29 Pros and Cons of Living in Toronto (From a Local)

Want to know the real pros and cons of living in Toronto?

I was born and raised in Toronto and spent nearly two decades living there. I still go back regularly go back to visit family, and I’m actually in the process of moving there to settle down long term.

It’s been eye-opening to experience every stage of life here, from childhood to teenage years and adulthood.

Unsurprisingly, I’ve experienced all the ups and downs of being a Torontonian.

Living in Toronto does have plenty of perks. The city is relatively safe, there are lots of large companies (i.e., jobs), free healthcare, tons of cultural hotspots (especially if you like theatre), plus loads of restaurants, festivals, and city parks! 

The downside? The city is home to the most expensive houses in Canada, traffic is a nightmare, and the pollution level is insane. 

So, if you’re considering moving to Toronto, here are all the advantages and disadvantages of living here!

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Robust Job Market	Tough Job Competition
Great Diversity	Fewer Opportunities For Immigrants
High Standard of Living	High Cost of Living
Free Healthcare & Great Education	Expensive Phone Plans
Good Public Transport	Nightmare-ish Traffic
Bike-Friendly	Dangerous Bike Lanes
Safe for a Big City	People Aren’t Very Friendly
You’ll Never Be Bored	You’ll Never Be Without Construction
Fun Nightlife Scene & Amazing Festivals	Downtown Is Crowded
Epic Food Scene	Epic Air, Noise & Light Pollution
Good Range of Neighborhoods	Priciest Properties in Canada

1. Pro – Biggest Job Market in Canada

Toronto is the economic heart of Canada. You can find many large corporations downtown, making moving to Toronto a great idea for young business professionals.

The job market is very diverse, too. You can work in creative fields, engineering, human services, or finance. 

However, I’ve always noticed that positions in law, marketing, finance, and administration are especially sought after here.

2. Con – Tough Job Competition

Toronto’s diverse job market draws so many people from across the country and around the world, which makes it very difficult to actually land a job here.

After I graduated with a BA in English and Creative Writing, I applied to 198 jobs in downtown Toronto but got rejected from them all (even the pyramid scheme!).

I’ve heard so many stories of people like me who have struggled to find work in Toronto due to the insane competition.

If you’re planning to move to Toronto to get work, I recommend getting a confirmed placement before moving here.

This platform is the best place to find jobs in Toronto.

3. Pro – Toronto is Very Diverse

One of my favorite features of Toronto is its multicultural neighborhoods! The population has risen rapidly over the last decade, especially due to immigration. 

Although Toronto is a predominantly English-speaking city, you’ll find over 140 languages spoken here.

Everywhere you go, there’s a new pocket of culture to explore, from Greektown at the Danforth to Ukrainian Village in Bloor West. 

I credit Toronto’s diversity and my family’s love of eating for helping me appreciate amazing dishes from around the world at a young age.

4. Con – Hard for Immigrants to Find Jobs

A huge con of living in Toronto is that it can be tough for immigrants to find jobs.

The main issue I’ve seen is a lack of Canadian work experience. Canadian businesses prioritize local experience, especially for individuals who aren’t visibly Caucasian.

There are issues with racism, language barriers, and a lack of public assistance for immigrants in Canada.

Charities like United Way are working to close these gaps.

5. Pro – High Standard of Living

Is Toronto a good place to live? Yes, Toronto’s one of the world’s most liveable cities.

I’ve lived in a few cities around the country and can say that there is a uniquely high quality of life in Toronto. It’s a benefit of living in Toronto that I miss when I’m abroad.

Citizens enjoy free healthcare, and the hospitals here provide top-quality care. Toronto also offers access to prestigious universities, including the University of Toronto and York University.

The life expectancy in Toronto is 83 years. My guess is the high level of safety, healthcare quality, and literacy have a lot to do with it.

6. Con – High Cost of Living

It’s expensive to live in Toronto.

Let’s talk taxes first. I haven’t spent a lot of time living in Toronto as an adult, so it hasn’t directly affected me much, but for my parents, it was a huge burden.

