Export thread

So, my girlfriend has been talking about a road trip to Toronto, because she has to somehow get her car to her brother who is taking over her lease for her. I've committed to traveling at least part of the way with her, if for no other reason than to take some time off and get away from town.

Then it hit me: why not go all the way to Toronto? Even further, why not abandon Newfoundland altogether, at least for a few months? I've been meaning to make a change in order to focus on my writing, and this town is slowly driving me a little bit mad.

I've got some small savings put away, and I have some family in the Toronto area who could put me up for a few nights if I asked nicely. My real question is, I guess, what kind of trouble am I going to get into looking for housing in Toronto? Ideally I'd look for a boarding house, as I'm only intending to stay for 4-6 weeks. I could do a backpacker's hostel for relatively cheap-ish, but it might be better to find a house if I'm going to be there for very long. Does anyone in Ontario know how expensive such an idea would be, or if boarding houses are even a thing in Toronto anymore? (they're sure as hell hard enough to find here in Newfoundland, I'll tell you that!)

Also, is it unrealistic for me to hope to be able to find some sort of minimum wage job at this point, in order to hold on to some money (rather than just blow through my savings and never look back)?

Some of the best things I've done in my life have been seat-of-the-pants flying, and by now I've had two straight years of struggling to keep my head above water while planning things out. I think this might be something I really want to consider.

My girlfriend is talking about driving out sometime next week. If she goes, I want to be ready to do this by the time the tires hit the highway.

Well you are definately going to find it a very different city. If you are looking at a minimum wage job to save your savings, you will not be able to afford a car, so get a Transit Pass, $36/week. Housing, wow, I would anticipate upwards of over $100 per week for a boarding room, might have better luck with renting for the month, and this will vary hugely by area. Perhaps try renting a room at a university dormitory? As to a job, best get an idea of where you are going to be staying and find a temporary placement firm in that area.

I'd say get yourself a plan with fall back options straightened out by Saturday before you spend three days in the car driving there.

Given all the students that are either done school or about to be done school, now's a great time to be coming up for a job hunt.

Honestly, the great thing about Toronto and it's almost great transit system is you honestly don't even NEED a car.

I'm sure there's a bunch of short-term places you can crash. I'd offer, if I had remotely the room (basement bachelor). There's a hostel down on Spadina near the harbourfront. I passed by it a few times on bike but can't for the life of me remember the name of it, off hand.

Job-wise, I really don't know. I've never looked for anything short-term like that, before.

Of course, if you want a hand around the city, I've got a lot of free times these days, what with not getting many hours at work. And I know for a fact that Gusto is totally down for comin' to Toronto for a visit. I say we have ourselves a Toronto meet an' greet.

I'm not from Toronto (why did I click on this thread??) but you might be able to sub-let an apartment from a student leaving for the summer. Check craigslist or something to see if someone is looking to get some of their rent paid while they are gone.

ThatNickGuy said:

And I know for a fact that Gusto is totally down for comin' to Toronto for a visit. I say we have ourselves a Toronto meet an' greet.

Click to expand...

I would get bus tickets, motherfuckers.

You hear that? Gusto's already gearing up!

Awesome stuff.

This is all contingent on several things right now, but I think I'm going for coffee tomorrow with the girlfriend tomorrow, so I can get a better picture of what/when she's thinking.

I might end up going a bit shorter term though, now. I just applied for a staff writing job at a local paper which would start mid-june. It's a long shot, but I feel like it's at least possible. All the same, I'll let you guys know if/when I'm heading toward Toronto. I could fucking use some goddamn adventure.

ADVENTURE!

That is all.

As someone from BC... now in AB... moving to SK this summer... I am obligated to remind you that Toronto is NOT the center of the universe.

Seriously though, if you end up going have a great time. Just don't get too brain-washed by the big city.

Why on earth would anyone leave AB for SK? Good god, man.

I'm not all "Yay, Alberta!" or anything, I mean, it's alright, but... Saskatchewan?

There's a difference? Aren't they both cold and flat (or hot and flat, depending on the time of the year)?



