Toronto or Vancouver?

Question

We are in the process of relocating to Canada from US. The destinations we have in mind are Toronto and Vancouver. Any suggestions? The concerns are weather, jobs, children's schooling system, public transportation, etc. Not so much into skiing. Thanks in advance and new years greetings!

Answer 1

Vancouver, definately that. Its such a beautiful city, and its not that large like Toronto. I really mean that because in Toronto, I know there is a lot of jobs and business, but Toronto is a little bit dangerous, since there is a lot more people and its bigger than Vancouver.

I'd chose Vancouver if I was you.

Answer 2

Ive heard that Vancouver was considered the best place to live in the world because of its offers.. but Im not sure about that, what I do know is that this city is more home welcoming then Toronto, if you are looking for the big city, multiculturality and modernism then Toronto its the place.. Vancouver, its a lot more beautiful, the people who has been there has loved it,,

Answer 3

Happy_New has it about right. Toronto is now the most multicultural city in the world; Vancouver also an immigrant city but much more Asian (south Asian as well as Oriental). Vancouver has mountains (although it rarely snows in Vancouver -- except this year!! - the nearest mountain ski slope is only a few km from downtown), Toronto the autumn foliage. Toronto has more violent crime - though nothing approaching that in most American cities - but Vancouver is accepting of open drug use which, like in Zurich, has made part of the city into a scourge (unfortunately inconveniently located between downtown, the flashy Gastown district and Chinatown, so it is hard to avoid it). Toronto has much more in the way of performing arts (probably 2nd in North America after New York City). Traffic worse in Toronto, skyscrapers higher. American
city within a couple hours' drive of Vancouver fortunately Seattle; within a couple hours' drive of Toronto unfortunately Buffalo or Rochester. Politics in both Ontario and B.C. considerably more liberal than most of USA (save perhaps for Vermont and Mass) and American style social conservatism and religious right practically does not exist (most of our Conservative Party members would be considered just-to-the-left-of-moderate Democrats in the States; variant sexual practices far more accepted here and many are legal that are not in the States. Being hemmed in by mountains and sea and US border can make one feel more hemmed in in Vancouver, but lovely Victoria is a nice boat trip. Most fruits and veggies cheaper in Canada; most all dairy and chicken and alcohol more expensive (both Ontario and B.C. now have fine wine districts, with B.C. now making some of the best wines in the world [as per M. Asinov's critique comment in this past Wednesday's "New York Times".]). Car costs,airfares and most manufactured goods including clothes also higher in Canada because personal and sales taxes are (not average business taxes, though) but you can easily see we get more (usually) for our taxes than you do, and not just in our health care. Social and financial equality notably more in Canada.

(As for beaches, many lake beaches in Ontario just as nice as salt water beaches near Vancouver in B.C. [and the water in summer actually warm enough to swim in]).

Answer 4

I've lived in both and love both for different reasons.

Some points about Toronto

-The subway and buses run well it is easy to get around
-The job market in Toronto is booming and there are plenty of resources to get you started
-Great University (U of T) and tons of colleges
-Very diverse
-Awesome nightlife, restaurants, clubs, etc
-Not far from New York and Niagara Falls
-Lot's of shopping and things to do
-You see and experience all four seasons here, it is hot in the summer at around 90F, comfortable in the fall/spring around 60F, and cold in the winter at around 14F.
-Toronto is a larger city with 4.2M people so there are more schools, and we have both a Catholic and Public schoolboard


Some points about Vancouver
-Very clean
-Right at the Pacific Ocean and beautiful beaches
-Beautiful parks, hiking trails
- University of British Columbia
-Milder Canadian climate it's usually around 55F in the winter
-It rains a lot from fall to spring

The school system is pretty much the same in Toronto and Vancouver. Elementary in Ontario runs from Junior Kindergarten through grade eight. In BC it runs from Kindergarten through grade seven and highschool starts in grade eight.
In Ontario, highschool students taking Applied studies in grades 9-12 will qualify for college where as students taking Accademic studies in highschool qualify for university.

The rent in Toronto and Vancouver is similar. Approximate amounts to rent in either city is

$600+ Bachelor
$750+1 Bedroom
$850+ 2 Bedroom
$950+ 3 Bedroom etc.

The prices fluxuate though and often reflect the building and area you live in. The price of an average family home in Vancouver is around $500,000. In Toronto the average family home costs around $250,000.

Answer 5

i lived in toronto all my life and have been in vancouver a few times vancouver is way nicer cleaner nicer weather everything else as good as toronto or better i would pick vanouver for sure..

Answer 6

Vancouver has more rain in the winter, whereas TO has snow and is colder. Other than that...it's a tossup.