Living in Toronto, Ontario
Living in Toronto, Ontario: The Definitive Guide will provide you with almost everything you need to know about living in Toronto.
Toronto is a city and the provincial capital of Ontario in southeast Canada. It is Canada's most popular, multicultural city, and the financial and commercial hub of the nation.
Drop anchor in Toronto and discover many skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the tallest free-standing structure on land outside of Asia, the CN Tower.
CONTENTS
Where is Toronto?
Overview
Business and Jobs
Education
Where to Live?
Public Transportation
Restaurants and Nightlife
What to do in Toronto?
Where is Toronto?
Toronto has developed into a significant international trading hub thanks to its location on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, which makes up part of the border between Canada and the United States. It also benefits from access to major American industrial centers via the Great Lakes and Atlantic shipping via the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Moreover, Toronto is a centre for manufacturing, distribution, and transportation because it is situated on the edge of some of Canada's best farmland and has a climate that is conducive to growing a variety of crops.
Most importantly, this city has the most substantial economic ties to and influence from the United States because of its strategic location and a variety of political policies that support international trade. The city has experienced phenomenal growth since the second half of the 20th century, transitioning from "Toronto the Good," a rather sedate provincial town, to a vibrant, thriving, international metropolis.
Overview
One of the most challenging tasks when moving to Toronto is finding a good place to live. It is worthwhile to put some time and effort into planning and research to determine the best Toronto neighborhood for you as well as the different types of accommodations.
Rent for a single bachelor condo may cost you between $1,500 and $1,600 a month, and you should expect to compete with other tenants just to get the lease. Demand continues to outpace supply in Toronto's competitive rental market.
To sign a lease on your own, you might have to submit a credit check and get a reference from a previous landlord. You might think about renting shared housing when you first move to Toronto because those can be challenging for newcomers.
By doing so, you can get a reference from that landlord if you later decide to move out on your own. Additionally, it will give you some time to decide which Toronto neighborhood, if any, you think is best for you and your family before committing to a longer and more expensive lease.
Premiere Suites is the ideal choice if you would rather not share housing when you arrive in Toronto. Their professionally managed, audited, and insured rentals are larger than a hotel room, plus they include all appliances that are ready, tons of extra amenities, and bi-weekly housekeeping. In Toronto, prices start at $125 per night, which is much less expensive than a hotel!
Business and Jobs
Toronto consistently ranks at the top when it comes to global competitiveness, innovation, and quality of life, making it one of the best cities in the world to conduct business. Few cities in the world can provide such depth of talent, multi-sector strength, and a strong economic and financial engine.
A large, highly skilled, multilingual workforce of 1.4 million people, or one-sixth of the country's workforce, is available to Toronto's more than 86,700 businesses. Between the ages of 25 and 64, 64% of Toronto residents are post-secondary educated.
Education
Toronto's educational options offer a wide range of options between public and private systems as well as between English- and French-speaking schools and thus reflect the diversity of its population. Students can begin kindergarten in the public system at age four for no cost.
Students in high school can choose between general education programs that lead to college or trade school options or advanced education programs that lead to university admission.
Moreover, Toronto is a centre for manufacturing, distribution, and transportation because it is situated on the edge of some of Canada's best farmland and has a climate that is conducive to growing a variety of crops.
Toronto's educational options offer a wide range of options between public and private systems as well as between English- and French-speaking schools and thus reflect the diversity of its population. Students can begin kindergarten in the public system at age four for no cost.
Students in high school can choose between general education programs that lead to college or trade school options or advanced education programs that lead to university admission.
Where to Live?
The Beaches East
The Beaches is located on Lake Ontario's shore, just a few kilometers east of Toronto's financial and commercial sector. Streetcars from the Beaches take around 30 minutes to get to the business center. The region has a robust and family-friendly café culture, with plenty of eateries and bars for its residents (and significant numbers of visitors). Some inhabitants may find the neighborhood overly crowded at times.
The majority of the 20,000 Beaches people are of British Isles descent. The bulk of newcomers is still Britons and other Europeans. Visible minorities make up around one-tenth of the Beaches population, with the biggest ethnicities being Chinese and South East Asian.
A typical detached property in The Beaches will cost around $1.7 million, with higher prices in the more desirable areas. A typical townhouse costs $1.3 million, while a typical two-bedroom apartment costs $900,000 or more. While crime rates are seldom high on the Beaches, they are not as low as in our other options.
