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Business Travel, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel

Ease the stress when relocating with family to Toronto

July 31, 2015

Family RelocationMoving, especially from one city or country to another, can be a very emotional and at times, stressful process for the family. At DelSuites, we try our best to make your home away from home, especially for families. Here are a few tips to ease the transition when relocating with family to your furnished suite in Toronto.

1. Tell Your Kids!
For younger children, it is best to tell them when it’s necessary (certainly not a week or the night before you are moving) so they can understand and cope with the process (even if they may not understand it). Teenagers feel like adults in the family and it’s important to tell them as soon as plans are in place so they can also cope and maximize their time with friends in their old neighbourhood. Having a family meeting may help so kids can express their feelings about the situation.

2. Focus on the Positive Aspects of Moving.relocating with family
Most kids may only focus on the negative aspects of moving (they will be removed from their friends and familiar surroundings, for instance). By focusing on positive aspects like a new neighbourhood that may be close to some of Toronto’s top attractions for kids (like Ripley’s Aquarium or the Toronto Zoo) or that they will make new friends or that they will have a bigger room, they may start to understand the process of change. One way to look at the process is as an adventure.

That said, feeling at “home” in their new home may just take time and they’ll get used to their new surroundings. DelSuites helps with this process by offering a Kid Care gift to every child under 14 when they arrive. Find out more here. Many of the DelSuites properties have a pool, which would be an exciting aspect of a new home for a child that swims or wants to learn.

3. Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment for Your Children Prior to Moving.
Having this in place will ensure your child is healthy and safe to fly abroad (if this is the situation). If you are moving via driving, it’s good to know hospitals along the way in case something happens. Having a doctor, pediatrician, or clinic set up in your new neighbourhood and your family’s medical records easily accessible, will ensure that your family’s needs are taken care of in case something happens.

relocating with family4. Get Your Kids Involved in the Process.
Having your kids involved will make the process seem less scary. A few tips: host a going-away party with your kids and their friends from their old neighbourhood/school and take photos (remind them that saying goodbye doesn’t mean that they won’t see their friends again). While moving, let your kids pick some of their favourite items that they will want to travel with them (especially if you are flying to Toronto, in case certain items get lost or delayed in the process). After moving, an “open me first” box for your kids will help them with the excitement of moving somewhere new. For older kids, helping them unpack their boxes together, or putting together their room will help them become more comfortable with the new space. If you are going to be staying in a furnished rental in Toronto, one of the advantages is that everything is set up for you, including a stocked kitchen, laundry facilities (including laundry soap!), housekeeping, and even pre-arrival grocery services are available.

5. Use Your Resources.
When moving specifically into a DelSuites property, our team is here to make your transition as easy as possible. We’ll take care of the essentials for childcare, including car seats for your baby or young kids; airport pick up and drop off if need be; home furnishings and safety essentials needed for your children; and babysitting services.

DelSuites is here to help take the worry away of what can be an emotional and busy period. What are your tips for relocating with family? What is the best part of living in Toronto?

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel

Getting Around Toronto

July 27, 2015

Taking TransitToronto is a huge city and it has an extensive transit system, making it very easy to get around without a vehicle. It is the third most heavily used transit system in North America, after Mexico City and New York City. Here are some of the different options that are available to you when it comes to getting around Toronto:

TTC – Buses and Subway
The Toronto Transit Commission operates streetcars, transit buses and rapid transit services all over the city of Toronto. The buses are the main aspect of the TTC operations and they travel to numerous routes throughout the city. Getting around Toronto is also easy via the Toronto rapid transit system, which consists of three subway lines and a partly elevated light metro line.

Go Train
The Go Network of buses and trains extends all over the Great Toronto area. There are seven rail lines 042-The-Convenience-of-Living-Directly-Beside-Kipling-Subway-Stationbranching from Union Station in downtown Toronto and these lines connect with all other transit systems in the area, including the TTC. You can use the Triplinx planner to help you connect the dots and plan your trip.

Cabs
It’s not difficult to find a taxi in Toronto, but they are not the most affordable option. Also, taking a taxi in the downtown might sometimes take longer than transit, due to the traffic.