Compared with the US, our tax rates are much higher. Toronto also combines federal and provincial taxes. In the highest bracket, you can be paying almost half your salary in taxes!

But it’s expensive all around. Let me give you a breakdown of a single person living in the city.

• 1 Bedroom Apartment in Downtown Toronto – $2,000 CAD ($1,500 USD)
• Utilities and Internet – $250 CAD ($190 USD)
• Renter’s Insurance – $30 CAD ($25 USD)
• Groceries and 1 Meal Out – $200 CAD ($150 USD) / week
• Monthly TTC Pass – $156 CAD ($120 USD)

Total = $3,236 CAD ($2,435 USD) / month

This doesn’t even include entertainment expenses!

It’s possible to live for less with roommates, eating different types of food, and sacrificing on utilities. However, this is the average cost of living for a young professional in downtown Toronto.

7. Con – Expensive Phone Plans

I started an informal study of cell phone plan rates in my pros and cons of living in X guides around the world and have found Canada’s to be one of the highest.

When I was in the UK, my plan cost me less than $10 CAD ($8 USD) and included 4GB of data.

The cheapest phone plans almost always cost over $65 CAD ($50 USD) and don’t even have unlimited data. 

One of the reasons that rates are so high is that the ‘Big Three’ have a monopoly on cell phone plans in Canada. This allows them to control the market and keep prices very high.

8. Pro – Free Healthcare

On the bright side, Canada’s healthcare system is free. There are no bills to pay when you go to the hospital or clinic, and you can see a family doctor or even a specialist without paying anything. 

This helps make Toronto’s cost of living a little more bearable.

While I don’t love how high the taxes are, at least I know they’re going towards essential services you’ll use while living in Canada.

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9. Pro – Great Education System

If you’re moving to Toronto with your family, your kids will have access to good education options.

You can find public city schools, private schools, and public Catholic schools throughout the city. Public schools are free, and private schools start at around $30,000 CAD ($22,100 USD) a year.

It’s one of the benefits of living in Toronto that my parents say helped them settle in the city.

After finishing high school, there’s no need to leave the city. Toronto is home to some of the best universities and colleges in Canada.

• University of Toronto (UofT) – known for its medical, science, and literature programs.
• York University – best known for its Osgoode Law School.
• Ryerson Univeristy – offers amazing arts and technology programs.

Also, Humber College, George Brown, and Seneca all offer technical and applied programs that are routinely ranked the best in the country, if not the world.

10. Con – Traffic is a Nightmare

Toronto has the worst traffic in North America. 

Toronto’s quickly growing population means the roads here get really congested, especially downtown Toronto. The ever-present construction and road diversions don’t help either.

If you live in the suburbs but work in downtown Toronto, you can get a car but expect to spend at least $25 CAD ($19 USD) per day on parking and far more on gas from idling for an hour trying to get home.

11. Pro – Excellent Public Transport

Thankfully, Toronto has an extensive public transport system. The large number of bus routes and subway stops can take you anywhere you need to go.

Many people living downtown use the TTC to get into and around the city. Buses, streetcars, and subways all give access to most of the Greater Toronto Area.

It’s also really safe. I used to go to high school on the subway and buses on my own with no problems (except for the fact that it took me until I was 17 to learn East from West).

If you need to go to neighboring cities, take the GO Train.

12. Pro – Bike-Friendly City

Toronto is very bikeable, too!

Everyone has a bike here, and there are tons of dedicated cycling routes throughout the city.

You don’t even need to have your own set of wheels, either. There are public bike rental stations around the city. You can rent for a few hours, days, or even weeks.

If you enjoy exploring cities by bike, you’ll love this downtown tour!

13. Con – Poorly Placed Bike Lanes

Just be extra careful when using the bike lanes. Some bike lanes cross traffic lanes, and some are technically parking areas (yeah, that’s a terrible idea), which causes lots of accidents every year.

I biked a lot my first summer back as an adult and genuinely feared for my life almost every time I had to cycle on the road due to drivers not paying attention or poor street markings.

Stick to biking on the boardwalk if this makes you nervous. 

