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I was born and raised in Toronto but left in the early 2000s because I saw the writing in the wall back then. Every time I go back to visit I find it more crowded, more dirtier, more dangerous and just generally unpleasant. It used to be a nice city but no longer. I wouldn’t go back to live there.

This isn’t a Toronto issue this is a global issue. I live in Toronto and took a trip to Los Angeles in august.. it gave me a perspective on how good we have it compared to other major cities.

It looks like you are living in a suburb, far from the city centre. These types of places are designed for people with cars. Otherwise you will spend too much time walking and waiting for public buses.

Totally agree with your video I moved on out of the city this year a big change as I was born and lived here 45 yrs. The rents and traffic congestion, and just for mental health was my reasons to leave. Politics suck there and I don’t seen any improvement any time soon.

Love it here in Toronto, Im lucky though i dont pay crazy high rent even though im itching to move for some odd reason. Maybe because I know I cant be here forever, I live in an old building that wont last, isnt mine and will be forced to move out when soemoen else buys it, like I was at my previouse apartment, which is my only problem, all he condo development, basically kicking out poorer people, thats why rent is high, but they're going to have to live with no sun in the city when all those towers block it. That being said the areas is just so bueatiful, it feels like its nestled in a forest, then the lake, its a great spot. Got 4 the seasons, i hear ist the most diverse city in the world racially and its climate is just as diverse going from -30 some winters to well above +30 some summers and everything in between. That being said I am getting tired of the city life and looking for a change although i think Toronto has a lot more potential and is actually underrated right now and will just get better. Maybe not more cheaper, but hopefully politicians will wise up and stop selling out for short term profits for long term problems.

Born and raised in Ontario, from immigrant parents. What I can say is Toronto was holding on before the pandemic and once it hit things fell apart. Parts of Toronto look like a Batman movie. What's wrong with Toronto? People who live in the city don't want to pay higher property tax like every other municipality surrounding it, so they can't pay for everything. Maintenance is neglected, very few rental buildings being built, a safe injection site at a tourist area (Younge-Dundas Sq) isn't really smart. Add the fact Canada was coasting on a good reputation internationally, so all types of people coming here seeking refugee status, which fine we are compassionate helpful people but at a certain point its too many people. Things aren't being run to benefit people and improve their lives, it more feels like we're patching things with duct tape and saying its fixed.

1) Dont go abroad with the mindset that you are going to live the same life you live here. You cant. \n\n2) dont expect it to be a plug and play experience like moving from indian city to another. You cant pack your life in 8 suitcases and go to a place which has many different requirements in terms of neccesities of life and system of living eg weather, clothes having car, different way of shopping, eating,doing household chores, accessing systems like health care, school etc. \n\n3) dont go thinking that all the things you need there are available to you or even that you will know/recognise what you need to settle down there. \n\n4) unless you are super rich dont think you can afford to \nHave all the necessary things to live the average life there. You wont. It takes 2-6 years to aquire all that. \n\n5) Don't go with the attitude of keeping parallel life back in India to run back to. Then you will never settle down to do what you need to do there. \n6) Also in most cases no matter your age you will be like a young graduate on their first job away from fathers home and all the struggles they have you too will have almost similar struggles. \n7) give it alleast 2 years whole heartedly ( not keeping one foot in India) then only then you will know whether you really like it or not.

Toronto is a beautiful city but if you don't make a lot of money you can either live in studio apartments and hardly buy food to eat or end up homeless. Toronto is much more expensive than most american cities, it might be as expensive as New York City or a bit more. Canada is a truly gorgeous country but it is too expensive. The US is getting so expensive even in Texas,you feel like moving to another country too,in my case my country Panama. Makes you think when will the inflation stop and be controlled in Canada and in the US. We don't want all poor and middle class people to have no money and be left with nothing and end up homeless. Right now it is not a good idea to move to the U.S. or to Canada, just to visit for some months but living in those countries is crippling people's lives.?

I lived there for many years and always wanted get out and I did. For me it was always dirty, ugly, dangerous and mean. Life style is important and sometimes even more important than your high paid job if living there makes you unhappy. I moved, I am happy and guess what I have better living condition, life style and also better paid job elsewhere. Research you will find a place for yourself instead of going mental in this nasty city.

