Suelyn Bloye - DelSuites

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!

Energy Conservation, Lifestyle talk, Uncategorized

Small Things You Can Do To Be More Green Everyday

July 5, 2019

Little things really do add up to make a big difference.

There are many small changes you could be making to your daily routine that won’t cause you too much extra trouble, but will have a positive impact on the environment.

Here are a few little ways you can save the world and be more green everyday:

– If it’s warm enough, hang your clothes outside to dry naturally on a clothesline rather than using the dryer. (They will smell fresher too!)
– Always recycle your glass bottles, aluminum cans, paper and other recyclable materials.
– Have at least one day per week when you eat vegetarian or vegan. (Meat and dairy production uses a lot of resources.) Use it as a chance to check out one of Toronto’s great vegetarian restaurants!
– If there’s an option to switch to a paperless version, do so. For example, switch to using a notebook app on your phone rather than making notes on paper.
– Use a refillable water bottle and fill it from the tap, rather than buying bottled water all the time.
– Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. Believe it or not, it can save five gallons of water per day.
– Whenever possible, buy second hand. It will help you save money and give the item a second life. (There are a TON of great second hand shops in Toronto.)
– Try to drive as little as possible and use alternatives such as biking, walking and public transport instead. (Plus, if you choose to bike or walk you’ll be getting exercise during your commute!)
– Plan your meals for the week in advance, so you end up using all the food you purchased and wasting less.
– If you do find yourself throwing away wasted food often, make a note of it and adjust your buying habits accordingly.
– Get your own coffee thermos to bring to your favourite coffee shop, instead of using a disposable cup every time. (Many cafes – will even give you a discount if you do this!)
– Stash a few re-useable canvas bags in your backpack or car, so that when you go to the supermarket you won’t have to use plastic bags.
– When you are shopping, look for items that have as little packaging as possible. For example, look for fruits and vegetables that are sold loose rather than wrapped in plastic.
– If you order takeaway and are eating it at home – there’s no need for all the napkins and plastic forks. Make sure to ask the restaurant to not include them with your order.
– Make your own non-toxic cleaning products when cleaning your home rather than using bleach.

How can you be more green in your day to day life?

These are just a few of the many little shifts you can make to your daily habits in order to be more green. It’s not as difficult as you might think. Each little change and healthy habit is small and once you get used to it, you might barely think about it.

However, every little bit counts and each change leads to more awareness. No effort is too small, so implement just one of these new habits today to be more green!

Downtown Toronto, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk, North York

Top Restaurants in Toronto, 2015

March 6, 2015

With Spring just around the corner, getting out on the town made us think of our favourite restaurants in Toronto. It’s a mix of those classics you might find on a list like Winterlicious mixed with newer restaurants and cafes. If you’re looking to get out of your furnished apartment in Toronto or try something new at one of Toronto’s many diverse and delicious restaurants, look no further to our comprehensive top 10 restaurants in Toronto. Our list is in no particular order.

1. Bar Isabel. It’s no surprise that this Spanish-inspired restaurant with a Black Hoof twist (owner Grant Van Gameren used to co-own the Black Hoof) is on many top ten lists. We love the chorizo, grilled octopus, and basque cake with sherry cream. Be on the lookout for Van Gameren’s anticipated opening, Bar Raval, this year. Reservations are recommended.

2. Canoe. Canoe remains one of the best restaurants in Canada and a homage to haute Canadian cuisine. It is the perennial place for a special occasion with views of the Toronto Islands and CN Tower to match from the 54th floor of the TD Tower. You’ll be lucky to sit at the chef’s table and interact with Chef John Horne. It is a treat! It is also one of our picks to drink with your fellow corporate executives.

3. Fat Pasha. Another extension of Anthony Rose’s empire, Fat Pasha is your excuse to eat through the Middle Eastern trend. We love the dips (especially labneh and hummus) and the nutella babka cake. A must if you’re looking to venture out of your usual tastes.

