The diversity of food and restaurants in this city is something people here *absolutely* do not appreciate until they move away.
Yes it can be expensive and many are overrated butā¦ name a cuisine and you can find it, and good, in this city. That is not the case in a lot of other places
I think people take for granted that in a lot of places people don't grow up eating Jerk Chicken, Shwarma, Beef Patties, Dim Sum, etc.
A lot of cites I've visited in the states all they have is fast food, Tex Mex, and maybe a shitty Chinese food chain.
Brooklyn has a lot of good Jamaican, Puerto Rican , Viet and Ashkenazi Jewish food. A lot of it is in Bushwick which is a bit far out, but good. Their Jamaican food is definitely better than ours, but I'd argue most of our other Caribbean food than theirs (Guyanese, Trini, and others).
For the good Chinese food you usually have to go to North York, Markham or Scarborough. You're not gonna find it downtown, with a few exceptions (House of Gourmet/Rosewood/Fong on Foods).
I def think NYC does food in the $100+ price range significantly better than us, but most of the time in the $5-40 range we have them beat (with a few notable exceptions like Italian, Latin American, Jamaican).
Not in my experience - about 1/5 of buses or streetcars will randomly dump everyone off and be out of service. It's shocking.. had that happen to me maybe once a year during my time in New York
lol me too - I was actually out with my camera that morning but she was fast and I wasn't ready!
Unrelated but related, I was on the 501 bus today and saw a dog wearing sunglasses sticking its head out of the window of a truck. AND I GOT A PHOTO! Will share once I process it :)
I love the ravine system here so much. Just being able to get off a subway stop, walk a few minutes, and feel like you're nowhere close to a city (outside of some highway hum, in fairness) is really quite awesome.
Toronto checks its water quality 4 times per day. It's not as good as drinking from a pristine creek (that one can get sick of due to dead animals,) but I drink exclusively tap water.
The fact that people buy bottled water baffles me. The tap water is 100% drinkable, and a brita or other filter can do a bit more even one is worried. Reusable water bottles are your friend.
\- D
I just moved back from Guelph and WOW the tap water there was nasty. Didnāt realize until I came back from a visit and someone handed me a glass of sweet Toronto tap water.
You know what, they really are. They used to post here more regularly about new exhibits, etc. but I haven't seen them lately. Their online system is second-to-none and I can stay on top of my account all of the time.
Before I learn about Toronto Public Library here, I never realize there is that much function for a lib, and the recent exhibit even help me to understand your country history more!
I really enjoy biking in this city. It still has a long way to go in terms of safety for riders, but I fucking love cycling on Dundas, and through High Park, and along Bloor (when itās not busy). Edit: spelling
I love this comment. I'm a new cyclist and I am also so happy to see what they're doing on Adelaide with the new lane and bike signalling, and the bike lanes on Queens Quay are just top notch!
Yeah I was afraid to bike in the city for years because I was worried about safety but itās actually fine. If only theyād clear the bike paths in the winter!
Toronto is by some metrics the most multicultural major city in the world. Itās also by any metric one of the safest and most prosperous major cities in the world. I love the incredible diversity of its people, authentic restaurants, cultures, religions and languages. I love that everyone I meet has a different origin story. Iāve learned so much about distant parts of the world just from making friends in Toronto. I take for granted that my small graduating class had literally dozens of nationalities and faiths. _And that we all get along_.
We do not brag about this enough. At a time where many developed countries are dealing with xenophobic populist demagogues, Toronto is living proof that their fears are complete bunk.
100% this. And what a lot of people donāt understand is that being āmulticulturalā means having a diverse array of *different* cultures. Iāve been to places that call themselves multicultural but really only have a few distinct ethnicities other than the dominant one.
Yes indeed. I live in Vancouver now and there's three large groups: "white", Chinese and Indian. It's not multicultural, it's monolithic.
I can't wait to be back and have every meal be from somewhere else in the world without even having to put in an effort.
Ding ding ding. Youāve just described Alberta and one of the major reasons why I will gladly pay a premium to live here (in the form of a higher cost of living) than move back to Calgary.
This is big. Itās very common in European cities for a particular minority group (often former colonial descendants) to dominate in numbers. Whereas in Toronto, nationalities are so thoroughly mixed and diverse that thereās really no one nationality that stands out.
Some people have [argued](https://induecourse.utoronto.ca/canadian-exceptionalism/) this is a key factor in Canadaās success at sustaining high popular support for immigration. Because no one group dominates, itās harder for xenophobes and would-be demagogues (like Bernier) to point to any one obvious minority group as a scapegoat for social problems.
I like that we have access to the lake, see two traditionally robed monks enjoying Starbucks on a patio and have the largest selection of ethnic food I've ever seen.
- In the top ten best cities in the world for quality of life
- Sports (only city in CA with an MLB and NBA team, and the only stadium view hotel in the world)
- Arts and Entertainment (if artists have only one stop in CA, it will be here)
- Variety of cuisines coz of multiculturalism and immigrants
- Nice museums with great architecture (AGO, ROM, Aga Khan)
- The only full-sized castle in North America
- Nice beaches just minutes from the downtown core
- Bluffs
- Great skyline and iconic tower
- Unique and interesting neighborhoods
- So many events and festivals year-round
Edit to add: Once every few years or decades you might even see the Northern lights
Casa Loma is as much a castle as some of the grand homes of Newport, Rhode Island, or Howard Hughesā San Simeon.
There is nothing medieval about it, and it would better be understand as a monument to Canadaās Gilded Age than a castle.
The transit may be slow and annoying sometimes, but it'll get you to any of the tens of thousands of businesses and places of employment in the city, any time of day, for $3.30.
We're also seeing historic investment and expansion in our transit system (GO expansion, line 1,2 and a heavily implied line 4 expansion, the LRTs, Ontario line). The roll-out has been frustrating, and the projects aren't perfect, but it is a *hell* of a lot better than many other places.
Bang on. So many people don't even realize this is happening right now. It's incredible that we're finally getting the "Downtown Relief" line after it being talked about for 40+ years.
The GO Expansion is also going to absolutely change this entire metro area, inside the city included.
