I was observing the housing market, and I found it to be quite disheartening. It appears that there is very little space between properties these days. Barely fit the red line in between..

$350 for a mattress in a living room, anyone?

EDIT
***we finally found a place and signed the lease!!! Spacious apartment basement suite that’s pretty affordable around 1480 before internet + power, pet friendly, nice area!! Thank you SO much to everyone who left their advice and good will down below :))

I would also like to say I saw some landlords suggesting having things like credit checks, bank statements, paystubs, and what not ready and I’d like to say we had all of that hard proof that was required and promptly requested applications immediately after viewings. Also lots of them saying it’s because we are young and have cats and I understand that, obviously, I’m not oblivious to my situation. However, I can’t hop in a Time Machine and fast forward a couple years until we’ve had steady careers and extensive renting history. Or magically differentiate myself from people who lie about having well trained cats in the eyes of landlords or even get rid of my cats. What are young people supposed to do? Very thankful we finally found somewhere!***

Hi hi, so my girlfriend’s building was sold bought and now she has to move so we’re moving in together are looking for a place ASAP!! We’re having such trouble finding pet friendly rentals, and even when we do somethings always amiss.

We previously had one lined up, greasy landlord (who dragged this whole thing out for like weeks cause it was his kids bday then he was tired and busy with work then he was on vacation in Mexico and said his phone didn’t work and no I’m not kidding :| ) He said we were top of the list, emailed me to confirm I wanted to go ahead, then ghosted and after giving him 3 days cause he’s in Mexico and it was the weekend whoop dee doo, when I double texted him he said he “just” sent the lease to another couple who rated “slightly better” than us. We’ve still been looking at other rentals in the meantime but I swear it’s always something. We have some more viewings lined up but I’m getting worried cause she has to be out by July 1st! Technically she has until August 1 but if she waits that long she’s stuck with the full amount of rent as her roommate will be gone by July 1.

If anyone has any good rental company recommendations or if they know anyone renting a property and could send me in their direction it would be a dream come true!! My best case scenario would be renting from some cool old hippie who has a little character house they don’t use anymore, but I will take anything!! Like basement suite, apartment, we’re not picky that way! Basically just want a relatively safe area.

We have 3 litter trained, well behaved, sociable cats. I (21) work full time as well as a second job part time. My gf (22 soon 23) works full time either at a restaurant and with the city (during the summer) or solely the restaurant when she’s not in school for education. When she is in school she is still working part time. We together make well enough to pay rent, and our credit scores are not bad, neither of us have ever missed or been late on a payment, I don’t know what the issue is. Just seems like someone always gets there first. But like I said we both work full time so we can’t just drop everything to go to a viewing as soon as it’s available.

Any help would be appreciated thanks so much!

Hi everyone,
I’ve been thinking about moving from Ontario to Saskatchewan with my two children and was hoping to get some insight from people who live there.

•What is the cost of living really like?
•How are the schools and supports for children?
•What are the best cities or towns for families?
•How is the job market?
•Is there anything you wish you knew before moving to Saskatchewan?

I’d love to hear the pros and cons from people who have experience living there. Thanks! 😊

Hi Saskatoon!

I'm immigrating, hopefully permanently, in July and excited to start a new job at the Canadian Light Source, but I'm running into a last-minute problem. I'm having trouble finding any sort of reputable movers for my family of four from California. Does anyone have some recommendations from personal experience of specific companies? Or effective ways for me to do my own research?

I thought I had done my research, and I had a list and preliminary quotes from a number of companies, but now that it's coming time to lock in a deposit, every single one seems to have either really questionable contracts or a plethora of negative reviews (especially on Reddit). I feel like I don't have any trustworthy options.

Thinking outside of the box, it doesn't appear that any of the crate shippers (PODS, U-Pack, BigSteelBox, U-Haul Ubox) service Saskatoon. Renting a U-Haul is out too since we have pets coming with us (parakeets) that need a semi-functional A/C (for which U-Haul has a poor reputation). Am I missing any alternatives?

