Toronto Bed Sharing: A New Trend or a Desperate Measure? - VK Virals

This article explores the trend of bed sharing in Toronto, where people rent out the other half of their bed to strangers to afford their rent. It examines the reasons, the risks, and the implications of this phenomenon.

Sleeping with Strangers: How Toronto's Skyrocketing Rent Prices Have Led to a New Trend of Bed Sharing

Toronto is known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, with the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment reaching $2,300 in 2023¹. The high cost of living has forced many people to look for alternative and creative ways to afford their rent, such as living in tiny apartments, co-living spaces, or even renting out their couches. But a new trend has emerged recently that has raised some eyebrows: bed sharing.

Bed sharing is exactly what it sounds like: renting out the other half of your bed to a stranger who needs a place to sleep. Some people have started to list their bed space on websites like Roomies.ca⁴ or Kijiji⁵, offering a nightly or monthly rate for sharing their mattress. The prices vary depending on the location, the size of the bed, and the amenities included, but they usually range from $500 to $1,500 per month.

The reasons why people choose to bed share are also diverse. Some are students or newcomers who are struggling to find affordable housing in the city. Some are travelers or freelancers who only need a temporary place to stay. Some are simply looking for companionship or intimacy in a lonely city. And some are just trying to make some extra money to pay their bills.

But bed sharing is not without its risks and challenges. There are obvious issues of privacy, safety, hygiene, and comfort that come with sharing a bed with a stranger. There are also legal and ethical questions about whether bed sharing is allowed by the landlords, the tenants, or the city. And there are social and psychological implications of how bed sharing affects the relationships, the self-esteem, and the mental health of the people involved.

Bed sharing is not a new phenomenon, as people have been doing it for centuries in different cultures and contexts. But it is a new trend in Toronto, where the housing market has become increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible for many people. Whether bed sharing is a viable solution or a desperate measure, it reflects the reality and the challenges of living in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Conclusion:

Bed sharing is a controversial and unconventional way of coping with the high cost of living in Toronto. It has its benefits and drawbacks, depending on the needs and preferences of the people involved. But it also raises questions about the sustainability and the fairness of the housing market in the city, and the impact it has on the well-being of its residents. Bed sharing may be a temporary solution for some, but it is not a long-term answer for the housing crisis in Toronto.