places to live

[Guest cedar05]

Hey guys,

 

Does anyone know of useful sites to find places to live in Toronto that are close to the school? Or can anyone suggest good areas to live in that are within walking distance to UofT?

 

Thanks.

[Guest hydes79]

Hey cedar05,

 

I have been using these two websites to look for a place in Toronto:

www.rentersnews.ca/

www.viewit.ca

 

hydes

[Guest Kirsteen]

Hi there,

 

The Bay St. corridor from University to around Dundas is lined with condos and is quite handy for, not only the Medical Sciences Building, but also, for the hospitals on "University Row", i.e., Mount Sinai, TGH, etc.

 

Cheers,

Kirsteen

[Guest diakonos]

Hi Kirsteen,

 

How is one suppose to meet people from the class before september and get a condo with several class mates? It is quite expensive to live alone downtown...no?

 

Which are the condos that most med students will live in?

 

Thanks.

[Guest Kirsteen]

Hi there,

 

UofT used to have a website where rental advertisements used to be posted. I'm not sure if it's still in existence.

 

A good friend of mine used to live at 736 Bay St., which is at the corner of Bay and Hayter, almost directly behind TGH. There were always umpteen folks in scrubs riding the elevators, and a few of them were medical students at the time.

 

I hear that the buildings around that area were quite popular for meds too. I know a couple of folks who recently graduated from the UofT meds class who rented a condo near the corner of Bay and College for 4 years.

 

Hope that helps,

Kirsteen

[Guest hydes79]

Hey there,

 

Kristeen, The UofT Meds forum is still there.

I have seen the codo at 736 Bay street. It's really nice (Util Inc, AC, wahser/dryer in unit, dishwasher), , but a bit expensive (1200$/month for one bedroom apartment).

 

Hydes

[Guest Kirsteen]

Hi there,

 

Well there you go--thanks for posting that.

 

I'm not really up on the Toronto rental market these days (have been paying a little more attention to the Calgary equivalent) so I didn't know the price ranges for apartments at 736 Bay. The folks I know who stayed in the area generally shared a unit and split the costs.

 

Cheers,

Kirsteen

[Guest rubberoduck]

UT has an off-campus website link.library.utoronto.ca/StudentHousing/

link.library.utoronto.ca/...category=6

link.library.utoronto.ca/...section=11

 

When you register at UT, you will get your student number which allows you to log in, if not, you have to check the "who's eligible page"

 

I've lived beside the campus for the last three years, and know a bit about the housing market. Basically there are condominiums (not many houses) on both the east and west side of campus. The east side is better, more classy, and more expensive. You want to get places on Bay St, there are about 7 condos between Wellesley and Dundas, and a typical room costs upward of $500, but utilities are included. Most often you have to share with someone if you want that price. A bachelor's apartment would cost about $900.

 

If you want cheaper rent, go to the west side of St. George. That's where ChinaTown is, on Spadina. there are a few for-profit student residences (not run by UT), the rooms are small, not very clean and costs about $450 a month (utilities included, a common theme downtown). South of College street you will find some apartments on Spadina, again, about the same price, but these are bigger rooms because they are sublets by other students. However, Chinatown is quite dirty, so I've heard that pests are not unusual in these apartments. Basically, west end is dirty, and has lots of pests, but they are cheap.

 

The middle ground is central, south of College, on University Ave. It's next to all the UHN hospitals, on Elm street, about 200-300 Elm. It's mostly occupied by students, and it's got big rooms, relatively clean in the sense that it has fewer pests, but it's noisier than the east, and has no AC. Rent is around $450 up.

 

If you want good apartments, good rent, and don't mind commuting a bit, then I suggest you rent along the Yonge subway line in north york. Lots of apartments on Eglinton, for example, and if you share it shouldn't be more than $500 inclusive.

 

I hope this helps. I'm moving out of Toronto to Hamilton, and from what I can see, the living conditions are not as good as TO, but I don't like UofT, so it's a tradeoff.

[Guest hydes79]

Hey rubberoduck,

 

When you register at UT, you will get your student number which allows you to log in, if not, you have to check the "who's eligible page"

 

Do we get our student number during O-week or before that? I want to login the UofT off-campus housing website to look for places now.

 

Hydes

[Guest cedar05]

Hi rubberoduck,

 

Why don't you like UofT?

[Guest peachy]

Bay street condos is a useful site for getting a sense of the buildings on the bay street corridor, if that's what you are interested in. The towers between College and Gerrard are probably the most popular for medical students.

[Guest rubberoduck]

to Hydes,

I don't know if you get it during O-week. Technically, when I went from highschool to University, I was able to get my Tcard (which has my student number) right away. The student number was also on my acceptance letter, which is the same case when for Mac's Med acceptance letter. I think if you check on your admission letter, it should have your student number, and with that you can log into the Housing website.

