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Tutor Zach McLaughlin 's Column

New Year’s resolutions

Weekly Topic: New Year's resolution

Jan 5, 2022 | 1 Comments

Photo: Kingston, Ontario


When it comes to making resolutions for a new year, I like to plan something (ideally three things) that scares me a little or at least gets me out of my comfort zone. My biggest resolution for 2022 is to move out of Toronto, and right now I feel that there is an 80% chance that this will happen. 


I’ve been living in Toronto for more than 10 years, and I’m fairly comfortable here now (though I really didn’t want to move here initially!), so it makes me quite anxious to consider leaving. Here are some of the pros and cons of living in Toronto:


Pros:

  • It’s very convenient! I live downtown and it’s a 5 or 10-minute walk to everything (bank, dentist, supermarket, post office, etc.). I haven’t driven a car since I moved here because it’s so easy to get around by walking or taking public transit.
  • There are a lot of options! You can get food from almost any culture in Toronto, new shops are popping up all the time, and you can find both unique local brands as well as large brand name flagship stores (I will miss the LEGO store!). 
  • It’s very multicultural and diverse! You can meet people from maaaany different nationalities and backgrounds here and hear many different languages in the street, and everyone fits in. Wherever you come from, there’s an opportunity for you.
  • There are lots of events, places to go, and things to see and do! However, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, many events have been canceled and many places have been closed over the past two years.

Cons:

  • The number of strange people wandering the streets has increased and many stores and banks have had to hire private security. Toronto definitely has a problem with homelessness and drug addiction, and I don’t feel as safe here anymore, especially downtown.
  • Home prices and rents have become extremely expensive. The average home price is now over one million dollars, and many young families have left Toronto recently for more affordable cities. Many older people have also chosen to sell their homes in Toronto and retire in smaller cities. Vancouver is the only city in Canada that might be more expensive than Toronto.
  • Toronto (like most big cities) is not very family-friendly. Although many people do, I would never raise kids in Toronto, especially not downtown. I really appreciate that I was raised in the countryside, where I had lots of fresh air and space to run around and play. 
  • Lots of people are leaving. Although Toronto continues to grow due to immigration (about half of Toronto’s population consists of immigrants), people are also constantly leaving for various reasons. In my case, I have very few friends and no family members left in Toronto. Now that I’m working from home and don’t have coworkers anymore, it’s starting to feel a little lonely. 

So, after considering all of those reasons, I think it may be time to move, and I’m considering the city of Kingston, Ontario. Moving is a big pain in the butt, and I don’t want to think about it too much right now, but in the fall, it may be time to pack up, move, and start a new life! I’m nervous but also excited. That’s my plan for 2022!


This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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