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How to Find an Apartment for Rent in Toronto from Abroad

Written By

Corinna Frattini

Sep 5, 2024

Housing

Rental apartments in Toronto can be found near the Music Garden.
Rental apartments in Toronto can be found near the Music Garden.

Are you moving to Toronto soon? Finding an apartment in Toronto for rent is a big priority. While there is much to plan before you move to Canada, finding housing is at the top of the list. And, it’s challenging when you are looking for a place to live while you are living abroad. 

Toronto is a big city with many diverse neighbourhoods and apartments to rent. But, you want to find a place that is comfortable and fits your lifestyle. The following information will help you find an apartment in Toronto while you are living abroad!

A young couple are looking at a computer and researching short term rentals in Toronto from abroad.
Become familiar with Toronto’s housing market before you arrive.

Research Apartments for Rent in Toronto Before You Arrive

The first step to finding apartments for rent is to research the housing market. Your research will help you become familiar with:

Types of Apartments for Rent in Toronto

There are many types of housing in Toronto to rent from apartments to condos to basement apartments to townhouses. You’ll also find studios, 1-bedroom, and 2- bedroom apartments. It’s important to determine what your needs are before you begin your search.

Cost of Rental Apartments in Toronto

The cost of rental housing in Toronto is quite expense in comparison to other cities in Canada. The amount of rent you pay depends on the type of housing you require, size, amenities, and location. Living in downtown Toronto is more expensive than living in the suburbs of Toronto. However, living downtown gives your more access to restaurants, entertainment, transportation, and much more.

It’s good to explore the cost to rent apartments before you arrive. That way you’ll know how much to budget for accommodation in Canada. 

Yonge Street in downtown Toronto.

Price of Housing Based on Location

Living downtown Toronto is expensive. So, it’s important to consider if you want to settle downtown or in the suburbs where housing is less expensive. But, living downtown gives your access to more jobs, restaurants, entertainment, public transit, and much more.

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A Toronto streetcar is travelling along King Street. Living close to work will help you avoid a lengthy commute to work.
Finding a rental apartment in Toronto close to work means you can avoid a lengthy commute.

Find a Short-Term Rental Apartment Before You Arrive

A common strategy for people looking for an apartment in Toronto when living abroad is to first find a short-term rental. This could mean staying with friends or family if you know people in the city. Or you could stay at a hotel or Airbnb. Staying in a short-term rental allows you to explore other Toronto neighbourhoods in person before you commit to a long-term rental.

Ideally, you want to live close to where you work. A short-term rental gives you the flexibility to move when you know where you will be working.

Finding the right neighbourhood is vital. The City of Toronto is quite dispersed, and depending on where you live and work, you may discover that it can take well over an hour to commute to work. If you want to avoid a lengthy commute, ideally you will rent an apartment that is relatively close to your job.

A challenge of looking for an apartment in Toronto online is knowing if a listing is legitimate or not. Listings can be deceiving. Units may not be as they appear in photos. There is no substitute for seeing a rental in person before you agree to lease it. So, your best best is to secure a short-term rental before you arrive in Canada.

A sign advertising apartments for rent in Toronto sits on the sidewalk in front of a rental building.

Search for Toronto Apartments for Rent When You Arrive

The time to start your seach for a long-term apartment for rent in Toronto is when you arrive. That way you can visit the apartment in person, meet the landlord, and explore the neighbourhood to ensure it meets your needs. Finding a suitable and comfortable long-term rental is important, especially since you will likely have to sign a year-long lease.

Some people try to take advantage of new renters in the city, so tread carefully with online listings. Here are some tips to avoid rental scams:

  • If a listing seems too good to be true, it probably is. 
  • Be careful with people who are pushy or trying to persuade you into entering a lease agreement quickly. 
  • Never send money to someone online unless you are sure the listing is legitimate.
You can use a real estate agent to find different types of rental housing in Toronto.

Use a Local Real Estate Agent to Find Rentals in Toronto

One of the best decisions you can make when looking for an apartment in Toronto is to enlist the services of a local real estate agent. They will have an inside track on listings that are coming up and can help you quickly narrow down your search based on budget, location preferences, type of housing, and other factors of importance to you. However, it’s best to connect with a real estate agent only when you are in Toronto.

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Finding an apartment in Toronto for rent can be a challenge. And, it’s even more challenging when you are looking from abroad. But, when you use this information to research the rental market before you arrive, it will help you to find the perfect Toronto rental when you arrive!

WRITTEN BY

Corinna Frattini

Senior Editor, Prepare for Canada

Corinna Frattini is the Senior Editor and Content Director for Prepare for Canada. She contributes articles to help newcomers achieve their goals in key areas related to living, working, and settling in Canada. With an extensive background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.

© Prepare for Canada 2025

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