Close Reading

I live in Buffalo, Toronto born. I got a spousal green card based on marriage to my late wife who was a dual citizen though she was US born.. Western NY is very friendly and very supportive, at least to me it is. And yes I live close to the border-I come up often. I became a USC in 1993 btw.

Bottom line high cost of living including housing, but extremely poor prospects to get a well paying job that would ever allow you to buy a condominium or house in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Sadly, what i just noted also applies to native born canadian. This country is going downhill, and its not just the foreign immigrants who arrive that want to leave, anyone who has aspirations of the american dream will also want to emmigrate out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was born and raised in toronto, i moved to the uk in 2015. When i visited toronto in 2021 i was shocked at how different the city was. Its gone completely downhill…glad i left.

I'm 66 years old, born in Toronto and lived here all my life. I'm thinking of moving out of Toronto - and out of Canada altogether.

I am African American woman in born and raised in United States. Decide go to moved Canada.I so glad I never stay in Canada all rascist going up there now and came back to United States. I was going moved on Toronto Canada this was 1984. I was I probably didn't notice rascist, but I had to leave Toronto, Canada cause funeral in USA. Afican taxi cab told me I wouldn't make it in Canada and this was in 1984. It very hard black person lived here. I very glad took his advice.

Thank you for posting this! I feel much the same.\nI was born in Toronto but my family moved to another city in Southwestern On. when I was 10. I pledged to move back and did in 2004 to become a student. I loved the freedom and vibrancy of the city, met many friends and had a wonderful time. Even as a student, working part time, I was able to afford a shared accommodation downtown and still have a bit of disposable income. \nAfter graduating college, I found full time employment and was able to live comfortably alone in my own 2 bd apartment in mid-town for many years. In 2012, I met my partner and we continued to live in North York in a 3bd rent-controlled unit. We could see the decline in the city over the next several years. We decided we would never be able to achieve what we wanted to by staying where we were so in 2018 we took the plunge and bought a home in Windsor and have never looked back (though Windsor also has many social/affordability issues) .\nIn all, I miss the Toronto I once knew and loved but the decline of the city is pretty shocking.

I'm 32, Congolese born and raised in France arrived in Toronto in 2019, moved back home 2 month ago because of :\n- Cost of living \n- Cost of becoming a house owner \n- Dry Dating game \n- Woke and Workaholic culture\n- Not seeing myself building my family far away from my family\n - 6 month winter \n \nI love Canada tho, was a great experience ??

I am a Toronto Native, a nurse that used to work in Critical Care at Sunnybrook, but moved to Dubai as my husband received a job offer. That was more than 10yrs ago. I must say that every time I visit home, things are definitely worse. I notice that ppl are very negative and also rude. It's quite startling. I also see how much the demographics have changed as well. The city is also dirtier and not as pretty. I can say that if I ever returned, I would consider Vancouver, somewhere outside of the city, or on the island, but for now, I can say that I will never return to live in Toronto., We will go someplace else like Mexico where it's close enough for family to visit and it's close to home. Btw, Toronto is NOT the most diverse city in the world, it's Dubai, and UAE as a whole, where 85% of the population is born outside of the country.

Yup wife and I were born and raised in Toronto, we picked up and left to Calgary a month ago, we gave up on the city

Yikes! Born and raised in Syracuse, NY and after college spent 16 years in Los Angeles until finally moving back to NY last year. Any comparison between Toronto and L.A. I simply won't stand for.....and I really mean that because you have less gun violence, seems like more cultures get along there, plus it looks cleaner. I'd consider moving to Buffalo just to be within an hour of Toronto to take weekend trips. After seeing how the rents up there are close to SF or NYC, def can't move there anymore. There's an appeal Canada has in terms of safety and perhaps better quality of life than the U.S. but frustrating to see housing crisis is even worse up there! I'd hate to see Toronto start to remind people of anything remotely close to California. Def sounds like you need a new PM asap. After seeing your Montreal video, think I'll take a short trip up there instead.

So I was born in Russia, then moved to Toronto, then lived in New York for 5 years... Let me tell you waits in emergency room in New York aren't nearly as bad as in Toronto... but costs... 300 dollar copay when my employer in New York was giving me one of the best insurance available in US... But I just didn't like living in US... I moved back to Toronto eventually to lower pay, mainly because my relatives are here... but having social safety net and stuff like that is nice, even if my salary in Toronto is lower than in NYC...\nP.S. both USA and Canada are way better than living in Russia tho

Accurate. I was born in B.C. but moved here when I was 3 years old. I'll say this Toronto always had a level of crime rate so be careful of your surroundings. Crime rate dipped down in 2002. In 2018 moving back it is worse than ever before. A city that wants all the chiefs but how does one simply live here on the minimum wage bracket. If a city has a minimum wage said citizen should be able to afford rent. Ergo professionals could then afford upscale neighbourhoods. Toronto has always been expensive but this is not do-able I might go back to British Colombia if this gets worse over the winter. Ontario you lose another Canadian in this metropolis.

