Tips for first time Toronto renter in a rush?

[AdmiralButthurt]

Got a new job in Toronto around the Spadina/King area, and it starts in a week. I have very little idea what I'm doing.

I need something fast and my only requirements are: immediate availability, bachelors, reasonable commute via TTC (15-25min max), no one year leases. I would prefer high rise to low rise, and definitely don't want basements/rooms.

As I've never rented in Toronto before I could really use some tips on what the best resources are for finding listings and reviews (so far, I'm looking at places like viewit.ca and myhood.ca but the info seems sketchy or outdated). Any general advice would be good too.

I don't know what to expect in terms of rent, I've seen everything from 700 to 1000 but I'm sure if I didn't filter the higher numbers there would be bachelor's apartments at any price range.

Any recommendations for specific areas or buildings to look for? When I filter for these conditions a lot of the cheaper options end up being around South Parkdale and that area doesn't inspire warm feelings (going by reviews, street view, etc). I'm not cheap and I want location convenience, but I won't spend more than I have to for the very basics in accommodation.. as long as it's safe and reasonably quiet/convenient.

[Deadmau555]

Kijiji.ca , filter in budget and put in city of Toronto. Good luck.

[AdmiralButthurt]

Kijiji.ca , filter in budget and put in city of Toronto. Good luck.

Good that you mention that, because that's exactly what I was doing after I posted this.

But I have a specific question here.. I found an apartment that seems completely ideal to me. But it's a lease transfer/takeover.

How do those work? People who have 1 year leases but have to depart before they expire transfer to another renter? Are there any fees? Concerns?

If I were to take over the lease, would the lease renew fully for 1 year or the number of remaining months? And after that period expired, would the next renewal be for another year?

[Deadmau555]

It would be the remaining months of the lease prior to approval of landlord. Check this listing out.

For a nice place, close to your work. Walkable in fact.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-real-estate-apartments-condos-bachelor-studio-1100-Bachelor-600-Fleet-Street-Bathurst-and-Lakeshore-W0QQAdIdZ394267126

[AdmiralButthurt]

Yeah I inquired about that one. No response.

Too bad, considering I've seen other apartments for 1.1k that probably wouldn't be half as nice. I even visited 5 apartments personally yesterday.

I'm pretty close to deciding on one, provided I can get a lease transfer. Management says its okay, but details need to be worked out.

[Show_boat]

This site should get the ball rolling for you

www.viewit.ca