Do you say you just moved to Toronto? Congratulations!
Now comes the hard part.
Expect Expense
The first and most important thing to keep in mind about life in Toronto is that things tend to cost more here than in other parts of Canada. Homes for sale in Toronto are notably expensive, while rentals are among the priciest in the country. And that’s not even taking into account the cost of utilities, groceries, and other essentials.
There is a silver lining to all this, though: as high as the cost of living is, the quality of life in Toronto is just as high. For example, in 2020 it came in at number 13 in a ranking of the best cities to live in worldwide.
Embrace Diversity
Some things to know about Toronto: 1. The city’s foreign-born population is among the largest of any major city on Earth. 2. The city encompasses more than 250 different ethnicities and 170 languages. 3. More than half of all city residents identify as a member of a minority group.
What does all this mean? It means that Toronto is one of the most diverse places in all of Canada. It also means that you’re likely to run into all kinds of people from different walks of life. Be open to that and you may not only learn something about other cultures but even make some new friends as well.
Ditch the Car
Toronto is a busy city full of people on the move. If you’re one such person, you might think owning your own car gives you a distinct advantage. Think again. In addition to heavy traffic at all hours of the day, parking in Toronto can be hard to find and overpriced when you finally do find it.
Good thing, then, that Toronto has such good and varied public transit options. In addition to the Metro trains and streetcars, one of the city’s most unique methods of transportation is the PATH, a network of underground tunnels packed full of stores and other services that provide a safe, fast alternative to trying to cross the busy streets above.
Shop Smart
As noted previously, the cost of living in Toronto is high. So high in fact that many Toronto natives have a few useful tips and tricks to help save money on essential items.
One of the biggest is taking advantage of the proximity between Toronto and Buffalo, New York. A short drive down to the USA is a good way to avoid paying Canada’s high sales taxes, while also getting a discount due to America’s relatively lower costs for staple goods like food and clothes.
Get Local Help
One of the great things about living in a city of immigrants is that most of the locals weren’t always locals. As a result, a lot of them know all too well what it’s like when you’re trying to adjust to a strange, new city. This is why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help.
As much good advice as a web article like this can provide, it’s nothing compared to the insight that someone who’s called Toronto home for years has to share. Your neighbors can offer suggestions on everything from who has the best poutine to which neighborhoods to avoid. In short, they can give you all the information you need to not simply survive, but thrive.
