Toronto is a popular city, offering numerous opportunities in its large and vibrant community. This is one of the reasons why individuals choose to relocate there. Not only can it fill your life with more culture, but it could even further your career prospects, as Toronto is well-known as Canada’s economic powerhouse.
But making this decision shouldn’t be taken lightly. In fact, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the city before finalizing your move. This will ensure you are making the right choice for you. In this post, you will learn three effective methods to become more familiar with life in Toronto.
Virtualize Your New Life Through Digital Resources
If you are moving from a state or country that is miles and miles away, then you might face difficulties when trying to familiarize yourself with Toronto. After all, it won’t be easy to just drive through the city at a moment’s notice, particularly if you are a bit strapped for cash in preparation for the move. Fortunately, there are numerous online tools that can be used to learn about the area and begin visualizing your new life there.
One of the most common resources people can use is Google Street View. This tool can provide you with virtual neighborhood tours in Toronto, allowing you to learn about your preferred area by viewing its streets and surrounding spaces. It can even be used to virtually map out your commute to potential workplaces and identify local amenities, such as nearby cafes and grocery stores.
There are also public transit apps that can help you understand how to get around the city. Public transit apps can offer you real-time information that can be used to get a feel for how the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and GO transit operate. You can do this by checking live schedules, potential delays, and service alerts. This information will make it easier to understand these systems once you have moved.
Immerse Yourself in the Culture During a Pre-Move Trip
Although it might not be an option for everyone, you should try to visit Toronto before finalizing your move if you can. It is a vibrant, multicultural city to live in, and the best way to understand this is by staying there for a short while. However, if it is a possibility, you should try to spend more than a month in the area to immerse yourself in life in the city. Look for fully furnished suites in the city of Toronto to do this.
Living in the city before you complete the move can give you a sense of Toronto’s pace. You will be able to experience its multicultural aspects and the daily realities of living there, which can help you determine if it aligns with your preferences. This will include looking at factors like traffic and crowds; as a bustling city, Toronto can be difficult to commute in at times, so you should begin adjusting your expectations from the get-go.
If you stay in a furnished rental property, then you can spend a month or more learning about the city before you move. This might even be the best chance to visit real estate agents and view potential living spaces in person. There are many neighborhoods in Toronto, and each has its own pros and cons, so visiting them can ensure you make the right decision for you.
Research the Cost of Living and Toronto Neighborhoods
Unfortunately, planning a move isn’t all fun and game; there will be some logistical considerations you must think about. This includes the cost of living in the city. Researching the cost of living can help you avoid potential financial burdens, which can be common in such a high-cost city.
How much it costs to live in Toronto will vary depending on the neighborhood you select, though. House prices can differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. For example, Mimico is considered to be an affordable neighborhood to stay in, with homes being available for less than $600,000. This is considerably lower than the average home price for the Greater Toronto Area, which was $969,700 in August 2025.
You must also look at costs for groceries, healthcare, utilities, and more when calculating the cost of living in your preferred area.
To conclude, there are several different ways that you can familiarize yourself with Toronto before making the move. Doing so can benefit you greatly, too, by allowing you to plan your life and make the necessary adjustments for a smooth transition.