Via Rail
Union Station is one of the grandest and mosGetting Around Torontot beautiful train stations in North America and from here you can find many trains to take you from Toronto to other nearby destinations including Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Windsor, Buffalo, Albany and New York City.

Street Cars
Toronto has one of the few remaining streetcar systems in North America and these cars have been operating in the city since the mid-19th century. The streetcar routes generally operate in the downtown area.

Bike Share Toronto
Toronto also offers a bike share system, an economic and environmentally friendly way to get around the Getting Around Torontodowntown. You can simply purchase a membership online and then take a bike from any station. Ride your bike wherever you like, then return it to any station.

Car Rentals
You might consider renting a car to get around Toronto, although be aware that traffic congestion can be very serious, especially during rush hour. If you want to park your car downtown there are many garages, which can be found by looking for the green “P” signs.

Car Sharing
Toronto also has a number of car sharing programs, such as ZipCars and Car2Go. You can search for a vehicle in your area, use our member car to open it up, drive it wherever you need to go, then park it again when you are done. This transit option makes a lot of sense – it is there only when you need it but you are not responsible for making car payments or worrying about the cost of gas.

These are just a few simple ways that you can get around when you are staying in your furnished condo rental in Toronto.

 

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Downtown Toronto Condos, Lifestyle talk, Relocation

Reasons Your Company Should Consider Toronto Executive Rentals

July 14, 2015

Toronto Executive RentalsToronto is the financial center of Canada and as a result, has many hubs for companies in banking, technology, consulting and real estate. If you’re considering sending your employees to work in Toronto –consider DelSuites for accommodation options. Here are a few reasons why DelSuites can make a difference for your employees and why you should consider Toronto Executive Rentals.

1. Cheaper than a Hotel.
The average cost of a hotel room in Toronto is about $150 per night. The average cost for a fully furnished suite via DelSuites is about $125-$130 per night for a 1-bedroom suite (Prices and inflation are subject to change). The cost of a hotel downtown close to the financial center only increases where the price at DelSuites stays relatively the same. Many costs at a hotel are extra.010-View-of-the-Dining-Area

2. All-Inclusive Rates.
Unlike a hotel, we have taken care of all of the costs for you. No surprises. Our rates include wireless internet, cable, housekeeping and parking (at most suburb locations). Our suites also have en-suite laundry unlike many hotels, where there is no laundry and dry cleaning would be extra.

3. Convenience.
All of our properties are located near or in the city centres, which will make it convenient for your employees to adapt to their new area. Our properties are also located near main subway and Go Transit lines to make it easy for your employees to commute from the office to home. The majority of our properties are equipped with amazing facilities such as fitness centers and swimming pools so your employees don’t have to worry about finding a fitness center during their stay in the Greater Toronto Area. Our properties are also located041-The Convenience of Living Directly Beside Kipling Subway Station near great restaurants and shops should your employees and our guests find they want to explore their surrounding area after work. We have listed our favourite places here on our blog as an added value to our guests. All you have to do is enter the keyword of your city in the search box to find what you’re looking for.

4. A Temporary Home Away From Home.
All of the little things that many people have to worry about when relocating or moving to a new city like Toronto are taken care of for you through DelSuites. Your employees walk into a fully furnished modern apartment, complete with a welcome bag containing a start up supply of snackToronto Executive Rentalss, laundry and dish detergent, etc. In addition, a fully stocked kitchen, ensuite laundry, free wifi, cable TV in both the living room and bedroom. To help settle in, there is a Pre-Arrival Grocery Service available for an extra cost. We will even pick up your employee from the airport and drive them in comfort directly to their building with our airport transportation services.

5. No Taxes.
All of our rentals include taxes. There are no added charges, which makes budgeting easier for your company or HR Department when considering to relocate an employee.

If you are considering sending your employees to Toronto for a project, assignment or relocation, feel free to get in contact with us should Toronto executive rentals be required. We look forward to hearing from you.

Community Events, Entertainment, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel

Our Top Five Favourite Summer Festivals in Toronto 2015

July 10, 2015

Summer Festivals in Toronto The summer season is Toronto’s chance to shine, and especially this year with the number of visitors touching down in the city for the Pan Am Games. While you enjoy your stay at one of our short term or long term furnished apartment, we encourage you to see a festival this summer. There are over 50 summer festivals in Toronto and they keep getting better each year. Here are our top five picks for July and August. Enjoy your stay!