I was born and raised in the UK, living in the Philippines now but I'll never forget the fantastic pizza places out there in Toronto, and Wonderland theme park...Canada is banging :)

Toronto resident here. Cost of living has become more expensive. I share an apartment with my someone and we are paying about $3,000 per month with few amenities. It requires both our incomes to be able to afford to live here and we're just getting by. I have lived in the core of the city since 2005 but was born and raised in the GTA and have never lived anywhere else. Since about 2015, costs have gone way up and now they are just plain unaffordable. I live close to Sherbourne and Queen and while I see a lot of homelessness, I do not really see much violence. The area south of Queen is much more gentrified and I am never walking in fear, no matter what time of day or night. The Transit system has been under construction for over a decade and it just doesn't seem to end. More and more historic buildings are being converted to condos and I see tons of construction everywhere. Traffic has become nightmarish with too many cars and not enough roads. We are considering a move to Montreal because of the rental costs are about $1000 per month lower, though neither of us is francophone. I am not sure how the powers that be will be addressing the housing crisis moving forward. It's a huge challenge and I may not be around to see the outcome. Having said this, it's going to be really tough to say goodbye to this city.

I wasn't born here but I've lived here now for 45 years and my god! This place is sadly going into a nose dive. Our Politicians don't realize how good this city and country is and they have ruined it over the years by having an obtuse outlook on the future of Toronto and this country. Crime rate is so high, cost of living is insane. No housing.Housing is suppose to be a fundamental human right and our politicians have made it into a pure luxury now. The other thing is wages have not reflected the cost of living in this country since 2000. Most do not earn a living wage here and its so disappointing to see. The Federal Gov wants to bring about a 1million more immigrants into Canada within a few years...Where would they live? Most are already living in tents in the streets. Its fine now but what happens when winter makes its entrance? From the Provincial Gov to Federal Gov this country is sadly run by idiots!

I lived in the US for 30 years. I hated every year, except for having my sons there. My American husband is a staunch NRA supporter. At the 30 year mark, when I gave him an ultimatum. I gave him 30 years down there, and the time had come where he needed to do 30 years in Canada. We've been in Canada for 6 years, and he doesn't ever want to go back.\nI feel for the new mothers, who only get 6 weeks maternity leave (8 weeks for C-Section).\nCanadian Mums get a full year. Nurturing your new baby is necessary for a well-balanced child. You can't bond in 6 weeks. \nYour health insurance is nuts. We paid $1500/mo. just for our family. Then you have a $5k deductible first! Just walking into the ER is $500 and THEN add on labs, x-rays, meds, etc. My son was in mental health treatment and our insurance capped mental health at $25k for life. \nThe biggest slap up my head, was when I found out I CAN'T collect my SSI. I paid a lot of taxes, since we made 6 figures/year. So, now I'm screwed, since they won't pay a former Permanent Resident. Had I been a citizen, I could get it. My husband is a PR in Canada, waiting to take his citizenship test. If he applies for SSI, he needs to go down to the States for 30 days and nights, annually. \nI'm from Toronto, born and raised and I am so happy to have my feet back in my own country. My boys are still there, as well as my grandchildren. Thankfully, they fly up twice a year. You couldn't pay me to move back.

I live in Toronto and I am not rich. I am regular person. \nIf you are an immigrant and especially if you are considered from visible minority group aka not white, DO NOT leave Toronto at all ! Work hard and make it work for you. I am sure the majority people from your coutires in Canada are located in Toronto and its close cities. If you chose to live outside this multicultural heaven called Toronto then expect to deal with deep racism. Yes people in Canada are rasicst althogh it is not openly like USA.\nIf you are into education and you want to do your degree, move to Montreal. Tuition fees in Montreal are way more cheaper than in Toronto or other parts of Canada. I lived in Montreal before and I went to university there. Montreal is great for education, aba rent are cheaper than Toronto but not for living there if you are visible immigrant. You will never feel you belong down there. Where as in Toronto, you will feel you belong to it within 30 mins max of you arruval. Toronto's motto are : you belong here and we have been waiting for you.\n62%of people in Toronto weren't born in Canada. You will find your community from your country in Toronto and the people are well established. I have been in different cities in Canada and I always felt stranger, even cities as close as ashawa.\nIn conclusion I would say to the visible minority immigrants stay in Toronto as much as you can for work and if you want to study in university go to Montreal. There are two major English universities in Montreal :Concordia university and McGill university, where McGill is one of top 10 university in the world.\n\nFor you Alina, I understand what you are saying and you can go somewhere in Canada and try it out with no racial or inclusiveness issues. Good luck and I hope you will come back to us again one day and I am sure you will. You belong here and we will be expecting you to come. No matter what enjoy your life wherever you are, darling.