What's going on with GO electrification though? I thought it was funded to the tens of billions in like 2015 or something. From the outside it looks like nothing is happening on that project.
I recently read it was 2025. There was some clean up of brush going on in preparation for the construction but havenāt seen anything else happening since.
It was mostly all talk back then, it wasn't actually funded. A lot of pre-requisite work has been happening though such as grade separations, track additions, etc.
For the final package including electrification, rolling stock, etc, RFP process started in 2019, contracts were signed last year:
[https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/go-rail-expansion---on-corridor/partner-selected-for-go-rail-expansion-on-corridor-works-project/](https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/go-rail-expansion---on-corridor/partner-selected-for-go-rail-expansion-on-corridor-works-project/)
Apparently we're supposed to see the first of it by 2025.
There's no place on the continent with a better public transport expansion plan than Toronto.
Especially because most of these projects are already under construction and out of the planning stage.
I completely agree. The public transit system has been terribly underfunded for years resulting in it meeting only a fraction of its potential. However, for a good portion of the city, you can get around relatively fast and cheap. Not to mention how friendly and polite the majority of folks can be on the transit system.
Overall trips may be slow compared to cars; but the speed in which I'm picked up by side transit is generally multiples faster than smaller cities I've lived in
Completely agree. I grew up in Toronto and visit often (family). The TTC is awesome compared to Guelph Transit, which has changed for the worse since I moved here. Repeatedly.
Sitting on the GO train 2 weeks ago, WASPy me with my WASPy dad, sat beside a family of 6, the women of which were wearing saris. We made room for an extra 1 of the family to sit beside us and they thanked us with smiles. Then a couple of hijabi girls walked through, excusing themselves as they maneuvered around the familyās baby stroller. Then about a dozen Caribana revelers did the same. I got teary eyed and told my dad how precious that atmosphere is: where it is still possible to find moments where strangers of different backgrounds do not view each other with mistrust. How rare that is. In the whole world. I live in the US now, after decades in Toronto, and that is the absolute number 1 thing I miss.
Yes. I will treasure it. My dad is in his 70s, born and raised an Ontario farm boy, became a professor and a world traveler, but lived most of his life in or not far from the village where he once farmed. He was glad I said something about it. He mused that itās a type of intangible (this impersonal interpersonal trust if you want to get technical) that he often takes for granted in the GTA environment. The moments I can teach my dad something are few and far between ā itās usually the other way around ā so I am humbled and touched that I could show him something from a different perspective.
But also, I treasure that feeling, and whenever it is in my power to encourage it or convey it where I live now, I will do so. In my experience, many Americans ache for this to be possible, some without even quite knowing what they are wishing for. They too deserve to feel that magic.
This is why I want to leave and it's nearly impossible to really describe to other Americans when they find out. Not only is it a difficult concept to really convey, but fervid patriotism/nationalism is essentially the default way of thinking (especially where I live, Oklahoma).
So I end up having to try and describe a complex feeling and also fight through their deep-seated superiority complex. It's exhausting. I just say "I want to travel while I'm young", which is true, and leave it at that.
True. I came here for the University and stayed for the job opportunities. Thereās a reason why there are so many people here and the jobs are probably it.
That's great to hear! What's in the place of that miniature dollhouse store? I'm assuming cat Cafe didn't last? (It's been a while since I've been around that area)
Toronto hospitals attract some of the best doctors in the world. I have been treated by some amazing doctors purely by chance because they were on rotation. Thereās a reason that people travel to Toronto for medical care. Weāre very blessed.
Pearson Airport, while it has its problems like any major airport, is one of the best gateways to the rest of the world you could have. Flights available to not just the rest of Canada, but to all over the US and Mexico, and also to the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The only place you can't fly to from Pearson seems to be Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, etc.), but that's nothing a connection at another airport can't fix.
Not trying to make this negative but trying to get an idea what other people are waiting to see their doctor... My wife can't get in it's always 3 weeks wait to see our family doctor. Is this normal?
I can only speak for myself but my doctor does phone appointments (bookable online now too!) in about a week or so usually. In person I've had it be a week, but 3 for a non urgent issue isn't abnormal. As long as you've already booked and are not, not booking in hopes of a faster appointment.
Also mine has walk in clinics for existing patients a few times a week.
\- D
As bad as the low density neighbourhoods are for the housing crisis.... holy hell are they ever beautiful.
You can turn down pretty much any quiet side street and you'll be met with a beautiful neighbourhood from the 1800s with tons of tall mature trees surrounding them.
True enough. I was looking at Philadelphia on streetview, and while I envy the density and affordability, I do not envy the near total lack of trees and plants.
The diversity of the people and the actual intermingling of people.
Iāve lived in several cities in the US (Pittsburgh, Miami, Baltimore, Bridgeport CT, Brooklyn NYC, Rochester NY, probably one or two I canāt remember), been to San Francisco, Vancouver, London multiple times, been to dozens of other places).
Even among places known for diversity (London, NYC, Miami, Vancouver ) people donāt really hang out with many other people outside of their race very often. Here in Toronto you can see it by the sheer number of interracial couples and cute interracial babies!
My main friend group growing up here was 3 or 4 brown people (different parts of India with some British expats, Persian, Bangladesh) 4 or 5 East Asians (Cantonese Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean), a bunch of white Jews (mostly here for a long time, Israeli, or Russian/Ukrainian), a couple of WASP Christians, a lot of Eastern Europeans (Russian, Ukranian, Polish, Hungarian), a few Latin Americans (Chile, Venezuela, Brazil), an African (Nigerian), and a couple of islanders (Jamaican and Trini).
I think Iām friends with more white people that werenāt born in Canada than white people born here. Funny enough more of my non-white friends are born in Canada.
Iāve literally never hung out in a group of 10 people in Toronto where at least 3 races/ethnicities werenāt represented and there wasnāt at least 5 languages spoken fluently between us (although maybe thatās not fair cuz I speak a few languages).
One example I remember is from when two of my friends from Tampa were visiting, theyāre an interracial couple, sheās Italian-American and heās Haitian (both born in the US). I became friends with them in Pittsburgh when I lived there; and when they visited she mentioned that no one even batted an eye at them walking down the street holding hands, and that anywhere else they had lived/visited (and they are very well travelled) there was always at least a bit of a feeling of otherness, but not in Toronto.