Etobicoke
Etobicoke has a lot to offer prospective residents seeking for a place to call home. There are several factors that contribute to Etobicoke being the finest location to live. If you're searching for a cheap location to live, Etobicoke is the place to be. This city boasts a thriving work market with plenty of opportunities. It also provides numerous options for those with families and provides their children with the opportunity for a good upbringing in a safe atmosphere.
The weather is mild and temperate throughout the year, making it ideal for individuals who enjoy outdoor activities. The area's variety is one of its finest aspects because of its residents' open demeanor toward new individuals from all walks of life—and if you ever grow bored of being in town, downtown Toronto is only minutes away.
Leaside
Leaside is recognized as one of Toronto's premier neighborhoods.
It is a rich, green neighborhood recognized for its high quality of life, strong schools, and easy road access to Toronto's commercial core (The Bayview extension). Leaside real estate is pricey; an average detached home on desirable streets can set you back more than $2.2 million. A typical two-bedroom townhouse should cost more than $1.1 million.
The majority of the present population is of British Isles heritage, and it remains a favourite destination for wealthy British immigrants. One-tenth of Leaside's population is made up of visible minorities, the most common of which are South East Asian and Chinese.
Scarborough
Scarborough is a neighbourhood in Toronto's east. Scarborough is noted for its diversity and lovely environment. Residents frequently brag about the Scarborough Bluffs, which are massive grey cliffs, as well as Rouge Park, Canada's first national urban park.
The Scarborough Museum, which provides tourists with an insight into the lives of early inhabitants, is a feature of the area. This is a lovely and well-kept area located directly beside Thomson Memorial Park's walking pathways.
Public Transportation
Airports
Two airports provide service to Toronto. Canada's main airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, is run by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. It offers connections to every continent and is ranked among the top 30 airports in the world for passenger volume and aircraft movements.
Take the UP Express (Union-Pearson Express), a dedicated express rail service that runs every 15 minutes between Union Station and Toronto Pearson airport. UP will transport you downtown in 25 minutes while providing free onboard WiFi.
One of the most practical urban airports in the world is Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (previously known as Toronto City Centre Airport). Porter Airlines and Air Canada both fly into this airport, which is on Toronto Island and only a short ferry ride or pedestrian tunnel away from the city's center.
By Train
Every day, visitors are brought into the city center by VIA Rail and AMTRAK. Toronto's Union Station is positioned in the heart of the city and has an underground tunnel that connects to the subway. With stops in Port Credit, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls, the Niagara GO Train is a weekend excursion train that departs from Union Station and travels to Niagara Falls. From Union station to Niagara Falls station, the ride lasts about two hours.
By Car
The Queen Elizabeth Way, Highways 2, 401, and 407, as well as others, connect Toronto to neighboring cities. shortest Canada-U.S. At Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Windsor, there are border crossings.
Nightlife and Restaurants
Nightlife
Toronto's reputation as having a fantastic bar and club scene is well-founded. There are a ton of choices and locations to suit every preference. While Queen West typically has a more indie scene, King West is home to many bars and typically has a younger professional vibe.
Another area with many options is the Ossington Strip, which runs from Dundas Street to Queen Street. As opposed to nightclubs, which are typically located in the downtown or western areas of the city, the east end of the city tends to have more neighborhood bars.
There are many bars and clubs to choose from in the area of the Church & Wellesley intersection where the LGBT scene is concentrated. Although most bars close at 2.30 a.m., there are many nights throughout the year when some extend their hours to stay open until 4 a.m.
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Be prepared to wait a while for a table at Liberty Village's institution for decadent late-morning feasts, a guiding light for Toronto's tribe of devoted brunch-goers, on any given weekend.
Since it has been operating since 1989, Mildred's Temple Kitchen has maintained its reputation, which is a true testament to the caliber of the food and to its significance to the community.
Mrs. Biederhof's Wild Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes, unquestionably the restaurant's signature dish and arguably the most Instagrammable stack of pancakes, maybe the reason for the three-hour waits.
Edulis
Leaside is recognized as one of Toronto's premier neighborhoods.
The facade of this charming restaurant looks more like a country cottage than one of Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, tucked away on a quiet street in the middle of Toronto's busy King West neighborhood. The 30-seat restaurant, Edulis, which is run by husband and wife team Tobey Nemeth and Michael Caballo, has gained recognition on both a national and international level.