14. Pro – Safe for a Big City

Toronto is ranked as the safest place to live in Canada. 

The crime rate in Toronto is relatively low for a major city. It’s safer than London, New York, and other cities of similar size.

We have small pockets of gang violence and some streets that are considered dangerous, but on the whole, you’ll be fine exploring the city on your own.

15. Con – People Aren’t Very Friendly

I know Canada is supposed to be the friendliest country in the world.

I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but Torontonians are not part of that reputation. In fact, we’re known as the “New Yorkers of Canada.”

That’s not to say that we’re not nice people. It’s just that the Toronto lifestyle is fast-paced. 

We’re always in a rush and have places to be. We’ll still apologize if you bump into us, though!

16. Pro – You’ll Never Be Bored 

No matter where you are in Toronto, you’ll always find tons of fun things to do.

You can visit one of the many museums or art galleries downtown or enjoy the awesome nightlife in Queen Street West.

If you love the outdoors, you can head to the Scarborough Bluffs, High Park, or Don Valley for excellent hiking trails and picnic locations.

Walking along the waterfront in the Beaches Neighborhood is always fun, too.

You can also check out Toronto Islands for a good adventure and gorgeous views!

17. Con – But You’ll Never Be Without Construction

Unfortunately, when I say something is always happening in Toronto, that also includes construction work.

There’s always work being done somewhere – whether it’s a subway or the apartment complex next door.

The same is true for driving in Toronto. Because of the cold winters, the pavement undergoes a contract-and-expand cycle every year, leading to major potholes.

Spring is usually “construction season” in Toronto. It’s when all the road work begins again, causing massive traffic build-ups with the reduced lanes.

18. Pro – Excellent Nightlife 

Downtown Toronto has incredible nightlife, with hundreds of pubs, bars, clubs, and everything in between.

One of my favorite nightlight spots is a sangria bar near High Park. Another is the nightclub that the Royal Ontario Museum turns into after dark (I mean, who wouldn’t have fun partying in a museum?).

If you’re living downtown, that means easy access to nightlife and no need for expensive Uber rides home. 

Just be ready to fork out $20 to $40 CAD ($15 to $30 USD) in cover charge for a few hours of dancing.

19. Pro – Amazing Festivals

One of the best things about living in Toronto is all the incredible festivals.

There are big annual events like the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Toronto Comicon, and then there are the uniquely Torontonian ones that celebrate everything from music to food!

I’ll share with you the best festivals to check out in Toronto.

• Nuit Blanche – all-night contemporary art fest
• Caribana – Toronto’s Caribbean carnival
• Taste of the Danforth – Toronto’s Greek fest
• Winterlicious – wintertime food festival celebrating local restaurants.
• Beaches International Jazz Festival
• Santa Claus Parade

20. Con – Downtown is Very Crowded

When everything that’s hip and happening is downtown, there’s one inevitable thing you can expect – people. And lots of them!

If you’re looking for space (I’m talking Broadway musical, throw your arms out and twirl around without smacking the Timbits out of someone’s hands kind of space), then downtown isn’t for you.

There’s always traffic on roads and sidewalks, the apartments are smaller to accommodate the mass of people, and there are long lineups at basically everything downtown.

You’ll enjoy more breathing space if you live away from downtown (as long as you’re okay with being further away from the best restaurants and nightlife spots).

21. Pro – Good Range of Suburban Neighbourhoods

The nice part is that you don’t have to live downtown to have a good time. Toronto has plenty of good suburbs in which to settle down. Some are even small pocket cities in and of themselves.

Historically, Toronto was 5 cities that melded into one. Each area now has its unique personality. 

I grew up in the Ukrainian/Eastern European neighborhood for most of my childhood, which inspired my love for perogies.

If you love a small-city feel, try Mississauga or York. 

22. Con – Most Expensive Houses in Canada

Toronto’s housing prices are outrageous, thanks to inflation, international buyers, and limited space in the city.

You’ll be lucky to find something under $1 million that is even vaguely livable within the city center.

There are exceptions if you’re willing to sacrifice size and distance from downtown, but generally, it’s tough to buy a home in Toronto until you’re about 40.

