Hip-hop icon Drake may have officially put Toronto on the map, but any local will tell you that The Six has always been a dynamic, diverse, and downright fantastic place to live! So, whether you’re contemplating a relocation to Ontario’s capital city (and proudly Canada’s largest city), or are already packing your bags, here is everything you need to know about moving to Toronto!
Housing isn’t Cheap.
Like any big city worldwide, to live anywhere in Toronto, or close to the core, you have to be willing to pay a premium. Housing prices are high (and climbing) and the competition is fierce, whether you’re buying or renting. The average price for a house in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) just surpassed the $1 million mark in 2021, and while rental rates have softened over the past year, landlords are getting a lot pickier, so you really need to be properly prepared. Seeking the help of a professional in your home search process can go a long way towards helping you find the best deals within the best neighbourhoods.
Public Transportation Options are Plentiful.
Okay, we admit it, Torontonians are guilty of constantly complaining about our public transit any chance we get. But the reality is, Toronto offers a great selection of reliable, affordable transportation options to help you criss-cross the city without needing to sit stagnant in the middle of messy rush hour traffic. And because Toronto is so big, you’re likely to make use of some of these options shortly upon arrival!
The TTC (Toronto Transportation Commission) operates the subway, streetcar, and bus systems throughout the city, and the Go Train helps you to access the suburbs within the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. The eco-conscious commuter can even take advantage of the abundance of bike-share options across the city.
We’re Proudly Diverse.
The city of Toronto is best known for being home to a rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds, frequently earning us recognition as one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Over 140 languages are spoken here, and out of our population of nearly 3 million more than 50% are foreign-born! It’s for this reason that it doesn’t take long for Toronto newcomers to feel a sense of comfort and inclusion as a resident here.
Arguably the best part about our diverse population: in every pocket of the city, you’ll find taste-bud-tingling flavours from every corner of the world, from Afghani to Zambian…which in fact leads nicely to our next big brag:
Our Culinary Scene is Thriving.
In part due to our multicultural makeup (and perhaps the fact that we just really love good food), Toronto boasts an impressive array of vibrant fare guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning tastebuds! Whether you’re into up-scale innovative dining, underground dives dishing out great late-night comfort food, or trendy food trucks, Toronto has it all. In fact, the city is home to over 7,500 restaurants and bars, so your hardest decision is always going to be choosing where to go.
The City is Full of Parks!
Toronto may be full of towering condo and office towers, particularly within the core, but you don’t have to walk far to soak up a moment of calm in one of the city’s many green spaces and parks. Toronto boasts over 1,600 parks, as well as extensive trail systems that are perfect for hiking and biking enthusiasts alike. The crown jewel of Toronto’s park system is High Park; a 400 acre part in the city’s west end that features trails, recreational facilities, historic sites, and even a zoo! The park attracts thousands of visitors each spring who swarm to view the (highly Instagram-able) blooming Cherry Blossom trees.
In Rouge National Urban Park, a national park hugging Toronto’s eastern edge, you can even camp without even leaving the city.
Prepare for the Cold, Look Forward to the Heat.
Compared to the rest of Canada, Toronto’s winter temperatures may be considered mild, but newcomers from warmer climates may be shocked by how bone-chilling the first winter in Toronto can feel. Expect temperatures lower than – 10 degrees Celsius in the deepest depths of winter, which can feel even colder on a windy day.
So, how do Torontonians survive these polar temperatures? First of all, we have figured out how to layer, dress and invest in the right pieces. There is an art to this, including when and where to shop for colder climes, so it’s worth doing the research!
Torontonians also channel their inner-rodent and head underground! Toronto’s PATH system consists of 30km of underground walking paths in the heart of the downtown core, complete with over 1,200 shops and services. Many of the largest downtown office towers have direct underground access to the PATH system, allowing employees to grab a midday lunch and retail break without having to face winter’s wrath!
Fear not, the winter is made all the more bearable by the wonderfully sticky, hot summers, which is when the locals thaw out, show a little more skin, smile a little wider, and the streets of Toronto truly come to life. Your most important summertime skill as a Toronto resident will be learning how to snag a coveted spot on a sunny patio on a Friday afternoon.
As the unofficial Canadian “city that never sleeps”, the sights, sounds, and experiences in Toronto never end. With over 80 film and music festivals, parades, upwards of 200 performing arts organizations, endless nightlife options, and activities for every interest (no matter how niche), it won’t take long for you to feel like home here.
Keen to learn more about what this vibrant city has to offer? Reach out to your local relocation experts at relo-to for everything to you need to know about moving to Toronto!