Toronto, Canada Report of what it's like to live there - 02/10/25
Personal Experiences from Toronto, Canada
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
I've experienced a number of other posts around the globe.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Toronto is a major transit hub with direct flights to many U.S. cities. It's also easy to drive to part of the Midwest and East Coast.
3. What years did you live here?
2022-2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. Consulate.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
This is one of the last remaining LQA posts. It's a lot of extra work on the front end, but almost everyone finds it worth it in the end to live in a house, apartment, or townhouse that you picked yourself. The allowance amount is generous. The hardest part is finding landlords willing to work with the Mission's strict security requirements.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Even more variety than DC due to Toronto having such a huge immigrant population. Costs are comparable to major cities in the U.S.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
There's almost nothing you can't get here. Trader Joe's is the only thing that comes to mind, but most drive to Buffalo (under two hours) every month or so to stock up.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Anything and everything.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Pouch is delivered to a PO box in New York and driven across the border twice a week.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Prohibitively expensive.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Safety is comparable to any major American city. There are running trails, parks, etc. similar to any major American city.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Anything you would find in DC is available, plus way more ice hockey and winter sports.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
You'll need to open a Canadian bank account to pay your rent, but your U.S. credit card can be used for everything else. Mobile pay is widespread.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Anything and everything.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is of course the primary language, but various immigrant communities offer the opportunity to practice any other language you may be trying to keep up.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
The city is very accessible. That being said, the U.S. Consulate building would present some accessibility challenges.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Subway, cable cars and buses are widely used. Uber and Lift and readily available. Most officers also have cars.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Anything you would want to have in DC.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Plenty of high-quality internet options.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
A lot of people use Google Fi. Many also get local phone plans. Others keep U.S. plans if they include Cananda coverage.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No quarantine needed. Pet care is similar to DC.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Many expat spouses study at the University of Toronto or have U.S.-based jobs that they can continue via telework. Lots of EFM jobs are also available at the consulate. I don't know anyone who works on the local economy.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Anything you would find in a major American city.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Similar to DC. No formal dress required.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Only the same concerns you would have in any other major city.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
The quality of medical care is good. However, access to it without an OHIP card can be frustrating. Most people use Canadian hospitals for emergency/urgent things and make appointments in Buffalo for routine medical and dental needs.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
No issues.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
This would be as good of a place as any.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Not more than anywhere else.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Similar to DC, with a bit more snow.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Great private schools are available, including for any and every special need you may have. However, there are no true international schools, and the consulate doesn't have a relationship with any particular school. The onus is completely on you to find and apply to schools. Note that application deadlines are around Nov/Dec for the following year.
Consulate kids are also welcome to enroll in public schools.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
This really varies by school. However, public schools have supports and policies almost identical to what you'd find in the U.S.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Preschool and daycare are available, but expensive...similar to DC, maybe slightly costlier.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Any and every activity you could imagine is available in Toronto.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Toronto is very different from other posts in that there's really no expat community. Also, because of LQA, you likely won't live near any consulate colleagues.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Anything and everything you would find in a city like DC.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Personally, I would not recommend Toronto as a first foreign service tour, since it's so different than most posts. There's not a real consulate community, you don't have much consulate support, everything functions differently here than at other overseas posts, etc. Those who do come for their first tour seem to enjoy it, but I suspect the second tour comes with a steep learning curve as a result.
It's a wonderful post for those who have been overseas for a while and want a break from the embassy fishbowl but don't want to return to D.C. Also great for those who want to stay overseas but have special medical or educational needs.
Singles, families and couples are all happy here.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
It's more of a small town than I realized, with lots of people knowing one another from high school and growing up. It can be hard to truly break in, but people are polite and friendly.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes, there's a large LGBT community.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
No.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Newfoundland is magical! Banff too.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Ice skate or play hockey on one of the many free outdoor rinks that pop up in the winter.
Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto International Festival of Authors, Eden Mills Writers' Festival.
Professional sports of all varieties.
Blue Mountain is the closest decent ski area.
Thousand Island and Muskoka for summer lake country.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Canadian brands like Aritzia, Lululemon, etc. are a lot cheaper here.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Life in Toronto is easy.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I'd been more prepared to navigate the school situation.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Sense of adventure. Don't expect to gain many "only in the foreign service..." stories here, but life is good and easy.
4. But don't forget your:
Furniture and decorations, since you'll have to furnish your own place. (Renting furniture is also an option.)
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Working Moms
Kim's Convenience
The Handmaid's Tale
Various Carley Fortune books