4. The Black Hoof. Since 2008, The Black Hoof has set Toronto on the charcuterie trend and remains the best place for the boards. It has since expanded its menu so you can more adventurous parts of an animal (whether it’s offal or horse) and never fails to impress the tastebuds. We love the staples of charcuterie, bone marrow, and cheese but give the horse tartare a try. Try its intimate cocktail bar across the street, aptly named Cocktail Bar, pre or post meal.

5. Electric Mud BBQ. Owned by Black Hoof alum, Colin Tooke and Ian McGrenaghan, Electric Mud BBQ is their second outpost of the Electric empire (Grand Electric around the corner on Queen West slinging out tacos). Chow down on good ol’ BBQ, bourbon alongside a great soundtrack at picnic tables with your friends. The ribs are classic but we return for the chicken, crack rolls, and $2.50 pints of Great Lakes Beer on Monday nights. They also now deliver. We love a good deal!

6. Origin. Tapas has become one of Toronto’s biggest culinary trends and Origin executes it in an original fashion. The restaurant is so popular it has expanded from its original location at King and Church to Origin North at Bayview and Sheppard (a sophisticated option near our apartments for rent north york). We love the deviled eggs, tostones and guacamole, hand rolls, miso glazed cod, and dulce de leche. Look for chef Claudio Aprile to expand his repertoire of fresh, global dishes to the Toronto Pearson Airport soon.

7. Eastside Social. One of Leslieville’s newest additions to the neighbourhood, Eastside Social is casual enough to sit and chat with someone at the bar over a dark n stormy yet sophisticated enough for a date. Share their inventive fish charcuterie platter. Their oyster special is every Tuesday and Wednesday.

8. Campagnolo. Our pick for Italian cuisine, chef Craig Harding, continues to deliver the classics that make us feel like it’s okay we can’t hop on a plane at a moment’s notice to Italy. You’ll salivate over his burrata with roasted grapes, spaghetti all’matricana, rabbit saltimbocca, and his famous budino.

9. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen. For the brunch lovers, Mildred’s Temple is large enough to accommodate your group but popular enough for you to be waiting in line even 15 minutes after opening. It’s worth the trek to Liberty Village. If it’s one thing to order it’s those fluffy, blueberry pancakes.

It’s difficult to add our all of our top 10 Restaurants in Toronto (honorary mentions go to Lady Marmalade for brunch, Porchetta & Co. for lunch, and Chantecler for dinner).

What are your favourite restaurants in Toronto? What are the restaurant openings in Toronto you’re looking forward to?

Lifestyle talk

Working in Toronto

March 3, 2015

As Canada’s largest financial center and a population of 2.7 million (and 6 million in the Greater Toronto Area/GTA), Toronto is a vibrant city in which to work and live. This can be illustrated by the number of short term rentals DelSuites has, across the GTA, now currently ranked number one by TripAdvisor in specialty lodging in Toronto and fifth consecutive winner of the Consumer’s Choice Awards in the Furnished Condo Rental category. We have touched upon the quirks of living in the city but here are a few things you should know about working in Toronto.

1. Industries – Working in Toronto
The main industries in Toronto are finance, technology, and construction. It is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) and to the third largest concentration of private IT companies after San Francisco and New York. Due to the 2015 Pan Am Games, construction has boomed in the metropolis for building of facilities and condominiums. According to a report in the Toronto Star, the surge in new jobs has been in health care, education, public administration, trades, finance, real estate, insurance, professional services, scientific and technical services, transportation and warehousing, accommodation and food services, and information, culture and recreation.

2. Education
According to the World Atlas (2014), Canada is the most educated nation in the world. 51% of the population has tertiary education and most jobs require a post-secondary diploma or degree. Toronto has one of the most prestigious universities in the world, University in Toronto. However, education with co-operative education or practical work-terms are gaining in popularity and success to working in the city. Examples include: George Brown College (known for hospitality and culinary arts); Ryerson (known for its media and journalism program); Humber College (known for its Public Relations program) and Sheridan College (known for its animation arts program).

