Toronto: a city of contrasts and endless opportunities

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the capital of Ontario province. It's a city that can be described as "the most" in many ways: the most populous, the most famous, the most diverse, and the most multicultural. Many people even mistakenly believe that Toronto is the capital of Canada.

Toronto has everything you'd expect from a major metropolis. It boasts a skyline filled with skyscrapers, a vibrant nightlife, big businesses, and endless opportunities.

Population and Multiculturalism in Toronto

Toronto has about 3 million residents. However, when people talk about Toronto's population, they often refer to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which includes the regional municipalities of Halton, Peel, York, and Durham. The GTA's population is around 7 million people. The city continues to grow rapidly, attracting both Canadians from other parts of the country and immigrants.

Half of Toronto's residents are foreign-born, which creates a unique atmosphere of cultural diversity and openness. Thanks to the city's multiculturalism, newcomers never feel out of place. You can hear different languages spoken everywhere, buy unique products and items from around the world, and try cuisines from almost every nationality.

This diversity is a big advantage for immigrants: no matter where you're from, you can always find your community here and get support from fellow immigrants, making it easier to adapt to your new life.

Entertainment and Attractions

There's always something to do in Toronto. Everyone can find entertainment to suit their taste.

The city hosts cultural events, concerts, and festivals featuring Canadian and international artists and celebrities year-round. If you love exciting events, you'll never be bored in Toronto. Nightlife lovers will be thrilled by the variety of clubs and bars that make Toronto feel like a city that never sleeps.

But Toronto isn't just about lively entertainment. The city has many museums, exhibitions, and architectural landmarks. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is the largest and most visited museum in Canada, attracting about 1.5 million visitors annually. The museum impresses not only with its extensive collection but also with its unique architecture: modern crystal angles jutting out against the backdrop of the majestic brick of the old building.

Toronto is also home to the Hockey Hall of Fame, a source of pride for all Canadians. Bearing in mind Canadians' passion about hockey, it's impossible not to share their pride in this magnificent place, which houses the crown jewel of North American hockey — the original Stanley Cup.

Toronto's famous skyscrapers are neighbored by many parks and green spaces where you can enjoy peace and fresh air, taking a break from the urban hustle. The contrast between Toronto's business district and green areas is especially striking in Toronto Island Park, which offers the best view of the city with all its tall buildings and its main symbol — the CN Tower. This park is located on Lake Ontario's islands, and you can reach it by ferry and find here plenty of activities for both children and adults.

From Toronto, you can also easily reach other major Canadian cities like Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa, as well as natural wonders like Niagara Falls, and the US border.

Climate

Toronto has a continental climate, significantly moderated by its proximity to the Great Lakes. Despite Canada's reputation as a very cold country, winters in Toronto are moderate: the average January temperature is around -4.2°C (24.4°F), though wind chill can make it feel much colder. In summer, the average July temperature is about 22.2°C (72°F), but there are days when it exceeds 32°C (90°F) with 100% humidity.

Western winds and the Great Lakes also influence precipitation, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, falling as snow in winter.

Educational Opportunities in Toronto

Toronto is Canada's largest educational, research, and innovation hub. The city is home to several public universities and colleges, as well as numerous research centers.

The top institution is the University of Toronto, which ranks 1st among Canadian universities and 25th in the QS World University Rankings. Two other Toronto universities also made this prestigious list, York University and Toronto Metropolitan University.

Toronto also has prestigious colleges that provide high-quality education and train skilled professionals:

• George Brown College;
• Humber College;
• Seneca Polytechnic College;
• Centennial College;
• Niagara College.

All these higher education institutions are open to international students who want to receive world-class education.

Toronto also boasts numerous public and private schools that provide high-quality primary and secondary education. Public elementary and secondary schools are free not only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents but also for temporary residents, such as international students or workers.

For younger children, there are private kindergartens or childcare centers, but unlike schools, these come with a fee. The cost can be quite high at around $1,500 CAD per month.

Career Prospects in Toronto

As for work in Ontario's capital, there's plenty of it.

Toronto is a major business center. It's home to offices of companies like Google and Meta, large financial institutions such as the Bank of Montreal and CIBC, and Canada's largest film and television studios. Employers in various fields in Toronto are always looking for employees. Jobs are available for both highly skilled professionals and workers without higher education.

You can earn good money for your work in Toronto. The minimum hourly wage will increase to $17.20 CAD from October 1, 2024. This is the minimum everyone can expect, including those in entry-level positions. The average salary in Toronto is about $4,700 CAD. With good education and employment in a good company, you can earn much more.

Prices and Cost of Living in Toronto

Let's be honest—life in Toronto is quite expensive. This applies to prices for food, rent, housing, and various services.

On average, rental prices can range from $2,000 CAD to $3,000 CAD. Groceries will cost at least $350 CAD per person per month, utilities will be around $200 CAD, and mobile services and internet will add another $130 CAD approximately.

Buying a home in Toronto is also expensive. In 2024, Toronto ranked 11th on the list of the world's most expensive cities for housing, behind Vancouver. According to recent Toronto real estate reports, the average price for a condo apartment is $683,700 CAD, while the average price for a detached house is $1,343,400 CAD, even after property values have decreased over the past year.

Of course, you can choose to live in one of the nearby smaller towns instead of Toronto itself, where housing costs are significantly lower. This way, you can live within an hour's drive from Toronto, save money, but still work and enjoy the country's main metropolis.

Toronto's Transportation Infrastructure

The city has a well-developed public transport system, including subways, buses, and streetcars. A single fare costs $3.45 CAD. Residents who use public transport daily can buy a monthly pass for $156 CAD.

Car owners in Toronto may face some challenges. First, due to its size and large population, the city can experience heavy traffic. Second, drivers will have to pay considerable amounts for parking, and parking spaces are not always easily available.

An interesting feature of Toronto's infrastructure is the underground city PATH. This pedestrian walkway network in downtown Toronto spans over 30 kilometers and includes restaurants, shops, services, and entertainment. It provides convenient connections to buildings in the city's business center and public transport, serving over 200,000 commuters on weekdays, as well as tourists and locals.

Moving to Toronto

Visiting Toronto is a memorable experience. The city will leave no one indifferent, despite having both many advantages and disadvantages.

It's quite possible that upon arrival, you'll fall in love with the city and want to stay forever. In that case, you can consider several immigration options.

First, you can immigrate to Toronto through streams that work with the Express Entry system:

• French-Speaking Skilled Worker;
• Human Capital Priorities (for skilled professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher);
• Skilled Trades (for in-demand trade professionals).

There's also the opportunity to move to Toronto and stay through Ontario's provincial programs:

• Foreign Worker (for highly skilled workers);
• International Student (for Canadian university graduates);
• In-Demand Skills (for professionals in high-demand occupations);
• Masters Graduate (for Canadian university graduates with a master's degree);
• PhD Graduate (for Canadian university graduates with a doctoral degree).

If you feel that Toronto's disadvantages outweigh its advantages, and you find the city too noisy, crowded, and expensive, remember that Canada is a diverse country where you can always find a place that suits you.

If you want to move to Canada, you can seek advice from our licensed immigration consultant. They can tell you in detail about Canadian cities and provinces, their pros and cons, as well as various immigration methods to help you find a suitable relocation strategy. Book a consultation with us and start your journey to the city of your dreams!