Posted on: 26-05-10 10:01:17
Hi,
I am planning to relocate to Scarborough from Bramptonistan. I would appreciate if desis in Scarborough region can give some tips as to which sub-divisons are good from 4 perspectives:
1. Kids school (aged 5-10 years)
2. Crime
3. Commuting to downtown Toronto (GO vs TTC)
4. Buying a home vs renting in Scarborough(I absolutely hate basement apartments)
I did some research and found that Agincourt and Kennedy public schools are rated #1 by Fraser institute, are located in Scarborough but as far as crime is concerned I can find limited information on http://www.spotcrime.com/on/toronto." rel="nofollow">LINK
East or west Tuxedo is the best
Quote:
Originally posted by mov1ngsal3
1. Kids school (aged 5-10 years)
I did some research and found that Agincourt and Kennedy public schools are rated #1 by Fraser institute, are located in Scarborough
According to Frasers Report, they base schools ranking on EQAO. I was able to find Kennedy Public School, but not Agincourt, unless if it goes by another name.
The one good thing about Kennedy PS is that run from JK to Gr 8. I'm guessing your kid(s) will fit into that category (age 5 to 10). According to Soo Wong, the School Board Trustee TDSB is heading in that direction, i.e. have elementary schools from JK to Gr 8, although it will take a few years to get there.
The school is located in an area which is surrounded by houses. What I have observed is schools surrounded by houses tend to have a better crowd, as opposed to schools surrounded by apartment buildings.
Quote:
Originally posted by mov1ngsal3
2. Crime
(This is from my personal experience, other can certainly choose to disagree)
This can be tied to No. (4) below buying vs renting
Scarborough is very iffy about "good' and 'bad' areas. Overall Scarborough does have a large Sri Lankan population, that does not mean that entire Scarborough is bad. Just like any other city, there are good pockets and bad ones too. Scarborough does have a large Oriental population too.
Stats have shown that overall Scarborough is not as bad as it seems.
The closest intersection to Kennedy PS is Steeles and Kennedy. On the NE side is the famous Pacific Mall. So chances are that area could have a large Oriental population.
Quote:
Originally posted by mov1ngsal3
3. Commuting to downtown Toronto (GO vs TTC)
The downside about travelling by GO is you have to go as per their schedules. What if you're 30 seconds late you could miss your train, which may mean waiting for anything from 15 minutes to an hour for the next one. On the flip side is the speed.
What also needs to be considered is where in downtown is your final destination, is it walking distance from Union Station or do you have to take the subway again, which means double fare. This would come in play once you decide where you choose to live and where is your final destination.
If you take the TTC, then you'd have to go to Finch subway. So it'll take you approx. 1 1/2 hr to get to downtown by TTC.
Quote:
Originally posted by mov1ngsal3
4. Buying a home vs renting in Scarborough(I absolutely hate basement apartments)
Can I ask you, are you moving from an apartment to a house/apartment or from a house to a house/apartment.
You have to be careful if you plan to move in an apartment in Scarborough. Not all apartment buildings are good, but that would be same in any city.
If you plan on buying at this time, the housing market is very hot. What are the chances that the market will drop is anyone's guess. Will it drop as much as the US, probably not.
Also at Kennedy & McNicoll is a Community Centre
On a side note, why are you thinking of moving, is it 'cause of kids schooling or commute or ....
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SS
Reiki Grand Master
Thanks SS for the reply. I am not exactly interested in moving to Scarborough but I did find schools to be good(as rated by Fraser Institute) and possibility of finding rental homes. Not necessarily rental apartments. I can move to anywhere in GTA where there are good schools and I can easily commute to downtown, (Bay & Adelaide).
I am not planning to buy home as housing market is headed towards a cool off.
http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/real%20estate/article/814065--canadian-home-prices-expected-to-drop-two-reports-say
I can even move to downtown if I can find some good schools and reasonably affordable($1200 - $1500) rental homes. Except may be crime might be an issue.
As far as as Sri Lankans are concerned, Prabhakaran is dead so the Tiger has lost it's teeth. :-) Is living in Scarborough like living in Surrey BC, where they say only gangsters and pot growers live?
