Ontario’s capital is Canada’s most iconic city, thanks to its CN Tower and its proximity to Niagara Falls, but also because of its multicultural vibe and fast-paced rhythm. Toronto has a thousand stories to tell, and around every corner, you’ll discover something interesting to do. Ready to uncover all the secrets of Canada’s “New York”? Let’s go!
Let’s start with a few facts to help you better place yourself on the Canadian map. Toronto is the largest city in Canada, its financial capital, and the fifth-largest city in North America. Plus, its geographical location is privileged—very close to the U.S. border, the Great Lakes, and the Atlantic coast. Its metropolitan area also boasts countless lush forests where getting lost sounds like a great plan and where you can enjoy snow and plenty of outdoor activities.
Do you love the hectic pace and unexpected plans that come with big cities? Then Toronto, with its nearly 3 million residents—more than half of whom are foreigners—won’t leave you indifferent.
Its cultural and leisure offerings are designed to satisfy a highly diverse audience, so you’ll be able to enjoy activities from morning to night… with a break to eat whatever you fancy: thanks to its multiculturalism, Toronto’s culinary scene is extremely varied and a true delight for food lovers eager to discover new flavors.
Want to learn more about the city of Toronto? Keep reading or fill out our contact form to receive personalized advice from a Dingoos Guide.
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Although considered an ideal city for many, not everything suits everyone’s taste, not even in Toronto. Let’s look at the pros and cons of living in Toronto so you can decide for yourself if this city is for you.
"Toronto is the largest city in Canada, its financial capital, and the fifth-largest city in all of North America."
"Living in Toronto means living in a modern city, with great job opportunities and a very attractive and diverse range of study options."
Toronto has neighborhoods for every lifestyle, depending on whether you prefer being where everything happens, your way of life, or if you’re a student or young professional. Join us as we quickly explore the 7 best neighborhoods in Toronto.
This is the city’s core, where you’ll experience Toronto at its purest. Look up and you’ll see towering office buildings of world-class companies. Around you, the fast pace of a city that never sleeps, streets packed with people from all cultures, all kinds of restaurants, bars, cafés, nightclubs, theaters, museums… You’ll never run out of things to do, but it can be a bit stressful living among all the noise, traffic, and bright lights. Also, be prepared for high living costs downtown.
The favorite among young people and students, both locals and foreigners. It’s close to and well connected with downtown and the University of Toronto. Rent prices are a bit more affordable here, and the streets are filled with trendy shops and cool cafés and restaurants.
This district is a favorite among locals and has become one of the trendiest areas for dining, drinking, and nightlife. It has a very cool vibe, with vintage shops, live music in stylish bars, plenty of art galleries, and hip cafés where fitting in comes naturally.
Another one of the city’s coolest areas. The old part of Toronto is home to interesting shops, art galleries, vintage clothing stores, coffee shops, and restaurants. Walking around its streets is highly Instagrammable, full of street art
A popular area for tourists looking to relax along the shores of Lake Ontario. It’s surrounded by parks that feel like forests and offers all kinds of establishments, including shops and restaurants.
However, due to its touristic appeal, it’s quite expensive to live here.
Heading west, you’ll find this area, ideal if you prefer the peace and quiet of suburban life while staying well connected to the city center. Etobicoke is a very comfortable neighborhood with plenty of grocery stores, restaurants, and cafés.
If you want to experience Toronto’s multicultural flavor, this is your district. Scarborough is a celebration of diversity, best experienced through its wide variety of restaurants. One of its charms is its proximity to Lake Ontario and its very own pioneering Urban National Park.
By Canadian standards, Toronto’s climate is considered mild. However, if you’re used to living closer to the Equator, its humid continental climate may feel rather cold. Still, Toronto is perfect for those who love variety, as it boasts four distinct seasons, each with its own charm.
The season of orange, yellow, and brown tones. In Toronto, fall is a feast for the eyes. The big trees shed their leaves, carpeting the city streets. You’ll enjoy letting your mind wander while strolling through the many parks, hearing the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot.
From early September to late November, average temperatures hover around 15°C, and the winds begin to pick up.
Starting in December, temperatures rarely rise above 0°C, snow blankets the streets, strong and steady winds blow, and sunsets occur around 4:30 p.m.
