Moving to Toronto often begins with a very confident plan in your head.
New city. Insane opportunities. A fresh start.
You instantly imagine stepping off the plane and everything clicking into place – your new routine locked in and your life magically upgraded.
Then the reality check happens.
Toronto really is a magnificent city, but it rewards people who arrive prepared and make a few smart calls early on.
Following these five tips below will help you avoid common missteps, settle faster, and feel grounded a lot sooner.
1. Healthcare
Don’t make the mistake of assuming healthcare will just sort itself out once you land.
If you’re a new resident, you will need to apply for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan – but you must first apply for and receive your Ontario health card.
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan only covers certain things, and it doesn’t always take effect immediately; there may be waiting periods depending on your status. That gap catches people off guard.
The mistake isn’t needing coverage – it’s leaving it until you’re already sick.
Sort out your paperwork early, apply for your health card as soon as you’re eligible, and consider temporary private insurance if there’s a delay.
2. Expecting Instant Community
A major rookie move? Moving to Toronto, and assuming your new best friends will be assigned to you at Pearson Airport.
It’s not that Toronto is unfriendly or mean. It’s just… highly scheduled. People have commutes, side hustles, friend groups, the gym, and calendars that look like color-coded spreadsheets.
Building community and friendships here takes initiative. Join the gym. Take a spin class. Learn to cook. Go to that networking event even if you only know two people there.
You need to become a regular somewhere. That’s what it boils down to.
3. Living Away From Your Routine
When you first land in Toronto, it’s tempting to book a hotel “just until you figure things out.” It feels easy. No contracts, no commitment.
But hotel living gets old fast. You’re living out of a suitcase. Laundry is an absolute mission. Takeout becomes a staple. And the nightly rate obliterates your entertainment budget.
That’s why furnished apartment rentals found in Toronto often make more sense for a soft landing. You get proper space, a functioning kitchen, and somewhere to actually live – not just sleep.
It will feel like your home base while you’re still figuring out where you want to put down roots.
4. Parking
Parking in Toronto deserves its own warning label.
Street parking is far from guaranteed, condo parking often costs extra, and downtown monthly rates can run from around $260 and upwards. It adds up quickly.
Before signing a lease, ask the boring (but important) questions. Does the unit include a parking bay? Is it underground? How much does visitor parking cost?
Once you know that, compare parking fees to public transit. Sometimes the TTC wins on both cost and sanity.
5. Comparing It To Home
If you move to Toronto and can’t give up saying, “Well, back home we did things like this…” – congratulations, you’ve signed yourself up for unnecessary homesickness and disappointment.
Obviously, it’s different. Isn’t that the whole point?
If you keep mentally grading the city against your old life and how things used to be, Toronto will fail every time. Instead, treat it like dating someone new.
Get curious. Embrace the new and give it a fair shot.
Final Thoughts
Toronto is an incredible place to build a life – if you approach it wisely.
A little preparation upfront saves a lot of stress later and helps you settle in faster, smarter, and more confidently.
