How a not-so-wealthy guy lives in downtown Toronto
A Canadian journalist tells how he saves money in the most expensive city.
Patrick Gilson works as a content writer for the Canadian online-magazine The Narcity. Like many writers and others in the arts, he is as poor as a church mouse. By all accounts, there's no way he can afford to live in Toronto. The average rent of a studio apartment would eat up half his salary. Nevertheless, he's been living in this city for ten years. How does he do it? Patrick shared his secrets with the readers.
Rent a place together
Patrick lives downtown, in a fairly affluent neighborhood. But his own house is modest — it's an old building that his landlord has no money to renovate. Gilson's apartment has all the amenities: a bathtub, a refrigerator, Internet, beds, and furniture. Otherwise, the conditions are Spartan. The writer rents this corner together with his friend. They divide the rent in half, so it becomes quite affordable. The young people often spend a lot of time at work, so they also save on utilities. You can take a light shower at home, and have a thorough bath day at the gym — subscriptions are cheap, and the use of showers in the fitness center is free.
Many people in Toronto do this. They rent a place with a group of friends. This is especially convenient for young people who study or work a lot — they only go home to rest and sleep.
But lately, even large families are renting houses and apartments together. It's easier for two families to live in a four-bedroom apartment than for one family to rent separately. Canadians have rediscovered the phenomenon of communal housing and are very happy about it. Only it has a nicer name: coliving.
Plan moves and all important purchases in advance
Patrick never moves to another house without careful preparation. He and his companion start looking for a new place in advance. This makes it possible to choose the best option. Finding a good apartment in two months is much easier than finding it in a week.
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