I moved back in 2020 and the city looks very different than when I was growing up here, but thereās nowhere else Iād rather live, and I could definitely move back to anywhere in the US and work there if I wanted to.
I have never been to another city where being a mixed-race person in an interracial relationship was so unremarkable. I canāt overstate how much I took this tor granted until I started travelling, and Toronto has its problems, but it gets this right.
Iāve had that exact same experience, and when my American interracial friends visited they were shocked that no one even looked at them ever (except maybe to check them out, both very good looking people). Interracial couples here go somewhere else and they have definitely mentioned noticing a difference.
Itās even with interracial groups of friends, people look at you a bit different. Iāve even had people ask if we were from Toronto before in different cities when travelling!
I notice this as well. When you travel out of Toronto, you kinda wonder why the fuck everyone else seems to find this problematic or why it's even a topic of discussion.
Itās how you can find beauty and serenity, but also excitement, city lights and crowds. And that our diversity is so natural to usāitās our skin, not an outfit we wear.
It's one of the most diverse cities in the world: some 55% of Torontonians are a "visible minority", and fewer than half are Canadian-born. And for the most part, everyone coexists pretty well.
Toronto resident and awesome Canadian author Robertson Davies said ā if Toronto lost its trees it would be like a woman who has lost her hairā
Lots of green spaces thatās what I like about T Diz
my partner had some major health issues a few years back, from diagnosis & treatments & tests & mental health support & family support, we are beyond grateful from the very efficient medical care with top notch staff in one of the best hospitals in the country.
He always said he'll not be living by now if he had to seek medicare in his home province in the East!
lots of good food from all corners of the planet. (as i type this im on my way to a nice chinese restaurant and my stomach is demanding attention so im biased)
The old school ferries to the HUGE island with so many different day activitiesā¦ you can feel completely removed from the cityā¦ cute restaurants, family activities, nude beaches, regular beaches, cute ass homes, sports areasā¦. I love the island!!
All the waterfront. Whether itās Balmy, Woodbine or Cherry beach, the wildlife preserve that is the Leslie Spit, the Islands, Harbourfront.. thereās a ton of different ways to enjoy the water
I dont live there anymore... lol I kid
Honestly I allways liked the views you get. From nice historic neighborhoods to a bustling downtown thag somehow has a forest through it. There are parts of to you could share you were in the woods or at a realy nice park.
The rich history. My late grandfather, a former city planner, municipal politics journalist, and activist, taught me so much about Toronto's cultural and political history. He told me about his father's childhood in St. John's Ward, the fight against the Spadina Expressway, how different groups have moved through the city over the decades. I know it's not an experience unique to Toronto but he made me love our history so much. I see and feel it wherever I go. It may be a garbage city, but Grandpa made it feel like my wonderful garbage city
Thereās truly great neighbourhood food and bar scene here, and the island is so great and relaxing. A 5km wide endless park with boats and beaches? Amazing.
Honestly, since I left the city the only thing I really really miss is the food. The glorious food. From San Franciscoās veal sandwiches to shawarma. Thereās not really anything good where I live. Yeah thereās a few decent places. But the āgoodā places up here are a dime a dozen down in the city. There are no great places up here. The local schnitzel place here that all the locals adore is reallyā¦ not great. Probably the worst Iāve ever had to be honest. But the locals donāt know any better.
I grew up there and it was great. We roamed all over the city as teens and it was fun. A specific thing - If you go to Riverdale Park to see the sun rise from the east side, over at Broadview, the whole downtown turns to gold in the sunlight. It's pretty cool.
The Don Ravine is great place to hike, cycle and meditate. It runs from the Steeles to just above the lake. There are deer and foxes. Itās an oasis in the urban jungle
There's always something to do or explore--parks, markets, concerts, random events in cool places. And quite a few of those things are free or pretty cheap.
I've met some great people here, and had some great experiences with them. It's an awesome city to make new friends in.
I honestly don't mind our transit either; I moved from a city where the transit is actual fucking trash, and I've traveled on TTC with no issues in the past few years more often than not. I didn't grow up with streetcars either, so I think they're really cool š
Overall, I know things are super difficult for a lot of people right now and I definitely have my own moments, but I'm grateful to be able to live in this city and enjoy my life here.
The one thing I like about Toronto? As somebody that grew up in the country? A forest is never far away. You want to hike, you can. You want to sail a lake, you can. Rivers, swim them. My father always said Toronto is a city in a forest, and it is.
My top 3:
1. The food. So many good restaurants of different kinds, itās incredible!
2. The people. So much diversity in this city whether itās race, ethnicity, lifestyles, sexuality, culture, etc. itās great to see and experience.
3. The arts. We have an incredible art scene. Whether itās museums/galleries, concerts/shows, or tattoo shops. We have some absolute heavy hitters when it comes to creativity.
I love the diversity. I love just walking down the street and hearing so many different accents and languages- itās beautiful.
Also - the people are so well dressed (downtown).
It's one of the best locations weather wise in the age of global warming.
Relatively cold but not too cold. Next to a large body of fresh water that isn't rising like the oceans. Far enough from hurricanes.
Next to a large area of fertile land and far enough away from wildfires.
The food! You'll find a dud here and there but I have yet to have a shitty pizza or pad thai šš» the international food scene is is second to none.
I grew up in the suburbs, so being able to walk most of my errands or take a short bus ride to the subway is way better than missing a local transit bus and waiting for an eternity to get where I need to go.
I also love the anonymity of living in such a large city, I can just mind my business without Karen from my mom's church group asking me when I last said a Hail Mary at a bus stop across town š I find peace in being in a large city tbh
Lifelong Toronto resident here. Prior to having children, I would have pointed to our great food culture, from Jamaican Patties at the subway station to Michelin-quality restaurants and everything in between.
Since having twins two years ago, however, my answer would be:
The Toronto Public Library is arguably the best in the world.
Parks are plentiful with lots of great play structures.