Winter also brings truly Canadian activities: it’s time for ice hockey, sled races, skating on frozen lakes, and experiencing a Christmas right out of a storybook.
Even those sensitive to the cold will find comfort in Toronto thanks to the PATH—a network of underground walkways that cover much of downtown, allowing you to go about your day without freezing.
Moreover, cold is not the problem—lack of preparation is. And in Canada, everything is well-prepared. Homes, public transport, schools, shops—everything is equipped to handle freezing temperatures, frost, snowstorms, and high winds.
After a harsh winter, spring arrives in Toronto and feels like a gift. Average temperatures reach 14°C. From May to June, you’ll witness the magic of nature awakening. Lakes thaw, trees regain their lush foliage, and your days start to fill with more hours of sunlight.
Summer rejuvenates the city, filling the streets with life and people eager to enjoy the sunshine, which now sets around 8 p.m. The sky is generally cloudless, and average temperatures are around 25°C. However, Toronto is a city of contrasts—even in its weather—so be prepared for some 40°C days, where all you’ll want to do is jump into one of the city’s beaches to cool off.
While you may love Toronto as a city, one of the things you should consider when choosing where to live in Canada is the cost of living. Let’s go over the main expenses you’ll face as an independent person and how much they’ll cost you in Toronto.
In general, grocery shopping in Canada is expensive. Most products sold in Canada, whether in big supermarkets or local stores, are imported, which drives up prices.
In Toronto, a young person spends an average of $350 CAD per month on groceries, not including indulgences or extras.
If you’re a student trying to save a few pennies, your best option is to shop at big supermarkets, as these chains often offer major promotions and discounts that can help you save money.
Our favorite places for saving money on groceries are Costco, No Frills, and Food Basics. And if you want to play it safe, we recommend downloading the Flipp App, which lets you compare prices from different stores and see their offers.
Toronto’s public transportation system, the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), is extensive and includes subway, streetcar, and bus services. Plus, all modes of transport are integrated, meaning you can use all of them with a single ticket.
There’s also a specific line that connects downtown to the airport: the Airport Rocket.
A single fare is $3.25 CAD, and with it, you can make unlimited transfers within 90 minutes.
A weekly pass costs $43.25 CAD and a monthly pass costs $146.25 CAD.
As we mentioned earlier, renting a room or home in Canada is expensive. That said, Toronto welcomes hundreds of students each year and has developed a range of infrastructures that are financially helpful for students.
Without a doubt, the best way to save on accommodation is by living in a room in a shared apartment. Prices vary widely, but you can find a decent place for about $640 CAD with all utilities included in the outskirts of the city.
In downtown Toronto, renting a room can cost around $1000 CAD per month.
To avoid unexpected costs, we recommend looking for options where utilities like electricity, water, and internet are included. Fixed prices mean fewer surprises.
Another great option if you want an all-in-one package without having to worry about cooking or making a home for yourself is to live with a local family. These homes are usually in residential neighborhoods a bit far from the city center. The good news is, rent typically includes the three main meals, and staying with a local family offers a unique, very Canadian experience—and helps improve your English. You’ll do things like BBQs and watch hockey games together.
If you choose to stay with a host family, expect to pay around $300 CAD per week with three meals a day included.
Lastly, if you’re looking to live alone or with a partner and as close to downtown as possible, consider renting a basement. These are the basement units of Canadian homes and typically start at around $900 CAD per month.
Here are the average costs of some popular activities in Toronto so you can get a sense of how much you might spend on leisure while living in Canada.
For instance, if you’re in the mood for a relaxed dinner with friends and head to one of the popular fast-food spots, you’ll pay around $6 CAD for a hot dog and a soft drink.
If you’d rather try your luck at a food court, where you can choose from a wide variety of restaurants from around the world, expect to pay about $12 CAD for a meal.
And if you feel like treating yourself and dining at a nice restaurant, you’ll spend at least $25 CAD.
If you prefer grabbing a few beers over eating out, you can get a pint at a pub for about $8 CAD. Want to pay half? Go during happy hour.
Want to see the latest blockbuster movie? A cinema ticket in Toronto is around $13 CAD, and theater tickets range from $20 CAD to $100 CAD, depending on the show.
If you’re someone who enjoys sweating it out at the gym every day, you can get a monthly gym membership in Toronto for around $45 CAD.
