About Scarborough
Is Scarborough part of Toronto? It depends on who you ask. People living outside the Greater Toronto area would normally say yes, but anyone in Toronto downtown would say no. Whether Scarborough is seen as Toronto or as one of its suburbs, it provides a lot of opportunity to its residents. There are some rough edges, but it welcomes locals of all income levels and backgrounds.
A high proportion of people living in Scarborough are families. Scarborough is also a highly diverse, multilingual community. There is a large immigrant population, as well as a lot of support for those who are new to Canada. While there’s a wide range of income levels, the overall average in Scarborough is lower than in Canada as a whole.
The Housing Market
Scarborough does have some very expensive housing, most of the rentals tend to be on the more affordable side for the GTA although that still makes it very high compared to most other places in Canada. The farther you are from the subway line, the cheap rents tend to get. As more of Toronto's downtown’s affordable areas are developed, lower income Torontonians are being pushed out, often moving to Scarborough. So while there are always places, getting somewhere that’s not rundown and for the right price can be a challenge.
Scarborough has a mix of apartment buildings and detached homes.
Some parts of Scarborough have issues with crime and drug use. Movers with children especially should take a close look at any neighbourhood before you sign a lease. Also it's an idea to check out what neighbourhoods you will need to walk through to get to and from the area.
Most rentals in Scarborough are rising from the previous year’s level, especially near high-traffic commuter areas. There is also an increase in 1 bedroom apartments in Scarborough and 2 bedroom basement apartments for rent in Scarborough. This is good news for students and families alike seeking affordable housing, with many homeowners living upstairs and offering basement for rent. When you’re seeking affordable Scarborough rentals, you should read leases carefully, because not all rentals come with full amenities, and paying for extra utilities may break your budget if you aren’t careful. There are also new condos being built in the area
Avg. rent by housing size (taken from rentals.ca):
Bach/studio: $1,586
1-bedroom: $1,844
2-bedroom: $2,568
3-bedroom: $3,516
Avg. rent compared to other Canadian towns and regions:
Scarborough is 33% higher than the Canadian average