So me and the roommate talk about moving out of Scarborough and closer to the downtown core by the end of this year - where would GAF recommend we move so that we get a decent apartment for something close to 1-1.1k a month, 2 bedroom? Of course we wont get anything decent downtown at that pricepoint - but we live past Kennedy, anything near downtown would be a huge improvement.
You're probably looking in the areas I prefer. My building in fact rents 2 bedrooms for $1,100 (inclusive). Just west of High Park. There are other buildings in the area that rent for a similar price, on the west side of High Park and even above the park. If you do like the west end, but want even cheaper, south of Queen in Parkdale has numerous high rises with low rents, although some people might not like the neighborhood as it has a lot of lower income families living in the area.
Consider St Clair as well. Bathurst & St Clair at the foot of Forest Hill have some great values, and you're right on the subway, with plenty to walk to as well as Cedarvale Ravine and other parks. There's A LOT of one bedrooms in the area, but two bedrooms can be had. If you want to live closer to Yonge, look around Avenue Rd. While Yonge and St Clair is not incredibly expensive, it can be tough to find a two bedroom in that price range. If you are just over a few blocks toward Avenue, prices drop and there are a lot of options.
But there are options downtown, it simply comes with living a bit off the main strip. There are dozens of buildings east of Yonge and south of Bloor that are within your price range, but you have to live in what some people would consider less than desirable neighborhoods around Jarvis, etc. The Danforth, has pockets of affordable apartments at many intersections like Broadview, or further out toward Main and Victoria Park.
I'd say keep an eye on
Viewit.ca's map view, keep checking craigslist, kijiji, and walk around neighborhoods you think you'd like. A lot of buildings have big signs out front giving you contact information, and availability signs. You're probably going to be pushing $1,200 if you want a 2 bedroom in a 'good' neighborhood.
Good luck!