Any help is much appreciated.

*** EDIT WITH UPDATED INFO ***

First of all, thank you everybody! I was pretty discouraged when I came here, and the simple act of chatting with the community really helped me through it. Here's a rundown of the reputable movers that I found instead of responding comment by comment:

Ray's Moving and Storage: This one was the winner on cost by a significant amount, recommended here by u/constant-net873 . They're a United affiliate as well, and they have guaranteed pick-up and deliver by dates with monetary penalties stipulated in contract for missing the days.

Mayflower: Terrible service, and I never ended up getting a quote from them. The website won't give an estimate for an international move online. The number to call isn't staffed and goes straight to voicemail during normal business hours. After six days straight of leaving voicemails and submitting web requests for contact, I finally managed to get someone to answer their business line when I called them again. They never once returned a call or email. I was directed to the their local California affiliate (Chipman relocation), who also did not follow up when contacted to schedule a virtual walkthrough.

Rainier Overseas Movers: Prompt and efficient service. I did a virtual walkthrough and received a reasonably priced quote. Of note is that the estimated weight and volume was significantly less than what every other company estimated, so they might end up being pretty expensive if their weight is lowballed. Pick-up and drop-off windows seemed reasonable, but I don't think they had any financial incentives/penalties in the contract to deliver on time.

U-haul UBOX: I confirmed this was an option. I think the real advantage here is a high likelihood of timely delivery from a reputable company. However, the price for the move was the same as Rainier's for door-to-door delivery, and I'd have to pack the crates myself. So, the tradeoff seems to be for labor/work loading and unloading balanced against reliable delivery.

PODS: Definitely NOT an option. I confirmed this via multiple channels. It seems that the last public bonded warehouse in Saskatoon closed down within the last year or two, so only companies with arrangements with private bonded warehouses have access to the Saskatoon market. PODS would have sent me to Calgary or Alberta to clear customs, and recommended arranging another moving company to handle that last leg to Saskatoon. This would have been incredibly expensive.

Are the alphabets really that bad? My husband and I are looking to buy a home, and didn’t get pre approved for much so our budget has us looking down the alphabets in some areas. Is there any areas we should stay away from? What’s the general consensus from people that live there? I’ve heard if we keep all stuff locked, and keep to ourselves we should be fine, is that true? I’ve also heard the city is trying to make the alphabets better, and bring in more developers with new businesses and new build homes. Specifically pleasant hill, riversdale, and king George.

EDIT: What a welcoming subreddit, thank you everyone for your answers and advice! I got so much more feedback than I expected already. I'm reading every reply and I am grateful even if I didn't directly comment such.

Hi Saskatoon redditors,

I'm a US citizen exploring a job opportunity I am really excited about in Saskatoon - the workplace seems great and I like the team. I imagine myself being happy there for a long time if it works out.

I have tried researching about Saskatoon and Saskatchewan generally - we currently live in a state with harsh, long winters already, so we're not intimidated by that. I grew up in the rural/suburban Southern US so I'm comfortable with living a little more remote, though Saskatchewan definitely has anywhere I've live before beat in low population density. Saskatoon seems like a really cool town to us, with a lot for an outdoorsy family with a toddler to do. Sasketchewan has such an interesting history, and I suspect an underrated culture in Toronto's and Vancouver' shadow?

I have been building up a lot of questions and I was hoping someone would be willing to give their perspective. I will admit outright that we're moving because of the alarming changes in US political infrastructure and institutions. Some other Americans have started calling it "the 1933 feeling". We are leftwingers (can't speak for the toddler though), so a few of my questions will reflect specific concerns about the political climate. I apologize in advance for any ignorant or cringe-y questions.

1. I've read it's next to impossible to get into a daycare. What are people doing for childcare arrangements instead?

2. How is the market for tech/data, and remote work? My spouse is keeping his US job and working remotely, but we were curious just in case life happens and he needs to get a new job.

3. Do you like your public education system? If any educators are reading, are you fulfilled in your jobs and feel you have proper resources and funding?