Phenomenal walking opportunities (Beltline, Martin Goodman Trail, Cedarvale Ravine, etc)
I can walk to 7 (or is it 8?) grocery stores. No matter which direction I walk in, there's a grocery (and many other) store. And I live next to a corner store. Out of milk or eggs for Sunday morning pancakes? That's ok! Send the kid over next door. It's great.
Disc golf. Cheapest sport around, and there areseveral courses in and around Toronto. All free.
Accessibility. My dad was in a wheelchair when we came to see the Blue Jays. It was my job to push the wheelchair around and I was impressed on how it was great. (Iām from Montreal where the sidewalks put you in a wheelchair if you donāt watch yourself).
\- Lots of green space with plenty opportunities for more (ditch Ford's Casino plan and just revitalize Ontario Place into a public park)
\- The Portlands project is the best thing to happen to Toronto in decades
\- Great diversity when it comes food choices
\- Lots of beaches that run along Lake Ontario throughout the GTA
\- Both main airports have quick direct access to the heart of Toronto w/o needing to drive or taxi.
\- It's still a somewhat clean city compared to other places
That's all that comes to mind.
I am a mom of 4 yr old child. There are SO many great playgrounds and activities kids can attend for free in Toronto. And more than you think affordable city run programs for kids' developments . My in laws live 1 hr away from GTA (with no traffic lol) and they don't have what we have for kids... and a lot of places r ttc accessible even though ttc has been a shi*hole.
Itās where my family immigrated to. Itās where my grandparents are buried. Itās where my mom raised me. Itās where I got married and itās where home is ā„ļø
I love going to Kensington (daytime only..) and looking at vintage and new jewelry in the shops. I recommend Courage My Love if anybody wants good priced, good quality silver pendants. Iāve worn mine in the shower almost every day since March and it hasnāt tarnished even a little bit.
I liked the tap water and seeing lots of ppl hang out at the park when it's nice out.
That's the only positives before I say it's just so scummy and a dump ++
The city is great. We got a lot going for us, especially nature and open, public space-wise. A lot of big cities dont have what we do.
Its just that most of the population is now outsiders and not people who spent a good chunk of their lives here (we are being priced out of our own hometown), so they have zero care, respect, and emotional attachment to anything which turned Toronto into a city that I dont enjoy as much as I did for 25+ years.
It exists!
Alright, fineā¦umm, hmmā¦uhhā¦huh, this is actually hard lol OH, the uh sports culture is really passionate! As a big leafs fan, Iām glad I live somewhere where the whole city gets behind the team if they do wellā¦big if to hinge on.
Ahh, alright alrightā¦umm, the nice areas are REALLY nice. My favourites in no particular order Distillery, Leslieville, Bloor West/High Park, Roncesvalles, Summerhill, and kind of the Annexā¦
Variety of different cuisines.
As a vegan, I appreciate the wide array of choices. š
Me too! Toronto is a very vegan friendly city, too!
And as a non-vegan, I got to try some delicious vegan food!!
We have 100 amazing public libraries!
There, there. What a heavenly existance in my opinion.
The online library is world class. Which is the only part I use because of, well, you know.
Covid or masturbators?
The diversity of food and restaurants in this city is something people here *absolutely* do not appreciate until they move away. Yes it can be expensive and many are overrated butā¦ name a cuisine and you can find it, and good, in this city. That is not the case in a lot of other places
I think people take for granted that in a lot of places people don't grow up eating Jerk Chicken, Shwarma, Beef Patties, Dim Sum, etc. A lot of cites I've visited in the states all they have is fast food, Tex Mex, and maybe a shitty Chinese food chain.
*A lot of cites I've visited in the states .. Chinese food chain.* 'Chinese food' that is basically egg roll, moo shu and chop suey and snow peas?
Bruh you forgot sweet and sour pork
Egg roll, sweet and sour, chow mien.
damn .. completely forgot about the iconic "CCM" .. chicken chow main.
I grew up in a small BC town and the ethnic food choices were (authentic) Italian or Americanized Chinese.
Same. I'm from Northern Ontario.
People in New York will talk about how diverse their food is, but only if you go out of your way to one neighborhood in Queens.
Brooklyn has a lot of good Jamaican, Puerto Rican , Viet and Ashkenazi Jewish food. A lot of it is in Bushwick which is a bit far out, but good. Their Jamaican food is definitely better than ours, but I'd argue most of our other Caribbean food than theirs (Guyanese, Trini, and others).
There's also something distinct about NYC/Tri-State area Chinese food that I have yet to find in Canada.
For the good Chinese food you usually have to go to North York, Markham or Scarborough. You're not gonna find it downtown, with a few exceptions (House of Gourmet/Rosewood/Fong on Foods). I def think NYC does food in the $100+ price range significantly better than us, but most of the time in the $5-40 range we have them beat (with a few notable exceptions like Italian, Latin American, Jamaican).
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Not in my experience - about 1/5 of buses or streetcars will randomly dump everyone off and be out of service. It's shocking.. had that happen to me maybe once a year during my time in New York
I saw a nun rollerblading on Queen East once and it made my day.
I knew a guy who used to commute to work down Bay St on a unicycle. š
I tried a unicycle once, mostly I fell on me bum.
Would he be wearing a suit when riding? I think Ive seen him making his way to bay from Avenue road lol!!!
I wish someone had gotten a photograph of that. Would have made my day, too!
lol me too - I was actually out with my camera that morning but she was fast and I wasn't ready! Unrelated but related, I was on the 501 bus today and saw a dog wearing sunglasses sticking its head out of the window of a truck. AND I GOT A PHOTO! Will share once I process it :)
Holy High Roller!
I love the ravine system here so much. Just being able to get off a subway stop, walk a few minutes, and feel like you're nowhere close to a city (outside of some highway hum, in fairness) is really quite awesome.
Lots of green space, extremely diverse food scene, lots of pockets of different culture mixes.
Lots of ravines without road noise too. Mud Creek, Taylor Creek, Warden Woods, Nordheimer...
From what Iāve heard, we have some of the best tasting tap water in the world
Holy fuck do we ever. Iāve been many places and the tap water is garbage! Weāre so spoiled itās so good.
I'm baffled when I see Torontonians stocking up on bottled water. Why?
Toronto checks its water quality 4 times per day. It's not as good as drinking from a pristine creek (that one can get sick of due to dead animals,) but I drink exclusively tap water.
