Finding accommodation is a difficult task at the best of times. Finding a place to live before you've even arrived in Canada will not be easy, but it is not impossible. It is important to keep in mind that what you might consider adequate accommodation in your country of origin might be very different here. There are a number of options you can choose from. In the end, it is likely that a combination of these will meet your needs. You need to ask yourself if you are prepared to have someone else select your first home in Canada. If so, there is a possibility that you may be disappointed.

If you are not coming alone, one family member come to Ontario a week or two before the rest of your family. That way this person could stay in a hotel or hostel for that short period and find appropriate accommodation for the rest of your family. Once here, they could more easily access the services listed below, especially Settlement Agencies.

Also known as Property Rental Management or Rental Locators, these companies can provide a range of services from screening potential tenants to actually managing property for the owner. The properties they are responsible for can range from a single apartment to a house to an entire apartment building. Most of these companies provide services on behalf of landlords, but some will work with you as a tenant to find accommodation. Apartment Locators Network - Provides access to independent apartment locator companies. This site requires you to fill out an online form where you can indicate your preferences. A company will then contact you with information.

Another possibility is to search on the Internet. Relocate Canada is an online guide for people relocating or moving in Canada, organized by city and categories of interest. There may be fees for some of these services. If you are unsure of exactly the service that is being provided, or whether you are able to get a refund of your money if you are unsatisfied with the service, do not pay any fees. The "Yellow Pages" is the section of a telephone book that lists business and professional firms alphabetically by category. These pages are generally yellow in color, which is why they've come to be known as the Yellow Pages. You can search through Ontario-wide Yellow Pages on the Internet.

All newspapers in Ontario contain classified advertisements (typically referred to as classified ads) where many landlords publish information about available property. The landlords simply put an advertisement in the newspaper, usually the month before they want someone to move into their property. Visiting these ads will give you an idea about price and availability of the type of property you're looking for. You may choose to make contact with a landlord before you arrive. However, your time will most likely be best spent calling these landlords after you arrive.

Once you have arrived in Ontario, you will want to make contact with a Settlement Agency in your new community. These organizations provide services to newcomers, including helping to find housing, employment, and access to any other service or information you need to get settled. You can search for a Settlement Agency when you arrive in your new community.

NOTE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE NOT MAINTAINED. THESE ARE PHONE NUMBERS FROM 2000.

Following is a list of areas in the city where you may find accommodation at reasonable prices:

• Bayview and Sheppard East Area - next to Bayview Village Shopping Centre.
  • 22 Elkhorn Drive, North York
  • 2911 Bayview Ave, Tel. (416) 222-3500
    
    
• Don Mills and Sheppard East Area
  • Parkway Forest Dr, North York tel. (416) 491-6810or (416) 491-1377)
    
    
• Don Mills and Eglinton West Area
  
  
• Yonge and Davisville Area - West and East of Yonge
  • Lascelles Blvd., Tel (416) 482-8234
    
    
• Don Mills and Eglinton West Area
  
  
• York Mills and Leslie Area
  
  
• Bayview and Finch Area
  
  
• Bathurst and Sheppard West Area - East of Bathurst
  
  
• Other contacts in North York:
  • Fenelon Dr., Tel. (416)449-9068
  • Graydon Hall, Tel. (416)445-3438
  • Brookwell Dr., Tel. (416)636-2122
  • Don Mills, Tel. (416)429-6555

In most of the above mentioned areas you will find a large Romanian Community.
More and continuously updated information can be found in the local newspapers classified adds (e.g.Toronto Star - Saturday, Renters News - a free weekly publication).

In some cases the Landlord might require an employment letter and/or a form filled out by your Guarantor. Once the Guarantor has signed for you, he/she has several responsibilities ( e.g. if responsible for paying the rent if you don't pay). Not all Landlords require this.

Ontario Housing Corporation might provide subsidized accommodation for people with low/moderate income - a low rent housing. For more information contact your local Housing Authority.