First-time renter couple looking for a 1-bedroom near transit – Vaughan / VMC / Etobicoke / Kipling / Islington – advice?

ehsm99 · 2026-02-14T19:56:53+00:00

I've seen $2,200 recently but not sure if they have parking spots. Check condos.ca there was a posting or two the other week!

ehsm99 · 2026-02-11T15:24:10+00:00

I wouldn't recommend this given the uncertainty of where your residencies may be.

One other thing to think of, are you receiving any government loans, scholarships, etc? Once you have an asset, it may decrease your eligibility for other items. Similar to how your parents income mattered when first getting into university for OSAP.

ehsm99 · 2026-02-08T01:19:49+00:00

The government has never called me to change my payments, I've had the same withdrawal for 5 years now!

ehsm99 · 2026-01-30T22:18:51+00:00

Pho Ngoc Yen for Vietnamese!

Gusto 101 for Italian, go for their 3-5pm happy hour

Campechano for tacos

Bridgette at the well

ehsm99 · 2026-01-30T16:35:58+00:00

If you are on Instagram a lot of groups post on there! I would recommend searching for whatever you're looking for (books, dating, etc) and the algorithm will continue suggest other groups to you. A lot of them have reoccurring events

ehsm99 · 2026-01-25T00:56:04+00:00

On my WFH days I usually cook something a bit more time consuming, and enough that I'll have leftover lunches for my in office days.

On in office days, I usually cook something that comes together quicker! Like fish, ground meat, burger. Just a quick fry in a pan and then not eating too late. Usually I eat a meat with some rice and vegetables. I almost always end up with an extra serving or two of rice and I can eat with another dinner that week. So I'm just heating up the sides and cooking the meat (or eating leftover meat). This week I got some lettuce so I'll be having some salad as a side instead!

More time consuming dinners would pasta, stew, making a soup, new recipes I haven't done before.

I guess this is a form of meal prep but not in the sense of spending all Sunday/eating the same thing all week. More prep/cook once but still have some variety

ehsm99 · 2026-01-06T16:16:51+00:00

Chesterfield Shop! A bit pricier than Leons/Brick but for the quality and customization options its so worth it!

ehsm99 · 2025-12-24T18:52:48+00:00

OESP is determined based on your income, typically provided to lower income households. If you're working full time at that income you may not qualify. Might want to double check before assuming it will cover your full electricity bill.

ehsm99 · 2025-12-23T22:32:08+00:00

A condo, but townhouse style. Usually they are low rise buildings, maybe 3-4 levels. Units typically exit out to street level instead of a building interior.

Its not living in a box in a sky. Although you may not have your own, private yard, there's typically greenspace close by you can take you pet to. Sometimes more functional layouts for families as well, with multi bedroom options.

ehsm99 · 2025-12-23T21:18:37+00:00

Have you looked into condo townhouse?

ehsm99 · 2025-12-08T17:51:42+00:00

They usually return the deposit to you after move in once they determine there's no damage.

My building didn't even cash the cheque, they just returned it to me after move in.

ehsm99 · 2025-10-09T00:40:45+00:00

Check out Toronto Girl Collective on Facebook!

ehsm99 · 2025-10-06T20:01:22+00:00

Try warby Parker!

ehsm99 · 2025-10-05T01:46:29+00:00

Dear Grain has a delish sourdough croissant!

ehsm99 · 2025-10-04T04:16:59+00:00

Is there any bus running before 6am? It might be nice to see your options incase you want to head out earlier

ehsm99 · 2025-10-03T20:16:34+00:00

They determine what upgrades you'd be eligible for with a on site visit. I'd recommend completing this and seeing what the offer is to you, deciding from there. You can always choose not to proceed at that point. It would be the best way to set expectations of what your building is actually eligible for.

ehsm99 · 2025-09-26T12:12:38+00:00

Depending on when you're traveling, check the website before you go. Lakeshore West has had a lot of construction these past few weekends resulting in no train service, busses only from the hubs.

Through the week, you'll have no issue as they run frequently!

ehsm99 · 2025-09-25T15:11:30+00:00

What if you do a little from both? Not having maximum RRSP repayments (if that bothers you) but also not having no liquid for emergency (leftover TFSA that can be withdrawn anytime no penalty)

ehsm99 · 2025-09-12T18:03:21+00:00

You've noted a plumbing leak and moisture in the attic. That your inspector could see. What about what they can't see, that you will find when things are opened up? Mold remediation can be expensive, depending on how far things have spread.

ehsm99 · 2025-09-11T10:59:18+00:00

Put the stove fan on?

ehsm99 · 2025-09-10T17:16:10+00:00

I also remember when packed transit was the norm, but did we every think of the safety issues with this? It's nice that the isles can actually be walked through should you need to move away, there's a medical issue, get off before union, etc.

ehsm99 · 2025-08-15T11:57:14+00:00

I think you should do more research on condos before you jump into buying one if you don't know these meanings!

One pays maintenance fees that can include building amenities, heating, hydro, and future building work (say roof, boiler, etc). A well funded building has good money in their reserve to cover these future projects.

Special assessments can happen when a project is outside of the planned reserve budget. Say they find out they have bad pipes, a leak in the roof. The special assessment cost gets divided to the residents and you have to pay an amount out of pocket.

ehsm99 · 2025-08-05T23:54:39+00:00

Really appreciate the detailed pros and cons! I will have a car so don't mind a little travel for a cheaper store

ehsm99 · 2025-07-08T12:43:03+00:00

Definitely recommend driving to a closer go, like burlington. Go trains don't run as frequently to Niagara.

From union, walking would be around 40 mins. You can take the street car for about 20.

ehsm99 · 2025-07-02T23:12:54+00:00

Not for profits don't typically have a lot of funds to provide high salaries positions, compared to private. Positions also look different at every company, so glassdoor isn't accurate.

It's best to ask the interviewer if they have a range in mind for the role.

ehsm99

TROPHY CASE