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Guide to Shopping In North York, Toronto

August 9, 2019

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift, a place to eat, a new outfit, or you just want to escape the cold weather, Toronto’s shopping malls are a great way to spend a few hours.

 

If you are based in North York, you’ll have plenty of great shopping malls and retail centres to choose from, each offering a diverse selection of brands. Here is a quick guide to shopping in North York, Toronto. 

Sheridan Mall

Another great place to shop in North York is Sheridan Mall. It’s home to the major department stores – Winners and Walmart – which are great for finding the basics at a cheap price. There’s also plenty of mall favourite brands including Blossom, Ardene, Sirens, Payless Shoes, New York Connection and Urban Closet. 

 

Plus, if you work up an appetite from all that shopping, there’s a diverse food court with cuisine from Japan, the Caribbean, Greece and more to choose from. 

Yorkdale Shopping Centre

Located next to the Yorkdale subway station, Yorkdale is the fourth largest mall in the country and contains over 250 retail shops where you can stock up on everything you need. Many companies opened up their first Canadian store here, including Apple, Crate & Barrel, Bath & Body Works and J.Crew. 

 

Grab a new book at Indigo Books and Music, then chill out at Michel’s Bakery Cafe while you read it. There’s also a lot of luxury brands here, such as Chanel, Versace, Prada and Gucci – so it’s a great place to treat yourself to something a little bit special. 

guide to shopping in North York

By Oxford Properties – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12235649

CF Fairview Mall

This is not the biggest shopping mall in Toronto, but it does pack a great selection of retailers into a compact space. That means you can find a lot of great stuff, without having to spend hours walking around. 

 

With the CF Fairview Mall you’ll find everything from toys to fashion to small appliances to books and more. Some of the shops here include Aldo Shoes, American Eagle Outfitters, Forever 21, Guess and Hot Topic. 

Bayview Village

Fashion-lovers make regular visits to Bayview Village, a stylish mall that is home to more than 110 luxury retailers. This mall has a very “glam” vibe about it. You can valet park your car, drop off your dry cleaning, get a mani-pedi and get your hair done, as well as shop for elegant designer clothes. 

 

The mall even offers a personal shopping service. The personal shopper will help you find that perfect item you need and the $50 fee will be given back to you in the form of a BV gift card at the end of your appointment. 

The Shops at Don Mills

With 72 retail stores to choose from, this is another great place to shop in North York. You can find many of the big name stores here, including Guess and Calvin Klein. 

 

It has the feel of a European piazza, with a central courtyard and great dining options. This means that the mall is a lot more fun in the summertime, but it does have a pretty spectacular Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in the winter as well. 

 

To learn more about our short term rentals in North York, click here

Toronto Condos, toronto toursim, Uncategorized

5 Reasons to Live in North York, Toronto

August 2, 2019

Known as Toronto’s “Second Downtown,” there are a lot of reasons to live in North York. This neighbourhood is buzzing with great dining, nightlife and things to do – it’s hard not to love it!

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why North York is such a Toronto hotspot.

1. There are Plenty of Multicultural Festivals

North York is an incredibly multicultural neighborhood, which means there are plenty of great festivals throughout the year that celebrate the diversity there. There’s the Iranian Festival, the Korean Harvest Festival, the Aloha Festival, the Hispanic Fiesta and more.

Many of the public festivals in this neighbourhood take place in Mel Lastman Square, named after a previous mayor of North York. These events are a great opportunity to listen to diverse music, taste cuisine from around the world and learn about another culture.

2. Public Transit Connections Are Great

When you live in North York, you might not be right in the centre of downtown but you will be connected to the city by some very convenient public transit links. You can take the Yonge-University Line 1 to and from many major stations, including Finch, North York Centre and Sheppard-Yonge. You’ll also have easy access to major highways including the 407 and 401.

3. The Museums and Historic Sites Are Excellent

A lot of history has taken place in North York, which means that there are plenty of interesting sites to explore. For example, one of the best is Gibson House – a heritage museum that contains a fascinating collection of 19th century art pieces. They tell the story of the evolution of North York through the years. To learn more about the history of North York and learn about events and workshops in the area, you can visit the North York Historical Society.

