Toronto: a city of contrasts and endless possibilities

Toronto is Canada's largest city and the capital of Ontario province. It's a city that can be described as "the most" in many ways: most populous, most famous, most diverse, and 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 dotted with skyscrapers, a vibrant nightlife, big businesses, and endless opportunities.

Population and Multiculturalism in Toronto

As of July 2022, Toronto proper has about 3.03 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 expected to reach about 7 million by 2025. The city continues to grow rapidly, attracting both Canadians from other parts of the country and immigrants from abroad.

Half of Toronto's residents are foreign-born, creating a unique atmosphere of cultural diversity and openness. Thanks to the city's multiculturalism, newcomers rarely feel out of place. You can hear different languages spoken everywhere, buy unique products from around the world, and taste cuisines from almost every nationality.

This diversity is a huge plus for immigrants: no matter where you're from, you'll always find your community here, 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 their liking.

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

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But Toronto isn't just about nightlife. The city has numerous 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. It 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. Knowing how passionate Canadians are 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.

Alongside Toronto's famous skyscrapers, you'll find plenty of parks and green spaces where you can enjoy peace and fresh air, escaping the urban hustle. The contrast between Toronto's business district and its green areas is particularly striking in Toronto Island Park, which offers the best view of the city skyline and its main symbol, the CN Tower. You can reach this park, located on Lake Ontario's islands, by ferry and find plenty of activities for both kids 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 for extreme cold, Toronto's winters are mild: the average January temperature hovers 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 can exceed 32°C (90°F) with 100% humidity.

Western winds and the Great Lakes also influence precipitation, which is fairly 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 University of Toronto is the top-ranked institution, placing 1st among Canadian universities and 25th globally according to the QS World University Rankings. Two other Toronto universities also made this prestigious list — York University and Toronto Metropolitan University.

Toronto also boasts 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 seeking world-class education.

Toronto also boasts numerous public and private schools offering 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 — international students or workers.

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

Career Prospects in Toronto

When it comes to jobs in Ontario's capital — there are plenty.

Toronto is a major business hub. 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 $17.60 CAD from October 1, 2025 — everyone can expect this minimum, including those in entry-level positions. The average salary in Toronto is around $4,700 CAD. With a good education and employment at a reputable 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. For groceries, you'll need to spend at least $350 CAD per person per month, utilities will cost approximately $200 CAD, and you'll need to pay separately for mobile services and internet, which will be about $130 CAD.

Buying your own home in Toronto is also expensive. In 2025, the real estate market showed some decline: the average home sale price in Toronto was $995,100 CAD in June 2025, which is 5.5% lower than a year ago. The median home price in Toronto was $950,000 CAD as of June 2025. The average property value in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) was about $1.12 million CAD as of May 2025.

Of course, you can choose to live not in Toronto itself, but in one of the nearby smaller towns — housing costs will be significantly cheaper there. This way, you can live an hour's drive from Toronto, save money, but still work and enjoy leisure time in the country's main metropolis.

Toronto's Transportation Infrastructure

The city has well-developed public transport: there's a subway, buses, and streetcars. The fare is $3.45 CAD. Residents who use public transport daily can purchase a monthly pass for $156 CAD.

Car owners in Toronto may face some challenges. Firstly, due to its size and huge population, the city can experience heavy traffic jams. Secondly, drivers will have to pay considerable amounts for parking, and parking spaces in the city are not always easily accessible.

An interesting feature of Toronto's infrastructure is the underground city PATH. This underground network of pedestrian walkways in downtown Toronto extends for over 30 kilometers and includes restaurants, shops, services, and entertainment. This network provides convenient connections for pedestrians 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

A visit to Toronto is a lifetime experience. The city won't leave anyone indifferent, despite having both many pros and cons.

It's quite likely that upon arriving here, you'll realize you've fallen in love with this city and want to stay forever. In that case, you can consider several immigration options.

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

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

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

• Foreign Worker (for highly skilled workers);
• International Student (for graduates of Canadian universities);
• In-Demand Skills (for representatives of in-demand professions);
• Masters Graduate (for graduates of Canadian universities with a master's degree);
• PhD Graduate (for graduates of Canadian universities with a doctoral degree).

If the downsides of Toronto outweigh all the benefits for you, and you find this city too noisy, crowded, and expensive, remember — Canada is a very diverse country, and you can always find a place for yourself.

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