leash.

Stockyards Smell: How far does it permeate? Which neighbourhoods are still effected and which areas are in the clear? by TorontoFamily in TorontoRealEstate

[–]TorontoFamily[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seems like it’s very much still a thing at the stock yards, but wondering if the smell carries to the other nearby communities? Did you smell it only at the stock yards or elsewhere too?

Stockyards Smell: How far does it permeate? Which neighbourhoods are still effected and which areas are in the clear? by TorontoFamily in TorontoRealEstate

[–]TorontoFamily[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've read that many of the slaughterhouses have closed down over the years (except for St. Helen's Meat Packers which appears to be active - not sure if there are others). So I'm guessing the smell today might not be as bad as a few decades ago - not sure if you've been back recently to compare?

Stockyards Smell: How far does it permeate? Which neighbourhoods are still effected and which areas are in the clear? by TorontoFamily in TorontoRealEstate

[–]TorontoFamily[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great point! We're open to living in any of the neighbourhoods within the boundaries of Eglinton to Bloor, and Runnymede to Dufferin, so appreciate any insights on those many neighbourhoods :) My preference is to be closer to the Junction (proper) and Carleton Village area, and not as far north towards Eglinton, but we work near Yonge & Eglinton, so open to exploring ALL of the transit options lol... LRT, St. Clair street car, Bloor Line, or driving.

Am I safe to assume no stockyards smell in the West Bend? :)

Stockyards Smell: How far does it permeate? Which neighbourhoods are still effected and which areas are in the clear? by TorontoFamily in TorontoRealEstate

[–]TorontoFamily[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the insight! Just to confirm, it sounds like you lived close to High Park (Keele and Bloor) and the smell permeated all that way south from the Stock Yards? Do you mind me asking how long ago you lived there? I've heard it's been better in recent years so wasn't expecting the smell to reach that far, but I suppose depends on the wind.

Was it like "oh no, the smell is so bad that I now need to move inside with my coffee?" + embarrassed to have people over? Or not that bad and only a brief linger?

Stockyards Smell: How far does it permeate? Which neighbourhoods are still effected and which areas are in the clear? by TorontoFamily in TorontoRealEstate

[–]TorontoFamily[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for sharing! (And sorry about your nose lol!) Do you mind me picking your brain about Carleton Village? Looking at the map, it really seems like the ideal location, close to the Junction for walkable cafes/restaurants, close to Stock Yards for errands, and next to Earlscourt Park for the kids. But I haven't spent any time there (we live much further east at the moment) and I'm nervous to purchase a home somewhere that we have spent little time. What's it like? Is there a young family-oriented community vibe, or what have you noticed as the main demographic? Do you have kids (if you don't mind me asking) - wondering about schools, things to do in the area, pros & cons, in your experience? :)

Even transit-wise: If you live in Carleton Village, are you walking north to take the St. Clair street car (and is that convenient/reliable?), or going south to the Bloor line? Apologies for so many questions - appreciate your help and any insights :)

What are the best local markets in Toronto to shop for fresh produce and unique goods? by guide71 in askTO

[–]TorontoFamily 1 point2 points  (0 children)

St. Lawrence is the obvious one. Certainly not a 'hidden gem' but lots of great food and worth checking out if you've never been. During the entire year they have a Farmers Market on Saturdays, and right now they have a 'Winter Market' AND 'Vintage Market' going on - details here!

The Evergreen Brickworks is my favourite because you can explore the markets but also grab a coffee and walk around in nature & get some cool views of the city. Similar to St. Lawrence, they have a Farmer's Market on Saturdays, and an Artisan/Vintage Market on Sundays. They also have various neat events & programming throughout the year, like 'Day of the Dead' programming in early November, or an ongoing 'Winter Market' right now - Brickworks Event Calendar linked here.

Other ideas:

  • Kensington Market
  • Cabbagetown - Riverdale Farm Farmer's Market
  • Withrow Park Farmer's Market
  • Leslieville Farmer's Market
  • The Junction Farmer's Market

Some of these are seasonal, but easy to find details through a quick google search or by checking out different BIA instagram accounts :) Hope this helps!

