I'm sorry to say it....Toronto is a GOOD city but far from a GREAT city (home, quality of life) - City-Data Forum

johnathanc · 05-24-2012, 04:03 PM

I've lived in Toronto for 28 years and Boston for the last 2 and the only thing that could ever pull me back to Toronto is family at this point. I still come back home quite regularly and people ask "How's Boston or the States?" almost like they are awaiting horror stories about how terrible it is and how superior life is in Toronto. I'm sorry, I'm having a blast and my quality of life overall is so much higher. When I go back to Toronto for a visit, I hate to say it, but the people, atmosphere, buzz, opportunities, architecture, history, streets, etc... just feel subpar. Even the so-called fancy areas don't look that impressive. It also doesn't feel very international as it should. Yes, we have a huge immigrant population but we don't seem to get the best of the best and the city is run by an establishment that is mediocre and lazy at best. I find the US more inclusive and willing to provide opportunities to those who work hard. Plus I have to deal with the local attitude of being a "traitor" or the puzzled looks when I don't say Toronto is best place on earth. Anybody have to deal with this crap as well? Grow up people!!! I'm tired of it. Toronto is a good city and can provide a good quality of life (and it's my home and always will be) but it's not GREAT, it's GOOD.

LaFemme86 · 05-24-2012, 04:17 PM

You're going to get a lot of hate for posting this, but I agree with every word. I moved from the NE US to Toronto in 1999, and experienced much of the same (but opposite-- when I'd visit back to America, I'd get the questions upon returning. I've now moved back the the NE US- NYC currently (with a few stops in between) and have never looked back.

LaFemme86 · 05-24-2012, 04:23 PM

Oh, and before people jump on me for my statement, I am also a Canadian citizen-- but I lived in the US for most of my childhood and moved to Canada in my teens. I am married to a born and raised Torontonian, and he's actually come to agree with my viewpoint as well. He's still a diehard Leafs fan though

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a_jordania · 05-24-2012, 04:59 PM

It's not the fact that people might not be crazy about the city which is a problem, but going out of one's way to demonstrate that they don't like Toronto is a strange phenomenon for me that I still can't figure out. Why the random negativity? I don't personally like Chicago very much, but does that mean that I will randomly go on the Chicago forum and say "Hey, guess what guys!? Chicago ain't that great, just thought I'd let everyone know!".

LaFemme86 · 05-24-2012, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_jordania

It's not the fact that people might not be crazy about the city which is a problem, but going out of one's way to demonstrate that they don't like Toronto is a strange phenomenon for me that I still can't figure out. Why the random negativity? I don't personally like Chicago very much, but does that mean that I will randomly go on the Chicago forum and say "Hey, guess what guys!? Chicago ain't that great, just thought I'd let everyone know!".

I agree with this as well, despite the fact that I posted above, but also find irony in it because I feel that a lot of Torontonians spew random negativity about the States. Having moved from America to Canada, complete with my 'Joisey' accent, I constantly heard unwanted and unwarranted opinions about how the States suck and Canada kicks a$s. So it kinda goes both ways

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a_jordania · 05-24-2012, 05:11 PM

I feel that a lot of Torontonians spew random negativity about the States. Having moved from America to Canada, complete with my 'Joisey' accent, I constantly heard unwanted and unwarranted opinions about how the States suck and Canada kicks a$s.

Ever been to Europe? I got scolded on the metro in Paris once because my suitcase brand was "American Tourister". A suitcase!

LaFemme86 · 05-24-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_jordania

I feel that a lot of Torontonians spew random negativity about the States. Having moved from America to Canada, complete with my 'Joisey' accent, I constantly heard unwanted and unwarranted opinions about how the States suck and Canada kicks a$s.

Ever been to Europe? I got scolded on the metro in Paris once because my suitcase brand was "American Tourister". A suitcase!

Indeed I have. Never experienced anything visiting-- I did live there when I was very young-- too young to remember! I'm sure if I live there in the future, I may come across the same.

I did live Latin America a few years ago, and though stereotypically Latins aren't big fans of Americans, I never experienced the same issue there.

I also acknowledge that this appears a much stronger trait of Torontonians (or so I've been told), but that the rest of Canada is not like that. I've only visited Vancouver and Montreal, so I can't speak of any real experience.

Average Fruit · 05-24-2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaFemme86

Indeed I have. Never experienced anything visiting-- I did live there when I was very young-- too young to remember! I'm sure if I live there in the future, I may come across the same.

I did live Latin America a few years ago, and though stereotypically Latins aren't big fans of Americans, I never experienced the same issue there.

I also acknowledge that this appears a much stronger trait of Torontonians (or so I've been told), but that the rest of Canada is not like that. I've only visited Vancouver and Montreal, so I can't speak of any real experience.

So the opinions of a bunch of Teenagers represents all Torontonians?

LaFemme86 · 05-24-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Average Fruit

So the opinions of a bunch of Teenagers represents all Torontonians?

Oh trust me, the teenagers weren't the issue. It was the adults, parents, and later on my coworkers who were the perpetrators.

a_jordania · 05-24-2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaFemme86

Oh trust me, the teenagers weren't the issue. It was the adults, parents, and later on my coworkers who were the perpetrators.

You should have told them to shove it

I'm a Torontonian living in Montreal, and I constantly have to defend myself for being from TO. It kinda sucks to be honest, and as per theme of this post, there's an out of the way determination from people in this city/rest of Canada that absolutely have to let me know that they hate it (some have never even visited!). Ever see the film "Let's all hate Toronto"? Not the greatest piece of work, but it shows you what a strange, nation-wide condition it is.

As I've had time to think about it I've realized that there are other deep seeded issues at work....same for those who go out of their way to be anti-american (I used to be at one point).