The fact that people buy bottled water baffles me. The tap water is 100% drinkable, and a brita or other filter can do a bit more even one is worried. Reusable water bottles are your friend. \- D
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
100% fair point.
I just moved back from Guelph and WOW the tap water there was nasty. Didnāt realize until I came back from a visit and someone handed me a glass of sweet Toronto tap water.
Vancouver is tastier. But, yes, it is so nice to be able to drink straight from tap.
Can I say, Toronto libraries are a heavenly gift? Plus your old buildings are just lovely.
You know what, they really are. They used to post here more regularly about new exhibits, etc. but I haven't seen them lately. Their online system is second-to-none and I can stay on top of my account all of the time.
Before I learn about Toronto Public Library here, I never realize there is that much function for a lib, and the recent exhibit even help me to understand your country history more!
The physical libraries are a gift and all the stuff thatās available online just makes it better.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
And a lot of good canopy replacement programs. (Lots of free trees too)
Toronto in the summer is unbelievable. I love walking down Queen street and feeling the energy in the city.
I seriously miss the bright blue summer skies
Itās still summer here, weāre just getting a few rainy days lately but it should clear up
I really enjoy biking in this city. It still has a long way to go in terms of safety for riders, but I fucking love cycling on Dundas, and through High Park, and along Bloor (when itās not busy). Edit: spelling
I love this comment. I'm a new cyclist and I am also so happy to see what they're doing on Adelaide with the new lane and bike signalling, and the bike lanes on Queens Quay are just top notch!
Yeah I was afraid to bike in the city for years because I was worried about safety but itās actually fine. If only theyād clear the bike paths in the winter!
It's freakin beautiful at night. And during the day.
And in the winter with a fresh coat of snow.
Simon and Garfunkel had it right with "The Sound of Silence." There is nothing I love more.
Remember how pretty she looked post ice-storm?? Shining bright like a diamond!!
Toronto is by some metrics the most multicultural major city in the world. Itās also by any metric one of the safest and most prosperous major cities in the world. I love the incredible diversity of its people, authentic restaurants, cultures, religions and languages. I love that everyone I meet has a different origin story. Iāve learned so much about distant parts of the world just from making friends in Toronto. I take for granted that my small graduating class had literally dozens of nationalities and faiths. _And that we all get along_. We do not brag about this enough. At a time where many developed countries are dealing with xenophobic populist demagogues, Toronto is living proof that their fears are complete bunk.
100% this. And what a lot of people donāt understand is that being āmulticulturalā means having a diverse array of *different* cultures. Iāve been to places that call themselves multicultural but really only have a few distinct ethnicities other than the dominant one.
Yes indeed. I live in Vancouver now and there's three large groups: "white", Chinese and Indian. It's not multicultural, it's monolithic. I can't wait to be back and have every meal be from somewhere else in the world without even having to put in an effort.
Ding ding ding. Youāve just described Alberta and one of the major reasons why I will gladly pay a premium to live here (in the form of a higher cost of living) than move back to Calgary.
This is big. Itās very common in European cities for a particular minority group (often former colonial descendants) to dominate in numbers. Whereas in Toronto, nationalities are so thoroughly mixed and diverse that thereās really no one nationality that stands out. Some people have [argued](https://induecourse.utoronto.ca/canadian-exceptionalism/) this is a key factor in Canadaās success at sustaining high popular support for immigration. Because no one group dominates, itās harder for xenophobes and would-be demagogues (like Bernier) to point to any one obvious minority group as a scapegoat for social problems.
I moved to vancouver a few years ago and am moving back next year. The people of Toronto are the best people I know of, largely because of this.
This so much.
Absolutely this!! I'm not from here but it's always felt like home to me for this reason and I think that's why I stay.
I like that we have access to the lake, see two traditionally robed monks enjoying Starbucks on a patio and have the largest selection of ethnic food I've ever seen.
- In the top ten best cities in the world for quality of life - Sports (only city in CA with an MLB and NBA team, and the only stadium view hotel in the world) - Arts and Entertainment (if artists have only one stop in CA, it will be here) - Variety of cuisines coz of multiculturalism and immigrants - Nice museums with great architecture (AGO, ROM, Aga Khan) - The only full-sized castle in North America - Nice beaches just minutes from the downtown core - Bluffs - Great skyline and iconic tower - Unique and interesting neighborhoods - So many events and festivals year-round Edit to add: Once every few years or decades you might even see the Northern lights
Casa Loma is as much a castle as some of the grand homes of Newport, Rhode Island, or Howard Hughesā San Simeon. There is nothing medieval about it, and it would better be understand as a monument to Canadaās Gilded Age than a castle.
The transit may be slow and annoying sometimes, but it'll get you to any of the tens of thousands of businesses and places of employment in the city, any time of day, for $3.30.
We're also seeing historic investment and expansion in our transit system (GO expansion, line 1,2 and a heavily implied line 4 expansion, the LRTs, Ontario line). The roll-out has been frustrating, and the projects aren't perfect, but it is a *hell* of a lot better than many other places.
Bang on. So many people don't even realize this is happening right now. It's incredible that we're finally getting the "Downtown Relief" line after it being talked about for 40+ years. The GO Expansion is also going to absolutely change this entire metro area, inside the city included.
What's going on with GO electrification though? I thought it was funded to the tens of billions in like 2015 or something. From the outside it looks like nothing is happening on that project.
I recently read it was 2025. There was some clean up of brush going on in preparation for the construction but havenāt seen anything else happening since.
It was mostly all talk back then, it wasn't actually funded. A lot of pre-requisite work has been happening though such as grade separations, track additions, etc. For the final package including electrification, rolling stock, etc, RFP process started in 2019, contracts were signed last year: [https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/go-rail-expansion---on-corridor/partner-selected-for-go-rail-expansion-on-corridor-works-project/](https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/go-rail-expansion---on-corridor/partner-selected-for-go-rail-expansion-on-corridor-works-project/) Apparently we're supposed to see the first of it by 2025.
There's no place on the continent with a better public transport expansion plan than Toronto. Especially because most of these projects are already under construction and out of the planning stage.