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.

It is okay to stop immigration if more babies were born as the average age in Canada is getting older,needs the young ones to come paying taxes to support the healthcare and education benifits,but of course though, more affordable houses needed to be built especially in Vancouver and Toronto as the housing price is already skyrocketed

Born and raised in Toronto but left for a job in Sydney in 1989. Every time I go back to TO, I find it dirtier and more crowded -- and the traffic is just horrible. I'm appalled by the homelessness. When I was a resident, if homelessness existed, it was pretty invisible. The clean, friendly, safe yet buzzy city of my youth is no more.?

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.

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)

Couldn't pay me to live in Toronto.\n\nDon't come to Halifax either. Its face has changed drastically in the last 5 years.\n\nI've paid taxes my entire working life yet if I frequent a walk-in clinic, there may be 50 people ahead of me and 95% will be immigrants. Thanks, Turdeau, glad to see born-and-bred Canadians matter.\n\nI got on a bus one day a few months back. Out of a dozen people, I was the only white. Unheard of even two years ago. East Indians make up about 25% of our population in Halifax and outlying areas. Why are they here?\n\nHalifax has changed and it depresses me.\n\nCanada has been sold out by Turdeau and the like.

Born and raised in Toronto. Also noticed its decline since covid (or maybe the past 5 years). I no longer live here, but I get sad every time I visit

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.

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.

Born and mostly raised in Toronto. Left in 2012 and will never go back. Never thought id end up despising my hometown but the Toronto im from doesn't exist anymore. At this point, i wouldn't piss on the city if it were on fire

vancouver and surrey has changed to probably be leaving too. Sad to hear about toronto i was born there.

Toronto has changed because of the immigration policies of inept Prime Minister Justin Trudeau... since he took power... Toronto is full to hell... bringing immigrants from Pakistani India and other countries that do not have the culture of people born in Canada…they only come to destroy the country and bring them with citizenship papers so they can vote for him and remain in power

I was born and raised in Toronto. One of my complaints is the insane leftie revisionist city council . They want to spend several millions of tax payers money to change street names because the people who gave their names to certain streets are now politically unpopular.

Born and raised in Toronto in 82'\nMoved to Montréal in 2010 because of the expenses on the ultimate rise! \nI really noticed it getting bad when I visited in 2015 with prices of course but also with the asthetics of what the city used to be to what it is now which is now referred to as the New York of Canada.\n\nI miss growing up in the city, but have no plans on moving back.

Toronto isn’t alone, globalization has allowed wealthy investors to gobble up homes, destroy the neighborhood and ruined the opportunity for young people to buy a home. \n\nI was saying 20 years ago, where do they expect workers to live in the future if they can’t buy a home in the area? Florida is beginning to experience this in a real way now, lots of older people retire to Florida, but who can afford to live there and take care of them and healthcare and services? \n\nThe problem was so apparent, but the people making money off the real estate bubble didn’t care, the politicians didn’t care, the people that would end up suffering have no voice still! \n\nHere is where it gets worse, even people that have property will have to divide that property up among multiple kids or heirs. When those kids get their share of a property, they’ll be unlikely to afford the rest of the money needed to own a home in the future. It’ll get much worse without major action, the market will not correct itself. The market is functioning just as it was intended, short-term wealth for the few, long-term ramifications for people not even born yet.

Are you Canadian? are you born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada?

I am in the moving business and I can't tell oyu how many people i've moved out to st catherines, cambridge, barrie, london, windsor etc who were born in Toronto and have had enough of the city. Most of the poeple who are from Toronto are no longer there... It is a city of professional foreigners and mentally ill people

Born and raised in Toronto… My dad used to live on Toronto Islands..I lived St Clair & Mt Pleasant, St Joseph’s High School, Ryerson… used to be “Toronto the Good” I’m 71.. left in 2006… went back in 2018 and was HORRIFIED . Street fights on Yonge St… FILTH… I realized that things were going south.. when Ryerson wouldn’t allow it’s workers to say “ Merry Christmas’ SO HEARTBREAKING. Now in Ottawa… what can I say ??????

I was born in Toronto and have only lived here my entire life (Im in my mid 40s). The disaster here in Toronto over the past 8 years is thanks to Trudeau. Theres no way anyone can argue that.

Born in Montreal but lived the last 40 years of my life in Toronto… and as others have said… it’s not what it was. Trudeau has destroyed this country. It remains to be seen if the damage is reversible. \n\nIf I were you I would suggest checking out Budapest. It’s an amazing city and the country is run by a PM who actually gives a damn about his people and their culture.\n\nSouthern Brazil is also quite nice (as you know) and SÉ Asia is attractive if you don’t mind the distance. \n\nGood luck!

