Moving to the US/Canada start 09, considering Toronto, opinions, tips, good areas/ suburbs please?

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whitbyboy

Hey, I live in Toronto's awesome west end so I have a lot of thoughts on the city.

Weather - First I have to tell you about the weather because it could turn you off. Spring and autumn are beautiful, some days are a little brisk and require light jackets and long pants, but then the next day you could be into a t-shirt and shorts. Summer is short but extremely hot during the months of July and August, many days well above +30Â°C and humid. Winter is just as extreme. During the months of January and February the mercury drops to it's lowest lows. Toronto's winter can be odd, two years ago we had many, many, days below minus 30Â°C, it was bitterly cold, but very little snow. This past winter (thankfully over) was one of mild temps. around 0Â°C but then loads of snow - at one point the snow on my front lawn was well over a metre high.

Transit - The TTC provides great public transit. Quite a small underground subway compared to other cities but then we make up for it with an extensive dedicated light rail "street car" system. Most major street car and bus routes run 24 hours. The subways shut down for a few hours each night.

Entertainment - Toronto has a great live music scene. There is a really supportive Indie scene. Most big acts doing world tours make a stop here. Any night of the week you can catch a show. Check out club and concert sections of "Now Magazine" or "Eye Magazine" to get a taste of what is going on in the city. Museums and art galleries are somewhat lacking. It's not that there aren't some great places, it's just when compared to other cities around the world.. well there's a lot left to be desired. If live theatre is your things, there is plenty of it. From the big hits that make stops in Toronto, New York, London, to small original productions. The latest best thing I went to see was a stage adaptation of Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead"

Food - If your a foodie no worries. Toronto's strong point is food. Avoid the big chains, Toronto is bursting with great independent restaurateurs. Because of Toronto's great mix of cultures any authentic ethnic style food you could want you'll be sure to find.

Relaxing - The beauty of the city is it's big, but not over the top like New York with the non-stop crowds and noise. (I LOVE New York - just wouldn't want to live there). Toronto has many parks, two of the biggest are two of the best. Right on the subway line, High Park offers a great place to hike, mountain bike, or picnic, in the city. For those sweltering hot days when the city is getting on your nerves - take a ferry from downtown out to the Toronto Islands. Ignore the small theme park and explore the string of islands by foot, rollerblades, or bring your bike. There are a few beaches on the islands, one is clothing optional. Even better - make a friend who has a car and go north to cottage country. We here in Ontario love to go north - Tip - the further you go, the fewer the people and the more beautiful the landscape.

Apartments - I've always splurged and got an apartment near a subway stop, but it's not a necessity. Toronto is made up of tiny little neighbourhoods, many unique personalities. There are too many to list but that's a question of it's own to be asked if you decide to move here. My apartment is the upper 2 floors of a 3 story house. I have 2 balconies and use of a garage. With all water, heat, and electricity included I pay $1050 a month. Phone, internet, and cable tv are extra.

Driving - it's crap, but I'm jaded. The roads are mostly fine, it's the traffic. There are almost always traffic jams during the days on most major routes. I try to walk, ride my bike or take transit when possible.

Holiday - Great cities to visit within a 10 hour drive of Toronto - Montreal (6hrs), Ottawa(5hrs), Quebec City(9hrs), Cleveland(5hrs), Chicago(9hrs), New York(9hrs). Or you can go just a 2 hour trip to Niagara Falls to see a natural wonder and then cross the boarder to the USA.

tuppenybitz

Canada and the US are two different countries ,you need to choose and apply for immigration. you cant just rock up and stay! you need permits to allow you to work etc

Love Canada

I moved to Toronto, which is great (cold in Winter, too hot in Summer) but a perfect city
Vancouver is ideal for you, has a ll the qualities your looking for

Scooby Doo

yeah, dom is right, wisconsin weather is depressing.

mrkoifish

well yea i live right beside Toronto. U of T (university of Toronto) is one of the best schools for PHD, but be prepared many have gone to U of T and failed, the profs expect you to know and be ready for many assignments/lessons. also Toronto has some nice suburbs but many roads and houses are crap there tho, plus bang for Buck it isn't worth it. Mississauga is close to Toronto plus the city is pretty wealthy, the roads and living area are perfect for some thing long term. And still being close to Toronto's fine clubs, restaurants, attractions, and whole bunch of others. Brampton is, pure brown town and cheap to live in, Scarborough, is pretty nice. I mention the road conditions and traffic a lot because it is a huge factor as it will be something you'll be affected by everyday. good luck to your adventure, as i will be moving from toronto region to tokyo or paris soon.

Cinemod

ha dont pick wisconsin, USA. the weather is depressing here too. toronto would be a good pick. it sounds nice there! big cities in US and Canada with about 2million+ are
TORONTO, ONTARIO (this one is cold)
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK (this one is cold too. but it gets warm lol)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (i live in wisconsin close to chicago and it's a really great city!)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (literally the best city i've ever been too and great weather too!)
HOUSTON, TEXAS
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
and there are a few more that are (bigger)
hope this helps! the US is a great country!

kikichanel

Im working in Downtown Los angeles, here at south hill st. you can find many jobs here. Since you'll migrate here if you are not citizen yet and doesnt have a greencard there are many employers accepting under the table jobs here.

You can find an apartment in west covina for a 1 bedroom of 1050 a month.

Cathy

Come to Los Angeles CA...come one, we have perfect weather year round, great universaties (USC, UCLA) and so many things for a young girl like yourself to do.........u cant go wrong with LA....

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