How to correctly choose a school district housing in Toronto

2018 is coming to an end soon. I believe students in Toronto are already thinking about plans for the new semester next year. Children who are not in Toronto must also start making plans on how to apply for a visa if they decide to study here next year. . Now, based on the different types of families I have encountered, let me talk about the school district and school district housing selection issues that we are all concerned about.

A few years ago or more than ten years ago, people who came to Toronto were not only skilled immigrants, but also investment immigrants. Families with these two statuses came to Toronto and had residence status. The choice of housing to live in was based on the family’s financial situation. Different, relatively simple.

Families with particularly good economic conditions can choose Toronto's luxury residential areas, Rosedale, Foresthill, and Bridle Path. These three districts have always been the first choice for celebrities, politicians, and high-end people. It is located between downtown and North York, around Yonge Street.

These three areas are close to downtown, with mature communities, towering ancient trees, and elegant environments. More importantly, many top private schools are located nearby, making it very convenient to pick up and drop off children. These schools include boys' school Ucc, Cresent, girls' school Bss, Branksome Hall, Havergal, mixed school TFS, etc.

If you choose a public school, several well-known high schools such as: Lawrence park CI, Northern SS, Yorkmills, Leaside?, as well as several nearby elementary schools, are all ranked first in Toronto and even the province. We have many choices.

Families with relatively good economic conditions who do not want to buy expensive houses and live far away from the city are suitable to choose to live near North York. This area is particularly suitable for white-collar families to live in. The greening and community planning are very mature.

There are several good public schools in this area, including earl haig, William Lyon Mackenzie C.I, etc., each with its own characteristics. In particular, there are several highly ranked primary schools here with their own merits, attracting many families to rent. Apartments also have to send their children to these schools. For young families, it is indeed worth taking advantage of such a high-quality learning environment that does not require tuition.

Living here has convenient transportation and convenient life. Large and small restaurants are lined up on both sides of Yonge Street, especially famous for Korean, Chinese and other restaurants. There are also many fast food restaurants, which is especially suitable for People living in cities. Especially white-collar workers from China will be very uncomfortable coming to a large rural area like Toronto and being far away from the city. There is both a little hustle and bustle of the city and the silence of the countryside. Driving east or north, you can find many hometown-style restaurants and Chinese supermarkets, no matter near or far, making it the first choice for working people.

Moreover, there are many apartments in this community. For small families who are accustomed to urban life, if they like apartments, there are many choices, they do not cost much, and they can enjoy gyms, swimming pools... why not.

If you don’t like to be too close to urban life, and you like to be quiet without being restricted by your work location, you have many choices. You can choose Thornhill, Markham and Richmond. The schools in these three communities are all good. There are many top ten high schools and elementary schools, including public schools and church schools.

The houses in these three communities are relatively new, and there are many Chinese people. There are many Chinese restaurants and supermarkets around. If you are used to eating Chinese food, living close to them is also a blessing! The disadvantage is that there is no subway.

Of course, if you want to learn some English, make some foreign friends, and don’t want to live with your compatriots, you can choose to live in several areas such as Oakville and Burlington, where there are as big as the sea. The beautiful Lake Ontario also has a large yard that cannot be found in your neighbor's house. There is also the famous private school Appleby College here. The large and beautiful campus makes you stop and look at it.

Regarding the issue that families with Toronto residence status should pay attention to when choosing to buy a school district house (public school district), if you are interested in a school, you must go to the Toronto District School Board’s website. According to the school Regional restrictions, check whether the house you want to choose is within the requirements. There are some very popular schools. Even if the house you choose is right next to the school, you may not be able to enroll in this school. Remember to check!

In fact, there are many places to choose from in Toronto. You need to get to know them slowly, and I will introduce them to you slowly.

What I talked about in the above part is the choice of families with residence status.

Let me briefly talk about the issues that foreigners should pay attention to when choosing housing in a school district in Canada.

In the past two years, with the issuance of ten-year visas, many tourists without local residence status have come to live in Toronto and brought their children to study. They are what are called foreigners.

Before the first half of 2017, the real estate market was very hot, which I believe had a lot to do with buyers from abroad. After April 2017, after the implementation of the policy that foreigners needed to pay taxes when buying houses, Toronto's housing market cooled down.

But there are still many people who come here to study. Why? The Toronto School Board allows foreign children to study in local public schools. The selection of public schools is also based on the home address. The address of the purchased or rented house is valid. The only difference is that you have to pay part of the tuition fee. Compared with some private schools in China and private schools here, the fee is already very low. Many middle-class Chinese send their children here very early and have their mothers accompany them to study.

Children from this group of families can consider choosing Toronto public schools in two parts, the elementary school, junior high school and high school.

In the junior high school of primary schools, students are basically assigned to schools based on their residential addresses. The residential address can be purchased or rented.

The high schools will be different. Many high schools have new regulations. For example, EARL HAIG High School. Starting from this year, students with foreign status will not be able to attend this school. Students in the same campus will be admitted in accordance with the regulations. Home addresses are assigned to various nearby schools.

If you choose a school in York Region, it will be different. Many high schools and elementary schools can accept foreign students, but whether the policy will change and whether there is a limit on the number of places accepted, it must be based on the latest information from the Education Bureau every year. regulations are implemented.

Many foreigners have misunderstandings about private and public schools when choosing schools. Not all private schools are good, and not all public schools are bad. Maybe some private schools are not suitable for your child, and maybe some public schools are just right for your child. We need to analyze the characteristics of the students and choose the right school. .

Regarding the issue of new taxes that foreigners need to pay when purchasing houses, two points need to be noted:

1. Who can get a tax refund?

Those who have become Canadian citizens or residents within 4 years from the date of purchase;

International students at colleges and universities who have been full-time students for two years or more;

Legal work permit holders who have worked full-time for one year or more.

The government will refund your taxes and pay interest, but the home purchased must be your primary residence and be owned solely by him/her and your spouse.

Emphasis: International students cannot register property rights with their parents when buying a house, otherwise they will not be able to get a tax refund.

Minor students under the age of 18 cannot register property rights alone.

2. Which areas need to pay an additional 15% tax

Non-residents who buy a house in the Golden Horseshoe District of Ontario must pay a foreign speculation tax of 15% of the additional house price

Buying a house in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region (GGH) of Ontario is subject to Ghana's 15% foreign buyers tax. The GGH region includes: Brant, Dufferin, Durham, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Kawartha Lakes, Niagara, Northumberland, Peel, Peterborough, Simcoe, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington and York.

In addition to tax issues and the relationship between the house address and the corresponding school, there is another issue that parents should pay most attention to when choosing housing for foreigners: Does the chosen school have ESL classes? , it is especially important for students with weak English foundation.

These problems may seem simple, but there are a lot of trivial matters in the process of handling them. Families who hope to buy a house in a school district can consult and get professional help.

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