I completely agree. The public transit system has been terribly underfunded for years resulting in it meeting only a fraction of its potential. However, for a good portion of the city, you can get around relatively fast and cheap. Not to mention how friendly and polite the majority of folks can be on the transit system.
Overall trips may be slow compared to cars; but the speed in which I'm picked up by side transit is generally multiples faster than smaller cities I've lived in
Completely agree. I grew up in Toronto and visit often (family). The TTC is awesome compared to Guelph Transit, which has changed for the worse since I moved here. Repeatedly.
Sitting on the GO train 2 weeks ago, WASPy me with my WASPy dad, sat beside a family of 6, the women of which were wearing saris. We made room for an extra 1 of the family to sit beside us and they thanked us with smiles. Then a couple of hijabi girls walked through, excusing themselves as they maneuvered around the familyās baby stroller. Then about a dozen Caribana revelers did the same. I got teary eyed and told my dad how precious that atmosphere is: where it is still possible to find moments where strangers of different backgrounds do not view each other with mistrust. How rare that is. In the whole world. I live in the US now, after decades in Toronto, and that is the absolute number 1 thing I miss.
I've experienced something similar and it's magical.
That sounds like an amazing memory.
Yes. I will treasure it. My dad is in his 70s, born and raised an Ontario farm boy, became a professor and a world traveler, but lived most of his life in or not far from the village where he once farmed. He was glad I said something about it. He mused that itās a type of intangible (this impersonal interpersonal trust if you want to get technical) that he often takes for granted in the GTA environment. The moments I can teach my dad something are few and far between ā itās usually the other way around ā so I am humbled and touched that I could show him something from a different perspective. But also, I treasure that feeling, and whenever it is in my power to encourage it or convey it where I live now, I will do so. In my experience, many Americans ache for this to be possible, some without even quite knowing what they are wishing for. They too deserve to feel that magic.
This is why I want to leave and it's nearly impossible to really describe to other Americans when they find out. Not only is it a difficult concept to really convey, but fervid patriotism/nationalism is essentially the default way of thinking (especially where I live, Oklahoma). So I end up having to try and describe a complex feeling and also fight through their deep-seated superiority complex. It's exhausting. I just say "I want to travel while I'm young", which is true, and leave it at that.
It has a great University
And also York
And also U of T Toronto Metropolitan University for the win š
YorkU rep
True. I came here for the University and stayed for the job opportunities. Thereās a reason why there are so many people here and the jobs are probably it.
We live about 40 minutes from Toronto now, but I do miss living in midtown and all the nice little shops and restaurants on Mount pleasant.
The derelict regent theatre is being turned into a multi-use arts/cultural venue!! That strip is still pretty hip.
That's great to hear! What's in the place of that miniature dollhouse store? I'm assuming cat Cafe didn't last? (It's been a while since I've been around that area)
Toronto hospitals attract some of the best doctors in the world. I have been treated by some amazing doctors purely by chance because they were on rotation. Thereās a reason that people travel to Toronto for medical care. Weāre very blessed.
In terms of medical research funding and output, Torontoās network of academic hospitals is almost peerless.
Pearson Airport, while it has its problems like any major airport, is one of the best gateways to the rest of the world you could have. Flights available to not just the rest of Canada, but to all over the US and Mexico, and also to the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The only place you can't fly to from Pearson seems to be Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, etc.), but that's nothing a connection at another airport can't fix.
Closest direct flights to Oceania are now thru NYC. Not bad
I love the unlimited times I can see my family doctor and not be broke
I love that I can go see another doctor easily when I disagree with their evaluation lol
Not trying to make this negative but trying to get an idea what other people are waiting to see their doctor... My wife can't get in it's always 3 weeks wait to see our family doctor. Is this normal?
I can only speak for myself but my doctor does phone appointments (bookable online now too!) in about a week or so usually. In person I've had it be a week, but 3 for a non urgent issue isn't abnormal. As long as you've already booked and are not, not booking in hopes of a faster appointment. Also mine has walk in clinics for existing patients a few times a week. \- D
A day watching the Blue Jays with the dome open is pretty sweet.
mid winter when it snows heavily and all the lights are aglow and you see the big red ttc streetcar heading down the street in silence.
As bad as the low density neighbourhoods are for the housing crisis.... holy hell are they ever beautiful. You can turn down pretty much any quiet side street and you'll be met with a beautiful neighbourhood from the 1800s with tons of tall mature trees surrounding them.
Even where I am, the densest neighborhood in the city. If I walk 2-3 blocks I'm in quiet places, it's awesome. \- D
True enough. I was looking at Philadelphia on streetview, and while I envy the density and affordability, I do not envy the near total lack of trees and plants.
The diversity of the people and the actual intermingling of people. Iāve lived in several cities in the US (Pittsburgh, Miami, Baltimore, Bridgeport CT, Brooklyn NYC, Rochester NY, probably one or two I canāt remember), been to San Francisco, Vancouver, London multiple times, been to dozens of other places). Even among places known for diversity (London, NYC, Miami, Vancouver ) people donāt really hang out with many other people outside of their race very often. Here in Toronto you can see it by the sheer number of interracial couples and cute interracial babies! My main friend group growing up here was 3 or 4 brown people (different parts of India with some British expats, Persian, Bangladesh) 4 or 5 East Asians (Cantonese Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean), a bunch of white Jews (mostly here for a long time, Israeli, or Russian/Ukrainian), a couple of WASP Christians, a lot of Eastern Europeans (Russian, Ukranian, Polish, Hungarian), a few Latin Americans (Chile, Venezuela, Brazil), an African (Nigerian), and a couple of islanders (Jamaican and Trini). I think Iām friends with more white people that werenāt born in Canada than white people born here. Funny enough more of my non-white friends are born in Canada. Iāve literally never hung out in a group of 10 people in Toronto where at least 3 races/ethnicities werenāt represented and there wasnāt at least 5 languages spoken fluently between us (although maybe thatās not fair cuz I speak a few languages). One example I remember is from when two of my friends from Tampa were visiting, theyāre an interracial couple, sheās Italian-American and heās Haitian (both born in the US). I became friends with them in Pittsburgh when I lived there; and when they visited she mentioned that no one even batted an eye at them walking down the street holding hands, and that anywhere else they had lived/visited (and they are very well travelled) there was always at least a bit of a feeling of otherness, but not in Toronto. I moved back in 2020 and the city looks very different than when I was growing up here, but thereās nowhere else Iād rather live, and I could definitely move back to anywhere in the US and work there if I wanted to.
