Looking for moving to Toronto tips? When Torontonians say we live in the best city in the world, it’s not just city pride – it’s a fact. In 2015, The Economist compared Toronto to 36 of the world’s major cities using safety, cost of living, and livability as factors, and we came out on top.
But I don’t need to tell you why Toronto is so great. If you’re reading this, you are already thinking about moving here, so instead here are some great moving to Toronto tips that will help you.
Toronto’s Pockets
Toronto is known as a city of neighbourhoods each with its own unique character and flavour. In fact, Vogue Magazine named Queen West the world’s second coolest neighbourhood. These 140 official neighbourhoods are divided amongst 6 boroughs: Old Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, East York, York, and Scarborough.
One of the best ways to get familiar with Toronto is to get out there and explore the neighbourhoods. From Little Italy to The Annex, to Chinatown – there are a plethora of amazing buildings and neighbourhoods to experience – I’m sure you will find your niche.
Four Seasons of Weather
Depending on where you are moving from, Toronto’s weather may require acclimatization, since we experience all four seasons fully. Summers are hot and humid and we have our fair share of heatwaves, so having AC is non-negotiable.
When it rains here, it definitely pours. And it also gets windy, so if you don’t want your umbrella to flip inside out, I recommend one with fibreglass-type ribs. Winter in Toronto is more bearable than most Canadian cities thanks to our prime location near the Great Lakes. However, you will need to invest in waterproof winter boots for the grey slush that results from the spring thaw is one of our best moving to Toronto tips.
Getting Around
Just like any other major city, Toronto’s traffic can truly test your patience, especially during rush hour. There is no way around this if you are driving, so the earlier you accept this, the better. However, if you are within the city, you will come to appreciate the streetcars which much of Toronto runs on. There are also 149 bus routes, 4 rapid transit lines, and a subway network. It’s a good idea to plan your route ahead of time and there are plenty of available transportation apps you can download which are quite accurate.
Your Fellow City Dwellers
Did you know that more than half of Toronto’s population was born outside of Canada? When you walk down the street, you will probably hear at least a dozen different languages. With over 140 languages and dialects, Toronto is the epitome of a multicultural city, which leads me into my next point.
A Foodie’s Paradise
With over 8,000 restaurants in the city, you will have the most authentic selection of food from just about any culture in the world and most of it can be delivered. If you feel like cooking at home, the St. Lawrence Market is a great place for meat and fresh vegetables and Kensington Market is the best place to find cheese.
One thing that you will find out about Torontonians is that they love brunch. Waiting in line for 40 minutes for a table on the weekend is pretty much normal and believe me, is well worth the wait.
Too Much to Do?
One of the best things about Toronto is there is always something to do: festivals, shows, concerts, museums, year-round sports events, and more. Check out blogTO if you ever need to know what to see, eat, or experience on any given day.
For long summer days and weekends, there are 11 designated beach areas and with 1,600 parks in Toronto alone, hiking and biking trails are easy to find. High Park is Toronto’s largest park and Grenadier Pond will make you forget that you are in a concrete jungle.
In the winter months, explore the PATH network – 29kms of underground tunnels filled with restaurants and shops in the downtown core of Toronto – the largest underground shopping complex in the world. And if you really feel the need to get away, head over to the Toronto islands on the ferry and admire the stunning city lights from afar.
If you have any questions about our moving to Toronto tips or want to know more about our amazing neighbourhoods, contact us at info@christensengroup.ca or call 416-441-2888 – we would be happy to help.
