Finding a room in Toronto on a caregiver's salary

The one I chose

I finally found a room in a three bedroom apartment near Kennedy station, shared with two other Filipino women. The rent is 980 dollars, including utilities and internet. The landlord uses the Ontario Standard Lease, and I paid first and last month's rent. It is 45 minutes from my work by subway and bus. I found it through a Filipino community Facebook group, not on the big rental sites.

Scams I almost fell for

Twice I found rooms that looked perfect and cheap, around 700 dollars for downtown. Both times, the "landlord" was out of the country and asked for a deposit by e-transfer before I could see the room. I asked my friend and she said it was a scam. Please be careful. If you cannot see it, do not pay.

What helped

• Asking my community. Churches and Filipino groups share rooms that never appear online.
• Having my documents ready. My work permit, a letter from my employer and two months of pay stubs.
• Knowing my rights. I did not know that damage deposits are not allowed in Ontario. One landlord asked for 500 dollars "for damage" and I refused politely.
• Checking the commute at the time I would travel, not on a Sunday afternoon.

Living with roommates

It is going well. We share the cooking sometimes, and we have a cleaning schedule on the fridge. Sometimes there are small problems: noise at night, someone's boyfriend staying too often. We talk about it directly. It helps that we share a culture and a language.

Honest feelings

It is hard that in a rich country, a full-time worker can only afford a room. I left a two bedroom house in Iloilo. But I also know this is a step. I am in the process of applying for permanent residence through the home care worker pathway, and when my children come, we will need a bigger place. For now, a clean, safe room with kind housemates is enough.

If you are a caregiver coming to Toronto, start saving for first and last month's rent before you arrive, and join community groups early. You are not alone.