Toronto.
Just hearing the name of the city calls to mind a postcard-pefect city, with gently falling snow, wide streets, and happy, polite people.
But there’s more to Toronto! It may be the second most expensive city to live in in Canada, but you know why so many people still choose to live in Toronto? It’s because living in Toronto is worth it!
7 Reasons Why Living in Toronto is Worth the Cost
It’s the Safest City in North America
You can never put a price on you and your family’s safety. Toronto has consistently been on the top of the lists of safest cities in the world. The crime rate is very low.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released its 2017 Safe Cities Index PDF, ranked Toronto at 4th out of 60 cities. It is only below #1 Tokyo, #2 Singapore, #3 Osaka, making Toronto the safest city in the Western Hemisphere.
Multicultural People
Half of the current population of Toronto were born outside of Canada. If you love learning about different cultures, or if you come from a different cultural background, you’ll feel at ease living in diverse Toronto!
The city is welcoming. The people are good-natured and polite. Everybody respects each other, people mind their own business. Nevertheless, people are friendly and it’s quite common to greet people you meet on the street.
Over 180 languages and dialects are spoken in Toronto! Aside from English and French, other languages with more than 50,000 speakers in Toronto are: Cantonese, Italian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Mandarin and Portuguese.
It’s a Foodie Hub!
With so many people coming from different backgrounds and cultures, is it any wonder that Toronto has the best food scene in Canada?
Whatever cuisine you are craving for, Toronto probably has a restaurant that can fulfill your appetite! From fine dining to hole-in-the-wall joints, the more than 8,000 restaurants in Toronto keep food exciting! Regularly trying out new restaurants and cuisines is a hobby many people living in Toronto have nurtured for the past few years.
Different ethnic neighborhoods throughout the city focus on specific cuisines, such as authentic Chinese and Vietnamese found in the city’s Chinatowns, Korean in Koreatown, Greek on The Danforth, Italian cuisine in Little Italy and Corso Italia, and Indian/Pakistani in Little India. Numerous other world cuisines are available throughout the city, including Portuguese, Hungarian, Japanese, and Caribbean. Toronto’s large Jewish population has also ensured a variety of Jewish restaurants and delis, with varying adherence to kosher rules. In addition to ethnic cuisines, Toronto is also home to many fine dining establishments and chain restaurants ranging from fast food to casual or upscale dining.
A Bustling Economy
Toronto is a top financial center. The heart of Canada’s finance and banking industries, the Financial District, is located in Toronto.
Toronto now boasts the second-largest financial industry in North America, following New York, and ranks eighth on the global scale (right between Paris and Shanghai.)
The diverse population also promotes international trade. All in all, the Toronto economy is on pace for growth. If you are thinking about moving to Toronto, don’t waste the opportunities in a flourishing economy!
Real estate is also booming. If you have the means to get into Real Estate in Toronto, either buying a home for yourself, or as an investment, consider doing it. I have friends in Toronto who have made some money in the active Toronto real estate market. You can look at the genteel, old neighborhoods like Swansea, or hipper neighborhoods in West End.
It’s an International Center for Arts, Culture, Education
History, arts & culture is a thing in Toronto. Many people are involved in different societies and organizations promoting these – it’s not only Western art & culture, but also includes the arts of other cultures. Toronto has many galleries, museums, exhibits, etc… which are supported and appreciated by the people in Toronto.
Free Healthcare
There is Free Healthcare for everyone, including newcomers! Every Ontario resident is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, which includes access emergency and preventive care under OHIP free of charge.
Only 2 hours away from New York City
Many Canadians love hopping over the border to New York City. While Toronto is exciting in itself, going somewhere else will still always be a thrill, and what’s better than a quick drive to New York City? It’s like being able to enjoy the best of both countries!
You can go shopping at stores not available in Canada, and get discounts at outlet stores in New York, and be back home by dinner!
Toronto is really one of the best places to live in! It might be a little more expensive compared to less bustling cities, but you get a safe environment, good infrastructure, a booming economy, free healthcare, and a cultural tableau that is hard to find anywhere else!
Living in Toronto will help set you up for success, as well as let you enjoy your success, too!