4. You Can Shop Until You Drop

If shopping is your favourite pastime, living in North York will make you feel spoiled for choice. It’s home to two of the five major shopping malls in Toronto – the Fairview Mall and the Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Plus, there’s also several other shopping centres. These include the Sheppard Centre, the Shops at Don Mills, Yorkgate Mall, Sheridan Mall, Bayview Village and Centrepoint Mall. No matter what you’re hunting for, you’re sure to find it.

5. There’s So Much Delicious Food

Because North York is one of the most culturally diverse regions in Toronto, it boasts a superb collection of restaurants. From authentic Asian cuisine to North African flavours to Italian dishes, you can find pretty much anything you may be craving.

For example, if it’s Chinese food you love – head to Congee Queen. You’ll find high quality authentic Cantonese food such as spicy squid, soft shell crab fried rice or beef brisket lo mein. Or, if you’re in the mood for Indian cuisine, The Veggie Thali serves up vegetarian dishes with a rich blend of spices and herb – paired with a refreshing mango shake.

Just a few of the many reasons to live in North York

To learn more about our properties in North York, click here.

Downtown Toronto

Medical Stays in Toronto: What You Need to Know

July 26, 2019

If you are traveling for medical treatment – it can be a stressful experience.

Unlike traveling for a vacation, when you travel for medical stays in Toronto you may need to stay for awhile and you may be in some state of discomfort. This is why having a comfortable place to say is so important.

The short term, furnished apartments at The Livmore provide a convenient environment where you can rest and feel at home – which will help aid you in your recovery during medical stays in Toronto.

Toronto’s Medical System

Canada has a publicly funded, private provided healthcare system. Public Health Insurance is handled at a provincial level and when you go to see a doctor, it is covered by the taxes you pay.

This health-care system has an excellent reputation around the world and many international tourists visit to seek out treatment in high quality private clinics. In addition to the many robust public health facilities in Toronto, there are also a collection of high end clinics that offer treatment from doctors and specialist staff. (Here’s a guide to the best and worst hospitals in Toronto, from local website blogTO.)

Whether you’re coming to Toronto for a necessary operation, an examination or a cosmetic procedure, you’ll find the medical care in this city top notch.

Priorities for Your Medical Stay

When it comes to planning for a medical-related trip to Toronto, the following considerations will need your attention:

– Cutting down on expenses. Medical treatments are a large expense, so anything you can do to save money in other departments is desirable. A short term rental offers better value compared to a hotel, so you can cut costs here.
– Cooking for yourself. When you are recovering from a surgery or an illness, you might need to adjust your diet. Also, you might not feel like dining out in a restaurant every night. Having your own kitchen allows you to prepare the food that suits your needs – in the privacy of your home away from home.
– A home-like atmosphere. It’s hard to relax fully in a hotel room, as it doesn’t give you the feeling of being at home.
– Longer-term stay options. Chances are, if you are visiting Toronto for medical reasons, you might need to stay for awhile as you recover. Furnished apartments offer longer term rental options, so you can take your time.
– Necessary medications. Make sure that you have a prescription for all medications that you will need to carry you through the duration of your stay – including painkillers and antibiotics. If you need to stock up, there are many pharmacies located nearby in downtown Toronto.
– Friends and family. Recovering from an operation or an illness is much easier when you have loved ones around to support you. Staying in a furnished apartment with multiple bedrooms allows you to bring companions along who can assist.

To learn more about the high quality furnished apartments at the Livmore in downtown Toronto, you can contact us at any time.

Toronto Entertainment

Fantastic Shopping in Downtown Toronto

July 19, 2019

When you make the trip to Toronto – make sure you have extra room in your suitcase.

You’re going to want to take advantage of the amazing shopping in downtown Toronto, and you’ll likely end up with plenty of new goodies to bring home with you. Here are some of the best places to indulge in retail therapy, only steps away from your stay at the Livmore.

Dundas Square

7 minute walk from the Livmore

Dundas Square is the “Times Square” of Toronto – a bustling intersection with 100,000 people crossing per day (the busiest in Canada). Lining this popular square are several great shops, as well as restaurants, bars and cafes.