I moved in Toronto in 2015 and been living here since then. I was really happy to move here and became a resident and citizen. It was what I wanted for a long time. Now I can’t deny the fact that I’m not feeling in alignment with this city anymore. Hustle & bustle to cover your basic physiological needs get in the way of my peace and mental health. It has even become stronger after the shutdown. I’m currently planning my solo packaging trip to South East Asia and really considering moving out of Canada in the next year.

Speaking as a Toronto resident who rents in the city (and is thinking of moving out soon), I just don’t think you get the value that you pay for by living in Toronto. In addition to the concerning trends that this video mentions, the weather is crappy 8 months of the year, the transit system is one of the worst I’ve seen in a big city, you have to work a lot to sustain a good lifestyle, bars and restaurants here cost a ton of money and compared to other cities I’ve been to, I’ve found Toronto rather generic and not really unique in any way

Born and raised in Toronto. I have lived here my whole life for over 50 years. The city has changed drastically and very rapidly. As my retirement approaches and my kids finish University, I am out of here. The crime, the cost of everything, terrible transit and roads that look like they have gone through a war. I live by the lake and we have homeless tent encampments and people living along the train tracks ( and this is the suburban part of Toronto, by the Rouge valley) These are only a few of the reasons why Toronto has changed for the negative ( and I do not see it getting any better)

Every big city has changed,but your video is so negative on Toronto. Why don’t you go and live in every other big city in North America and then give your opinion. Toronto is by far, no American city is even close ,to how safe Toronto is. The 5th biggest city in North America,almost 7,000,000,seven million people and almost no crime. It is the second safest city in the world,after Copenhagen in Denmark. \n Toronto is diverse,great job opportunities,great public transit,high standard of living,airport,food,arts,waterfront clean and beautiful,everything is world class and “FREE Healthcare”\n Yes,Toronto is expensive,but has innovative,high tech world class companies that attract intelligent hard working people. Everyone works. \n So if a person is unemployable,won’t work and can’t afford to live in Toronto,then don’t move there.

Which city would you recommend living in?

Toronto has changed drastically. Crime and homelessness is out of control. Traffic is only getting worse. Good luck trying to get around the city during the summer with road construction literally everywhere. Our transit system is out of date and unreliable. The cost of living is stupid. Yet somehow everywhere you look they continue to build condos as cheap and as fast as they can. It really makes you wonder who is buying them. Sadly there’s no real culture or quality of life. Basically work to survive. \n\nLove the videos Alina ??

Lucky you , you did not stay there in the winter or else you would have committed suicide ??.. only job in the winter is to pee come back & watch TV & blow every day snow from the drive way … yes every day ? but I do not live in Canada, I have many family members living there I keep going there as well , I am settled in the US .. but the so called problems of yours in Canada is the same here in the US as well but for me these are the things I love love out here …. Particular about timings , no one comes home without calling , every one is of same standard, kids don’t have to study like donkeys day & night … ( for what ) … out here to have a RV, a boat , suv , saloon car , a bike for summer ride are within every ones reach … at-least that was all my dream … I live in a city yet I have a private 1/2 acre private plot whereas in Mumbai I will have to be a film star ?? here there is no hanji hunji .. I hated the most …out here anywhere we go we take our token number & we are looked after accordingly lastly out here in the west the most amazing thing & the most important thing in life is .. let’s say your business is lost or your job is gone your neighbour’s don’t care you can start from scratch again .. In India one has to commit suicide ????

Good for you, I despise this city. Nastiest people I've ever encountered, having lived in 3 countries a decade at least each and travelled about 30 more. There's something really rotten about ppl in Toronto.

Born and raised in Toronto. Established career. Can afford to live here. Can't afford a house unless because I can't spend over a million. Condo fees are ridiculous. TTC is not safe and condo parking spots cost over $10,000 plus $100 a month maintenance fee. All the things to do in the city are being torn down for unaffordable condos. I can afford to stay here but it is not worth it for what I get. I am looking to transfer my work credentials and move elsewhere. I mean leave Canada. It is not worth it now. Don't forget un-reasonable amounts of taxes as well.

