Living in Toronto and Vancouver?

Question

Hi, my partner and I are considering a move to Canada and so far like the look of Toronto and Vancouver and are weighing up the pros and cons of living in both places.

Can anyone give me any pros and cons of living in these cities? Has anyone lived in both that could help compare the two for me?

Thanks

Answer 1

Both cities have their pros and cons, that's for sure.  

Toronto is larger, more sprawling, more densely packed, and has less green spaces than Vancouver.  It's a good place to live for opportunities that might not exist elsewhere, such as careers in communications, business, the arts, etc., and it's well connected to other nearby urban centres like Montreal, Chicago, and New York.  But the first responder's reasons for moving to Toronto are the same reasons that I wouldn't;  focusing on things like "great shopping malls" and having "everything you need" only sustains a person's happiness for so long - after awhile you need something that feeds your soul.  It is generally a quite friendly city, but also a bit competitive.

Vancouver is a complicated city because yes, it does rain a  lot and yes, it has a really bad heroin problem - which is only really visible in one small section of the downtown eastside, mind you - but for me, it makes up for it in its setting, and most importantly, its close proximity to some of the most beautiful natural spaces in British Columbia (the gulf islands, the sunshine coast, Vancouver island).  Some people can seem a bit cold and stand-offish in Vancouver, but generally quite down-to-earth and open-minded once you get to know them.  Healthy eating, living, and the outdoors are a big focus in Vancouver.

Answer 2

Toronto has more jobs and more Tim Hortons.

Vancouver is better in every other way, particularly weather.

Answer 3

well i live in the GTA of Toronto and im happy with it. I wouldnt mind living in the city of Toronto i lved there once before but i live in a town near it(45 min away) but there are other nice cities near it if you want to be closer  like Mississauga. I useto live in Mississauga and i really liked it. Its clean, nice and not too busy. There are nice and safe neighborhoods there and it has greats stores and an awseome mall (Square One). I cant really say anything about Vancouver because i have never been there but i know it rains there alot. well hope i helped =)

Pros of Toronto are that you have everything there like - stores, movie theatres.

Cons-Some areas are dirty and has grafiti

If u have anymore questions about it i'd love to help you out. Just e-mail me

Answer 4

i lived in Vancouver for three years and it was awesome there is so much to do that you could live there your whole life and not see everything. It will be especially good if you move there now because the winter olympics are coming up in 2010. I will suggest that you move to Vancouver over Toronto. Good luck

Answer 5

Toronto is hotter than Vancouver in summer - often very humid.  And Toronto can be cold in winter - down to -20 sometimes with a fair amount of snow.  Vancouver has better scenery and sea beaches, Toronto has lakefront beaches, but Lake Ontario is so big it looks like the sea.  Downtown Toronto is much more highrise stuff, as it's much bigger - over 3 million.  

I emigrated to Toronto from England 26 years ago, so if you are in England, Vancouver weather is not too different from UK.. Toronto is fine if you just dress appropriately.

Any questions, email me.  Glad to help if I can.  Any other aspects, just ask.

Answer 6

Vancouver has a beautiful ocean view, and Toronto is also a quite pretty place.  Both are large cities.  It depends what you want.  The only cons of living in Vancouver or Toronto are that the house prices are very high in both places.

Answer 7

Big choice but I would go Vancouver. I have spent time in both & it would depend on what you like to do. Both equal for going out beaches & better weather in Vancouver. More of the great outdoors in Brisish Columbia, easier for getting back here or people visiting in Toronto. Sports are better in Toronto & it is more like a capital city than Ottawa is.