By the way, if you want to stay up to date on leisure activities happening in Toronto, we recommend checking out Facebook groups.
Another set of fixed expenses you should keep in mind includes phone, internet, water, and electricity.
Canada’s main telecom providers (Bell, Freedom, Telus, Fido, and Rogers) offer full-featured phone plans starting at around $40 CAD.
Internet service costs around $45 CAD per month.
As for household utilities, a one-person studio will cost about $100 CAD, while a shared apartment averages about $150 CAD per month.
If you’re thinking of living abroad for a while to improve your English, deepen your studies, or learn a new skill while stepping out of your comfort zone, we’ve got the perfect destination for you: Canada!
Canada boasts a thriving economy and a growing job market, making it an ideal country for a work experience. Whether you're looking to build your career or just earn some money while studying, Canada has something for you.
Canada is one of the countries with the best quality of life in the world. Its breathtaking landscapes and famously friendly people will keep a smile on your face during your stay. Ready to live the Canadian dream?
There are many types of visas that allow you to stay in Canada, and at Dingoos, we know them all. That’s why we’d love to help you choose the one that suits you best. Plus, we’ll assist you with all the visa paperwork for free, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Canada’s capital city offers countless opportunities, both educational and professional. Every year, hundreds of students choose Toronto to live and study.
One reason is that if you come to Canada on a student visa and enroll in a vocational course, you’ll be able to combine studies with work, helping you cover your expenses.
Another reason is that Toronto is home to some of the best schools in Canada.
You can study English, French, vocational programs, or even attend some of the world’s most prestigious universities.
There are also programs that let you stay in Canada after your studies and work full-time—like the Post Graduation Work Permit.
Does studying in Canada sound good to you? Contact us, and a Dingoos Guide will reach out to offer personalized and free advice. We’re waiting for you!
Toronto is Canada’s financial capital. It’s home to world-renowned companies, which means there are plenty of well-paid job opportunities.
But it’s not just major companies offering good wages. In Toronto, the minimum wage is $14 CAD per hour, though most jobs pay around $16 CAD.
That means, as a student working part-time, you can earn about $1000 CAD per month, enough to support yourself.
If you work in something more specialized or have more responsibilities, your salary will increase. For example, if you work as a server, you’ll receive tips, which are mandatory in Canada—your salary could easily double.
With a student visa, you can also work full-time during holidays, and if you’ve enrolled in a Co-op program, you can work during the practical periods too, earning up to $3000 CAD—more than enough to support yourself and save for travel around Canada or beyond.
A vibrant city like Toronto offers plenty of job opportunities for young people who want to combine studying with work to cover their expenses.
In Toronto, you can work as:
Few things are more fun than playing tourist during your first few days in the city where you’ll be spending a good amount of time. Toronto is an iconic city where you can visit many famous landmarks, stroll through beautiful parks, and even explore islands!
One of the tallest buildings in the world at 553 meters, and the symbol of Toronto.
If you like history, you must visit this impressive castle built in true European style (it’s a replica of Balmoral Castle), constructed by a millionaire. You can explore the gardens and even waltz alongside hundreds of tourists in one of its exquisitely decorated halls.
Perfect for a day trip. Hop on the ferry and enjoy the beaches, where you can have a picnic.
Ocean and marine life lovers will enjoy a great afternoon at this aquarium, located right beneath the CN Tower.
One of the biggest, most beautiful, and most popular markets in all of Canada. Here, you can buy local, super fresh products and feel like a true Canadian.
Canada’s largest museum features well-curated collections that cover everything from art to science and archaeology. A must-visit for anyone who enjoys spending hours learning.
When you move to Toronto, every day will be a new adventure as you discover the little things that make this city unique. We’ve gathered three fun facts that make Toronto a very cool place to live:
If you’re thinking about spending some time in Toronto, check out the video below to see what it would be like in 2025. Because the time is now—or too late. We’re waiting for you!
Its natural beauty will leave you speechless, and its multicultural population will make you feel like you’ve lived in many different places after your time in Vancouver.
Surrounded by rivers and islands, and filled with charming architectural harmony, Montreal has become Canada’s ultimate student city.
This small town in British Columbia is just an hour and a half from Vancouver and welcomes over 3 million tourists from around the world every year.
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Virginia Periotti, Visa Expert at Dingoos, explains what the visa application process involves and why good advice can make all the difference.