Toronto is horribly congested and only getting worse by the day. TO public transit has nothing to compare with major cities like London, NYC, Paris, Tokyo... just packing in more condos to make billionaires richer and the people left to struggle with 1960s infrastructure. Quality of life going downhill. Know many Toronto born children among our friends now reaching adulthood are leaving.

I was born and raised in Toronto in 1971 and moved north in 1988. I DESPISE setting foot in that city nowadays. My advice, RUN.....RUN WHILE YOU STILL HAVE LEGS TO STAND ON!!

i was born in Montreal and i moved here 8yrs ago. Everything people hear or say about Toronto is a lie. Toronto is going downhill fast and the powers that be dont seem to care. The TtC is in shambles and prices are sky high and no relief in sight as the blame is put on non sensical reasons. Blaming the poor and international students for Torontos problems is absurd but that is what we have. I know many who are playing the system to get what they need. This is not a country but 10 fiefdoms reporting to the queens jester in Ottawa.

Respect for your courage and candour. All the best out there. I was born and raised in Toronto, and have loved this city. The ravines and valleys and lakefront are gorgeous. It certainly has lost a bunch of its shine. No thanks to the government for that. Oh Canada! ?

New York is facing the same thing (been living here since I was born). It's a shame to see Toronto go down a similar path. Hopefully both cities improve with time.

Born and raised Torontonian And lived in Toronto for 42 years now i'm still here but things have gone downhill a lot in the past 5 years.

As someone born and raised in Toronto I have seen the massive delcine, problem is most big cities are getting worse, when they finally let me leave Canada for being unclean at the end of 2022 someone who travelled a lot before the pandemic, I have noticed many cites in the US and Europe have became much more violent, tent cities and much more expensive, so more of a global problem.

I’m a Toronto born proud Canadian. And I DON’T agree with the immigration system. It’s stupid. Outright. Yes my parents are immigrants and I’m LUCKY to have been born here but it’s just a matter of no space and jobs suitable for the unaffordable housing crisis. It’s just a matter of people and space… That’s it. We aren’t animals that can comfortably live on farm land. We have massive condos here that are vacant because no one, especially not a millennial can afford it. Whatsoever. \n\nBut sure, I’ll probably be insensitive for saying that because it’s “racist”. When I really never cared to begin with. I love different cultures. I do. If anyone can vouch, it’s me. I can. I’ve seen how racist and cruel this world can be and I NEVER had a problem with people of different races growing up. Due to all of the stress, I can totally see and understand the concerns.

Remember my days in Canada. My both children born in Montreal. Graduated from Concordia and started first job in Toronto in 1988-89. Hired by Northern Telecom in one of 1000s resume. Moved to Ottawa stayed there till got opportunity to move to Dallas, Texas within company. My seniors, boss in Ottawa everyone persuaded not to move. Never looked back though if rate Canada best country in the world. Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto best cities in the world. Canadian most accommodating and loving people on earth. Always, thought to move back one day but looks impossible to go back

BORN AND RAISED IN TORONTO AND I CAN SAY NOW ITS WAY TO EXPENSIVE NOW

Born, raised, educated, worked, married & started my own family in TO. We left TO & extended fam. several yrs ago. We knew living in Toronto was not sustainable. Best thing we ever did?.

Like you Alina, Harriet and I lived in a city where we were born , raised and loved. Boston. What's happening in Toronto is happening in Boston. The big cities in North America are experiencing\nsimilar issues, some better than others. We still have family in Boston. We continue to go there as you do in Toronto. It's been a while since we've been to Toronto. The two cities are very\nsimilar. Harriet and I are optimists, we hope that the future of yours and our beloved cities will bring us back to a place that we remember fondly. Sending much love❤❤ from Richmond, Va. Harriet, Jim and Yuki

I am born and rasied in Toronto and I would have to say what is happening now in this city is do to the covid fallout. Toronto has always had higher rent then most Canadian cities but I think with the loss of jobs and and the rise in cost of living all over Canada due to covid I would say that Toronto is going through some hard times like everywhere eles in Canda. Unfortunately because it is the bigest city alot of people have moved here in the hope of a better life. I have noticed a rise in drug use but have not noticed a rise in violent crime. They do say that the TTC is got worse...Hard to say as I take the TTC every day across the city and have not noticed any diferance other then more and more people are useing it again. During covid the subway was empty and now all these people that have never used it before are having to learn how it all works and subway edict. I think media is making the subway seem worse then it is. To me it has not changed. I do agree the real problem is dealing with homeless that was more hiden but now is out in the open. Funding from all levels of goverment needs to help all big canadain cites more. I think Toronto will come back again to what it was pre-covid. Hopfully soon!!