Last Minute Neighbourhood Help?

Travel Info
My bf and I are moving to TO in February from Ottawa and are off to find and apartment for the next couple of days. This was all last minute as he just got a job offer.

I'm looking for some help to find a 2 bedroom apartment that will allow a chihuahua. Rent would be around 1000 -1200$, give or take a bit. I'm hoping for a commute no long than 30-40 mins max to King St. West.

I'm worried about landing in the wrong neighborhood. We know nothing about this place! Even worse, we need to sign a lease by Wednesday. All help and suggestions are appreciated very, very much!

Travel Tips

You shouldn't have a problem finding a decent apartment in that price range. You can get some good deals the further you are away from Yonge & Bloor and the downtown core.

I live in High Park which is in the west-end. I work in King West and it takes me about 20 minutes to communte via streetcar in the morning to work.
You shouldn't have too hard of a time commuting to King W. from just about anywhere. The Annex, Liberty Village, Little Italy, Koreatown, etc. are all good areas that will get you to King W quickly- lots of direct streetcars or by subway and streetcar. Even if you have direct access to the Queen St Streetcar, you're only a few blocks walk to King West.

The only place to stay away from might be Parkdale.

Try:
http://www.craigslist.org
http://www.viewit.ca
http://www.rentersnews.ca

Others
Well, we found a place near Eglinton and Bathurst for a good price. Not as close as we would of liked but it's only a 30 minute commute downtown. That's half of what I was doing in Ottawa.

Um, I'm not an expert or anything on neighboorhoods, but I suggest living downtown, or at least south of Eglington. That would make the most sense if you want to commute to King St, though it depends how west you are. However, just as long as you don't end up on Jane and Finch, I'm sure you'll be fine, lol.
just personal experience.
As u didnot mention where at king W if it is between Bathrust and Younge
try appt buildings at parliment st near to Parliment and bloor st E near to howard St.u can get somthing with in ur range
u can check Dalhousie St between queen st E and Dundas E other areas within down town r expensive
best of luck
There are a lot of area's you don't want to live in - and you'll definitely know them to see them!! Try the Danforth though - or riverdale. There are a few apt. buildings around and most are pet friendly. Lots of parks and as far as toronto goes, a fair number of trees.

There's a streetcar leaving Broadview station that goes to King Street - or the subway.. like the others asked, you didn't specify how far on King you need to go west.

Check out craigslist or viewit.ca to get an idea.

The beach is great too... but kinda annoying to commute in and out of.