Plus – Dundas Square is known for being an outdoor hub for live entertainment – so you just might just get to enjoy a show with your shopping.

Eaton Centre

6 minute walk from the Livmore

This long-standing, glass-ceilinged, multi-level mall is a landmark in Toronto – and it is visited by more tourists than any other attraction in Toronto. It’s actually the busiest shopping mall in North America – beating out many other huge shopping complexes in the USA.

The mall has 330 stores and restaurants and you could spend hours and hours perusing them. Don’t forget to look up and admire the beautiful fibreglass sculpture “Flight Stop” by artist Michael Snow – depicting Canada geese in flight.

First Canadian Place

16 minute walk from the Livmore

This landmark skyscraper features over 100 shops, as well as restaurants, event spaces and doctor’s offices – towering 72 stories above the Financial District of downtown Toronto (It’s also home to the Toronto Stock Exchange). There are plenty of great shops to check out, including several upscale brands.

There’s also an international food court with a great patio where you can enjoy a meal outside in the summer. The options include Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Greek and mor. You can fuel up after working up an appetite from all that shopping.

Atrium

5 minute walk from the Livmore

Located right in the heart of downtown Toronto, Atrium is a shopping centre packed with some great brands. It doesn’t have the best selection, but it is less crowded than the Eaton Centre and certainly worth a look. One of the stand-out shops is “Long Tall Sally” – a retail clothing shop catering to all women.

This mall has a lot of little perks that make life easier for shoppers. For example, there are even free mobile device charging stations located in the concourse.

Kensington Market

23 minute walk from the Livmore

In this funky, walkable bohemian neighbourhood you’ll find all sorts of fascinating shops. If you are looking for vintage clothing, indie records, artisanal vegan snacks, local artwork or anything funky and homemade – this would be the place to look.

Plus, this area is also packed with trendy bars, quirky coffee shops and excellent international eateries – it’s a hangout for the creative and hip crowd.

Where do you love to shop in Toronto? Let us know in the comments below! For more tips on what to do during your stay, check out our guide to 10 Things to Do in Downtown Toronto.

Relocation

Common Relocation Mistakes

July 12, 2019

Relocating to somewhere new is a complex process. Avoid these common relocation mistakes so you can make sure it goes smoothly.

Not Researching Your New Destination

Before relocating somewhere new, it’s important to do some research so that you know what to expect. Visit the city several times and explore the neighbourhood where you plan to live. This will give you a much clearer picture of what you can expect when you move.

You can even do a test run, driving from your potential new home to your new office and getting to know your way around the neighborhood. It makes a huge difference.

Not Getting Insurance

Your move can suddenly become much more costly if something expensive is dropped or damaged and you don’t have insurance.

Make sure that you ask about this when you choose to hire a moving company, so that you can get the coverage you need for your belongings. (Read the fine print to make sure you understand what you are covered for.) Most good moving companies will offer insurance that will cover your belongings when you are relocating.

Not Planning for Temporary Housing

When you move, you may need to arrange for some temporary housing, so that you will have somewhere to stay in between arriving in the city and when you can take possession of your new home. After all, it’s hardly ever a seamless transition from one home to the next. This sometimes only takes a few days, but it can take up to a month or more depending on the situation.

Furnished apartments are a much better option than staying in a hotel or a motel, as they offer you more space, better amenities, a prime location and a kitchen.

Not Getting Rid of Stuff

One of the biggest relocation mistakes that many people make when they move is that they pack everything they own, rather than going through it first and getting rid of what they don’t need.

There are probably many boxes in your closet that you haven’t opened in years and many items of clothing in the back of your closet that you hardly ever wear. Why take the time and effort to move them somewhere else if you aren’t going to use them when you are there either? Instead, pare down your possessions to the minimum, so that you will have less hassle when moving.

Not Labeling Your Boxes Well

If you forget to label your boxes, you will end up arriving at your destination with a bunch of stuff, but no memory of what is in each box. This means that you will spend hours searching through boxes just to find what you are looking for and the unpacking process will be so much more chaotic and frustrating.

Avoid These Common Relocation Mistakes

These are just a few of the most important mistakes to avoid when you are relocating, so that you can make sure that your move will go as smoothly as possible!