If you’re looking for a cozy, friendly, and relaxed space within the largest city in Canada, then there’s a place for you. Toronto is known for providing a unique level of comfort, arts, and culture. Read on to learn some of the essential things you should know before moving to Toronto and how a real estate agent can help you find a high-class property quickly.
Toronto is multicultural
You'll hear more languages in Toronto than anywhere else in the world. Toronto is one of the most ranked multicultural cities, with 50% of residents born outside of Canada. There's always something for everyone to enjoy. If you want to experience a different culture, food, and entertainment all within the city, you’ll never regret moving to Toronto.
Canada’s official languages are English and French, though English is the most widely used. The fun thing about Toronto’s diversity is that regardless of where you're from, you can be sure to find a person from your hometown.
You're likely to meet different people from all backgrounds. This means you’ll hear conversations in Italian, Spanish, Hindi, Cantonese, and so much more—you can even brush up on your language skills!
Photo courtesy of Salon - Alo Restaurant
Toronto is home to a world-class array of dining, with up to 8,000 restaurants and bars. Living in a diverse city like Toronto, you’ll never run out of options regarding various delicacies. Don Alfonso is an award-winning establishment on top of the Westin Harbour Castle, offering diners incredible vistas and fantastic Italian dishes. Alo Food Group is another upscale, exquisite fine diner with wonderful French cuisine in an elegant setting, in a similar category as Enigma, a modern-French fine dining experience. From upscale Thai delicacies at PAI to incredible Indian at Banjara, Lebanese dishes at Amal, Egyptian cuisine at Maha’s, high-end Italian at Sotto Sotto, Spanish tapas at Bar Raval, Toronto’s first haute Caribbean-inspired dining house Miss Likklemore’s, and some of the best fusion Jamaican dishes around at Rasta Pasta, there’s truly something for every palate.
The city is home to a significant number of entrepreneurs across the world who have found a place to settle and invest in restaurants to showcase their culture's best cuisines, such as husband and wife duo Tobey Nemeth and Michael Caballo’s French and Spanish-inspired Edulis, Thanos Tripi’s Mamakas Taverna in Greektown, and Mitsuhiro Kaji’s Sushi Kaji, which is widely considered to be the destination for high-end omakase in Toronto. This means that Toronto is a place of vastly different cuisine, and you’ll be sure to find a new favorite dish.
Get ready to tip
The services offered in Toronto are appreciable and exceptional. Therefore, it means tipping culture is compulsory, with bars, restaurants, and cafés waiting for up to 15-20% tip in addition to your bill. Credit cards are accepted everywhere, and you don't have to carry cash to pay for your tip.
Sports
Toronto is a paradise for sports lovers and professional teams in all areas of sports. From the Toronto Blue Jays to the Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC, and the Toronto Argonauts, you’ll find these major teams and so much more. Many recreation facilities around the city will also help you stay active in sports.
Job opportunities
If you're looking for an opportunity, you'll be sure to secure a good job quickly in Toronto. There are a lot of work opportunities in the region, due to the fast-expanding and diverse economy, with a significant hub for many industries, including real estate, film-making, finance services, and retail and wholesale trade.
Toronto is a substantial driver of Canada's economy and has attracted big investors from different corners of the world. With upgrading infrastructure, jobs are numerous, and you can quickly start a business venture in the town.
Transport systems
The city's mass transit is operated mainly by the Toronto Transit Commission (or TTC). There are two subway lines: Line 1 goes north/south, while Line 2 goes east/west. Traffic delays are common, and you may consider buying a bike or joining a car-sharing scheme as your transit option if you are moving to Toronto.
You'll purchase tickets at stations or pay for a PRESTO card that you can use to pay for your trips. Most people prefer public transport to owning a car due to hefty parking fees and limited spaces.
Parks and beaches
The most visited beaches in the area include Woodbine Beach Park, Bluffer’s Park and Beach, Kew-Balmy Beach, Centre Island, and Ward’s Island Beach. Toronto is your spot if you prefer cities with suitable green environments. With parks and beaches, you can easily enjoy nature without leaving the city or having a car!
Enjoy time in High Park, Toronto Island Park, Christie Pits Park, and Sunnyside Bike Park, among many other parks and green spaces in Toronto.
