Pros and cons when moving to Toronto

Before deciding to move to any town or city (no matter how large or small) you have to consider all the good and bad things that you might have to face. And seeing as Toronto is the largest Canada has to offer, you should weigh twice before deciding once.
Well, give us the chance to point out to you all the factors and then you can make your call.

CONS VERSUS PROS

Toronto high-cost housing vs. great job opportunities

On the one end, purchasing real estate can be quite costly when considering settling down in Queen City. Even if you decide on only purchasing a condo, you’ll still have to cash out a small fortune or inheritance.
There is always the option to rent out, but don’t expect anything cheap in comparison to other cities. On the contrary, Toronto qualifies as one of the more up-tight and high-rent places. And if that wasn’t enough, the condos don’t exactly stand out in size.
Now, you might ask yourself how one then affords to live in Toronto. Well, simply put, the “loonie” stops there. With major franchise representatives from all spheres of life (tech, media, arts, culture), the city earns it’s place among the economic giants among cities. So if you are looking to find a well-paid job, look no further.

Multicultural diversity vs. Meeting new people

A BBC Radio case study from May 2016 named Toronto “the world’s most multicultural metropolis”. 51% of population is of foreign descent, so you won’t have any issues blending in, no matter where you’re from.

Torontian diversity — A diverse population is an engine of economic and demographic growth

The dark side of the coin is that it might prove hard to make new friends. Toronto has a bad reputation for being unfriendly to newcomers. Residents are considered cold and reserved, but there are ways to get through to them. When it comes to the workplace, just give up since most people are very work-oriented and constantly on the go. However, it’s hard for anyone to say NO to a “cold one” after work.

Traffic jams and fees vs. Downtown Airport convenience

Even though a lot of residents give up on owning cars and focus on public transportation, commuting is still an issue. The average commute is around one hour, which leaves a lot to be desired. Being the metropolis that it is, Toronto does have a variety of transport choices:

Rail lines
Buses
Streetcars
Subway lines

The issue is that the transit passes have not been properly regulated. So you end up paying multiple passes, which is both costly and time-consuming. The city does plan on implementing new regulations on public transport in 2017 however.
On the up & bright side, you’re never truly stuck in Queen City. Having an airport downtown offers a variety of choice when deciding to make a quick escape for the holidays. Billy Bishop Airport has connections to more than 80 international destinations, and is within a 10-minute bus-ride to Toronto Island.

Toronto is doubling its investments in cycling infrastructure.

And if you are a bicycle enthusiast, there is hope yet

Another quick notification worth mentioning is the development of the Toronto Cycling Network. Last year, the Toronto City Council adopted a Cycling Network Ten Year Plan. The plan is to renew and widen the web of cycling tracks throughout the city infrastructure.

Lack of nature vs. Plethora of Fun

Although Toronto has a variety of parks, it is mostly a suburban area. So if you are a nature enthusiast, don’t hold your breathe. Other than parks and boat rides on the lake, you won’t really find any rock-climbing or camping options close by.
The City Council even managed to take away the breath-taking scenery that is the waterfront. It was all sold to property developers, who flipped it to solitaires, one after another. Great view for people having condos in one of them, but tough luck for the rest of Toronto.
Although you might not be able to get you nature fix, there is still fun to be had. Being the metropolis that it is, Toronto has a lot to offer – from sport events, art and museum exhibits all the way to a rich nightlife. And considering the fact that only about 14% of the population is aged over 65, Toronto is considered quite youthful and energetic. The city hosts numerous festivals and event to go with the diversity it represents. To name a few:

Canadian International AutoShow
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival – largest festival of Jazz music in North America
Caribana – largest street festival in North America, celebrating Caribbean music and culture
Toronto International Film Festival – one of the three world-renowned film festivals, among Cannes and Berlin
Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Easy Winters vs. Harsh Summers

Given that it is Canada, winters in Toronto are more than bearable in comparison with the rest of the country. Lake Ontario has a moderate effect in regards to drops in temperature, while the infrastructure is more than adequate to withstand the cold months.
The same cannot be said for summers. Air conditioning is a must when moving to Toronto. Being as suburban as it is, the asphalt streets of Toronto absorb a lot of heat during the summer. And even the lake offers little help in reducing the heat. So if you are a heat-loving person, you are gonna love it. But if you can’t stand the heat, think twice before deciding on Toronto.

And there you have it! All the major facts you need to to make the decision on whether or not the city of Toronto is the place for you. And once you weigh on all the factors and make your decision, we will be here to help you make the next step.