 

As for why I don't like UT, 3 years of undergrad here has made me quite wary of the large classes. In my third year, I was in a small specialist program (LMP) which had only 40 people (that was big for my year because it was the double cohort, normally it's 26), and I really enjoyed the personal attention and the interpersonal relations. I also don't like the fact that UT med students have to study a lot. While I understand that in the medical field, it's better to "be a nerd and know everything" (quoted from a neurosurgeon at my lab), I don't think it's my style. I like Mac's style where you learn to think on your feet and be ready to do problem solving at a moment's notice. The smaller class and the quaint environment (downtown is robust, but pollution is a huge problem) attract me more than here.

[Guest scrubbed]

Hey there,

 

I have just a few comments about the previous post. While I didn't do my undergrad at U of T, many of classmates did, and a few of them have admitted that their experience was suboptimal at times.

 

During our orientation week, the faculty addressed this, saying that their medicine experience was going to be different. Though it's the largest class in Ontario, there is a lot of camaraderie within the class, and some of the U of T undergrads I've spoken to claim their experience has been better. This isn't speaking for everyone, of course. The academy system in the class makes things a bit more personable as well.

 

I agree with most of what's in the Myths, BS and a little bit of truth post.

 

I don't think that this was the poster's explicit intent, but I think that the post's comparison of U of T's program, which has it's students study a lot and produces nerds that know everything, with Mac's program, which teaches students to think on their feet and problem solve at a moment's notice, is a bit of a false dichotomy.

 

While U of T's program does have more required material to learn than Mac's does, which at a minimum level has U of T's students work harder, you definitely do not have to study all the time and have to know everything, and can pursue activities in their free time if you wish. Some people don't do this, but I feel that it is largely a matter of personal choice, and not necessarily intrinsic to the program.

 

While some parts of the curriculum, such as anatomy, are a bit more didactic, as there are basic facts that you do need for medicine, there are plenty of opportunities to develop one's problem solving skills. The seminars and PBL sessions, though some Mac undergrads admit that it's not pure PBL, ask you to approach a clinical problem in a systematic way, and not just remember things as disconnected facts. Within the first year, you have the opportunity to learn things multiple times, which facilitates understanding. Those cranial nerves that you had to memorize for anatomy appear again during the neurology block and the learning of the neurological exam.

 

I do think though, that some people are better suited to one of the two programs, though I don't think that they would do terribly in the other.

 

I've heard some of my classmates claim that they wish they had more interactive learning while I've also heard of Mac students who claim that they wish things were more structured, so sometimes you can't have it both ways!

 

I know some people have approached me with these same concerns, so I just wanted to give my take as a current U of T student. The program isn't perfect, but I think that it's not that bad either.

[Guest rubberoduck]

scrubbed,

 

I wasn't trying to trash UT, but merely gave reasons for MY choice. Several of my classmates are going to UT next year, and they claim that they wouldn't want anything else. When I tell them about my choice, they understand, rather than get defensive about UT. Most of them want UT because it's structured, and having done 3 years of undergrad at UT they feel more comfortable this way. I see UT and Mac at two different ends of the spectrum, and prefer Mac for all the things that UT isn't. This doesn't mean I don't respect my undergrad school, but based on what I see and how I learn, I think that Mac is the better school for ME. So I don't want to offend anyone going to UT, because a few of my friends are going there too. Please understand that what I said are reasons why I prefer Mac instead of UT, and it may not necessarily be on the top of the list of priorities for other people. If it makes the readers feel any better, UT was going to be my second choice if I don't get Mac.

 

on that note, I have spoken to several UT med students, and learned enough about their program to know that it isn't for me. I went through the same thing in highschool when I had to choose between UT and Mac for university, and despite knowing how competitive UT was going to be (based on what I heard from its students), I decided on UT. There are times when, in the face of the extraordinary level of competitive here, that I regretted putting myself through this when I knew that's how it was going to be, but I still value what I learned here, and I know that the rigor of this university gave me a stronger foundation in the fundamentals that I would not have otherwise learnt. It's jus that I don't want to knowingly do something I don't like (i.e. learn in a structured manner when I prefer to develop my own style) when my future career (and $60K) is at stake. That's MY choice. I only shared my preferences because it was solicited.

[Guest rubberoduck]

again, I just really want to emphasize that I'm not anti-UofT. I only posted before to share my knowledge about the housing market with those who are coming from out of town. This area is expensive, and quality:p rice ratio can vary considerably, so it's important to optimize your decision with as much information as possible.

 

I'm very interested in working at the UHN for my horizontal elective/clerkship, so I may work with some of you one day, that's why I must really stress that I respect those who go to UT, and that it really is a fantastic school, especially if you're interested in research. The facilities are amazing and the city is very robust. The med students I met at UT (and elsewhere) are all very nice, and I'm sure that medicine is a far more friendly environment than undergrad.

 

I guess it's important to say that finance is one of my top reasons, other than the freedom, to choose Mac of UT. I hope that will make more sense.

[Guest peachy]

If it makes the readers feel any better, UT was going to be my second choice if I don't get Mac.

The response to your post has nothing to do with the fact that you chose Mac over U of T. We are sufficiently secure that we don't need your assurances that you really still like us.

