Fuck. And I thought paying $1k a month in Toronto was too much. I've been looking for work in cheaper cities like Hamilton or London literally because what I make versus what it takes to survive don't sit well with me - and never have.
Oh cool, another Toronto developer!! I never see a lot in HN. Are you working for a startup? Also, why Hamilton or London? Have you tried looking for jobs in the Kitchener / Waterloo area? There are a lot of nice startups there as well as established companies. My friend recently got a job there at a bank.
Working for a design firm handling all their development. Hamilton and London also have the same kind of start up communities that the KW has without the pretension of going to UW (I'm a college drop out). Also more expensive in KW than Hamilton. Plus n other reasons why I don't like Toronto and prefer smaller cities, etc.
Well Hamilton is pretty nice (from the little I've seen). I know there's stereotypes and what not for Hamilton as a whole but I've been there and it's great so if you are looking for cheaper rent I don't think you could go wrong. I've never been to London funny enough but I don't doubt it's a great place to live, a lot of hot girls apparently :-)
Anyways good luck on your search. I'm sure you will be able to find something since you are currently employed. Just gotta keep on plugging away.
Thanks for the encouragement! And London is decent, they really love their craft beer out there. I have a lot of friends and family out that way but I think Hamilton is where I'll end up.
As someone who lives in Toronto proper, $1k/month is ridiculously cheap unless you live in a basement apartment with possibly a roommate, depending on location.
What are the typical going rates for basement apartments downtown or close to downtown? An apartment from what I've seen is at the very least $1200 a month.
It varies quite a lot from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, and of course proximity to major public transport ingress/egress points.
I haven't looked recently, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find anything below $1000/month that wasn't out in the middle of nowhere.
Also: beware. Some basement apartments aren't actually legal; make sure you sign a legitimate lease agreement, and get confirmation from the landlord that the unit is up to code with the housing board. Happened to a friend of mine not very long ago.