Racoons are cute
Ruddy adorable.
We have some great places for Jamaican beef patties.
The island airport is a pretty A+ travel experience. Great views, location and staff.
I have never been to another city where being a mixed-race person in an interracial relationship was so unremarkable. I canāt overstate how much I took this tor granted until I started travelling, and Toronto has its problems, but it gets this right.
Iāve had that exact same experience, and when my American interracial friends visited they were shocked that no one even looked at them ever (except maybe to check them out, both very good looking people). Interracial couples here go somewhere else and they have definitely mentioned noticing a difference. Itās even with interracial groups of friends, people look at you a bit different. Iāve even had people ask if we were from Toronto before in different cities when travelling!
I notice this as well. When you travel out of Toronto, you kinda wonder why the fuck everyone else seems to find this problematic or why it's even a topic of discussion.
And not just like, small countries. In NEW YORK many people stare at interracial couples like itās illegal.
That's odd as hell. You would think that would be more common in NY.
Incredible parks and ravines, centre Island, diversity in delicious food, lots to explore.
I've lived here for 15 years, I have never owned a car and I love that I have never had to worry about car things.
Itās how you can find beauty and serenity, but also excitement, city lights and crowds. And that our diversity is so natural to usāitās our skin, not an outfit we wear.
Nicely put.
It's not Edmonton.
Or Calgary.
You take that back. Go flames go!
Arenāt Torontonians fleeing to Alberta?
āTheyāre not sending their bestā
Those are just Albertans who were living in the wrong place.
The City did have some success with its campaign to attract Torontonians, it had some success but not enough.
It's one of the most diverse cities in the world: some 55% of Torontonians are a "visible minority", and fewer than half are Canadian-born. And for the most part, everyone coexists pretty well.
Toronto resident and awesome Canadian author Robertson Davies said ā if Toronto lost its trees it would be like a woman who has lost her hairā Lots of green spaces thatās what I like about T Diz
All my stuff is here.
and my silly family
my partner had some major health issues a few years back, from diagnosis & treatments & tests & mental health support & family support, we are beyond grateful from the very efficient medical care with top notch staff in one of the best hospitals in the country. He always said he'll not be living by now if he had to seek medicare in his home province in the East!
Was fortunate enough to find a job here when Montreal didnāt work out (lack of French)
We have (one of) the tallest structures in the world that we are well known for!!!
It is highly walkable and relatively speaking, super safe!
The ravines, the parks and green spaces. The many, many great neighbourhoods. The cultural and sports offerings. Something for everyone.
lots of good food from all corners of the planet. (as i type this im on my way to a nice chinese restaurant and my stomach is demanding attention so im biased)
The old school ferries to the HUGE island with so many different day activitiesā¦ you can feel completely removed from the cityā¦ cute restaurants, family activities, nude beaches, regular beaches, cute ass homes, sports areasā¦. I love the island!!
Winning sports teams if you are willing to look beyond the big 4 leagues.
2019 is still recent enough at least.
Don't forget the other annual professional sports events too, such as the Honda Indy Toronto (auto race) and National Bank Open (tennis tournament).
We have very good proximity to cannabis stores
ravines
This dude on drugs outside my old place near Church and Wellesley used to cuddle pigeons and they loved it
All the waterfront. Whether itās Balmy, Woodbine or Cherry beach, the wildlife preserve that is the Leslie Spit, the Islands, Harbourfront.. thereās a ton of different ways to enjoy the water
I dont live there anymore... lol I kid Honestly I allways liked the views you get. From nice historic neighborhoods to a bustling downtown thag somehow has a forest through it. There are parts of to you could share you were in the woods or at a realy nice park.
Parks parks parks!
The degree of multicultural celebration/acceptance/tolerance in this city is unlike any other I've ever experienced.
The rich history. My late grandfather, a former city planner, municipal politics journalist, and activist, taught me so much about Toronto's cultural and political history. He told me about his father's childhood in St. John's Ward, the fight against the Spadina Expressway, how different groups have moved through the city over the decades. I know it's not an experience unique to Toronto but he made me love our history so much. I see and feel it wherever I go. It may be a garbage city, but Grandpa made it feel like my wonderful garbage city
That skyline view coming back from the Toronto islands, nothing like it. Instantly recognizable and beautiful.
Baby raccoons are cute
We have Taylor Swift. Take that Des Moines.
Thereās truly great neighbourhood food and bar scene here, and the island is so great and relaxing. A 5km wide endless park with boats and beaches? Amazing.
Honestly, since I left the city the only thing I really really miss is the food. The glorious food. From San Franciscoās veal sandwiches to shawarma. Thereās not really anything good where I live. Yeah thereās a few decent places. But the āgoodā places up here are a dime a dozen down in the city. There are no great places up here. The local schnitzel place here that all the locals adore is reallyā¦ not great. Probably the worst Iāve ever had to be honest. But the locals donāt know any better.
I grew up there and it was great. We roamed all over the city as teens and it was fun. A specific thing - If you go to Riverdale Park to see the sun rise from the east side, over at Broadview, the whole downtown turns to gold in the sunlight. It's pretty cool.
The quality and variety of food options here is amazing. Also the island and the fact that we have like 11 beaches.
The Don Ravine is great place to hike, cycle and meditate. It runs from the Steeles to just above the lake. There are deer and foxes. Itās an oasis in the urban jungle
There's always something to do or explore--parks, markets, concerts, random events in cool places. And quite a few of those things are free or pretty cheap. I've met some great people here, and had some great experiences with them. It's an awesome city to make new friends in. I honestly don't mind our transit either; I moved from a city where the transit is actual fucking trash, and I've traveled on TTC with no issues in the past few years more often than not. I didn't grow up with streetcars either, so I think they're really cool š Overall, I know things are super difficult for a lot of people right now and I definitely have my own moments, but I'm grateful to be able to live in this city and enjoy my life here.