Festivals
Photo courtesy of TorontoLife
Attend the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)—the world’s largest public film festival—for some of the biggest film premieres. Held every year in September, TIFF brings together movie stats, film lovers, and fans for ten days of screenings, special events, and industry get-together at various venues around downtown, including Roy Thomson Hall, The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Center, Princess of Wales Theatre, and the festival’s own mainstay venue, the TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Other notable festivals include Caribana, which celebrates Caribbean culture and festivities, the Taste of Little Italy, Nuit Blanche for an all-night celebration of contemporary art, and the VELD Music Festival,
Seasons
There are four seasons in Toronto: vibrant autumns that make the city colorful, snowy winters suitable for wintry activities and sports, cool springs with rain showers, and hot summers that are perfect for hitting the beach.
Compared to other cities in Canada, such as Montreal or Ottawa, winters in Toronto are milder.
Health care and education
The majority of Canada’s best hospitals are in Toronto. People migrate to Canada to enjoy world-class health facilities such as Toronto General Hospital, rated the best hospital in Canada, and SickKids, one of the best cancer hospitals for children, as well as walk-in clinics accessible around the city.
Toronto offers top-notch education to children and adults. The University of Toronto’s three campuses provide numerous degree programs in a wide array of fields and specialities, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is also home to York University and Toronto Metropolitan University.
There are many more public and private schools in the city for families to choose from:
- Upper Canada College, K-12, internationally-recognized all-boys private school
- Bishop Strachan School, K-12, highly-rated private church-based education for girls
- De La Salle College, 5-12, highly-related co-educational university preparatory school
- Crestwood Preparatory College, 7-12, a high-rated non-denominational university preparatory school
Shopping
You’ll want to visit PATH, a highly-rated underground shopping mall with over 1,200 restaurants and stores. During the winter season, you can explore parts of the city through the PATH system, which consists of up to 19 km-long stores and corridors designed as an underground pedestrian walkway.
Famous for its open-air farmers’ markets, clothing stores, and bars, Kensington Market is a fantastic spot to grab something to eat, have coffee, and enjoy the city's serenity.
Make sure to also get your shopping spree on at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Downtown Toronto, Yorkdale for all of your high-end retail needs, and Square One, the largest mall in Eastern Canada.
Arts and culture
Photo courtesy of Aga Khan Museum
To learn about the history and culture of Toronto, spare some time and visit the Royal Ontario Museum, which is among the most renowned natural history museums in the world. There’s also the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Aga Khan Museum, the Bata Shoe Museum, and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Liquor laws
Drinking laws in Toronto are a bit different compared to other areas. Bars close at 2 a.m., and you can purchase alcohol in government-run stores (the LCBO), grocery stores, and beer and wine stores. If you have a taste for hard alcohol, you can only buy them at an LCBO. The drinking age is 19, so make sure you drink responsibly!
Toronto is fun!
With Toronto being such a large and multicultural city, there’s so much to do and see. You’ll never run out of options when choosing activities to do in your free time. The city is massive, with creative and entrepreneurial activities, excellent places to eat, and hidden bars to create memorable moments on a Friday. Looking for a short trip to New York? If so, Buffalo is only a two-hour drive away.
Suburbs
Toronto’s suburbs are lovely and full of life—just like the city itself. If you want to live away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, consider areas like North York, Forest Hill, Bedford Park, and East York, which are all known for their excellent schools and good nightlife. An exciting part about Toronto’s suburbs are the different architectural styles you’ll find, such as Tudor homes, contemporary builds, and Toronto’s own unique Victorian-era style, the bay-and-gable. Make sure you identify where you want to live before making the move to Toronto.
Luxury apartments in Toronto
Toronto remains the best livable and most ranked multicultural city in the world, with a taste of modern infrastructure, high-quality healthcare, and great entertainment and sports avenues for people all around the globe. There’s always something for everyone in Toronto.
You’ll never run out of options when it comes to housing in Toronto; numerous newly-constructed, luxurious condos and homes are available with high-end amenities and modern finishings. For the absolute best in Toronto sophistication, consider The One at 1 Bloor West, a luxurious condominium in the heart of Downtown Toronto.
With the help of a real estate agent like Katy Torabi—who has sold units at The One and currently has listings available—you’ll easily acquire a luxe apartment that has been constructed with convenience in mind.
If you’re looking for the most proiminent and expansive properties in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, Katy is your ideal agent. Contact her today to learn more about the city, including all you need to know about homes for sale in York Mills.