Fringe Festival (July 1-12). This alfresco theatre festival is a cheap way to see performances in unusual venues across Toronto. It’s also a great date idea.Summer Festivals in Toronto

Way Home (July 24-25) Though not in Toronto, this music festival promises to be one of Ontario’s biggest, featuring artists like Neil Young and Sam Smith. 72 artists will be playing the three day festival amongst four stages. It’s a great way to get out of the city.

Toronto Food Truck Festival (August 1-2) A fun festival for the whole family, your chance to eat at Toronto’s favourite food trucks will also be an excuse to bike to and from Woodbine Park back to your furnished condo or apartment. Eating challenges, live music, Summer Festivals in Toronto and a children’s village will also be part of this tasty fest.

Summerworks (August 6-16)
If you missed Fringe, Summerworks will fill the void. The festival is a melange of theatre, dance, music, and live art showcasing Canadian and Torontonian curation.

Sweetery Toronto (August 15-16) Toronto’s first sweets festival features loot bags, pinatas, and so much more. The festival features advanced French Patisserie students from George Brown College, who will be preparing a sweet as part of their final evaluation, so it’s a great way to give back too.

What summer Festivals in Toronto are you looking forward to the most this summer?

Community Events, Entertainment, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, Vacation Travel

Neighbourhood Guide: The Toronto Beaches

July 3, 2015

The Toronto BeachesThe summer season is one the best times to be in Toronto yet sometimes, city living in the summer can be hot, muggy and crowded (even though our short term rentals Toronto are centrally located). The Toronto Beaches (or “The Beach,” as it has been intensely debated), located on the eastern edges of the Greater Toronto Region is one of those neighbourhoods which feels like a little village, enabling you to escape the city without having to leave it. Here are a few of our favourite things to do if you have a day to explore the Toronto Beaches.

1. Explore the Martin Goodman Trail. The trail extends from east to west from the three separate parts of the beach along the lakeshore: Balmy, Kew, and Woodbine. The best way to see this is by biking if you’re coming from our furnished apartment rentals at our downtown locations. That said, you can easily walk, run, or rollerblade the three beaches. If you map this out with a few key pit stops in between to picnic or to go to a restaurant on Queen Street East, this is a scenic way to explore the city.The Toronto Beaches

2. Swim! Though the water is deemed safe by the Toronto Department of Public Health (you can check for updates here and on your smartphone), you can also take the opportunity to swim at the Donald D. Summerville Olympic pool. Located at the foot of Woodbine Avenue and in the heart of Woodbine Beach, the pool is currently undergoing a $3.75 million capital renovation project to be completed in time for the Pan Am Games.  If you are here for a longer term stay with your family or you like to swim, you may want to consider enrolling your kids in the Toronto Swim Summer Camp, or as an adult, enrol in the masters swim program or triathlon club.

3. Volleyball. If you pass by the western edge of Woodbine Beach, also known as Ashbridge’s Bay, you’re lucky to see rows of volleyball nets with lively players jumping up to the net with the music blaring to the skies. Want to go beyond people watching and try your hand at a spike? Check out the Ashbridge’s Bay Beach Volleyball Team or find a league through Beach Blast or the Ontario Volleyball Organization.

4. Events. The Toronto Beaches are home to many events, especially in the summertime. The biggest event is the Beaches Jazz Festival in

The Toronto Beaches

Boardwalk- Woodbine beach, Toronto | Photo Credit: Don Gunn

mid-July, which spans for two weeks. All event listings are here.

5. Watch a Movie. Beyond the boardwalk is a lively strip on Queen Street full of businesses, including the Fox Theatre. Located on the fringe of the Beach, this repertory theatre has been in business for over a century and is another way to discover the area and also watch a good film that you may have missed in the theatres.

Whether you’re living in Scarborough, Mississauga, Markham or North York, the Toronto Beaches are a wonderful area to explore and come back to from time to time when you want to escape the “city.”