How a Vancouverite learned to love Toronto

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      Growing up in Vancouver, you hear a lot of trash talk about Toronto. It’s ugly, people say, no mountain vistas there. And then there are the atrocious winters. Who’d want to endure six months of bone-chilling cold and sideways snowstorms? Um, no thank you.

      Of course there’s also the workaholism, the Type-A fast walkers, and the anonymity of living in a metropolis of six million. Add to that the centre-of-the-universe complex, and there’s a reason Toronto Sucks was a meme.

      But here’s the thing: if you work in an industry that’s centred in Toronto, chances are good you’ll eventually end up in T.O. So one day, I found myself living there.

      I arrived in the summer of 2006. It was a steaming-hot July. I unpacked my bags in a loft in Kensington Market, did some exploring, and was stunned to discover the city wasn’t what I’d imagined. Here are the top-10 things that won me over, any one of which warrants a trip.

      1. The food

      You can find any cuisine your heart desires here. Craving a Jamaican patty washed down with a cream soda? Patty King. Want upscale, peasant-style Italian? Buca. Mouthwatering, modernist French confections are at Nadège. Fresh cooks up vegan fare that’ll satiate the most committed of carnivores. And if you can’t live without gluten-free Thai, you’ll love Khao San Road.

      2. The Multiculturalism 

      Toronto is far from perfect on the harmony front, but it’s a heck of a lot better than any other city I’ve spent time in. You hear dozens of languages on the street and interracial couples are the norm. There is a fierce pride in multiculturalism that is celebrated with an extensive calendar of street parties, from the Polish Festival to Caribana. It’s also channelled into irreverent jokes (see Russell Peters).

      3. The neighbourhoods

      I got to know Toronto by roaming its distinctive neighbourhoods. From the trendy galleries, vintage boutiques, and graffiti alleys of Queen West (Vogue named it the world’s second-coolest district, after Tokyo’s Shimokitazawa) to the lively farmers market and brunch spots of Roncesvalles, the best way to see the city that Toronto-born rapper Drake calls “the 6” is on foot.

      4. The transit system

      Locals will be horrified that I’m recommending the embattled TTC, but coming from Vancouver—with its no-show buses and laughably long travel times—the subways aren’t too shabby. Sure, there’s Tokyo-level crowding and frequent delays, but if you’re on vacation, you can avoid the rush. Or, catch a charming, old-world streetcar.

      5. The seasons

      There’s nothing more magical than autumn in Toronto. The leaves are glorious on any number of strolls, including the Beltline Trail or Don River Valley Trail, or in High Park. Winter’s pretty special too; the definition of cozy is bundling up for a cappuccino outing to Riverdale’s Rooster or Leslieville’s Dark Horse. At the first bloom of spring, everyone emerges from hibernation. Once summer arrives, it’s on: folks stay out late every night, work be damned. And on weekends, they retreat to starlit cabins up north, or take jaunts to Chicago, New York City, and Montreal.

      6. The events

      I knew Toronto was going to be home when I saw Pearl Jam play a back-yard barbecue fundraiser. And when I caught David Cronenberg interview Stephen King, and sat (almost) courtside at a Raptors game. There’s always something to do—and a lot of it is free. Visit galleries, take ballet and yoga classes, attend lectures and readings; there’s so much to do without cost, in fact, that blogTO publishes a weekly roundup.

      7. The movies

      The Toronto International Film Festival is so well attended by ardent cinephiles that it practically shuts down the city each fall. But there are also dozens of lower-key festivals that are not to be missed. And, year-round, you can see exceptional films at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema and TIFF Bell Lightbox.

      8. The DIY culture

      Interested in reclaiming the arts of your grandparents’ generation? If you have an itch to do something with your hands, you can take workshops in sewing (at the Make Den), knitting (at the Knit Café), and shoemaking (at the Art & Sole Academy).

      9. The inspiring community organizations

      Torontonians have a way of looking after each other that makes the city less alienating. I started volunteering at the Stop—an innovative community food centre and urban garden that provides fresh, healthy food to all—and for visitors, it’s well worth taking a tour. Or drop by gems like the youth-led arts organization the Remix Project or the cultural hub in Regent Park, Daniels Spectrum.