It was even listed among The World's 50 Best. Seasonal ingredients and chef Caballo's love of foraging, particularly for mushrooms, influence the menu's frequent changes.
Mamakas Taverna
Toronto is home to several eateries that specialize in Aegean cuisine, and it has one of the largest Greek populations outside of the Greek diaspora. One of the most renowned Greek restaurants is located on Toronto's west end, which may come as a surprise given that the majority of Greek restaurants are concentrated in Greektown, also known as The Danforth, or in Toronto.
The Mamakas Taverna, a fixture on the Ossington Strip, is a part of the Mamakas Food Group, which also includes the nearby Bar Koukla and Agora Greek Market. The corner restaurant, which Thanos Tripi founded in 2014, is frequently praised for serving the best Greek food in Toronto.
Fresh
Fresh was partly instrumental in dispelling the myth that plant-based food was one-dimensional and unappealing. Fresh's menu includes burgers, sandwiches, bowls, pizza, dumplings, desserts, and more.
The Quinoa Onion Rings, a menu favorite, are covered in breadcrumbs and puffed quinoa and rival any non-plant-based version of the meal. Without Fresh's commitment to innovating and pushing limits, the plant-based movement would not be where it is today in the city.
Terroni Group
Terroni has established itself in Toronto. Terroni has three locations in Toronto, including two Sud Forno locations, La Bettola di Terroni, Bar Centrale, Spaccio, and STOCK T.C. There is also a Terroni establishment in Los Angeles. As the need for at-home solutions grows in the present climate, the group has even created an Italian meal delivery service named PORTA.
What is today Toronto's centre for classic Italian cooking began in 1992 when Cosimo Mammoliti and his partner Paolo Scoppio built the first Terroni store on Queen West, which was then grungy and derelict. Terroni has remained faithful to its original identity throughout its 30 years in business, focused on acquiring the greatest available ingredients.
Richmond Station
Richmond Station, a restaurant in Toronto's Downtown Core that was founded in 2012 by "Top Chef Canada" champion Carl Heinrich, embodies what a restaurant in a major city should be.
"We adore this city and enjoy entertaining guests and making delicious meals for them. We consider it an honor to be one of Toronto's key restaurants and to have received so many wonderful visitors over the years”, says Heinrich.
What to do in Toronto?
Visit the top things to do in Toronto through your local library
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario are among the best museums and galleries in Canada. Did you know that you can access these and other attractions for free? If not, go to your local Toronto Public Library and become a member before taking use of the Museum + Arts Pass.
Enjoy your local park
Toronto has around 1,500 parks, with High Park being by far the largest. If you're looking for things to do in Toronto, bring a picnic or your skates and head outside.
Explore everything it has to offer throughout the year, from walking on the frozen Grenadier Pond in winter to the lovely cherry blossoms in spring, the free zoo in summer, and the beautiful colors in autumn.
Visit the beach
Yes, Toronto has beaches! Newcomers may be unaware, but Toronto offers a variety of beaches. There are several options available, ranging from those in Cherry Beach to those in The Beaches neighborhood and near the Scarborough Bluffs. You could even take the boat to the Toronto Islands and spend the morning at the clothing-mandatory beach and the afternoon at the clothing-optional beach!
Visit the top things to do in Toronto through your local library
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario are among the best museums and galleries in Canada. Did you know that you can access these and other attractions for free? If not, go to your local Toronto Public Library and become a member before taking use of the Museum + Arts Pass.
Enjoy your local park
Toronto has around 1,500 parks, with High Park being by far the largest. If you're looking for things to do in Toronto, bring a picnic or your skates and head outside.
Explore everything it has to offer throughout the year, from walking on the frozen Grenadier Pond in winter to the lovely cherry blossoms in spring, the free zoo in summer, and the beautiful colors in autumn.
Make the most of winter
Toronto does become cold. However, instead of hibernating, get out there and enjoy the winter. When the weather turns cold, there are still plenty of things to do in Toronto. Throughout the city, free ice skating rinks operate throughout the winter.
Simply show up with your ice skates and off you go (skates may be rented if you don't have your own!). Take a walk down the coastline and marvel at the ice sculptures formed by the frigid temperatures, or gaze out at a frozen-over Lake Ontario.
Royal Lepage Signature Realty
(647) 492-1880
495 Wellington St. W. #100 Toronto, ON M5V 1E9
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