(Don't hit me)

Papillon said:

There's a difference? Aren't they both cold and flat (or hot and flat, depending on the time of the year)?



(Don't hit me)

Click to expand...

Never been to Alberta myself, but I know a few people who have, and it sounds like a much, much cooler place to live than Saskatchewan.

Man, Saskatchewan is a boring province.

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 PM ----------

Gusto;382005][QUOTE=ThatNickGuy said:

And I know for a fact that Gusto is totally down for comin' to Toronto for a visit. I say we have ourselves a Toronto meet an' greet.

Click to expand...

I would get bus tickets, motherfuckers.[/QUOTE]

I'd be down for it, prior engagements allowing.

in regards to the OP:

As far as finding a job in Toronto, well it depends on what you're willing to do and how far you're willing to travel. Its such a huge city that there's always something. And like others have said, the transit it very reliable and far more efficient than a car (Though I personally prefer to just walk as much as I can. Sometimes that's actually quicker than either other option).

Housing I'm really unsure of. I live out in Oakville and its mega stupid expensive out here. prices in Toronto fluctuate all over the place depending on the area.

Oh, oh! One bit of advice in regards to housing, don't get anything in th eJane & Finch area. Bad area.

Alberta is a grab bag of land types. There's mountains, deserts, plains, boreal forests and hideous swampland (where I live!).

Flat?! We have mountains! Beautiful mountains. World-class, famous mountains.

But as Frank says, we have plenty of land types. We are so not Saskatchewan, which is totally flat and boring, much like its residents.

I'll stop hijacking Rob's thread with provincial pride in 3... 2.. 1.

checkeredhat said:

Oh, oh! One bit of advice in regards to housing, don't get anything in th eJane & Finch area. Bad area.

Click to expand...

Jesus, yeah, I should've thought of that.

But really, a friend of mine put it quite well: you very likely won't find trouble in Toronto, unless you go looking for it.

Has everyone moved to my neighbourhood yet?

You guys need to hurry the fuck up.

Let's party.

Dunno about Toronto, but how about Halifax?

Not sure where things stand at this point. I finally filed my income tax return and it turns out I owe Harper 1300, and just getting my taxes DONE at this point cost me $110 I didn't have.

There is $2000 somewhere in this world with my name on it. As juvenile as it makes me feel, my parents are sitting on it. It's the most recent payout from my scholarship fund, so I guess technically that makes it theirs or whatever. I've been trying to plead my case in order to dip into that fund and make the trip up, but it's been slow going. I don't feel like this is very likely at all

If I do end up in Toronto, though, I'll be getting there next Monday night, I think, and flying back out on Friday. Pray to the gods of money that I manage to work this out.

I'm getting tempted to pawn off some of my worldly belongings to raise the cash, but I can't think of anything that I could sell :/

CynicismKills said:

Dunno about Toronto, but how about Halifax?

Click to expand...

That video is filled with innaccuracies regarding Halifax!

I like Halifax. I lived there for a year.

ThatNickGuy said:

I like Halifax. I lived there for a year.

Click to expand...

:hmmm: This explains much.

I...wait, what?

I wanna visit Toronto...

Rob King said:

If I do end up in Toronto, though, I'll be getting there next Monday night, I think, and flying back out on Friday.

Click to expand...

Wait, which Monday!? I need numbers! This is crucial.

I THOUGHT I HAD MORE TIIIIME

Sorry, I didn't see your post, Gusto. It would have been the 17th.

As it turns out, though, it has to be a no-go this time. Sorry guys. I thought I could make it work, but the short notice didn't bode well for my efforts to secure the funds to make the trip. I've decided to make the effort to get up later in the summer, though. My girlfriend has applied to participate in the Toronto Music Festival, and if she gets in she'll be flying up ... whenever that is. End of July, beginning of August or something. I think I might go with her.

See now that's a time frame I can better deal with. Let us know!

NICK

We can still hang out.

We can?

DUDE!

I mean I guess... I was really hoping for Rob...