Toronto

The City of Toronto lies in southern Ontario, with the shores of Lake Ontario as its southern boundary. Head west, and you’ll soon arrive in Mississauga or Oakville. Head north, and you’re on your way to Vaughan, whereas Durham Region lies to the east. However, absolutely nowhere compares to Toronto. 

In 1998, Ontario’s capital received a major upgrade, when Old Toronto joined with five new municipalities, North York, York, East York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough, to form the mega-city that it is today. To date, more than three million people call this area home. If you expand your definition to include the broader GTA, the population exceeds 7 million. 

Fun fact: Toronto is the only Canadian city that, when asked where you live, no one will ever respond, “Where is that?” As the largest and most populated city in the country, everyone knows about Toronto, even if they have yet to fully understand what an exciting and incredible place it really is. 

Fun fact #2: In 2014, Toronto’s nickname “The 6” gained widespread popularity, a reference to the city’s 1998 amalgamation and its original 416 and 647 area codes.

Many locals have since embraced the term, which sits comfortably alongside “The T-Dot,” an earlier nickname that evolved from the abbreviation “T.O.” (Toronto, Ontario) and has long been part of the city’s cultural identity.

People of all ages and backgrounds live in Toronto, from students, working-class residents and middle-class professionals to public figures, entertainers, and ultra-wealthy executives. The city also has many newcomers to Canada alongside those who have been here for generations.

There’s a large concentration of artists, writers, and musicians, thanks to a robust entertainment scene. A highly educated population and business-friendly environment attract entrepreneurs, professionals, and anyone seeking a new or better opportunity.

An outstanding education system means Toronto is home to passionate teachers and administrators. A state-of-the-art healthcare system attracts nurses, doctors, technicians, and practitioners of every type. More than a few people who always swore they’d never live in a big city, but now that they’re here, they wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Most of all, Toronto is the place for families; some are new to the area, others are long-time residents.

Toronto Real Estate

Toronto’s population is diverse, and so is its housing market. The real estate landscape consists of every type of condo, such as those in low-rise buildings and modest older units. Then there are the stacked condos and the modern high-rises you can see from miles away. Many of the smaller units can be excellent options for first-time buyers, whereas luxury condos are fit for the established professional.

If that’s not enough, the city abounds with new developments in nearly every neighbourhood and suburb. A brand new pre-construction condo that feels like it was built for you could be a reality. Industrial sectors turned residential also means an abundance of hard lofts, more than you’ll find nearly anywhere else in Canada.

Townhouses in Toronto also come in a variety of shapes and structures, including freehold and condo-style, from the historic row houses in Cabbagetown and Little Italy to luxurious, executive townhomes in Summerhill and The Annex.

Detached and semi-detached homes come in a long list of architectural designs. Historic styles include Georgian, Victorian, Bay and Gable, Edwardian, and Tudor Revival, which can be found in many higher-end neighbourhoods like High Park, Roncesvalles, Forest Hill, or Rosedale.

When searching for something more modern, look to the Mid-Century Modern or Transitional styles you’ll find in some of the newer residential areas. Toronto is known for its share of ultra-luxurious properties, and nowhere is this more true than in The Bridle Path, also called “Millionaire’s Row,” with its breathtaking collection of mansions.

To say that “Toronto has amenities” is a vast understatement. No matter where you are in the city, you can find everything you are looking for and then some! Most of the benefits of Toronto living can be divided into one of three categories: entertainment, errands, or essentials such as healthcare.

Whatever you need or want, you won’t have to go very far. Even quiet residential streets often feature mini-plazas with variety stores, pharmacies, and other services ideal for quick errands.

If you don’t have a car, you can usually walk, as Toronto offers a high walk score. If you don’t want to walk, you can ride your bike. As you probably guessed, many neighbourhoods also boast a high bike score! If all else fails, Toronto’s public transit is among the best in North America.

World-Class Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment

There is no shortage of fun and exciting things to do when you’re exploring the city. Top shopping districts include King West, Kensington Market, St. Lawrence Market, the Entertainment District, and Yorkville, also known as “The Mink Mile” due to the presence of luxury brands.

The dining scene is equally impressive, with no less than 8,000 restaurants representing approximately 75 different ethnic styles. You’ll never be at a loss for a new dining experience. Boutique cafes, gourmet fast food, cozy family restaurants, and fine dining are all part of the scene. More than a few Toronto restaurants have also been recognized by the Michelin Guide.

