Moving to Markham - very soon. I need your advice/help :)

[zmz3]

Good morning everyone,

Hope all is well. I recently got a job offer from AMD (1 Commerce Valley Drive East) in Markham for 16month internship and thus I was thinking of living in Markham instead of commuting daily.

Option 1)

Commute daily - 125km distance one-way, approx 1hr30min. I currently reside in Hamilton West.

Option 2)

Live in Markham.

Most likely i'd probably move to Markham, so I was thinking if any one has any suggestions for apartments or sublets/studio rooms.

I'm thinking of moving around may 16th... Job starts June 1st, possibly earlier if I want.

I'm looking for advice from Markham fellows. I am a student, so i'd like to keep it within budget, hopefully no more than 750 a month all inclusive.. Of course, the cheaper the better :)

I'm at work right now, sorry for rushed post.


Looking forward to your replies!!!

Thanks :D

[eguiyab]

Congrats on the Job.
That's a long commute for sure, and personal time is very valuable.
Markham is a great place, looking to move there myself soon.... but it can be quite pricey.
For the price range your looking for I can only suggest looking in the northern Scarb and North York areas. Not as long as a commute, but definitely cheaper.
I would suggest looking at housing in and around the Seneca College area, as its common for student price rent in that area and about a 15 min drive to work.

If i learn of something I will let you know.

[Sales 101]

Look in kijiji. Basement apartments can be had in that price range in Richmond Hill, Markham.
I just moved to warden\407 condo from oakville. went from 1hr 15min on a good day to 6 minutes!
Gas savings per month $250+ per month. This condo costs $100 more but i am ahead in gas savings and mileage.

Warning if you change you insurance it will increase large!! I'm a 7 star driver and went up $40 per month.

As my insurance company said Markham has highest accident and claims in Ontario so chance of you being hit has increased dramatically. I did check other companies and my current still has best price.

[jonjon72]

I would suggest looking at housing in and around the Seneca College area, as its common for student price rent in that area and about a 15 min drive to work.

+1

My gf was looking for places in the area and if you don't mind living in a basement appt or house with some students, you can expect to pay around 400-700

[yearoftherat]

+1

My gf was looking for places in the area and if you don't mind living in a basement appt or house with some students, you can expect to pay around 400-700

I would hate to see what you get for $400 on a basement apartment.

[jonjon72]

I would hate to see what you get for $400 on a basement apartment.

That would be sharing of a house. Depends on the cleanliness of the place as well

[deandai]

alot of people family rent out houses should check out the basements

[jonjon72]

Luck plays its part. Prior to moving into my condo, I rented a basement apartment for a year while it was getting built. Newly renovated basement and paid $500 a month on a 3 year old home. Yonge and Hwy 7 area.

[ElPietro]

I can't imagine a 125km drive from Hamilton to Markham being ONLY 1.5 hours. You will hit all the brutal traffic areas no matter what route you take, unless you go at off-peak times.

My advice would be to move. I lived in....Brampton for a year, and worked near the DVP and Eglinton, and the commute just ruined me. 1.5 hours if I was lucky, and in winter with a snowstorm, 3 hours. Trust me when I say life is not worth these kinds of commutes. If you figure 2 hours each way, times 5, that's 20 hours a week sitting in your car, probably tired and angry. More than a full waking day out of your life gone each week in a very bad state of mind.

The only other suggestion I would make, if you decided to commute, is maybe to get a Gym membership near your work. That way you can go workout after you finish, and hopefully traffic will have died down by the time you are ready to head home.

[loki]

I can't imagine a 125km drive from Hamilton to Markham being ONLY 1.5 hours. You will hit all the brutal traffic areas no matter what route you take, unless you go at off-peak times.

My advice would be to move. I lived in....Brampton for a year, and worked near the DVP and Eglinton, and the commute just ruined me. 1.5 hours if I was lucky, and in winter with a snowstorm, 3 hours. Trust me when I say life is not worth these kinds of commutes. If you figure 2 hours each way, times 5, that's 20 hours a week sitting in your car, probably tired and angry. More than a full waking day out of your life gone each week in a very bad state of mind.

The only other suggestion I would make, if you decided to commute, is maybe to get a Gym membership near your work. That way you can go workout after you finish, and hopefully traffic will have died down by the time you are ready to head home.

solid advice.

your personal time is priceless...and there is no way you can get from Hamilton to Markham in 1.5 hours, and even if you could, that's 3 hours a day with road rage!

find something in a price range that you are comfortable with and just move. It'll be well worth it in the end when you still have your sanity.

[aZuMi]

Try http://www.viewit.ca/vwgta.aspx

I don't think it's as busy as kijiji or craigslist, but it's also known for renting places.

[shu5892001]

i'm working there as a PEY also

[sp3GT]

Congrats to OP, AMD internship, engineering?

Markham/ Richmond Hill in general is a expensive area. For 750 all inclusive, not too sure if you can find a apartment/condo.

But, I do live in Markham and have friends in the Hwy 7 / Kennedy area (15 - 20 mins from AMD) that rent out rooms for roughly $500 - $600 a month.

The only downside to that is you have to share a house with a few others.

[Globex]

Congrats on the position, PEY?

I had a friend who worked there last year, he said the experience was pretty awesome. I think he's returning there for full-time later this year.

[zmz3]

WOW... I am truly impressed and thankful for such a great turnout.

I would like to thank everyone who put in effort to do their best in helping me out, and there is some solid advice from members. I read all of it and acted accordingly.

I have decided that I will be moving to Markham, and I have found a place that is approximately 17minutes away from work. The place is a bachelor type of residence in a large house. I get my own room, bathroom, and kitchen. It's a little tight, but it's great. Includes everything, (fridge, dryer/washer, tv, stove, internet/cable etc) and we managed to get it down to $500. No contracts, no obligations - month to month basis. I have the whole basement to my self, there is no one else living there. It is newly renovated, and house is about 5 years old.

As for better housing, I will see how things go in the remainder of my residence there and if I like it I will continue, otherwise look for somewhere else. But, the area is great, the landlord is extremely friendly and cooperative. Very clean and quiet neighborhood.

With regards to my employment/internship, yes I got an Engineering placement for 16 months at the Professional Workstation Graphics division as a Graphics Applications System Engineer. I actually had the interview Friday, and got the offer the same day, fantastic opportunity for me :)

I still have about 1yr and a half of schooling left, however it will be paused during the internship.


Once again, I thank all of you who put in the effort to help out. Much appreciated.


Regards,

Omar

[alho]

How come I never see any of you at work!? Well I should say I never see TM3 plates at work :chuckle

[sp3GT]

Congrats man, we really need a Markham meet this summer.