 

The response was about the specific claims you made about U of T's program vs Mac's, implying that U of T students spend all their time studying and don't learn to problem solve or "think on their feet". Since these are two of the main misconceptions about the program here, students generally want to respond and clarify when they are made in this forum.

[Guest Maelswarm]

rubberoduck: I thought you were waitlisted and got into Mac afterwards? Did you get off the UT waitlist too then?

 

I decided on UT over Ottawa because I believe that my education and training is what I make of it. It wouldn't matter if I went to Ottawa, I'd probably still study really hard, stress myself out about marks, and meet great people. Even though UT's clinical training isn't so strong, I can take the initiative and ask the resident to let me do the next procedure, etc etc. There are a lot more resources here, so more opportunities for me to explore and exploit. At least at UT, I'll have a good dozen friends in my class and upper years already to help me out, not to mention my friends in undergrad still.

 

It'll be like undergrad again (which was fun for me) but without having to worry about my future

[Guest KJ]

Hey,

 

For condos on Bay St. the prices are roughly:

$1000-1200 for a bachelor

$1200-1500 for a 1 bedroom/1bedroom + den

$1600+up for a 2 bedroom/2 bedroom + den

 

I believe 736, 750 and 801 Bay st. are the newest buildings and the more expensive ones. You can get pretty good rent at the Liberties. This is what a real estate agent told me.

 

As for living really close to campus, you have the options of UofT residences. Since I am bored, I decided to do a little research:

 

To see which residences take grad students check out: link.library.utoronto.ca/...&section=1

 

Grad House - apartment style; 4 people/apartment; rent is ~$650/month and does not include phone or internet. About 10 min walk to class. They may already have a long waiting list but you can still apply and see what happens.

www.sgs.utoronto.ca/residencegradtwo/

 

Knox College - dorm style; literally 2 minute walk from your room to class. Rent is ~$8500 for 8 months. It includes a meal plan (breakfast, lunch and dinner), but does not include phone or internet. www.utoronto.ca/knox/page..._rates.htm

 

Wycliffe College - dorm style; 5 minute walk to class. Rent is ~$7500 for 8 months. It includes a meal plan (breakfast and dinner), phone and internet.

www.wycliffecollege.ca/se...=16&sid=26

 

89 Chestnut - it is a hotel bought by UofT and converted into a residence. You live with undergrads too however.

 

Actually I just found the site with prices for various residences. link.library.utoronto.ca/...&Section=1

 

Another option is to become a don at a residence at you can live there for free! For info on that check out: link.library.utoronto.ca/...category=2

 

Hope that helps!

[Guest DancingDoc]

Side note based on above post.... I was told that the 89 chestnut residence (which looks really nice btw) has floor specific to grad and professional students. Anyone know if this is true?

 

Here's the website: 89chestnut.com/accommodation/index.html

[Guest megustaeso]

Are there any areas or apartment buildings/complexes where a lot of UT meds live, or where any of your are planning to live next year?

 

I'm talkin about bachelor or twobedroom places,

[Guest KJ]

yup, chestnut has a floor reserved for grad/professional students.

 

megustaeso: There are tons of med students in all condos along Bay St, anywhere from St. Joseph down to Dundas.

[Guest geekpunk]

I'll be checking out condos in T.O. this upcoming weekend. Also, I'll be taking a look at 89 Chestnut. It seems like a pretty nice place, although after reading closely, it does seem to have some "odd" rules (ex: guest passes required if anybody wants to visit) and whatnot.

 

I'll also be checking out condos on Bay St., Spadina, Bloor, McCaul and a few others in and around downtown T.O. It'd be sweet to live in the same building as a lot of other 1T0ers!! (hmmm... "1T0" just doesn't have the same ring to it as "OTx", eh? but whatever. )

[Guest rubberoduck]

I confirmed Mac the second I received the offer, even though I had 2 weeks to mull it over or accept it provisionally. Having chosen Mac, I automatically get removed from the waitlist at UofT for offer considerations. That means I will never know, so I can't answer that question.

[Guest scrubbed]

Hey there,

 

Though it's a little off topic now (I was away this weekend.), I think that peachy's post captured the intent of my message well.

 

I realize that people familiar with the two medical schools would understand that the post's comparision was made partly in jest, and that things aren't as black and white as it presented. But I also know that other people do not appreciate this; I wanted to provided a more subtlety to the post.

 

Coincidentally, I was actually at a conference with a bunch of McMaster students this weekend, and during the lectures as well as during a night out on the town, drinking beer and singing kareoke, among other things, we had a great time. If you and I do meet on the wards of UHN, I'm sure we'll have a great time too .

 

Anyway, back to the housing discussion.

[Guest cher002]

Hi guys,

 

I've been looking at independent residences that are on the U of T housing services websites. THere's the Residence Hotel on 90 Gerrard Street West and Neil-Wycik on 96 Gerrard Street West. Has anyone lived in these places or have any comments about them?

 

Cher002