Five things you need to know before moving to Toronto
Making the switch to a different city is always a big deal. There’s so much to think about and factor in that it can get pretty overwhelming. This is even more true when you are thinking of moving to a big city like Toronto. Did you know that it accounts for over 18.5% of Canada’s GDP in 2023?
With plenty of opportunities for work, it’s no wonder that people from across the country and even the world want to move here. If you are one of them, then read on. In this article, we will be looking at five things you absolutely need to know before moving to Toronto.
1. English isn’t the only language spoken
Many people assume that English is the only language spoken here, but that’s not true. Toronto, much like other parts of Canada, is a bilingual city, with French being spoken by over 60,000 people according to the most recent census of 2021.
Even those who don’t speak the language fluently also have some knowledge of it. These people add up to almost 240,000, which should make it clear that French is a significant part of the city’s identity.
2. Ensure you have a good job lined up before moving
While Toronto isn’t as expensive to live in as New York, it’s still considerably more expensive than other parts of the country. An easy mistake that you can make is believing that you could move in, settle in for a bit, and then start looking for work. Unless you are particularly loaded, this is going to be a bad idea.
Yes, there are plenty of job opportunities, but you also have to deal with lots of competition. From college students to the constant trickle of immigrants, new vacancies get filled pretty quickly. Living off your savings while you search for a job will drain your bank account before you know it. Thus, find a job and then move. Not the other way around.
3. Homes get taken quickly so move in Fast!
Just like jobs, empty living spaces also get taken quickly, so speed is of the essence. If you are moving in from across the country, any extra delay can be enough to lose a good lead. So, if you are doing any long-distance moving, ensure that you hire a service with a reputation for being speedy and efficient.
Messy moves are often the result of insufficient planning and preparation. According to MTS Moving, starting two months early is ideal because it gives you enough time to do your research, cancel utility providers, and organize your belongings. Even if the realtor or owner promises to hold a home for you, don’t count on it unless you have it in writing.
4. “Toronto Friendliness” May not be as genuine as you expected
There’s a stereotype of Canadians being extra-friendly in general, and you often hear of the “Toronto Friendliness.” However, it’s important to note that people are more or less the same across the world. In Toronto, it’s easy to confuse politeness with friendliness. So if you talk to someone and they tell you, ‘We should definitely meet soon,” don’t be clearing your calendar just yet.
It might take some time to get used to the culture, but it’s good to be aware of this beforehand. If you are looking for that sort of genuine hospitality, maybe Southern America would be more your speed.
5. Parking space can be really hard to find
If you happen to be American, it’s natural to take parking for granted. Most of the country is designed with cars in mind. Thus, the parking situation in Toronto can come as a shock to some people. Most apartments come with limited parking space, causing people to park on the street, which has its own problems.
People of Toronto have almost gotten used to the constant threat of car break-ins and theft. In fact, the usual advice you get is to just leave your doors unlocked with no valuables inside. Doing so at least saves you the cost of fixing a broken window. We think getting a bike might just be the best solution until a long-term solution to this problem is found.
In conclusion, Toronto, like any big city, has its share of quirks. For strangers to the city, it can take some time to get it all figured out, but once you do, you will feel right at home. Toronto has a reputation for being extremely diverse. Thus, no matter where you are moving in from, you will always run into people you have something in common with.
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