You’re right. Toronto is a beautiful city to visit. But will never live here. We stayed at the Hazelton hotel for days and enjoy what the city has to offer. It’s a lovely city. \n\nI still love Montreal, tbh. ???✨\n\nCanada has changed and not for the better. ?

I don't like Toronto. Tired of the rude people and too many immigrants and high rent. It is overcrowded. People push you to get on board the train and refuse to wait for the next train. I would rather work remotely and yes it is not worth living in. Transportation is not as reliable and too many people travelling downtown and back uptown especially during rush hour. If GoTransit breaks down, there aren't that many alternative options to travel. There are many issues including Internet service is not stable. Yes the pay is not enough yet to cover the cost for a place. They want to build more housing in Toronto but it is the worst idea and will make it even more unaffordable. Smaller towns and other cities are better. Bramption also is not a recommended place to move to. Immigration should be recommending people to live in less populated places.

I feel the same way about my hometown of Halifax. It's impossible to live here, now. It's impossible to live anywhere in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotians are poor. We are a poor province. We cannot afford 1M+ dollars for a three bedroom house. Common Nova Scotians just don't have that kind of money. Regular folks cannot afford a 5K/month mortgage. I live with my family in an apartment, with a leaky roof and cockroaches, in a decent neighbourhood, and it's 2160.00/month and I know this is a good deal in this city. Crime is rising here, as well, because jobs are disappearing and wages aren't increasing. I think this is country wide. We have a huge homeless problem in Halifax, and it is not following the past statistics. Most of the people living in tents have full-time jobs and families. But, there are literally thousands of empty houses. New appartments and condos get built, and there are no vacancies before the building is open. And not a single person is living in them. They get bought by out of province and out of country investors to fortify their investment portfolios. This is ridiculous. What is happening?

I’m getting old a many times forget what date or day it is but I for sure know Mondays when u smell the garbage day with stinky garbage trucks a bins underneath the windows also homeless are peeing on walls of buildings a businesses sleeping doing needles etc just gross \nConstructions booming but looks like investors who live who knows where ? not the city housing \nEmigration while ppl born here have no way of normal life it’s pure economic terror \nYes dirty streets waiting for rain ?\nTaxes are the highest in the world looks like I have concrete examples but to long to post \nThe politicians don’t live in reality we facing with their income a corruption they getting away with \nI would have to write like 3 books to address the issues ???\nGo where u are treated best ???❤️

Born and raised in Toronto and now live north of the city, I would move even further out if I could. Going into the city is on a only if and must go situation. But I am going to be totaly honest give the state of the country as i whole (or hole...you choose) I would leave Canada altogether.

U are still to generous w positive comments my son was born in this city and u don’t want to hear the struggles \nEspecially if u young u need to look somewhere where they treat u right \nTaxes are Also Catastrophic \nFood a cost of living beside the rents list is long

Agreed. We came to Toronto in 1989. It was a clean and safe city. It has turned into Gotham City - dirty, crowded, construction everywhere and worst of all yes, the homelessness has spiked. Winter months are brutal and I cant imagine what they go through. Our government has failed us and now with Olivia Chow as the Mayor, its going to be worse. We live well away in the suburbs but I occasionally have to go downtown for appointments and I detest taking the subway and going down there. We plan on moving out of the entire province in hopefully 10 years from now but until then, who knows what will happen to Toronto and York Region at thus point

People in Toronto are rude and soon this city will be like Detroit US not safe to be there .Very very expensive living for nothing special !I hate this city .All Canada is going down the hill not just Toronto .Governament should creat programs to make live attractive outside major cities so the new immigrants can spread and disparse all over the country that still empty ,not all fight for a studio to live in already crowded cities .

