Life in Toronto is full of vitality, vibrancy, and diversity, with thousands and thousands of people seeking to immigrate to Canada. Toronto offers a variety of job opportunities, educational courses, study programs, etc. More than fifty percent of the population belongs to another country. Therefore, international students and travelers can think of beginning life in Toronto with its multiculturalism, vastness, and economic opportunities. This city provides access to multiculturalism with multiple languages and dialects.
Besides all this, Toronto is also home to several industries, offering economic opportunities to newcomers moving to Canada.
Moreover, most people who wish to migrate to Canada prefer to live in a city like Toronto, or at least the GTA because of its reputation as the most livable Canadian city.
This beautiful city also provides exotic waterfront beaches, marinas, parks, and trails.
Active and lively lifestyle
Toronto is a city for activity lovers who never like to stop because it is full of liveliness, social events, outdoor activities, and exuberant nature. You can indeed spend your time eating, shopping, and participating in all kinds of activities. Besides this, the city is also famous for its amazing nightlife.
Climate in Toronto
Toronto’s climate is particularly warm in winter; however, the winter is usually four months, from December to March. Hence, individuals planning to reside here must keep their boots and coats as the temperature can drop to –20 degrees Celsius. Individuals tend to experience and rejoice with the skating rinks and winter festivities. There is also a short Spring season from April to May. On the other hand, it can get extremely humid in the summer season. Therefore, it is essential to have an air-conditioned home or one with window air-conditioning.
The living cost in Toronto
Life in Toronto can be expensive, specifically if you seek to reside downtown. Canadian rents are the highest in this city, including other costs like phone plans, groceries, and transit. According to Analysts, individuals in Toronto will require to earn at least $40,583, excluding tax, to meet Toronto’s cost of living.
Refer to the given table for the monthly bills in Toronto:
| Housing | $1672.13 |
| Phone & internet | $127.50 |
| Transit & taxis/Uber/Lyft | $176.25 |
| Groceries | $283.60 |
| Entertainment | $354.00 |
| Health & Fitness | $75.00 |
| Total | 2688.48 |
However, these rental prices might differ based on the area an individual chooses to reside in.
As recorded on October 2021, the minimum salary in Ontario is $14.25 per hour. Students and those serving liquor have minimum salaries.
Cost of food and transportation
Your lifestyle in Toronto will determine the cost of eating outside and traveling. Toronto’s local grocery store will include the following:
- 1ltr milk- $3.07
- Bread’s loaf- $2.87
- Eggs (dozen of them)- $3.37
- 1 kg rice bag- $3.56
- 1.5 ltr water bottle- $2.22
- A cereal box- $3.00
Public Transit
The Toronto Transit Commission is a public transit that helps individuals move anywhere in Canada. A majority of people in Toronto tend to live without a car. Additionally, the two primary subway lines comprise Line 1 (North/South), Line 2 (East/West), Line 3 (Scarborough), and Line 4 (Don Mills).
Accessing a monthly TTC pass will cost around $156 and provide you with unlimited travel facilities. This pass is available with a single fare cost of $3.25, consisting of 45 monthly trips. You can access it at any station’s booth. Most working people find it feasible.
PRESTO is a newly introduced contactless payment card. Moreover, this card benefits its users in terms of less expensive fares. Also, this system of PRESTO cards is also prevalent in other areas such as Ontario, Mississauga, and York region under their respective transit systems.
To reduce your costs concerning maintenance, road taxes, insurance, gas, and parking fees, access a cheaper transit system. Parking spots will also cost you much amount, nearly $200, irrespective of where you live in Toronto. However, the cost will only rise if you live near Downtown.
Life in Toronto for children
Toronto is a marvelous place to live for children because it is safe, secure, clean, and diverse. On the whole, children can access world-class education in this city with the availability of third-level education. Canadian childcare is surprisingly far too expensive and can cost around $1,758 per month for infants.
Studying in Toronto
Canada consists of a reputed and modernized education system and Toronto is no exception. The educational programs have a well-defined structure with knowledgeable internships, while students studying in this city can compete in the Canadian labor market once they graduate.
Eligibility requirements to pursue studies in Toronto
Consider the following eligibility requirements for those studying in Canada:
- Hold a valid passport for your study program.
- Acquire a Canadian visa or eTA.
- Possess a study permit for a stay duration of more than six months.
- Demonstrate a clean record, without criminal accusation.
- Displaying good health and financial capability to cover tuition and living costs)
- Enrollment proof at an educational institution and university.
Your school will determine the kind of proof you will need to display concerning your English proficiency, including TOEFL or IELTS, or a high school diploma. You will also need to display proof of clearing prior preparatory courses.
Enjoy a decent nightlife in Toronto
Toronto has some of the most excellent bars and nightclubs, providing several options and venues. For instance, King West and Queen West are options for youngsters and indies.
East Toronto comprises local bars, while the downtown and western city consists of nightclubs. Also, the LGBT community is quite prevalent in Church Wellesley, with several bars and clubs.
Celebrating festivals in Toronto
Toronto celebrates festivals and events almost every weekend. This city celebrates a variety of festivals including:
- Taste of Little Italy– This festival celebrates tempting food and music between Bathurst and Dufferin.
- Caribana– Every August, approximately, 1.3 million people celebrate this huge street festival depicting Toronto’s typical Caribbean tradition.
- Nuit Blanche– This festival is an all-night arts festival on the streets of Toronto and acts as a gallery.
- Taste of Danforth– This festival is a tribute to the Greek community and also highlights the culture.
- Veld– Dance and hip-hop fans enjoy the Veld festival, which takes place in uptown Downsview Park.
PATH in Toronto- an underground shopping complex
The Path is an underground shopping mall of more than 30 kilometers giving you access to shopping, fun, and other services. This area also covers several subway stations and high-rise offices.
The attitude of people in Toronto
Toronto is such a large city with a busy culture and people here are nice and tolerant. Interestingly, this city is specifically diverse compared to other Canadian parts and the people living here truly identify themselves as Torontonians.
Conclusion
Toronto is ranked as a safe place, with Ontario attaining the fourth position in the world for being the safest city. As expected, this city is so popular that it has millions of people residing there, despite not being the capital of Canada. However, it is specifically expensive for its housing because of its existing demand. So, planning a budget is crucial if you would like to have a good life in Toronto. So, planning a budget is crucial if you would like to have a good life in Toronto.