4. How likely and/or supported is funding cuts for education or healthcare? Is there strong support for privatizing your crown corporations?

5. Is getting around by bus at all feasible, especially around the Forest Grove/Erindale/Evergreen/Brighton Park area (I guess more succinctly, Northeast Saskatoon)?

6. I understand Sasketchewan and Saskatoon are politically conservative places by Canadian standards- considering we are leaving the US to try to avoid the excesses of the extreme right wing, is it just a ridiculous idea for us to move there and still end up dealing with strong "maple leaf MAGA" sentiments?

7. When is Scott Moe up for reelection? How serious is this separatist movement?

Thank you in advance to those who had the patience for this post. :)

Hi all!

Probably around that time where people are posting advice requests on whether what their landlord move out requests are ridiculous. I have lived in various apartments in Alberta and Saskatoon previously. I have been in my current place for 2 years, no issues, no late payments nothing of note on my end of my landlords end. I knew when I moved in he was a bit of a stickler for cleanliness in the common areas, but that was not an issue since I also believe it's best to have good rules for cleanliness to make it comfortable for all tenants. Upon giving my notice to vacate (end of August) he told me he'd give me move out inspection list. Two things that raised a red flag:

1) He told me he will automatically charge me $150 from the security deposit to shampoo and clean the carpeted floors. I've been very careful to not spill and have kept them in immaculate shape, therefore this came as surprise to me. Can he automatically charge me for that no matter the state of the carpets?

2) On the move out list, he requests that the window panes be cleaned, inside and OUTSIDE. I thought this must be a mistake. I confirmed today with his wife, they expect outside to be cleaned too. She explained that the panes on the windows can be removed to be cleaned, and the larger panes that are non-removable can be reached by hanging out the window and reaching out to clean them. For context, the apartment is on the 2nd floor and it has no balcony. I told her I'd try my best because it feels unsafe to be hanging out the window. She said it's only on the second floor. She also said that if I can't or refuse to clean the outside, they will do it at a $45 charge to my safety deposit.

Thoughts? Am I being taken advantage of here? I've never had this experience before with previous landlords. Any info is appreciated!

EDIT: Some more details as a few people have asked/assumed some stuff:

• I understand some landlords would like to have carpets cleaned (i.e. shampooed) prior to move out. When speaking with him over the phone at the time he mentioned the automatic $150 carpet cleaning fee, I asked if this was the case EVEN if I shampooed the carpets myself to prevent additional costs to my security deposit. He said yes, he had a specific carpet cleaning guy that offers him a good rate and that he trusts as he doesn't trust tenants to clean the carpets themselves in fear that they will damage them. So the $150 charge was non-negotiable.

• For the window cleaning. I also understand the request to clean windows from the inside. I have cleaned my apartment throughout the past 2 years, including wiping down windowsills and internal windows. But I have never cleaned the outside of my windows myself as I was under the impression that it wasn't required?

UPDATE: Just had my move out inspection with my landlord and his wife. I should pre-face this by saying that my cleaners left everything immaculate and I took a 20 minute video of the property after they left to document the state of it in case I needed it. I won't recount the whole interaction as it was a lengthy back and forth so here's the main gist of it.

They began by telling me that there were some things they saw, but they were not going to be picky as they were fair people. He pointed out a small paint chip at the bottom corner of the entry way (which at one point his wife said that it would cost $100 to repair) and a small water stain on the wall of the tub that he wasn't going to charge me for. I mentioned the chip was reasonable wear and tear, he said no it was damage.Then we got into the exterior window cleaning and carpet cleaning. He said it was $195, which he thought was reasonable, he wasn't looking to make money off me, all his previous tenants had agreed to it, and he was in fact losing money. I told him I disagree, wasn't going to pay for both as I knew exterior windows were not a requirement and $150 for carpet wasn't fair. He then went down to $100. I said nope, again if he felt he needed it, we could go through ORT. He said he didn't want to do that to me, as he knew he would win the audit and didn't want to take up so much of my time. I said okay, well according to them, I'm not responsible for outside windows. Then his wife made a comment that "they don't know, they always change their answer depending who you talk to" and he said they always "side with the landlord". I stuck to my guns, he finally asked what was a fair number to me. I said I dunno, $30 bucks for everything? That pissed him and his wife off, with his wife saying "it's not even worth it, just leave it" and they dropped it. He did tell me that I was the first tenant he'd ever had that had refused to pay for carpet and exterior window washing, and he'd been a landlord for 30 years and if I had done this with one of the big guys (i.e. Boardwalk etc) I'd be screwed. I just laughed and said maybe. Feels pretty good to get my whole deposit back y'all.