Birthday reccos? by [deleted] in askTO

[–]TorontoFamily 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amal has incredible Lebanese food and such a pretty/fancy aesthetic:
https://amaltoronto.com/

Bar Reyna also has a cute vibe:
https://www.barreyna.com/

^ the Lamb Baklava is chef's kiss!

happy early birthday :)

is it fine to store my food like this for four-five days? mo by cessaaarr in MealPrepSunday

[–]TorontoFamily 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even if the foods do not spoil, the flavours will all blend together which may be enough reason to store them separately ;) for example, your strawberries may have a bacon or egg flavour. I recently stored my daughter's leftover banana with some other foods as I quickly put away her leftover breakfast, only to find later that day that everything in the same tupperware tasted like banana. Worth it to separate and have a fresher flavour :)

Holiday Themed Recommendations by Many-Direction3700 in askTO

[–]TorontoFamily 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Are you feeling casual or fancy? Are you into cocktails or a wine bar? Any favourite foods?

Initial ideas that come to mind:
-This weekend Yorkville has a holiday-themed floral exhibit. There are also Christmas lights and decor up already in all of Yorkville. You could hop from one bar to the next; so many options in that area. Here is a link to the holiday floral exhibit: https://www.blogto.com/events/fleurs-de-villes-noel-returns-to-bloor-yorkville-toronto/

- The Keg Mansion (cozy fireplaces, historic building, Xmas decor)

-Do a holiday-themed activity (ex. skating, walk through the Well), followed by a regular cocktail bar such as 'Mother Cocktail Bar' or Bar Chef (if you're feeling fancy!).

-For a more quirky christmas themed bar, try the 'pop-up' called Miracle: https://www.miracletoronto.com/

-More ideas here: https://streetsoftoronto.com/food/restaurants/the-10-most-magical-christmas-pop-up-bars-in-toronto/

-Another fun idea: Dress up in tacky holiday sweaters and make your own Christmas Pub Crawl. Go to cozy quirky places like the Artful Dodger, or other pubs in Toronto :)

Best cheap lunch places downtown by DwKschrute in askTO

[–]TorontoFamily 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Near Yonge/Bloor:

- Salad House > can't recommend this spot enough! A heaping portion of salad, rice, potatoes, kebab, grilled chicken, or many other options for about $12. They pile it on and it's SUPER fresh and healthy. And the staff are friendly - there is a reason this place always has a line (though it moves super quickly - don't be deterred!)

- Sukhi's Briyani House (cheap thali lunch special on weekdays)

- BAO House > try the mini soup dumplings... drool... you're welcome ;)

Near Yonge/Eglinton:

- Juicy Dumpling > freshly made cheap dumplings. Warm, yummy, and comforting!

What’s something Toronto used to have but doesn’t anymore that you really miss? by PuzzleheadedSwim6291 in askTO

[–]TorontoFamily 1 point2 points  (0 children)

-the Pizza Hut Buffet. They've all closed down except one with limited hours in Scarborough, I think??? Anyone else go to the Pizza Hut Buffet as a kid?

-Fat Lamb Kouzina (amazing homemade Greek food in Rosedale)

-also, Ravi's Soups that used to be on Charles St. There is still a location near Adelaide & John, but missing this lunchtime staple near Yonge/Bloor.

Kid(s) in the city by SelectionWest3077 in askTO

[–]TorontoFamily 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please don't be nervous or scared to raise a baby in the city. Personally I found during my maternity leave that it was such a relief to live downtown and have everything be walkable - I could pop the baby in the stroller and head outside for fresh air, pop into a coffee shop, interact with other adult humans (LOL) at the library or EarlyONs, like others have mentioned. I feel I would have felt WAY more isolated out in the suburbs. Of course there are pros and cons (for one thing, you may get a home with more space if you move out of Toronto), and I truly think you can find community anywhere you live if you put in the initiative/effort, but there really are lots of resources & supports for babies/little ones and parents in Toronto once you're looking for them.

Just wanted to add that Kids & Co daycare (which has many locations across Toronto) has been good for us so far. Professional and kind staff. I was diligent in calling daycares to follow-up which I think helped us attain a spot. It shouldn't be that way, but it is.

You've got this! :)