Living in Toronto means living in the city that is considered to be New York’s little sister. However, despite the city’s many attractions, after living here for 2 years, I realized there are aspects of Toronto I didn’t know before coming. So, this article aims to share my experiences with you and, more specifically, to give you a perspective on the negative aspects, in my opinion, of living as an expat in Toronto.

The true cost of living as an expat in Toronto

Housing Crisis: The Post-COVID Reality

Okay, let’s start this article with what I think is the most important point against living in Toronto as an expat: the cost of living. After the Covid crisis, apartment rents skyrocketed. I remember that when I arrived in March 2022, you could expect to rent a 1 bedroom for C$2,000. However, when we looked for a place in October 2022, that price had risen to C$2,500. Pretty huge difference, right?

Continuing on the subject of housing prices, one of the things that doesn’t encourage me to stay in Toronto long-term is the exorbitant cost of home ownership. For a 1 bedroom in the downtown core, at the time of writing this article, you’ll have to pay at least C$600,000. Yup, we’re talking about Parisian prices.

Beyond Rent: Daily Expenses in Toronto

If it were only the rent that was excessively expensive, it would pass (and then again). But all the “extras” are equally expensive. Restaurants, bars, sports, alcohol, shopping, phone bills, traveling in Canada… everything is expensive. I’ve met several people who had to hold 2 jobs in order to support themselves while living in Toronto.

Surviving Toronto’s Climate Challenge

Understanding Toronto’s Weather

It’s no secret that the Canadian winter is pretty harsh. In your misfortune, you’re lucky to be in Toronto. Indeed, compared to Montreal, Toronto’s winters are much warmer. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean we can’t have -20°C days. But frankly, from you to me, if you’re well dressed, it’s okay!

Canadian Winter: What to Really Expect

No, the most constraining thing, in my opinion, is the fact that winter is long, very long. You’ll see that the autumn and spring seasons aren’t necessarily well represented here. Indeed, in the space of a few days, you’ll go from 0° degrees to around 20° degrees and vice versa. So if, like me, you love little outfits with jackets, you’ll only have a few weeks to enjoy them.

What’s more, I noticed that temperatures in Canada are warmer than what I experienced in France. For example, in Toronto, when it’s 15°C, I go out in a T-shirt. That’s not the case in France.

As a result, winter can last from November to the end of April. Believe me, that’s a long time. The only advantage I’ve found is that you always have an excuse to eat raclette! (if you don’t know this dish, you have to try it!) A word of advice: Saint Lawrence Market is a gem to find French cheese and charcuterie. Don’t hesitate to stop by.

Drug Problems in Toronto’s Streets

I’m not talking about weed, which is legal in Canada. I’m talking more generally about hard drugs. Unfortunately, this is a real scourge in North America, and Toronto is not spared. I was really surprised and saddened to come across so many people under the influence of drugs during my walks in Toronto.

Although some parts of the city are known for their large populations of homeless and drug addicts (Moss Park and Sherbourne Street in general), drugs are present everywhere. For example, I’ve seen people shooting up in the middle of Yonge-Dundas Square (the equivalent of New York Times Square, but in a second-rate version, to be quite honest).

However, these people are generally unaware of your presence and won’t bother you. Personally, I’ve never had any problems.

Social Challenges for Expats in Toronto

People in Toronto are generally kind to others, especially expats. However, they are perhaps a little too benevolent. Let me explain: I find it very difficult to know whether someone is being nice to you because they “have to” or because they really like you.

Also, people tend to stay in Toronto for a fixed period. For example, in our case, many of the people we met either moved to another city or returned to France after their Working Holiday Visa (WHV). This makes it difficult to develop long-term relationships.

Finally, Toronto is a multicultural city. So, when you meet someone, you won’t necessarily have the same references. On the one hand, this is very enriching, but it can also limit the creation of lasting bonds.

The Identity Crisis

Canada is in search of an identity, and Toronto is no exception. Although the neighborhoods are diverse, I find a lack of community cohesion. Personally, after 2 years of living in Toronto, I don’t feel at all like Torontonian, let alone Canadian.

Ontario’s Tax System

You didn’t expect taxes to be one of the things I didn’t like about Toronto, did you? Well, we’re very heavily taxed in Canada. Not so different from France when you think about it.

The purpose of this article is not to tell you not to come and live in Toronto as an expat. However, like every city, Toronto has its advantages and disadvantages. That’s why I thought it would be a good idea to give you some feedback on what I experienced and felt in this city, to be as impartial as possible. Is this the image you had of Toronto?

La Bise,