For those who are new and unfamiliar with local transportation, the best way to travel is still by taxi. Taxis in Toronto are generally very safe. Fares vary by taxi company or individual; generally, a trip to the downtown area or closer locations costs about 30-40 CAD, while a trip to the eastern part of the city costs about 40-50 CAD. The Toronto Chinese New Immigrant Home can also help new immigrants in need arrange airport pick-up services in advance.
5. What types of rental properties are available in Toronto, what are the rents, and how can I find rental information?
Rental properties in Toronto can be roughly categorized by their internal structure into: Single room, Bachelor, One bedroom, Two bedrooms, and Three bedrooms.
Single room: A private room with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, mainly located in private houses, with rent around 250-400 CAD per month.
Bachelor: A single room with its own kitchen and bathroom, mainly located in apartment buildings, with rent around 600-680 CAD per month.
One bedroom: One bedroom, one living room, one kitchen, and one bathroom, with rent around 750-850 CAD per month.
Two bedrooms: Two bedrooms, one living room, one kitchen, and one bathroom, with rent around 850-1000 CAD per month.
Three bedrooms: Three bedrooms, one living room, one kitchen, and one bathroom, with rent around 950-1200 CAD per month.
In terms of exterior, properties can be divided into multi-story apartment buildings and private houses (one to three stories). Apartments are mostly managed by professional companies, and the rent is generally 10-20% higher than that of private houses. Some companies may require proof of sufficient income and credit.
Rental information can mainly be found in: newspapers (Chinese newspapers include Ming Pao, Sing Tao Daily, and World Journal), free rental magazines like RENTER (found in small newspaper boxes along busy streets), bulletin boards at the entrances of some shops, recommendations from friends, and relevant newsgroups on the Internet.
6. Is it possible to have someone rent a house on my behalf before arrival?
Generally speaking, unless it is a very close friend who knows you well, this is difficult for most people to do. First, there are many factors to consider when renting, and it is hard for others to make decisions on your behalf; second, a deposit is required; third, apartment rentals usually require a lease, which must be signed by the tenant. Therefore, for new immigrants, the most appropriate approach is to arrange temporary accommodation first and then view and rent a property in person after arrival.
7. What are the main types of temporary accommodation available in Toronto?
After new immigrants arrive:
1. What is the scope of the Toronto area, and what is the city's social environment like?
The current City of Toronto includes six major districts: Toronto (the former city), Scarborough, North York, East York, York, and Etobicoke. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) also includes surrounding cities. Toronto is Canada's largest city, the capital of Ontario, and the nation's industrial and commercial center. Located on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, it has a population of over 2.5 million and is the fifth-largest city in North America. As Canada's economic hub, Toronto is a global city and one of the most important economic centers in the world. Toronto is one of the most diverse metropolises globally. Its rich ethnic characteristics make the city vibrant and endlessly charming. Here, 49% of the residents are immigrants from over 100 ethnic groups worldwide, and more than 140 languages are spoken in this North American metropolis, together composing a beautiful and harmonious symphony. Due to its extremely low crime rate, pleasant environment, and high quality of life, Toronto is considered one of the most livable cities in the world.
2. How many Chinese people are in the Greater Toronto Area? Which districts do they mainly live in?
There are over 460,000 Chinese people in the Greater Toronto Area. They are distributed throughout Toronto, but are more concentrated in areas north of Highway 401 in Scarborough, the eastern part of North York, Markham, East York, and the East and Central Chinatowns of the former City of Toronto. In the Etobicoke district, apart from Chinese immigrants from Vietnam, there are relatively few other Chinese residents. The Chinese population in Toronto is primarily composed of people from Hong Kong. Since housing prices in Toronto are far lower than in Hong Kong and Taiwan, Chinese immigrants from these regions have relatively strong purchasing power; therefore, outside of the downtown area and the eastern part of the former City of Toronto, Chinese residents are mostly concentrated in the better districts of Toronto.
3. How should new immigrants choose a place to live? Should they focus on the downtown area?
First, new immigrants should consider locations near public transportation; once settled with a job, they can choose to live closer to their workplace. Toronto has a well-developed public transportation system that uses a flat-fare system and allows free transfers (including buses, subways, and streetcars) within the same trip. Therefore, living in a location with convenient public transportation makes it easy, time-saving, and cost-effective to travel anywhere in the city.
Second, there is no need for new immigrants to necessarily choose to live in the downtown area. First, the downtown area mostly consists of older buildings that are 50-100 years old, and the living environment is more crowded, which can easily lead to disappointment and resistance toward Canada for new immigrants. Second, the government agencies that new immigrants need to contact, such as those for applying for health insurance cards, social insurance numbers, and the Canada Child Benefit, as well as community centers, human resources centers, and public libraries, are distributed throughout all districts of the city. The two largest community centers in the city that provide settlement services for new immigrants in Mandarin are also not located in the downtown area (one is in the northern part of Scarborough, and the other is in the eastern part of the former City of Toronto).
Furthermore, professional jobs for new immigrants after they settle are rarely located in the downtown area.
4. What is the most cost-effective way to get from the airport to the city?
There is a 58A bus from the airport to Lawrence West subway station, which is the cheapest way to get into the city. There are also long-distance buses to the city's main bus terminal. However, due to luggage and temporary accommodation needs, new immigrants generally have three choices: first, the homes of relatives or friends; second, formal hotels; and third, Chinese-style family inns. Formal hotels are generally more expensive; even the cheapest motels cost about 50 CAD per night, and since they lack kitchens, one must eat out, leading to higher expenses. Because Chinese-style family inns charge less than formal hotels, provide kitchens, and facilitate easier communication in terms of language and culture for new immigrants, they have developed rapidly in recent years and are the first choice for temporary accommodation for most new immigrants upon arriving in Canada.
8. Is it better to contact temporary accommodation after arriving at the airport, or should it be arranged in advance?
It is best to contact them in advance. A small number of Chinese family inns will solicit customers at the airport during flights with many Chinese immigrants, but first, there is no guarantee; second, many hosts with good service and housing conditions do not go to the airport to solicit customers. Therefore, contacting them in advance not only provides a guarantee and peace of mind, but may also ensure better quality because you can have contact with the host beforehand to understand and make a choice.