23. Pro – Epic Food Scene

Toronto’s exciting food scene is one of the best things about living here! Pick from literally thousands of restaurants, from casual family affairs to small diners to gourmet high-end cuisine.

The best part is that the food is so diverse! Whether you love French, Japanese, Greek, Jamaican, Chinese, or a good ol’ Canadian meal, you’ll find them all here. 

Explore the different neighborhoods to find the best eats, or use my Toronto restaurant guide.

Try this food tour to taste Toronto’s diverse food scene.

24. Con – Insane Air Pollution

You’ll also find some of the worst pollution here in Toronto.

The air quality isn’t great, and there’s lots of smog. Some days, it’s even hard to see the CN Tower from just a couple of kilometers away.

The smog warnings often make summer unlivable for asthmatic or elderly individuals in Toronto. 

Coming from somebody who carries an inhaler, this is a major con of living in Toronto.

25. Con – It’s Always Loud & Bright

Then there’s the noise and light pollution too.

We already talked about how much construction goes on in downtown Toronto, and that makes it super noisy. It’s hard to go anywhere without hearing drilling, jackhammers, or loud vehicles from the street below your living area.

With the number of people and the nightlife, there’s almost a constant din of noise and some form of bright lights nearby.

If you decide to move here, definitely invest in blackout curtains and noise-canceling headphones.

26. Con – Somehow It’s Too Hot and Too Cold

If you’re wondering what Toronto is like in terms of weather, I don’t exactly have the best news. 

Toronto is supposed to be one of Canada’s most “temperate” cities. I’ve lived in Ottawa and Halifax, and I can attest that Toronto is not the coldest nor the snowiest city. But temperate seems like a reach!

In winter, we average 2°C to -7°C (36°F to 19°F). However, we can spend some weeks with temperatures as low as -25°C (-13°F). There are also mountains of snow around the city.

Summer temperatures are usually above 25°C (77°F) and often reach near 40°C (104°F) with the humidity. There are regular heat warnings that force most people to stay inside.

Somehow, the temperature is never comfortable, except for roughly 2 weeks in September.

27. Pro – Canada’s Airport Hub Makes Travel Easy

Toronto is Canada’s main airport hub. If you’re a frequent traveler like me, that means you’ll have great access to lots of different airlines based out of Pearson International Airport, including Air Canada and West Jet.

From downtown Toronto, you can take a direct train to the airport, so it’s easy to go on weekend trips or jet off to Europe!

28. Con – Travel Is Very Expensive in Canada

Getting to the airport is easy, but the cost is another thing.

Canada is behind the times when it comes to travel costs. Everything is crazy expensive!

When I was living in Oxford, I could fly across Europe for under $50 CAD ($37 USD). In Canada, I can’t even fly from Toronto to Ottawa (a 30-minute flight) for under $300 CAD ($225 USD).

Whether you’re traveling within Canada or internationally, expect high ticket prices for any flight.

29. Pro – Rich in Arts and Culture 

Ultimately, making Toronto your home means you’ll be living in a city that’s culturally rich. 

The city has the country’s largest film industry and is home to fine galleries and museums, such as the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum.

The theatre scene is amazing, too. We get many Broadway plays and also develop some unique local performances. I really like the Soul Pepper Play Company in the Distillery District.

Above all, Toronto gets its beautiful culture from the diverse communities that make up the city, making it a place like no other.

Closing Thoughts: Is Moving to Toronto a Good Idea?

I’ve experienced the pros and cons of living in Toronto myself, and at the end of the day, I think Toronto is a great place to live. 

Most people I know who have moved to Toronto love it. They never want to leave!

It’s a beautiful city with a robust job market, a rich arts and culture scene, and the coolest nightlife spots. It’s also easy to get around by public transport or bike. 

If you’re looking for an affordable city, Toronto probably won’t be your first choice though. Houses are incredibly expensive here!

To get around this, take a leaf from my parents’ books and live on the edge of downtown for a better balance between city and suburban life.

Ready to plan your move? Lighten your mental load with my ultimate moving abroad checklist!

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