Toronto: Recommend any good Hostels?

[yoko*]

I'm wondering if anyone has any first hand experiences of hostels or affordable accomodation in Toronto? Any recommendations?

A bit of context, I'm moving to Toronto last week of April after my exams. I'm staying at a hostel on a weekly or monthly basis until I find a job and a neighbourhood that I want to live in, as the cost of monthly residency in certain hostels will end up being the same as renting a place in downtown T.O. monthly.

I've already done some research and read some reviews on certain hostels and have so far narrowed it down to possibly HI-Toronto on Church Street (hostel) and the New College Residences at U of T (from may to August), but first-hand experiences would be great, if anyone has any.

I don't have my hopes way up for specific responses, but it's worth a try. If you can give me any long-distnace moving tips or Toronto rental market tips instead, that's appreciated too.

Ty in advance!

-Y

[rawb]

if it's the same price as renting monthly, why don't you rent
the choice between renting and bedbugs/getting my shit stolen/regrettable but constant sex is obv imo

[yoko*]

Originally Posted by rawb

if it's the same price as renting monthly, why don't you rent
the choice between renting and bedbugs/getting my shit stolen/regrettable but constant sex is obv imo

Well if I could do that first, by all means, but I'm taking a few things into account:

-I won't have a job upon arriving there (at least at this point), so this will likely limit my options for place to live, especially if the property management wants to see an employment letter or paystubs/proof of employment. I might be able to get a cosign(ature), but I think that for a decent place, if it was between me and someone else who already has a job, I'd choose the other guy too.
-The possibility that I won't find a job. I need to take this possibility seriously: If I sign a lease for example, I'm stuck, and if I need to come back to Vancouver or go elsewhere, I'm not in a great position.
-I'm leaving late April, so I will only have about a week to find a place for may. While I've been to Toronto I don't know the neighbourhoods well enough to know what good options I have. I don't want to end up settling for something because of time constraints. Hostelling will give me more leeway to come and go as I please
-Not renting will allow me to be mobile. Once I find work I can find living space closer to work but if I'm locked into one place rental wise, if it's month to month, I'll have to wait until the end of month to move.

As for bed bugs, I'm reading reviews and trying to choose the cleanest place but I know it'll be inevitable to some extent. I've already thought that one through and I'm going to be bringing my own sleeping bag. While it won't eliminate the problem, at least I'll have some peace of mind. Maybe i'll garbage wrap the beds or something :(.

[rawb]

you are a sensible person and you think things through
if you had a blog i would read it!

[mapleleaf4ever]

There's a Backpacker's Hostel on Spadina and Queen you can check out as well.

Also! There's some Residences at Seneca College just up the street from my place at Don Mills and Finch.

[frogprincess]

look for a sublet?

[mapleleaf4ever]

If you want help and info you can always add me to MSN and I can assist. :)

And craigslist of course is a great place to check out accommodations as well.

There's lots of neighborhoods and generally, you don't want to live north of the 401 if you're going to be going to U of T. The Annex, Kensington Market, Little Italy, The Danforth and parts of High Park/Roncesvalles are nice.

[P.A.R.T.Y]

Hi Yoko. The hostel's are pretty expensive. I would look for some shared accommodation. When I was in T.O. I stayed in this room on Church St. and Dundas. The rent was like $350 a month and I was sharing it with my girlfriend. There are probably tons around and the adverts can be found on the bulletin boards in the hostels. Also, try looking of Craigslist, I'm sure someone will accommodate you.

[yoko*]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

If you want help and info you can always add me to MSN and I can assist. :)

And craigslist of course is a great place to check out accommodations as well.

There's lots of neighborhoods and generally, you don't want to live north of the 401 if you're going to be going to U of T. The Annex, Kensington Market, Little Italy, The Danforth and parts of High Park/Roncesvalles are nice.

Thx dude. I may actually have to fire you a pm unrelated to accomodations but relating to employment in toronto. I don't use msn much anymore, but I'll pm you later anyway.

And I've officially dropped the idea of hostelling and am instead going to consider college residences open for the summer months instead, particularly @ Ryerson and U of T.

So thx anyways all

-Y (is excited to get out of vancouver!)
:)