      10. The scrappy spirit

      I’m pretty sure everyone in Toronto thinks Drake is talking about them when he raps, “Started from the bottom, now we’re here.” The thing about an immigrant city is that a big part of the population arrived with nothing. Everyone is busy trying to build a better life. People work hard—sometimes too hard, it’s true. But stuff gets done. Lives are transformed. Things happen. There’s an energy, a sense of possibility. And a tenacity that stands us in good stead when things go south—that brutal Leafs loss, or that tragic mayor, or that awful news story. We just turn up the Drake in our headphones and keep moving.

      ACCESS: For info on getting around, see the Toronto Transit Commission. For ideas on where to eat, see Toronto Life. For what to do, see blogTO. For accommodation, see Tourism Toronto.

      Comments

      17 Comments

      ursa minor

      Nov 25, 2014 at 3:13pm

      Most of the resentment towards Toronto doesn't really have anything to do with the actual city, but the Toronto-centric focus of what's supposed to be a 'national' media. Geography and economies of scale dictate that there would be more to see and do in Toronto, whereas for tourists (and many locals), Vancouver is not as much regarded as an urban destination as it is a base for further forays to Whistler, Vancouver Island, or other destinations up and down the West Coast.

      dont forget

      Nov 25, 2014 at 8:56pm

      vancouver has a good share of aloof, passive aggressive, anti-social, no eye contact , waste of shit citizens, male and female.

      Winter Ale

      Nov 26, 2014 at 1:02am

      There are way more well paying jobs in Toronto but Vancouver is better for outdoor recreation & Vancouver has better restaurants.

      Both Vancouver & Toronto hockey teams suck, especially in the playoffs.

      tedo

      Nov 26, 2014 at 2:05am

      vancouverites are the most snotty unfriendly selfish, fake, dishonest, stingy rat-like people on earth....vancouver also has zero industry, zero head offices, zero attractions
      and the highest taxes and worst job opportunity in North America

      Chad Hurley

      Nov 26, 2014 at 2:50am

      No doubt, most of the high paying head office jobs are in Toronto and Vancouver has all the low paying call center jobs that pay $10 - $15 an hour. High job turnover is the norm in Vancouver.

      MONTREAL!!!

      Nov 26, 2014 at 7:44am

      Going to skip Toronto and head to Montreal, VANCOUVER SUCKS in far to many ways to even bother typing it.

      M

      Nov 26, 2014 at 9:04am

      I'm from Toronto too; 14 years have I lived in Vancouver- though I love it here- Vancouver's reputation for "leave me alone don't bother me"- is well deserved- and I just don't wish to spend my time around a withdrawn consciousness environment anymore.

      I've been in almost every major city in Canada and the US- and let me tell you- Vancouver IS unique and very special in so many ways....it could be fantastic; but.....the "outlook" here is.....anti-social. It's getting close to time to leave.

      Hazlit

      Nov 26, 2014 at 10:39am

      I'm from NYC and you Vancouverites and Torontonians are both just a bunch of redneck philistines. :).

      No seriously, the article above does highlight much of what is good about Toronto. Vancouver does need more emotional openness. Maybe it's the rain that makes us all so anti-social.

      Vancouver also needs to be more comfortable with what we might "elitist" culture--high end restaurants, wine bars instead of pubs, an international visual art scene, a public library that stops buying quite so many "how to" books and identity crisis and victimology memoirs.

      One of the things that makes cities great is the presence of a bunch of people not afraid to be snobs. Diversity of all sorts is crucial, of course, but without snobs you have no culture--only a bunch of strip malls.

      Plus

      Nov 26, 2014 at 10:40am

      The men in Toronto are so very handsome and so engaging. They ask you out in lounges, coffee shops, grocery shopping, etc... Gotta love that.
      Whether they are blue collar workers or those gorgeous suits (white collar).
      I'd choose Toronto just for that.

      Former Toronto resident.

      Nov 26, 2014 at 12:04pm

      Dear Torontoians who are here to have a shit on Vancouver,

      Are you living in Vancouver and dissing it's people/attitude/vibe?
      Are you pining away for what Toronto has to offer?
      Do you go to Leafs games in the Garage wearing your Tie Domi jersey and hate everything Vancouver has to offer?

      Then, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!

      There are buses and planes and trains leaving here every day. Problem solved!

      If your whiny ass is still living here, then make a fucking effort. Maybe you're just meeting other whiny bitches from Toronto (or who-knows-where-else)? People from Vancouver, actually from Vancouver, are not at all like you describe so I have my doubts you've met any.

      Signed,
      Former Torontonian living in Vancouver