So you’re finally doing it, you’re making the move to Toronto. If you’re coming from a smaller city, Toronto can definitely seem overwhelming and if you’re coming from a big city, Toronto can still feel very overwhelming. The city is home to over 2.7 million people while the Greater Toronto Area is home to over 6 million people, we don’t know about you, but that’s a whole lot of people, but the city is able to make it work with its booming and nonstop construction of condos and burgeoning tech industry. The Toronto economy has been consistently on the rise as people continue to migrate to one of the most multicultural cities in the world. 

Living in Toronto

The city of Toronto is often regarded as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and once you visit or live in the city, there is no question why the city is viewed as such. Within your first hour walking through the city you will see people from a multitude of different ethnicities, religions, and languages being spoken. Toronto strives from the multiculturalism of the city, you will find pockets of the city dedicated to cultures, Little Portugal, Little Italy, Little Italy, Greek Town, and Little Jamaica, just to name a few. Here, Toronto residents will be able to experience culture from a country without having to hop on a plane, all the while, the residents who migrated to Toronto can have a taste of home. 

Real estate in Toronto has been one of the major talking points about the city around the world as the real estate market is one of the most expensive markets around the world. The housing market isn’t ideal for young professionals or those just starting a family, you’ll need to have a decent-sized income to be able to afford a home in the city. Suburbs of Toronto such as Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, or Newmarket are great cities that are outside of Toronto but are easily accessible by public transportation such as the GO Trains or bus. 

What makes it different from the rest of Canada?

Despite being the most populous city in the country, Toronto is not the capital city of Canada, but it is the capital of Ontario. Toronto’s Pearson International Airport is one of the busiest in the world, 75 airlines operate from Pearson and travel to over 180 countries, adding to the narrative of Toronto being a multicultural hub.

Toronto is the only Canadian city to be featured in more than one of the Big Four sports leagues. Of course, there are a few Canadian teams in the NHL, but the Toronto Maple Leafs have proven to be one of the most valuable NHL franchises for the past couple of years, most recently ranked number 2. Joining the Maple Leafs are the 2019 NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors, as well as MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.

The popularity of Toronto has made the city one that always has something to do. Whether it’s going to a five-star restaurant or having a drink at one of the rooftop patios that allow you to see the whole city, you and your friends will always have something to do in the city, no matter the day, no matter the time. 

Health, Safety, and Education 

In Ontario, all Canadian residents have access to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) which allows you to attend any government-run health facility. This comes in handy in case of an emergency or whether you need to visit a walk-in clinic for any aches, colds, or fevers. Toronto is home to the University Health Network which is a healthcare and medical research organization. The facilities that make up this group consist of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, and Toronto Rehabilitation Center. The UHN has been regarded as the top research hospital in Canada three times in the last five years. 

Toronto Police Service (TPS) is one of the oldest police services in North America, establishing itself in 1834. TPS is also the largest municipal police service in Canada with over 5,000 officers and over 7,000 total employees. Like any other big city in North America, Toronto deals with crime, but relative to its size and population, Toronto has ranked high as one of the safest cities in the world. 

The Toronto District School Board leads the way for elementary and secondary schools in Toronto. The TDSB is the largest school board in Canada and is the fourth largest school board in all of North America. A great deal of funding goes into publicly funded schools and is usually a large topic of conversation when it comes time for elections. 

When it comes to post-secondary school, the University of Toronto is often ranked as one of the top schools in the world. The university contributes millions of dollars to research in medicine and technology as they continue to be a world leader in both fields. Ryerson University is the leader when it comes to communications as many of their students finish school to become successful broadcasters and tv personalities. 

What else do you need to know about moving? 

It is easy to get caught with a bad moving company, before you decide on your move, find a reputable moving company to take care of your move, whether it is a long-distance move or a short one. Do the right research and find professionals who are going to handle your valuable items with care, and find a company with the right accreditations.

We’ve been moving families and companies across Canada for 30 years, feel free to give us a call to ask any moving-related questions!