3. Unemployment Rates
As of December, 2014 the unemployment rate is 7.2 percent, according to Statistics Canada. The labour market is very competitive and should you move to the city, it is important to make sure you have savings in case your job hunt takes longer than usual (on average four to five months).

4. A Shift from Full-Time to Part-Time
As part of shifts in the economy, employers are increasingly hiring workers on a part-time or contract basis, according to this report in the Toronto Star. This helps employers budgets by not paying for extensive benefits or pensions. As a result, many workers in Toronto have more than one job or are becoming entrepreneurs.

5. Networking
In an urban center like Toronto, where 40% of Canada’s jobs are situated, getting a job here is more about who you know rather than what you know with the competition of skills and education among its workforce. Networking is key, especially at trade conferences in your industry as well as informal meetups according to interest. LinkedIn and social media are also key tools for employers to find you.

To help you with your job search working in Toronto, do check out this section of job boards on the city of Toronto’s website in its Employment and Social Services category.

Etobicoke, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel

Living in Etobicoke Toronto : Nuvo & Parc Nuvo

February 26, 2015

In the crux between downtown Toronto and Mississauga, not to mention just 15 minutes from the Toronto International Airport, our Etobicoke furnished rentals are conveniently located. Here are a few more reasons why living in Etobicoke Toronto are a great alternative to a hotel for a short-term stay.

1. Your ideal location for the Pan Am Games. The Etobicoke Olympium has recently upgraded its facilities as a training venue for the swimming and waterpolo sports at the games. Our furnished suites in Etobicoke provide close proximity to train. No need to travel more than a half hour from the athletes village near the Distillery District!

2. Award Winning Suites. We don’t have to tell you we are known for our modern suites, and full-service furnished apartments with all of the bells and whistles (including 24 hour security and a satisfaction guarantee policy). People know us for our quality because we won the 2014 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. See what people are saying here. At the Nuvo and Parc Nuvo buildings, you get your choice of one or two bedroom suites in 22 story (Nuvo) and 36 story buildings (Parc Nuvo).

3. Full Service Amenities In addition to fully furnished suites (including ensuite laundry and a fully stocked kitchen), our Nuvo and Parc Nuvo location offer a 24-hour security desk, indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, billiards room and state of the art fitness facilities with aerobics programs. Our Nuvo property offers a Billiards Room & Virtual Golf Center, a Card Room with Library, a Party Room with Fireplace, Kitchen & Bar, a Theatre Room, and underground, secured, assigned Parking. Our Parc Nuvo property offers an entertainment lounge with kitchen facilities, a party room with stylish bar, seating lounges, kitchen and private dining room; a boardroom, a billiards & cards room, a theatre room with large screen TV and surround sound; a rooftop terrace with BBQ’s, seating lounge and dining tables, and underground, secured, assigned parking. Both properties are your one-stop shop for entertaining or meetings.

4. Proximity The Nuvo buildings are within walking distance to the Kipling, Go Bus and Train Station (TTC). If you have a family, the suites are close to many schools in the neighbourhood. Major department stores and shopping malls like IKEA, Home Outfitters, Canadian Tire, Sherway Gardens, and the Cloverdale Mall are nearby, as are entertainment options like the Cineplex Odeon movie theatre. Don’t forget to check out the variety of activities in diverse Etobicoke here.

5. Pets Allowed! Don’t want to travel without Fido? No problem! By living in Etobicoke in these furnished rentals, you are permitted one pet in your suite. In Phase Two of our Nuvo building you are allowed one cat. A reminder that all pets are to be leashed and carried through the Common Areas of the building at all times.

No matter the reason you are in Etobicoke, our Nuvo and Parc Nuvo properties offer the full-service living experience in the heart of the city. Enjoy your stay!

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