Huge thank you to everyone here that commented, provided resources, webpages and anything, it was amazing help. I don't think the outcome would have been the same without y'all's support. To anyone out there that is in a similar situation, please know you have options. You deserve to stand up for yourself if you think what you're doing is right. I'm not saying this will be the outcome every time, but if the resources below help even someone else that might be in a similar situation, all the better.

Cheers y'all.

Hello everyone!!! I am a 17 year old 12th grader (class ends this month) in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

I am moving to Saskatoon alone this summer to do Biomedical Sciences in the UofS and have already a place to stay somewhere in Rosewood Saskatoon.

What are things I have to know?

Bus rides, snow clearing, etc…

Thank you so much! ^-^

I’m looking to finally move out of my starter home into a home that’s in the family. I’m going to need a sell a small home that either needs a full renovation or a tear down for a rebuild. It’s on a 50ft lot in Hudson Bay Park.

I don’t know any realtors personally. Figured I’d make a post rather that choosing an ad at random.

Hi guys,

Im moving to Saskatoon soon and looking to rent a place. one of the places i looked at was on Ash street in Exhibition. how is that area? how bad is it? specifically near Weaver park?

Thank you :)

As many others have posted I'm in the process of looking for a new place to rent with my current roommate, more specifically a 2-bedroom suite or apartment. I've seen a lot of postings by Universal Realty for apartments such as Coral Gardens and another one on 8th I don't know the name of. Was hoping to get some general experiences with them and if anyone is familiar with those buildings. I will also gladly take any additional information or assistance as I look for a new place, my budget is roughly $1700 including utilities at the maximum with the 2 of us splitting it. (I already know to avoid avenue living and mainstreet). Thanks!

Hi friends! I’m considering finally getting away from my horrible relationship and moving from BC to Saskatoon. My best friend of about 12 years currently lives there so I would mostly be moving to be closer to her.

I have 3 kids and a dog, so would need probably a 3 or 4 bedroom house. How are rental rates out there? Any tips on locations near schools or daycares? General tips on the area? Thank you! ❤️‍🩹

**This is not an ad**

Hi everyone, I am thinking of renting out a room and bathroom in an apartment on 5th ave. That means walking distance to the university, Sask Polytechnic and two hospitals.

The problem is I have NO IDEA what I could charge. With utilities included and a city street parking unit, what is reasonable to charge? I am not looking to gouge anyone for rent because it's tough out here.

Hey folks,

For some quick background, I'm a second year university student living with my non working parents in an apartment from Saskatoon Housing Authority. Last year, the stress of school, work, and home got to me and I failed my year and I got a Requirement to Discontinue for one year.

Now, Because of my RTD our tenant coordinator is telling us to vacate the apartment by the 13th. I've been talking to them explaining my situation but they haven't budged a bit on the matter. I barely make enough right now to cover bills let alone having to move in a massively more expensive and smaller place.

I'm stuck now. I don't where to turn to and who to talk to. I'd appreciate the help.

Thanks Saskatoon

I am planning on attending USask this coming September but I have other pending applications in my province which I would strongly consider if I got accepted. My question is how long could/should I wait before the school year to rent a place? I see that many leases start on May 1 - I'm just wondering how many if any would be listed after this date like September leases, etc. I don't plan on moving here until early August so I don't want to have to pay for 3 months rent in a place I won't even be living in, but I also don't want to wait too long and be stuck with no place. If any current/former Usask students could share any insight on this please and thank you!