I have been in Canada for more than 20 years. The cost of living is very high. Housing in Toronto is very expensive, it is better in small towns.\n\nThe most important thing is to come here as a skilled worker. The Canadian immigration website has all the information. \n\nLife overall in Canada is not bad. The government really takes care of the people. Schools are free, and so is health care. The unemployment rate is very low. If you want to work, you will get a job.\n\nMy advice especially for those who are doing fairly well in their countries to stay. I think it is more suitable for young skilled people and those with young children. \n\nWe should also start paying taxes in our countries to develop infrastructure and start holding our governments accountable.\n\nThe young lady in the video is a bid overdramatic. She is earning more than the average worker. She should be managing fine except if she lives in expensive cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

i heard that if going there avoid the big cities such as toronto. go to provinces like new brunswick cost of living is cheaper and its eaasier to get a job there

I’m a Calgarian and just visited Toronto the second time in 20 years in July and let me tell you it is an amazing city to visit but not for living. \nIt’s an expensive and stressful city to live in. \nThe thing gets me the most is the traffic. It’s busy any day of the week, day or night. \nI also feel that it’s not a good city for a young family. Too costly and stressful.

Cities suck. And no kjb bible believer would live in one. Party party. Me me me. No one gives a dam about anyone in the city. Look at the HOMELESS

Couldn’t pay me enough to live in a big city anywhere in the world. Rural is so much better and more affordable

I moved to Toronto in 2021. I've wanted to live in the city and have finally bought my condo in the city of Toronto. I love the city, especially during the summer time. Toronto Summer is so much fun and a great place to be in Canada. I am sick of all the Toronto bashing the past couple months. Yes, there are a lot of problems and yes they're all really bad and need to get resolved. And in all honesty, Toronto is probably one of the better big cities to live in in Canada. Despite all the negativity, TTC violence hasn't really gone up on paper. A lot of aspects about Canada are still strong even among western countries. I've been to Vancouver and Montreal. And those are cities have a lot of problems and a lot of different problems than Toronto.\n\nThe reasons that she specified in her video are all valid and they all make sense. I just want to say that I'm sick of all the Canada bashing and all the Toronto bashing. Toronto is a great place. I'm going to be still living in this city as some years it's going to be down and it's going to come right back up again in another few years.

My nana is from the UK originally and she has been living in Canada for 40+ years now and still has not become a Canadian citizen, not because she couldn't but because she never had to. She gave birth to my mom in Canada making my mom Canadian. I was born in the United States but since my mom was a Canadian citizen I was also a Canadian citizen. A lot of people like to bring up the housing crisis as a potential downside to having a bunch of immigrants but that just isn't the case. We have one of the lowest population densities of all of the countries in the world, and yet we all choose to live in high concentration areas and those that own the land in and around those concentrated areas know they can charge whatever they want because if you're not near the main 1-3 cities in your province it drastically cuts down on your land's value as far as housing goes so there is no incentive for anyone to build housing out there. Build more houses, we have the space. Figger it out.

Neoliberal policies and relationships have ruined many a city round the world. Privatization is the panacea for everything and govt has a cozy delationship with the corporate sector. That means the citizen - or immigrant - is no longer a priority. Developers, investment firms, corporations wanting high profits at expense of employees and cities; of global rich looking to buy housing as investment, and of course, criminals. They all have priority in Toronto. So laws about real estate development are weak, as well as for rental controls or building affordable housing - govt for years has been ridding itself of controlled housing. Local govt supports @5-10% of local population, so gentrification but no help for those pushed out. From there high prices in housing and rentals and food and transit...Difficult to transition if you are not well off. But that isn't what we see with our eyes. \nAfter 60 yrs downtown we moved to subburbs. No more condo towers, no more insane traffic, no more overcrowded transit and less longer waits. There are problems of course. For examples, ronically, where i live is less traffic but you need your car for most shopping.

My sister grew up in Toronto with her Mom while I was with our dad about an hour outside of the GTA. Even back in 2003 when I would come to visit my sister, or just go on class trips you could smell the city before you ever saw it... Torontonians had a bad reputation of thinking they were in the center of the universe, and it always just put me off of the city. It's not that I would ever want someone to not come to Canada... but there are just so many better places to live in Ontario, let alone the rest of the country... that why would you ever want to subject yourself to what T.O. has become?

It depends on where you live in Canada... i've never seen any homeless person in my city, anybody that is on the verge of falling gets taken cared of immediately. We have an amazing community with strategically placed community garden all around the city. Just walking around the city gave me enough stuff for a whole dinner. Great job opportunity with great bonuses for people coming. Just got a 10k bonus just because i stayed in my hometown after my college graduation.

