A call for help regarding my search for summer housing
As you may recall, I have a summer job downtown at a lab full time and as such I want to have a place close to campus.
Walking distance. Safe. Clean. Affordable. Is that too much to ask? Internet is a necessity, AC/on-site laundry are definite +'s. Am I crazy for wanting that?
I've had places that are neither safe nor close enough (such as with the terrible and infamous Dundas and sherbourne), to places that are safe, clean, affordable but not terribly close nor suitable for only a summer term such as with the house near the Casa Loma Neighbourhood
I'm here at a cross roads and decisions have to be made quickly. I've lost too many housing places b/c other people managed to swipe the rug from under my feet...
I want a place downtown for:
(1) be close to campus (and by correlation, my job) and not have to worry about the hassle of commuting the goddamn hour and a half I normally have to put with for one-way travel.
(2) have a place where my friends could crash after a night of clubbing/going out
(3) be downtown b/c it's cool and I can walk to many destinations!
There are two very good prospective places: Residence or off-campus.
Residence
This is Woodsworth College, a newly-built (finished in 2004) residence that is open for the summer. The situation is this: it's apartment-style residence. This means that four-five bedrooms share one common room, kitchen
Pros: Very close to campus, a ~5 minute walk to the lab job building(as they are opposite ends of campus) Price-wise, the residences come out on top because I would have to spend an absolute maximum of either 2400$ or 2525$ for the entire term from mid may to late august. That includes AC,Internet,all utilities.
Cons: Now I have places that are close (such as residence) but have somewhat strict guest policies. Their guest policies state no more than two overnight guests at a time, and the same person can't sleep overnight for more than three nights in a row.
Do I not need/deserve more autonomy and freedom considering I am 21 years old and it's only for the summer?
off-campus, character house in Little Italy
(sorry no pic) (see google map.)
This is a character place in little italy. That is, at Manning and College - a ~15-20 minute walk away. I'd have control of the top floor of the Victorian house. That would mean I have my own (large!) bedroom and kitchen and bathroom. I also share the den with another cool guy (a subletter) for the place.
Pros: Complete and utter autonomy. I can have two guests - hell, ten guests - over at a time and you guys can all crash in the bedroom, in the kitchen, in the bathroom....
All utils incl. (heat/hydro/water and wireless internet can be "scooped up" from neighbouring buildings..)
The guy who's subletting it to me is totally cool and is willing to allow me to start at half past the month of May and as such only pay half a month's rent for then...
Cons: and it's somewhat pricey at $800/mo. Somewhat far. A 20 minute walk in the morning during the hot summer doesn't truly appeal to me. It's not exactly "downtown core" but only 7 min streetcar away from College and Unversity streets.
But it's the distance and the ~price that gets me.
Little Italy place, part 2
There's also this place. A three-bedroom place that's to bed shared. However i'd get my own big bedroom. (see google maps for place).
Pros: Big bedroom. Laundry included in the suite (no paying required!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Utilities included (except for internet). Only $550/mo! Potential for complete control with respect to who/when/howmany sleep over.
Cons: Shared kitchen and one bathroom for the three. I'd only have "complete" control of the bedroom. No AC possible. Slightly far (also at College and Euclid, so the same distance as the place mentioned above). Internet deal would have to be worked out with roomates but it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
I really need your help. I've tried doing some soul-searching but I can't find the answer within myself.
What's more important? all-in-one inclusive package that's about $300 dollars less for the entire term - incld AC/utils/internet - but with restrictions on privacy, and guest-sleeping-over-age? Or having the complete ability to have many friends over, and have autonomy over what/where/when/who I do - but at a slightly higher price, internet needs to be snarfed fr/neighbours, and slightly far away?
I am at a crossroads and I need some info quickly. please help. My indecisiveness kills me....
Walking distance. Safe. Clean. Affordable. Is that too much to ask? Internet is a necessity, AC/on-site laundry are definite +'s. Am I crazy for wanting that?
I've had places that are neither safe nor close enough (such as with the terrible and infamous Dundas and sherbourne), to places that are safe, clean, affordable but not terribly close nor suitable for only a summer term such as with the house near the Casa Loma Neighbourhood
I'm here at a cross roads and decisions have to be made quickly. I've lost too many housing places b/c other people managed to swipe the rug from under my feet...
I want a place downtown for:
(1) be close to campus (and by correlation, my job) and not have to worry about the hassle of commuting the goddamn hour and a half I normally have to put with for one-way travel.
(2) have a place where my friends could crash after a night of clubbing/going out
(3) be downtown b/c it's cool and I can walk to many destinations!
There are two very good prospective places: Residence or off-campus.
Residence
This is Woodsworth College, a newly-built (finished in 2004) residence that is open for the summer. The situation is this: it's apartment-style residence. This means that four-five bedrooms share one common room, kitchen
Pros: Very close to campus, a ~5 minute walk to the lab job building(as they are opposite ends of campus) Price-wise, the residences come out on top because I would have to spend an absolute maximum of either 2400$ or 2525$ for the entire term from mid may to late august. That includes AC,Internet,all utilities.
Cons: Now I have places that are close (such as residence) but have somewhat strict guest policies. Their guest policies state no more than two overnight guests at a time, and the same person can't sleep overnight for more than three nights in a row.
Do I not need/deserve more autonomy and freedom considering I am 21 years old and it's only for the summer?
off-campus, character house in Little Italy
(sorry no pic) (see google map.)
This is a character place in little italy. That is, at Manning and College - a ~15-20 minute walk away. I'd have control of the top floor of the Victorian house. That would mean I have my own (large!) bedroom and kitchen and bathroom. I also share the den with another cool guy (a subletter) for the place.
Pros: Complete and utter autonomy. I can have two guests - hell, ten guests - over at a time and you guys can all crash in the bedroom, in the kitchen, in the bathroom....
All utils incl. (heat/hydro/water and wireless internet can be "scooped up" from neighbouring buildings..)
The guy who's subletting it to me is totally cool and is willing to allow me to start at half past the month of May and as such only pay half a month's rent for then...
Cons: and it's somewhat pricey at $800/mo. Somewhat far. A 20 minute walk in the morning during the hot summer doesn't truly appeal to me. It's not exactly "downtown core" but only 7 min streetcar away from College and Unversity streets.
But it's the distance and the ~price that gets me.
Little Italy place, part 2
There's also this place. A three-bedroom place that's to bed shared. However i'd get my own big bedroom. (see google maps for place).
Pros: Big bedroom. Laundry included in the suite (no paying required!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Utilities included (except for internet). Only $550/mo! Potential for complete control with respect to who/when/howmany sleep over.
Cons: Shared kitchen and one bathroom for the three. I'd only have "complete" control of the bedroom. No AC possible. Slightly far (also at College and Euclid, so the same distance as the place mentioned above). Internet deal would have to be worked out with roomates but it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
I really need your help. I've tried doing some soul-searching but I can't find the answer within myself.
What's more important? all-in-one inclusive package that's about $300 dollars less for the entire term - incld AC/utils/internet - but with restrictions on privacy, and guest-sleeping-over-age? Or having the complete ability to have many friends over, and have autonomy over what/where/when/who I do - but at a slightly higher price, internet needs to be snarfed fr/neighbours, and slightly far away?
I am at a crossroads and I need some info quickly. please help. My indecisiveness kills me....