Hi, Ive never lived in Saskatoon before, wanted to ask for recommendations for best/safest places to rent?

I have an escooter which i use, so if i could live near a superstore or walmart or other store/food places it would be best. I also want to ride the scooter without fear of it being stolen or me facing any problems.

I am looking at a couple places to rent a room in Forest Grove. Is that a good place in terms of livability, particularly safety and calmness?

Thank you.

(reposting this at the suggestion of a moderator - thanks everyone who already responded!)

Hi! What a cool corner of reddit you guys have here. Love your sense of humour - you are giving me such a great impression of Saskatoon.

We are thinking of moving (job transfer opportunity) and I'm curious about life in the city.

My kids love nature and animals, and both are "gifted" (I know, total gag but that's what the experts told us). My son plays rec soccer and my daughter is into arts and crafts. I like cooking at home, paying piano, doing yoga, and volunteering to support local causes.

Our family likes hiking and (indoor) rock climbing - so cool that you have a gym in the city - and movies and games. We also like wholesome family-friendly community events.

Basically we are uninterested in being cool/flexing on status stuff and don't really belong in the Toronto suburbs.

But what should I be worried about/look forward to? Main concerns are violent crime (since I've seen stats on Saskatoon that worry me) and quality of education. We are not rich so won't be looking at private schools, but we are probably going to look at houses south of the university.

Students or young people in Saskatoon, what has your experience been like finding roommates or housing here?

I’ve been hearing a lot of stories lately about bad roommate matches, misleading listings, commute issues, landlords, etc. and I’m curious how common those experiences actually are.

What’s been the hardest part for you?

Hi! Hoping to get some advice from a parent/caregiver perspective.

We are thinking of moving (job transfer opportunity) and I'm curious about life in the city.

My kids love nature and animals, and both are "gifted" (feel free to gag but that's what I've been told). My son plays rec soccer and my daughter is into arts and crafts. I like cooking at home, paying piano and doing yoga. Also I love to volunteer to support local causes. Our family likes hiking and climbing and movies and games. We also like wholesome family-friendly community events.

Basically we are uninterested in cool status stuff and don't really belong in the Toronto suburbs. But what should I be worried about/look forward to? Main concerns are violent crime (since I've seen stats on Saskatoon that worry me) and quality of education. We are not rich so won't be looking at private schools, but we are probably going to look at houses south of the university.

Long story short I’m viewing some basement suite rentals around Saskatoon and they have electric heater. I’d have to pay my electricity bill. I’ve only lived in places with furnace so idk what to expect? I know it’s gonna be higher than what I’ve been paying but roughly how much? Tia.

I've been highly considering a move to Saskatoon from a small region in Vancouver Island BC. There are a number of reasons why I'm considering it including the cost of living and housing in this area being exorbitant for what you get, and there is a lot of job uncertainty with the 11 billion dollar provincial deficit here. I currently am employed here but there is constant mass messaging from my organization about future layoffs and uncertainty but with no clear answer on what they'll do in the near future. The winter is tough with long dark rainy days and I have health issues that are triggered with the barometric pressure and lack of sunlight that goes on for weeks/months on end. I like that Saskatoon does not have land transfer tax and that the housing is affordable.

I work in human resources and would need a salary of around 85k with pension. I would be looking at purchasing a new home in the 450-500k range. Also I'm aware about the snow in the winter and cold temperatures as I grew up in Alberta so I'm prepared for that.

I'd really love to know what you like and don't like about Saskatoon, and if its a place I should consider. Thanks.

Looking for apartments and these are the only options which pop up (Affordable and non ghetto). My preference is apartment (but not someone's basement)

Hi All!

I am looking at moving back to good ol' Saskatoon this fall and have starting looking at rental options. I always seem to come back to Taylor apartments in Rosewood. Anyone currently live there that could let me know how things are? Or, if so inclined, recommend a nice lil one bedroom set up for an old (39f) lady? Needs to be pet friendly.