If ever a major celebrity or sports event has only one stop in Canada, there’s a good chance it will be in Toronto at venues like The Rogers Centre and Scotiabank Arena. Those who prefer more intimate performances are also in luck, as Toronto is full of pubs and smaller venues where you can enjoy great entertainment, delectable food, and of course, the company of friends.

Toronto’s Breathtaking Park System

To say that “Toronto has green spaces” is even more of an understatement than saying it has amenities. The city boasts more than 1,500 parks and trails that span more than 8,000 hectares. High Park, Centennial Park, and Toronto Island may be among the largest and most famous.

However, there are plenty of smaller, quiet spaces where you can get out and enjoy the beauty of nature at a moment’s notice. Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens, Craigleigh Gardens, The Music Garden, and Sherwood Park are just a few of many examples.

Without leaving the city, you can hike, cycle, rollerblade, go birdwatching, skate, play tennis, cool off in a splash pad, shoot some hoops, play baseball, challenge your skateboard skills, admire stunning art installations, go fishing, and even set up camp overnight.

Toronto even features several sandy beaches throughout the city where you can swim, bask in the sun, or build a sand castle on a summer’s day. It’s like resort living, but in the city, and this is your everyday life!

Do you want to know even more about what it’s like to live in Toronto? Here’s How Toronto Compares To International Cities.

The school systems in Toronto are of premium quality, which is one more reason many people are drawn to this area. There are four publicly funded school boards covering Junior Kindergarten to High School:

• Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
• Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB)
• Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French Public)
• The Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (French Catholic)

The driving philosophy of the public system is a service model, with an imperative to meet the individual educational needs of each student in the system. Parents also have access to a wide cross-section of private schools to meet a variety of educational expectations.

Beyond primary and secondary schools, the city hosts several fully credited Universities, which include the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), York University, and the Ontario College of Art and Design. In the early 2020s, the Université de l’Ontario français (UOF) opened a Toronto campus, making it the only French-language accredited university.

There are also four Provincial Colleges, Seneca, Humber, George Brown and Centennial. Individually and together, Toronto offers an impressive range of choice, both in terms of reputation and the breadth of courses and fields of study.

We have barely begun to describe the superb education system in Toronto. To learn more, here’s An Introduction To Toronto’s Outstanding Schools.

Toronto is not just the largest population centre in Canada; it’s also one of the most expansive cities geographically, spanning approximately 630 square kilometres east to west, and is the capital of the province Ontario.

It’s no wonder that the city is the centre of the country in economic and cultural terms. People looking to create a life in Toronto can expect to find just about any style of living that suits their tastes –mainly because the balance of connection to and separation from the total urban experience is woven into just about every community.

So you can sit back and enjoy the quiet solitude of your backyard garden while you sip your coffee after breakfast, then walk a single block for fantastic boutique shopping. You can step out the front door of your downtown condo, then duck off the busy street to find a shady avenue with grand houses.

As you explore neighbourhoods across Toronto, you’ll encounter one of the most diverse populations in the world, with more than 200 languages spoken citywide. This global character reflects the fact that over half of Toronto’s residents were born outside Canada.

Cultural enclaves such as Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Italy, Little Portugal, Little Jamaica, and Greektown contribute to the city’s distinct neighbourhood identities. This diversity is visible in everyday life, from local businesses and community traditions to year-round celebrations like Taste of the Danforth, the Gerrard India Festival, and the Toronto Chinese Lantern Festival.

Toronto’s multicultural spirit is equally reflected in its arts and institutions. Landmarks including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum offer ongoing opportunities to explore the city’s heritage and global influences. Recognized internationally by organizations such as the BBC and Statistics Canada, Toronto is widely regarded as one of the world’s most multicultural urban centres—and one where communities thrive side by side.

Living in Toronto means enjoying the best the world has to offer right close to home. Thinking of making a move to Toronto? Explore available homes and expert insights with the Tanya Crepulja Team. We know the city inside and out and are excited to help you find the lifestyle that fits you best.

Have questions about buying or selling a home in Toronto? We are your Toronto Real Estate experts. Get in touch today at tanya@tcteam.ca or call 647-293-3785.