Pricing is not a Canadian specific problem. Look at anywhere people actually want to live in the US, it's essentially the same. LA and NY are just as expensive as Toronto. Only difference is there's less people in Canada that live in rural states like Iowa where everything is cheap because there isn't major city for hundreds of thousands of miles. This is all part of late stage capitalism and our inability to see past the short term. Corporations eventually take over if we don't do anything about it and everything becomes too expensive. People stop having kids so the government needs to increase immigration to support what few social systems we have left. I'm so tired of seeing these anti canada when it's no different than anywhere worth living in the US

I used to live in Toronto , infact i grew up there (shout out to Scarborough) i still love this city , but the city itself is not friendly to artist like me. So i moved out and live in MTL instead

Having lived there before. Have not been back for four years. It has not changed for the better. If not for family and some friends I feel no reason to go back. Sad, because it was a much better city before.

I paid for my house including furnitures $24.500 in 1980 \nI live in the country in quebec where prices are much lower than elsewhere in canada, specially in big cities. \nNow it worth $400.000, So you can see how canada has deteriorated. \nThe same house would cost 1 million dollars in Toronto and 2 millions in Vancouver.

This is really sad to hear and, unfortunately, is happening in many cities all over (DC, NY, SF, LDN, SYD, etc.). The pandemic, inflation, and the cost of living crisis are all significant contributors to the rise in homelessness and even violence that we're seeing.

Most Canadians who live outside Toronto consider it to be the dirtiest, most violent, least friendly city in the country.

For me Personally, I love Toronto. I know people are complaining that Toronto had changed and Toronto has declined. Anyway, I've been living here for 35 years and i know we faced some challenges in everything. Living in Toronto, You need to work hard at the same time be happy as well. I've been to 12 different countries and still believe that Toronto is one of the most beautiful City in the world. We need to be smart, happy and not being lazy and complain a lot. So in Essence Toronto is a beautiful city. It's the people who painted Toronto to be ugly in everything.

????? ok but im genuinely curious where the alternatives are. \nI live in Vancouver and can't see any other city in canada as an upgrade. US has alot of political and safety issues and housing is becoming just as bad. Australia's housing sucks. UK is having a housing and economic meltdown. Southern Europe has had a terrible economy for a while. That just leaves parts of South america/ asia and northern Europe. \nAnd south america or asia are only good with remote work. Im in Healthcare and cant work remotely. \nSeems like everywhere I look there is a problem. I might just van life it tbh

YEP. DO NOT MOVE TO TORONTO. I think you're beings very kind. It's a mess. No planning has led to a city that is out of control and ugly. The worst part is the water front.... which simply has disappeared. \nYeah, anyone living in Toronto needs to be seeing a therapist...unfortunately you won't be able to afford one!\nI live outside Toronto in an apartment, (I never, ever thought I'd live in an apartment) and I pay $3000. And there is plenty of random violence where I am as well. I had a first hand experience. It's really, really sad \nI would leave this country no problem, but living here through lockdown and stuff has me rather down?

Toronto is great. Sure, not everyone can afford to live there, but it is what it is. That goes for every major city in the world

Lived in Toronto for 50 years. Went to school, raised a family, great job, retired. Realized there was nothing left in the city that I loved anymore. Too busy, too much construction and traffic, mediocre institutions, heritage, big and small, demolished. Moved to the country, never looked back. Have no desire to even visit anymore. Too bad. Was on it's way (30 years ago?) to being a great city. Just a mess, now.

It would be very difficult to live in Toronto once you lived in Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, or any safe mega cities in Asia. North America cities are falling through the cracks.....

Things are hard everywhere. I live in Sydney, Australia, ranked 10th most expensive city to live in. Indeed, we're just surviving, not living. One day at a time till Jesus return

Last time I was in downtown Toronto, about a decade ago, I was surprised by the amount of homeless people that I saw… sounds like it’s only gotten much worse since then, not enough housing and too many people moving into the city. I couldn’t believe how much my sister and brother in law paid for their little apartment in downtown Toronto, makes me very happy to live in rural Saskatchewan. Lol!