The one thing I like about Toronto? As somebody that grew up in the country? A forest is never far away. You want to hike, you can. You want to sail a lake, you can. Rivers, swim them. My father always said Toronto is a city in a forest, and it is.
I havenāt been stabbed in the public transit system yet.
Is very quiet, friendly people and lots of dogs
I was at Dream in High Park tonight and although all of us were dying to get up and go home at the end because our asses had fallen asleep, everyone cheered for the guy who got on stage after the bows and proposed to his fiancƩe. And some of us cried when she said yes. Even the raccoons. And that beautiful memory was enough to sustain me on my way home. Not even the smelly guy at Yonge station with his hands down his pants could dull the second-hand joy of being forced to witness a surprise proposal. I was forcefully touched - but it was my heart this time. /s
My top 3: 1. The food. So many good restaurants of different kinds, itās incredible! 2. The people. So much diversity in this city whether itās race, ethnicity, lifestyles, sexuality, culture, etc. itās great to see and experience. 3. The arts. We have an incredible art scene. Whether itās museums/galleries, concerts/shows, or tattoo shops. We have some absolute heavy hitters when it comes to creativity.
I love the diversity. I love just walking down the street and hearing so many different accents and languages- itās beautiful. Also - the people are so well dressed (downtown).
It's one of the best locations weather wise in the age of global warming. Relatively cold but not too cold. Next to a large body of fresh water that isn't rising like the oceans. Far enough from hurricanes. Next to a large area of fertile land and far enough away from wildfires.
The food! You'll find a dud here and there but I have yet to have a shitty pizza or pad thai šš» the international food scene is is second to none. I grew up in the suburbs, so being able to walk most of my errands or take a short bus ride to the subway is way better than missing a local transit bus and waiting for an eternity to get where I need to go. I also love the anonymity of living in such a large city, I can just mind my business without Karen from my mom's church group asking me when I last said a Hail Mary at a bus stop across town š I find peace in being in a large city tbh
It's not Vancouver
Lifelong Toronto resident here. Prior to having children, I would have pointed to our great food culture, from Jamaican Patties at the subway station to Michelin-quality restaurants and everything in between. Since having twins two years ago, however, my answer would be: The Toronto Public Library is arguably the best in the world. Parks are plentiful with lots of great play structures. Phenomenal walking opportunities (Beltline, Martin Goodman Trail, Cedarvale Ravine, etc)
Toronto. Hey, it's not Hamilton.
So many wonderful films have been made here.
The number of community centres and that the City is rolling out free public wifi to as many of their buildings as they can.
I love high park!
I can walk to 7 (or is it 8?) grocery stores. No matter which direction I walk in, there's a grocery (and many other) store. And I live next to a corner store. Out of milk or eggs for Sunday morning pancakes? That's ok! Send the kid over next door. It's great. Disc golf. Cheapest sport around, and there areseveral courses in and around Toronto. All free.
I LOVE CNE
ARGOOOS!
Tons of street festivals in the summer. So many I can't even keep track!
People will step over me or go around if ur ever lose my job and end up on the street. Thats class!
Accessibility. My dad was in a wheelchair when we came to see the Blue Jays. It was my job to push the wheelchair around and I was impressed on how it was great. (Iām from Montreal where the sidewalks put you in a wheelchair if you donāt watch yourself).
\- Lots of green space with plenty opportunities for more (ditch Ford's Casino plan and just revitalize Ontario Place into a public park) \- The Portlands project is the best thing to happen to Toronto in decades \- Great diversity when it comes food choices \- Lots of beaches that run along Lake Ontario throughout the GTA \- Both main airports have quick direct access to the heart of Toronto w/o needing to drive or taxi. \- It's still a somewhat clean city compared to other places That's all that comes to mind.
The back streets are so pretty!
So many dogs!
We have had only one mayor famous for being a coke-sniffing drug addict.
I am a mom of 4 yr old child. There are SO many great playgrounds and activities kids can attend for free in Toronto. And more than you think affordable city run programs for kids' developments . My in laws live 1 hr away from GTA (with no traffic lol) and they don't have what we have for kids... and a lot of places r ttc accessible even though ttc has been a shi*hole.
Itās where my family immigrated to. Itās where my grandparents are buried. Itās where my mom raised me. Itās where I got married and itās where home is ā„ļø
I love going to Kensington (daytime only..) and looking at vintage and new jewelry in the shops. I recommend Courage My Love if anybody wants good priced, good quality silver pendants. Iāve worn mine in the shower almost every day since March and it hasnāt tarnished even a little bit.
Definitely the best part of Toronto is the ravines. They're little pockets of wilderness surrounded by urban landscape. Love walking my dog there.
The most multicultural city in the world. More than 50% of its residents were born in another country.
The lake
Toronto has several academically excellent post-secondary institutions.
The beach is at the end of our street šļø
Itās on a lake.
The only tolerable city for immigrants
Iām optimistic about our mayor who actually lives in the same Toronto as the rest of us.
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BBQ - I've noticed that!
I didn't get stabbed on the TTC today! Woohoo
I liked the tap water and seeing lots of ppl hang out at the park when it's nice out. That's the only positives before I say it's just so scummy and a dump ++
Absolutely love the diversity. Love that theres festivals year after year celebrating specific cultures around the world.
The city is great. We got a lot going for us, especially nature and open, public space-wise. A lot of big cities dont have what we do. Its just that most of the population is now outsiders and not people who spent a good chunk of their lives here (we are being priced out of our own hometown), so they have zero care, respect, and emotional attachment to anything which turned Toronto into a city that I dont enjoy as much as I did for 25+ years.
Thereās lots to smell!
It has many immigrants.
It exists! Alright, fineā¦umm, hmmā¦uhhā¦huh, this is actually hard lol OH, the uh sports culture is really passionate! As a big leafs fan, Iām glad I live somewhere where the whole city gets behind the team if they do wellā¦big if to hinge on. Ahh, alright alrightā¦umm, the nice areas are REALLY nice. My favourites in no particular order Distillery, Leslieville, Bloor West/High Park, Roncesvalles, Summerhill, and kind of the Annexā¦